and now.... Honduras.

[Neil]

Can anyone make sense of this statement from the Obamateur?

"America cannot and should not seek to impose any system of government on any other country, nor would we presume to choose which party or individual should run a country. . .And we haven't always done what we should have on that front.  Even as we meet here today, America supports now the restoration of the democratically elected president of Honduras, even though he has strongly opposed American policies."

Sure, he's saying we don't want to impose anything on the Hondurans and we want to impose their deposed leader on them.  That's on top of the fact that we don't want them to adhere to their constitution.  Perfect logic

Let's be fair.  Obama probably doesn't know anything about the Honduran constitution, nor does he care.  He's just mouthing platitudes.

[Valmy]

Let's be fair.  Obama probably doesn't know anything about the Honduran constitution, nor does he care.  He's just mouthing platitudes.

I blame the State Department.

[jimmy olsen]

If his influence were limited to Venezuela, I'd agree with you, more or less.  But I think we've underestimated his ability to impact the region.

Ecuador and Bolivia are hardly some sort of massive sphere of influence.

I have full confidence his system will fail.  Besides what sort of activities are we doing in Latin America that can seriously be threatened by Chavez?

Anti-narcotic efforts.

Furthermore we should oppose the spread of dictatorships and communism out of principle.

[garbon]

I blame the State Department.

Hil should not have invited Mr. Deposed to the US.

[Valmy]

Anti-narcotic efforts.

Furthermore we should oppose the spread of dictatorships and communism out of principle.

Um...the entire base of their popularity is opposition to us.  Dancing that dance is just what they want us to do Tim.

[Siege]

Anti-narcotic efforts.

Furthermore we should oppose the spread of dictatorships and communism out of principle.

Um...the entire base of their popularity is opposition to us.  Dancing that dance is just what they want us to do Tim.

Do you mean that the majority of the people in latin america hate the US?

[Valmy]

Do you mean that the majority of the people in latin america hate the US?

They rather hate the image of us they are presented with.  We are the vile imperialists who keep them down or something ridiculous like that.

[Siege]

Do you mean that the majority of the people in latin america hate the US?

They rather hate the image of us they are presented with.  We are the vile imperialists who keep them down or something ridiculous like that.

So, we treat them like children, just like we do with muslims.

Every man have the responsability to find out for himself whether the propaganda he is being fed is true or not. These people are to be judged by the same standards that we judge ourselves.

[Neil]

So, we treat them like children, just like we do with muslims.

More like the Israelis.  We forgive them their treason because they've had a rough time of it, and shovel money at them.

[derspiess]

Ecuador and Bolivia are hardly some sort of massive sphere of influence.

The full list is:
Venezuela
Ecuador
Bolivia
Cuba
Nicaragua
Antigua
Dominica
St. Vincent
(formerly) Honduras

Throw in Paraguay & El Salvador who aren't officially in ALBA but might as well be.  Also factor in Argentina & other governments who are more friendly to Chavez than the US and it starts to add up.

I have full confidence his system will fail.  Besides what sort of activities are we doing in Latin America that can seriously be threatened by Chavez?

Well, nothing-- other than trade, drug interdiction, energy supply, and national security...

edit: I do agree with you that his system will fail... eventually.  But the cost of us ignoring him may outweigh the cost of taking smart, focused action.

[derspiess]

Let's be fair.  Obama probably doesn't know anything about the Honduran constitution, nor does he care.  He's just mouthing platitudes.

Are you kidding me?  I though that the infinitely wise, educated, diplomatic Democrats knew all that stuff.  It's not like they're Republicans.

[Neil]

Let's be fair.  Obama probably doesn't know anything about the Honduran constitution, nor does he care.  He's just mouthing platitudes.

Are you kidding me?  I though that the infinitely wise, educated, diplomatic Democrats knew all that stuff.  It's not like they're Republicans.

Don't be ridiculous.  Democrats are still Americans.

[garbon]

Are you kidding me?  I though that the infinitely wise, educated, diplomatic Democrats knew all that stuff.  It's not like they're Republicans.

They know about the important stuff like healthcare and economic reform.

[Valmy]

edit: I do agree with you that his system will fail... eventually.  But the cost of us ignoring him may outweigh the cost of taking smart, focused action.

What sorts of actions do you have in mind?

Anyway as far as hurting our trade...well Congress has already been working hard on that by blocking our free trade agreements.  Their Union masters will probably be delighted at this new Chavez thingy.

other than trade, drug interdiction, energy supply, and national security

Ok I can get the drug thing but I seriously doubt we are going to have a problem anywhere else.  A couple Latin American countries are going to attack the United States somehow?

[derspiess]

Don't be ridiculous.  Democrats are still Americans.

Now you're being ridiculous.  The Dems came up with the idea of a mislabeled reset button as the cornerstone of our new diplomatic approach to Russia.  What other evidence do you need of their diplomatic skill??