Chavez Sends Cheap Heating Oil To US Poor

[ELVIS]

Yeah, local Christians go on kind of a rotating basis based on availability...

I've never been yet...

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by ELVIS
Actually, I may be going to work on a missionary in Guatemala next summer...

Cool

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by blueturk
I din't realize Chavez was guilty of "poor management of the national budget". I'm glad we don't have a "leader" like that!

LMMFAO !!!!

You slay me, turk

[ELVIS]

Actually, I may be going to work on a missionary in Guatemala next summer...

[blueturk]

I din't realize Chavez was guilty of "poor management of the national budget". I'm glad we don't have a "leader" like that!

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by ELVIS


Venezuela has a prosperous oil industry and yet 80% of its population lives in poverty because of government abandonment of its people. The economy has been in a state of crisis since 1994, and when Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1998, he promised to reduce poverty with social, educational, and health reforms. However, he has failed to keep his promise due to poor management of the national budget, thus provoking the people to demand a recall referendum.

Guess you'll be leaving soon to join a missionary down there.

Don't forget to send a postcard

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by ELVIS
You think that's all it is, a "wonderful selfless act" ??

You interested in buying a bridge ??

Or perhaps a planet ??


You make me laugh...

"all" it is?

Never said that.

But it sure is a helluva lot more than than our own "energy" president has been able to muster.

Tens of thousands of families can afford to be warm this winter, and all you can do is look for ulterior motives?

Christ would approve of Mr. Chavez's generosity.

You sure are quick to judge others. Hmmm. Tell me again what the Bible says about that.....

[ELVIS]

Venezuela has a prosperous oil industry and yet 80% of its population lives in poverty because of government abandonment of its people. The economy has been in a state of crisis since 1994, and when Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1998, he promised to reduce poverty with social, educational, and health reforms. However, he has failed to keep his promise due to poor management of the national budget, thus provoking the people to demand a recall referendum.

[ELVIS]

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Gee, while Chavez performs this wonderful selfless act.

You think that's all it is, a "wonderful selfless act" ??

You interested in buying a bridge ??

Or perhaps a planet ??


You make me laugh...

[LoungeMachine]

Gee, while Chavez performs this wonderful selfless act, our own Oil Execs reap RECORD WINDFALL PROFITS, and then LIES to CONGRESS.

Can't imagine why we're becoming so ridiculed around the world.

Perhaps we could find that "missing" 9 BILLION dollars Chimpy "lost" in Iraq and rebate some of our own families in need.

FUCK YOU BUSH

THANK YOU CHAVEZ

[blueturk]

That crazy son-of-a bitch! Oil at reduced prices? What must Dudya think about all this? I can't wait to hear what Rove writes for him....

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1102AP_Venezuela_Fuel_for_the_Poor.html

Chavez brings oil diplomacy to U.S.

By MARCEL HONORE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez strengthened his Latin American ties with generous oil deals that he is now extending north to the United States, with plans to ship cheap heating oil to low-income people in New York and Massachusetts.

Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. made a symbolic first delivery to a Boston-area family this week. Shipments are due to reach tens of thousands families starting next month, and hospitals, homeless shelters and other facilities in needy communities also are in line to get oil.

Chavez's critics call it a political stunt aimed at needling President Bush, a constant target of taunts from the leftist leader. Others say Chavez is likely to win praise from some Americans with a clever approach that bypasses Washington to make his point.

"How are you going to retaliate for keeping people warm for winter?" said Larry Birns, director of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs. "It's a pretty brilliant strategy."

Linda Kelly of Quincy, Mass., said she feels grateful to Chavez for the fuel that her family of five received this week at a 40 percent discount.

"He's doing the right thing," Kelly, 44, said in a phone interview Wednesday. "The people of Venezuela are lucky to have him. That's what government is supposed to be about - taking care of the little guy."



Awash in oil profits, Chavez says he is leading a socialist "revolution" and calls his program an act of justice for poor Americans, whom he says have been neglected by their government.

He has called Bush a "madman" and said Venezuela must be prepared to repel a U.S. attack if necessary. Washington denies such plans but has accused Chavez of endangering Venezuelan democracy and destabilizing the region.

Despite the political tensions, the United States remains the top buyer of oil from Venezuela, the world's No. 5 exporter. Citgo has 13,500 independently owned gas stations in the United States.

Chavez has been selling fuel on preferential terms to countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, extending low-interest loans and accepting partial payment in goods ranging from bananas to sugar.

Venezuela sent extra, market-price oil shipments to the United States after Hurricane Katrina to help areas where Chavez accused Bush of not doing enough for survivors.

Some analysts warn Chavez's promises could leave him overextended when high oil prices decline. Other critics say his aid for low-income Americans is misplaced because poverty in Venezuela is more serious despite Chavez's many social programs.

The 12 million gallons of fuel earmarked for Massachusetts will be distributed by two nonprofit groups and reach an expected 40,000 families, who could save a total of between $10 million and $14 million.

Venezuelan heating oil also is headed to New York City's Bronx borough, and Chavez has said he hopes to extend the project to other U.S. cities.

Patrick Esteruelas, an analyst with the New York-based think tank Eurasia Group, said the discount sales are a way for Venezuela to "compromise the White House position within the U.S." and amplify Chavez's voice.

A close ally of Fidel Castro, Chavez proposed offering fuel to poor U.S. communities during an August visit to Cuba in August. He found allies in some congressional Democrats and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

"Chavez is spreading his influence by a good use of energy to people who need it," Jackson said in a phone interview from Las Vegas. "So long as spreading influence achieves a noble purpose of relieving poverty and misery, it's a good thing."

U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., discussed the discount oil sales over a dinner with Chavez in August and has called for U.S. oil companies to follow Citgo's lead.