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Editorial
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Title: Dick Cheney, Hugo Chavez and Bill Clinton’s Band
Source: Greg Palast's website
URL Source: http://www.gregpalast.com/dick-chen ... -chavez-and-bill-clintons-band
Published: Aug 16, 2004
Author: Greg Palast
Post Date: 2006-09-24 11:40:16 by jessejane
Keywords: Cheney, Chavez, oil
Views: 174
Comments: 20

There’s so much BS and baloney thrown around about Venezuela that I may be violating some rule of US journalism by providing some facts. Let’s begin with this: 77% of Venezuela’s farmland is owned by 3% of the population, the ‘hacendados.’

I met one of these farmlords in Caracas at an anti-Chavez protest march. Oddest demonstration I’ve ever seen: frosted blondes in high heels clutching designer bags, screeching, “Chavez - dic-ta-dor!” The plantation owner griped about the “socialismo” of Chavez, then jumped into his Jaguar convertible.

That week, Chavez himself handed me a copy of the “socialist” manifesto that so rattled the man in the Jag. It was a new law passed by Venezuela’s Congress which gave land to the landless. The Chavez law transferred only fields from the giant haciendas which had been left unused and abandoned.

This land reform, by the way, was promoted to Venezuela in the 1960s by that Lefty radical, John F. Kennedy. Venezuela’s dictator of the time agreed to hand out land, but forgot to give peasants title to their property.

But Chavez won’t forget, because the mirror reminds him. What the affable president sees in his reflection, beyond the ribbons of office, is a “negro e indio” — a “Black and Indian” man, dark as a cola nut, same as the landless and, until now, the hopeless. For the first time in Venezuela’s history, the 80% Black-Indian population elected a man with skin darker than the man in the Jaguar.

So why, with a huge majority of the electorate behind him, twice in elections and today with a nearly two-to-one landslide victory in a recall referendum, is Hugo Chavez in hot water with our democracy-promoting White House?

Maybe it’s the oil. Lots of it. Chavez sits atop a reserve of crude that rivals Iraq’s. And it’s not his presidency of Venezuela that drives the White House bananas, it was his presidency of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. While in control of the OPEC secretariat, Chavez cut a deal with our maximum leader of the time, Bill Clinton, on the price of oil. It was a ‘Goldilocks’ plan. The price would not be too low, not too high; just right, kept between $20 and $30 a barrel.

But Dick Cheney does not like Clinton nor Chavez nor their band. To him, the oil industry’s (and Saudi Arabia’s) freedom to set oil prices is as sacred as freedom of speech is to the ACLU. I got this info, by the way, from three top oil industry lobbyists.

Why should Chavez worry about what Dick thinks? Because, said one of the oil men, the Veep in his bunker, not the pretzel-chewer in the White House, “runs energy policy in the United States.”

And what seems to have gotten our Veep’s knickers in a twist is not the price of oil, but who keeps the loot from the current band-busting spurt in prices. Chavez had his Congress pass another oil law, the “Law of Hydrocarbons,” which changes the split. Right now, the oil majors - like PhillipsConoco - keep 84% of the proceeds of the sale of Venezuela oil; the nation gets only 16%.

Chavez wanted to double his Treasury’s take to 30%. And for good reason. Landless, hungry peasants have, over decades, drifted into Caracas and other cities, building million-person ghettos of cardboard shacks and open sewers. Chavez promised to do something about that.

And he did. “Chavez gives them bread and bricks,” one Venezuelan TV reporter told me. The blonde TV newscaster, in the middle of a publicity shoot, said the words “pan y ladrillos” with disdain, making it clear that she never touched bricks and certainly never waited in a bread line.

But to feed and house the darker folk in those bread and brick lines, Chavez would need funds, and the 16% slice of the oil pie wouldn’t do it. So the President of Venezuela demanded 30%, leaving Big Oil only 70%. Suddenly, Bill Clinton’s ally in Caracas became Mr. Cheney’s — and therefore, Mr. Bush’s — enemy.

So began the Bush-Cheney campaign to “Floridate” the will of the Venezuela electorate. It didn’t matter that Chavez had twice won election. Winning most of the votes, said a White House spokesman, did not make Chavez’ government “legitimate.” Hmmm. Secret contracts were awarded by our Homeland Security spooks to steal official Venezuela voter lists. Cash passed discreetly from the US taxpayer, via the so-called ‘Endowment for Democracy,’ to the Chavez-haters running today’s “recall” election.

A brilliant campaign of placing stories about Chavez’ supposed unpopularity and “dictatorial” manner seized US news and op-ed pages, ranging from the San Francisco Chronicle to the New York Times.

But some facts just can’t be smothered in propaganda ink. While George Bush can appoint the government of Iraq and call it “sovereign,” the government of Venezuela is appointed by its people. And the fact is that most people in this slum-choked land don’t drive Jaguars or have their hair tinted in Miami. Most look in the mirror and see someone “negro e indio,” as dark as their President Hugo.

The official CIA handbook on Venezuela says that half the nation’s farmers own only 1% of the land. They are the lucky ones, as more peasants owned nothing. That is, until their man Chavez took office. Even under Chavez, land redistribution remains more a promise than an accomplishment. But today, the landless and homeless voted their hopes, knowing that their man may not, against the armed axis of local oligarchs and Dick Cheney, succeed for them. But they are convinced he would never forget them.

And that’s a fact.

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#1. To: jessejane, *Hugo Fan Club* (#0) (Edited)

blondes in high heels clutching designer bags, screeching, “Chavez - dic-ta-dor!” The plantation owner griped about the “socialismo” of Chavez, then jumped into his Jaguar convertible.

That week, Chavez himself handed me a copy of the “socialist” manifesto that so rattled the man in the Jag. It was a new law passed by Venezuela’s Congress which gave land to the landless. The Chavez law transferred only fields from the giant haciendas which had been left unused and abandoned.

That's funny!

The top 3% were saving that abandoned land for later!

"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country."

- Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers

robin  posted on  2006-09-24   11:42:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: buckeroo (#1)

The Chavez law transferred only fields from the giant haciendas which had been left unused and abandoned.

FYI.

When a corrupt system has given a handful of crooks all the wealth of the country and the rest are mostly impoverished, a little "socialism" is a good thing, I think.

Check out my blog, America, the Bushieful.

Arator  posted on  2006-09-24   11:46:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Arator (#2)

The problem with "just a little" is that there is no rule to define it and as a result becomes what we see in America today: fascism.

buckeroo  posted on  2006-09-24   11:54:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: robin (#1)

The Chavez law transferred only fields from the giant haciendas which had been left unused and abandoned.

It would be okay if he stole the property from a war veteran to give to developers. But to give to the poor? Blasphemous.

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   12:02:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: jessejane (#0)

The thing that really got Chavez in trouble in the press was that he took away a huge (like, REALLY huge) plantation from a wealthy British Lord who hadn't even seen it in decades.

Chavez gave him a choice, use it or lose it. The Lord said, it's my land and I'll do what I want with it. "Not anymore, it's not," said Chavez. There are something like 1,000 farms on that land now.

Mekons4  posted on  2006-09-24   12:17:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: jessejane (#4)

With the new Eminent Domain laws we now have, a direct contradiction of the Bill of Rights, the rich corporations are moving out private citizens from their own property to build malls and the like. It's all "legal" now, just like torture.

VZ has everything turned right-side-up and it just makes US feel a bit dizzy and confused at first.

"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country."

- Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers

robin  posted on  2006-09-24   12:18:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: Mekons4 (#5)

There are something like 1,000 farms on that land now.

Clearly an assault on hoarding. What is this world coming to? /s

:)

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   12:21:44 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: robin (#6)

VZ has everything turned right-side-up and it just makes US feel a bit dizzy and confused at first.

It's the hipocracy that drives me batty. I have no doubt Mr. Chavez is not clean and tidy, and their freedom of speech is limited. Perhaps controlled. Perhaps their movements are tracked as well. Or phone calls tapped. Or kept in poverty via taxation or such. Perhaps the best care goes to those who can pay for it. Or education is also a priveledge for the very rich and connected.

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   12:27:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: jessejane (#8)

No one here thinks Hugo is perfect or even close to it. But we all appreciate his spirited descriptions of The Retarded Yet Evil One. Same for George Galloway, politically he's a bit out there for me, but I'll never forget how he lambasted Norm Coleman in the Senate.

"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country."

- Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers

robin  posted on  2006-09-24   12:32:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: robin (#9) (Edited)

No one here thinks Hugo is perfect or even close to it.
I know. It's the with us or against us bunch that crack me up.

But we all appreciate his spirited descriptions of The Retarded Yet Evil One.

LOL!!!

Same for George Galloway, politically he's a bit out there for me, but I'll never forget how he lambasted Norm Coleman in the Senate.

He does give strange a bad name..pretending to be a lap kitty or something. Whew.. But I DOOO remember that Coleman slap-down. It was pretty ballsy for him to even show up.

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   12:49:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: jessejane (#10)

That was just strange British telly. Galloway played along, yeah, it was strange but at least he's real.

"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country."

- Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers

robin  posted on  2006-09-24   12:51:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: robin (#11)

That was just strange British telly. Galloway played along, yeah, it was strange but at least he's real.

I thought it was some stunt he pulled in his official capacity.. LOLOL! Thanks for clearing that up!! Just for that, I'll lower his fruit-loop rating then.. ;) People need to keep a sense of humor to stay somewhat sane. 'Splains alot about politicians.

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   12:57:47 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: jessejane (#12)

Just for that, I'll lower his fruit-loop rating then.. ;)

lol! Yes do! Only one notch though ;P

"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country."

- Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers

robin  posted on  2006-09-24   12:59:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: robin (#13)

Only one notch though ;P

On your word.. Done. ;)

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   13:02:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: jessejane (#0) (Edited)

I really believe that the Patriot/Libertarian movement is making a BIG MISTAKE in lending its support to Chavez. I have studied the mechanations of the New World Order since the 1970s and this Chavez vs. Shrubya act STINKS of another of their dog and pony shows. (Basically it is another version of the get the Patriots to support one brand of ultra stateism against another while totally ignoring the FreeMarket and Freedom alternative entirely that the NWO always practices when they want to nutralize the Patriots.)

Coral Snake  posted on  2006-09-24   19:44:35 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Coral Snake (#15)

Which why I'm concerned about Chavez playing both side of the fence.. just as the Ford foundation (etc.) does. You have to ask yourself, who benefits from his actions? jmho

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   19:49:53 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#17. To: jessejane (#16)

I have to admit that I thought of Chavez as some kind of hero myself UNTIL he showed himself as an admitted deciple of Noam Chompsky, a known gun grabber and New World Order SHILL disguising himself as an "Independent" Leftist. My "Bites" in fact are being given to these kinds of persons this week rather than the Shrubya crowd that usually get them.

My contention is that now that with the coming end of the era of Shrubya and his Neo-Cons (Shrubya is INELLEGIBLE to run in the next Presidential election so his era is actually at an end) these NWO alliences that the Patriot/Libertarian movement has made with the "independent" Left (Noam Chompsky, Michael Moore, Hogo Chavez, CounterPunch, DailyKos, Mother Jones, etc) will come to be the biggest threats for both continued warmongering and bringing about the end of the Constitutional Republic precicely because the Patriot/Libertarian movement has given them their "seal of approval" in the fight against Shrubya and the Neo-Cons.

Coral Snake  posted on  2006-09-24   20:10:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: Coral Snake (#17)

CS.. I don't see it like you do, but then, I'm rather a new student at all of this. I would say this though.. I think, many find themselves without a 'party'.. lefties, righties... what was middle is now, NOT MIDDLE. So, to make assumptions that many are casting themselves in whole fashion to yet another belief system they are not familiar with, could be a leap of underestimation in orders of unmeasured magnitude.

Many are just now waking up to what is. Shaking off the old chains doesn't necessarily mean jumping into new ones.

People need time to assess and digest what has happened and not be forced into new boxes so soon. A dem is not a dem. A pub is not a pub. A liberal is not what it was, and neither is a conservative.. The language has been changed on us, and many are catching up.. I think its time for people to be allowed to think without being boxed.

I mean no insult to anyone by saying this.. I just know, I was late to the party to begin with and it's been one hell of a roller-coaster in 5 years. And sadly, the cars are dumping us over a cliff. It's time to pick your parachute, but choose wisely.

I think people are trying very hard to do that.

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   20:22:07 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: jessejane (#18)

Shaking off the old chains doesn't necessarily mean jumping into new ones.

People need time to assess and digest what has happened and not be forced into new boxes so soon. A dem is not a dem. A pub is not a pub. A liberal is not what it was, and neither is a conservative.. The language has been changed on us, and many are catching up.. I think its time for people to be allowed to think without being boxed.

well said! you and i are pretty much in the same place and have arrived in exactly the same time frame.

christine  posted on  2006-09-24   21:35:35 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: christine (#19)

well said! you and i are pretty much in the same place and have arrived in exactly the same time frame.

Thanks Christine.. I think there are many many more, where we are too!

Globalization is the crucifiction of civilization.

randge posted on 2006-09-23http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35452&Disp=81#C81

jessejane  posted on  2006-09-24   22:01:35 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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