Chavez Not "Humanitarian"

In 1956 when my mother was just 10 years old, my family emigrated from Venezuela to the United States in search of a better life. They found that better life and became naturalized American citizens.

I can tell you that Hugo Chavez does not speak for most Venezuelans. Conditions are not good in Venezuela for the people. If Chavez is such a "humanitarian" as NYC Councilman Charles Barron and actor Danny Glover believe, then why do the people of Venezuela suffer so? According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, up to 36% of children in Venezuela suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition and 2/3 of the population lives below the poverty line.

Chavez's act of "humanitarianism" in giving cheap oil to NE states in the U.S. is absolutely nothing more than a publicity stunt to raise his popularity and turn Americans against Bush. The sheer arrogance is unbelievable.

I rarely agree with Nancy Pelosi but her assessment of Chavez as a "thug" is dead on. He is no different than mafia godfathers or drug cartel leaders.