Chavez to Obama: "Do not continue on the road of stupidity."

[JackRiddler]

Chavez speaking in Caracas, Feb. 28 (Spanish)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IVTEUFx2NE

Translation thanks to rabs of DU!!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5204371&mesg_id=5205571


"Then the government of Obama yesterday has said that Venezuela, and myself, (using my) first and last name, do not collaborate with the fight against the narco traffic, that Venezuela has become one of the countries that most aids the narco traffic.

"Well, one of the countries that most aids the narco traffic, or, better said, correcting, the country where narco trafficking is most aided on this planet is the country that (Obama) governs, or, I think he governs it, I have my doubts that Obama governs it, but it's the United States that most aids the narco traffic on this planet.

"The United States is the biggest consumer in the world of drugs. How is it that they cannot stop the entry of drugs into their own territory?

"What is this, such cynicism. Obama, take charge of your own (affairs) and I will take charge of mine here, compadre. Do not mess with me Mr. Obama.

(Chavez then quotes a verse from the famous Venezuelan author Romulo about a thorny plant that grows on the savannas, a plant that flowers, gives off a sweet scent, but digs its thorns on those who shake it. Chavez is comparing Venezuela to the plant, i.e., don't shake it.)

"Do not mess with Venezuela, Obama. Do not make an error, do not follow the same clumsy and stupid road of the previous government of the United States. Demonstrate a bit of intelligence, Obama, and (your) secretary of state. Do not continue on the road of stupidity. Show your face to the world, recognize, see that this world has begun to change, that Venezuela has changed forever.

"They are not going to reduce or intimidate or anything ... we have dealt the narco traffic blows that had never before been seen here, in different forms.

"The DEA, here (in Venezuela), aided the narco traffic, the DEA here aided 'el golpismo' (coups).

"The day before yesterday they published and read the report on human rights. They also ranted against Venezuela.

"How strange that Obama has not learned about the violation of human rights in his own country, the Patriot Law, what is it? Persecutions, the death penalty, executions, torture.

"Is Obama not aware of Guantanamo, is Obama not aware of the merciless bombings of innocent people in Iraq, where his country, his soldiers keep killing children, innocent families?

"Has Obama not been aware of Israel and its genocidal aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip?

"Because in the (human rights) report they do not mention Israel. They do not mention the government of the United States, but Venezuela, yes. To them it remains the country that violates human rights.

"Go wash that palto++, Mr. Obama. Go wash that palto. Those of you who want can translate it into 'criollo' (Venezuelan colloquial).

"I have nothing else to say. Do not say later that it was I who first started throwing rocks, no, I am here and I will defend with my life the dignity of my country, the dignity of my people.

"That Venezuela be respected, Venezuela respects itself ...

"For a nation with respect, there will never again be an empire that will disrespect us.

-------------------------------------------

((rabs's notes))

Venezuelan Colloquial Spanish

** Palto Chaqueta de vestir, parte de arriba de un traje, saco de vestir

Palto: dress jacket, top part of a suit, overcoat

((JR adds: Palto is coat in Greek, too.))

Trying to find out from Venezuelan friend in Florida what the "criollo" meaning is. In Argentina and Chile, a palto is an avocado tree.


--------------------------------------------

[Uzybone]

1. Are things so perfect in Venezuela...

that every fucking day we have to have Chavez chime in?

[EFerrari]

2. You mean, respond to what our president says?

[JackRiddler]

3. He didn't "chime in." He responded to a US government statement on Venezuela.

Please read first. Thank you.

[Uzybone]

7. My mistake

He does seem to have diarrhea of the mouth when it comes to Obama though.

[Idealism]

4. Viva Chavez!

All good points that I personally would like some answers to.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Well his team is getting crushed by team USA tonight

So har har har :evilgrin:

[NavyDavy]

6. he doesn't need to give Chavez any answers, f**k chavez

[G_j]

10. well, the last admin. was plotting against him

so, I suppose he might have some concerns.

[EFerrari]

12. When people try to get me killed, I definitely get on the grumpy side.

lol

[cali]

37. you have some evidence that Obama is trying to kill Chavez?

do share. this sounds like grandstanding to me. And sorry, I don't fall among the Chavez haters.

[EFerrari]

38. I responded to a comment about the Bush administration's behavior, cali.

[KonaKane]

22. What did Chavez do to you?

And for the record, it would certainly piss me off if a government had targeted me for execution.

[EFerrari]

26. Welcome to DU, KonaKane.

:)

[unkachuck]

8. K&R....n/t

[Captain Hilts]

9. Well, Chavez is certainly an expert on 'stupid'. nt

[EFerrari]

11. Afaik, the deal is that our State Department is in transition

from the extra hostile rhetoric of the Bush years to one that reflects Obama's own policy. It's been a little rough.

But, there is going to be a meeting between Obama and Lula of Brazil that will in part be about Cuba and about Venezuela around the middle of March. I believe that we will see a change of tone to a more positive relationship and way forward.

[G_j]

14. that is helpful

thanks for the info.

I am very interested to see what Obama's approach will be, a number of these countries have swung to the left.

[EFerrari]

16. Bush and Colombia tried to frame Chavez as "aiding terrorists"

by inviting him to negotiate with the FARC in Colombia for some hostages and then, accusing him of communicating with the FARC. :crazy:

That's were the "aiding terrorists" meme comes from and I have to believe that Obama's State department can figure that out. Chavez, of all the Latin American leaders, was the one who said publicly that it was time for FARC to lay down their arms.

[Naturyl]

13. I generally like Chavez, but his grandiose posturing is a big flaw.

Nobody's perfect, and Chavez falls down when it comes to this sort of grandstanding.

[EFerrari]

15. So, how would you respond to being accused of aiding terrorists

and censoring the press and being a negative influence if none of those things were true?

I don't see how you can equate responding to criticism with grandstanding.

/grammar

[Naturyl]

17. Responding to criticism is one thing...

But doing so with an obvious "tough guy" swaggering attitude is another.

Didn't we get enough of that with Bush?

Again, I'm generally a fan of Chavez, but I call it like I see it.

[EFerrari]

18. Sure. The man has his own personality and is speaking to his culture

not ours. So, sure, I understand what you're saying.

[byeya]

43. His - Chavez - speeches are mainly aimed at his own

countrymen and woman and should be seen in that light.

[JackRiddler]

25. Even if you don't know Spanish (I don't), you should watch the video...

There's a lot of emotion but very little swagger in it.

[Chulanowa]

30. It's called personality

This is a trait that Americans don't like in their leaders. Even our current president, though we say he's full of life and personality... Is still about as dull as an empty shoebox when compared to most people. He's exciting and lively compared to what we usually have.

Chavez does have a loud, posturing personality. So what? This is only a flaw in American politics where image beats substance. Nixon lost because he was sweaty. Dukakais lost because he looked funny in a helmet. Gore was dropped because he sighed. Dean was excoriated because he got excited. Obama took hits because of his fucking name. This is all ludicrous. Applying this sort of idiocy that we hold our own politicians to to the heads of other states is just silly. The Venezualans like Chavez because of what he actually does, and just chuckle at the way he talks when he does it.

[rabs]

19. Just saw this, and good you have a less inflammatory title

For those who may not have seen the tread on this video yesterday, did the translation in response to this:

Chavez to Obama: Go wash your ass**** (CHAVEZ MANDA A LAVARSE ESE PALTO A OBAMA)

---------------------------------

Chavez did no such thing and thought that non-Spanish speaking DUers should have access to Chavez's remarks in context so that readers would not accept the earlier post as gospel.

Obama and Chavez will come face-to-face next month (April 17-19) in Trinidad & Tobago at a hemisphere leaders' conference, which should be interesting.

Source: OAS press release:

The Fifth Summit of the Americas brings together all 34 democratically elected presidents and prime ministers of the Hemisphere to discuss the principal political, economic, social, and security challenges facing the region and to prepare strategies and solutions to deal with those challenges.

The Summit Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago will afford the first opportunity for the new administration in the United States to be seated at the same table with its counterparts throughout the Hemisphere.

[EFerrari]

20. There seems to be a big push on to create as much tension as possible

between Obama and Chavez by the usual suspects.

[JackRiddler]

24. Thank you very much for your translation!

[rabs]

29. My pleasure

and good that more DUers are seeing the full context of what HC said.

Used to do this for a living. Now with computers it is so easy; split the screen, listen and pause on one side, translate on the other screen.

[Judi Lynn]

40. Truly appreciate the REAL service you have done for DU'ers who want to get to the truth about this.

Such an unforgiveable difference between what someone was pushing as the story, and the story itself.

We're really in your debt, rabs.

Thank you, so much.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Obama to Chavez: Kiss my Black and White Ass!

[EFerrari]

23. The media, which you so often call out for being manipulative,

is trying to make trouble between these two leaders. During the campaign, Chavez went out of his way to compromise McSame and to quietly not mention Obama at all. It's very clear that Venezuela along with the rest of Latin America except for a couple of BushCo clients is very happy to see an Obama administration.

[FrenchieCat]

32. Awe. OK, then Barack takes it back. His ass needs no kissing at the moment!

LOL!

[EFerrari]

35. I promise you, my dear, that the right wing both here and south

is going to try to make as much trouble as possible between Obama and Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador. Because those are the countries that are leading the way in developing their democracies and in leading the way for others, too. So, whatever you hear, remember the pillar of salt we need whenever the MSM chimes in. If I'm wrong, I'll buy you a Friday night pizza of your choice and have it delivered. :)

[bertman]

27. We Americans are so used to hearing politicians whimper and whine about some bullshit

that we no longer recognize it when a politician like Chavez says STRAIGHT UP what is on his mind. I have to say that Hugo won my heart when he called Bush the Devil, which he sure as hell is.

Chavez is no saint, but he is looking out for the vast majority of Venezuelans and not just the aristocrat overlords.

I hope our President is savvy enough to know that the can gain a strong group of allies in South and Central America if he plays his cards right.

[otohara]

28. Oh, Blah, Blah, Blah

Paranoid much Sr. Chavez?

He sounds like Jim Jones towards the end. Stay away from the coca leaf powder Sr. Chavez.

What I noticed, is the crowd, not as angry and vocal as they were when he went nuts (well deserved nuts) on George Bush.

[Gregorian]

31. Damn, Hugo, you tell them.

I love hearing the truth. There isn't much else to say. I love Obama. But I think he's right on the money when he says he has doubts as to whom is governing. It's no reflection on Obama, and I'll be Hugo knows that.

We've got a long way to go before we really own this country.

I love this man. He'll have to prove me wrong.

[bottomtheweaver]

33. Refreshing. Thanks for posting.

Remember when Obama seemed similarly refreshing, talked about his objections to a stupid war? Boy to have that guy back again.

[Mr. Hyde]

34. Does this pissant little nothing with a Napoleonic complex ever shut his fucking mouth?

We get it Hugo, you have oil and power, now stfu.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

52. exactly why shouldn't Hugo answer when he has been accused of something by the US?

i see no reason why he should just STFU when he has been accused of something, or would you do the same if you were accused?

[L. Coyote]

36. Well stated Hugo! Obama, don't be like the former Stupid government of the US.

[Zavulon]

39. Blah, blah, blah...

If I had to listen to that sort of bloviating from my leader, I'd leave and be an illegal alien in the States.

"That Venezuela be respected, Venezuela respects itself ...

"For a nation with respect, there will never again be an empire that will disrespect us."

Sounds like the ranting of a man with penis envy.

I thanks those who worked on the translation, though, I appreciate it.

[Marrah_G]

41. Dear Mr Chavez

Go fuck yourself.

That is all.

Sincerely,

US

[Idealism]

50. Speak for yourself, and try not to parrot RW talking points when you do it.

[RollWithIt]

42. Well, considering he Venezuelan economy is completely dependent on oil sales....

I'd expect him to hate Obama worse than he hated Bush as we transition to alternative energy.

[JackRiddler]

44. For those attacking Chavez - PLEASE READ

The sophistication of your responses so far speaks for itself and, I hope, persuades readers learning about this subject for the first time.

From each of you, out of curiousity, I respectfully ask (assuming you have the time and inclination) for brief answers to the following questions:

1) What was your stance on the attempted coup d'etat in Caracas of April 11, 2002?

2) Prior to March 2003, how did you stand on the push to invade Iraq, and did you believe Saddam Hussein's government possessed WMD stockpiles?

3) Do you support the recent Israeli action in Gaza? Do you support American military aid to Israel?

4) Do you feel that the Iranian threat to the US or Israel is dangerous enough to potentially require preventive military action?

5) If you're old enough or if you have an opinion, did you or would you have supported the US-backed Contra army in Nicaragua in the 1980s?

6) What do you know and feel about the events in Chile of September 11, 1973?

Thank you.

[JackRiddler]

45. Curious.

[formervolunteer]

47. Dear JackRiddler

I, without attacking Chavez per se, don't trust or remotely sympathize with the man because he is an authoritarian little man and imo is not apt to lead anything but himself.

To be civil and answer your questions:

1) HC had it coming

2) Disapproved it, no

3) No, yes (and that's a "yes because.. but..")

4) No

5) I probably would have

6) C.I.A. put Pinochet in power after having Allende killed in order to make money. These folks (C.I.A. handmen and the people behind it)disgust me.


Now all of this, even if it does vaguely qualify as a context to Chavez, does not make him immune to either poor leading skills or critic.

[fascisthunter]

46. If a Country Went out of it's way to Smear my country

I'd be a bit pissed as well. Them be some crazy charges by a bunch of hypocrites.

[devilgrrl]

48. Chavez to Obama: Babies taste better with McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce and Miller-Lite

eom

[JackRiddler]

49. bump

[JackRiddler]

51. The Maria Conchita Alonso McCain 2008 memorial bump

[JackRiddler]

53. The "Running Man" revival bump (starring two future governors!)

[JackRiddler]

54. The Go Team Venezuela (World Baseball Classic) bump

Uh oh, was that treason?

[JackRiddler]

56. YES! Venezuela wins Pool C over USA, 5-3

http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/index.jsp

[GreenTea]

55. The Bush/Cheney road of stupidity (and others, here as well).