Fair enough, I don’t want alienation, but it seems it’s all we’re capable of with Rice and the rest of the cabal.  We should just back off and play nice.  Florida eh?  You have my sympathy.

expat, I you’re claims are all valid and spot-on, but this doesn’t mean we can’t hope to change things towards a better future. I’m working in what little ways I can to influence my government, of which is Florida and has direct influence over Caribbean and South American countries, to re-examine our worker rights policies and trade policies. Little things are being done, but I want to focus on the big picture.

So...why the hell would they want to listen to anything we have to say?  They have oil; lots of it!  Oil is power....power over us...us, the wasteful, irresponsible, hedonistic, greedy, domineering, pre-emptive assholes, who think they own the world?  Aegrus, grow up; I mean this kindly; you’re smart; this I know; but shed your naiveté; wake up, or it’s time to die.

^ When and only when, we accept their right to exist and self govern, can we have an egalitarian relationship.  Friendship is only possible between equals; remember that (very, very important)!  It is one of the few truths of life.  I think you have a shallow knowledge of the history of our “relationship” (kind words) with our southern neighbors.  We have been no less than the worst despots in human existence regarding our policies regarding our southern neighbors.  We are doing to Iraq the things we learned and practiced in the way we dealt with our southern neighbors.  That they will still engage us is a miracle.  I would be less forgiving.

We will settle for nothing less than domination.  surely you know this.  Not acceptable!

I’m aware of the bloody relations our country has shared with Central and South America. Still, there is no reason to alienate potential allies if we can make our government progress into something a little more magnanimous.

Chevron’s Rice was instrumental in slaughtering a million dead Iraqis to privatize the second largest oil reserve on the planet. They will remain war criminals until the end of time. Killin and Drillin for Jesus!!

^ of Texas.  The U.S. should stay the hell out of their business after the policies conducted by this sick country (U.S.A.).  We have killed more people and moved more drugs (coming here) than any drug cartel.  Please, get yourself educated about our past history there.  You can start with Iran/Contra and go forward and backward from there.  Viva Chavez and all of the governments south of Texas that want independence from US!  I’m a grumpy old fart fed the fuck up with our “Death Squad History” in our own hemisphere.  We do not need to guide them in ANYTHING!!!!  PERIOD!

haha, I know it doesn’t make sense considering our government past, but it is what we should be doing regardless of the Bushes, Reagans, Nixons and Clintons.

The U.S. prefers dealing with Latin American oligarchs, not populist types.

Aegrus,

I agree on how this is ridiculous, and I’d go so far as to say that it’s far more than a mistake to alienate ANY South American country.

BUT...I had to sort of chuckle when you said this:

“We just have to help guide them to be more peaceful about their policies.”

WE (as in the US) have help ‘guide’ ANYBODY about being more peaceful about their policies?????????????

I dunno Aegrus...I’m thinking that’s not such a good idea either these days...

She only knows how to carry out her “blow job” policy

While the US economy and reputation hits its lowest level ever, Condoleeza Rice does more of the same garbage she has been doing all along. What Argentina chooses to be political and in economic terms is not US’s business. The same mentality of do what we tell you or.... we will invade is now outdated and the US is running the risk of being in the position Germany was in 1945. The world is tired of US Empirealism and is no longer going to take it.

That’s ridiculous. Alienating any South American country at this point in time is a mistake. Nations south of the equator are becoming very big economic powers. We just have to help guide them to be more peaceful about their policies.