Thread: Chavez moves on

Boon Mee, you reveal so clearly the sadness inside you.

Look up the work 'sarcasm' in a dictionary.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Just what do you (or anybody else) think they can do about this 'situation'? Who says these multi-nationals are harmless? Only way to change it is to get on the boards and influence in other directions? Not likely.

You have heard of Chavez and his policies, the subject of this thread, haven't you? The answer may lay there.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by Wallace

. Does anyone on this planet seriously believe that America will NOT profit from oil in Iraq? US companies have already made zillions out of the war and the new pipeline will ensure that more oil revenues will flow out of the country and into western pockets.

Forget America and the constant America-bashing for a minute - these oil companies are, like, multinational? Shell, BP, Chevron, Exxon-Mobile etc are not American - Jesus H. Chocolate Christ!

If they are multinational then why are we using U.S. taxpayer's money and U.S. soldiers to keep THEIR profits flowing??????

Shouldn't we be instead charging an escort fee from every tanker that makes it safely out of the Persian Gulf, and, shouldn't we be billing the oil companies for the cost of keeping U.S. forces in the Gulf?????

Jesus H. Christ, indeed, what kind of conservative uses our military to benefit multinational corporations?????

Surasak, I think we've already established that Boon Mee hadn't quite grasped the idea that most of those profiting from this are American oil companies.

Not worth responding to this any more unless it's about Chavez.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

...got to run for today - enjoyed the 'banter'

Ask Wallace for permission to to leave - you're owned by him

Okay Wallace and stroll are on record cheering Chavez's end of democratic rule in Venezuela. What makes it okay?

Nonono, I said this is an issue which will cost him international support.
He's suffering from big-head syndrome, how bad it really is, the future will tell. It may turn out to be an initially well-meant movement supported by the people going sour and causing further suffering, except this time without US's sponsorship.

But I do support his present nationalisation policies -which you haven't yet commented on?- as well as the South-American alliances. I made similar comments in the earlier Venezuela thread. I can't help but giggle at his theatrical antics stirring conservative America like a wasp in the bonnet.

Nationalisation combined with authoritarianism does not have a historic reputation for optimal economic output in developing countries like Venezuela.

A statesman who knows how to play the game and gets things done, unlike your pathetic leader Dubya.

My apologies. I thought this was in refernece to his ending democrtic rule.

What say Wallace? I believe his comment was "go fella go".

It's 2am. I see you guys on the other side.

Originally Posted by attaboy

My apologies. I thought this was in refernece to his ending democrtic rule.

This was just a stupid remark, not meaning anything in particular - my apologies.

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

Nationalisation combined with authoritarianism does not have a historic reputation for optimal economic output in developing countries like Venezuela.

It sure doesn't, it should set the alarm bells ringing, in fact. It could be the groundwork for large-scale corruption.
But then, economic output is not the primary objective of the (re-)nationalisation policy, it's about resources being managed by the state and contracts re-allocated. Venexuela has mutually benificial investment agreements with several nations, the US isn't one of them.

Originally Posted by stroller

Venexuela has mutually benificial investment agreements with several nations, the US isn't one of them.

And that's to be sorted out...

Does anyone know if Venezuela can just turf out US companies? Are there international trade rules that govern how countries if nationalise companies and resources what compensation must be paid?

He's at it again...

Chavez to US - "Go to hell, Gringos!"

Link

Isn't it a bit hypocritical for the U.S. to both criticize decrees (you know, similar to Presidential signing statements ignoring the laws of the United States) and criticize those countries who interfere with the internal affairs of other nations (cough, cough, Iraq)?

Originally Posted by surasak

Isn't it a bit hypocritical for the U.S. to both criticize decrees (you know, similar to Presidential signing statements ignoring the laws of the United States) and criticize those countries who interfere with the internal affairs of other nations (cough, cough, Iraq)?

No...we ain't stealing someone's property...

...neither is Chavez.
Venezuelan oil doesn't belong to US corporations.

Originally Posted by stroller

No...we ain't stealing someone's property

No, Boon Mee, the US are just bombing it to shit instead.

Originally Posted by stroller

...neither is Chavez.
Venezuelan oil doesn't belong to US corporations.

The infrastructure does though and he's absconding with that too...

This is just great.

The bloated bully of Venezuela is threatening to to toos out the American Ambassador. Well, we sorted out El Salvador and Chile (with the help of our friends from Israel) when Allende got too big for his britches...

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

The bloated bully of Venezuela is threatening to to toos out the American Ambassador. Well, we sorted out El Salvador and Chile (with the help of our friends from Israel) when Allende got too big for his britches...

All in the name of freedom, democracy and human rights, correct?

Remember the strong U.S. support of El Salvadorian death squads? That's democracy in action.

If you read the article properly, the US Ambassador merely requests compensation for nationalised US companies. Well, let's look at one of them, shall we?
Verizon - a massive mobile and telecommunications company.
From last year:
"In addition it will sell its 29% stake in Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV) to a unit owned jointly by America Movil and its former parent Telefonos de Mexico."

So, not only do US companies build up their business on the back of Venezuelan money (who do you think the customers are?) they then sell them off to other US companies. It's no wonder really that the Venezuelans want to protect the money that its citizens are paying for domestic services. I can hear the replies of 'that's capitalism', but it's also their own money that makes these companies successful in the first place, and those companies are answerable to US shareholders only.

Ever wondered why the world's largest mobile company can't get a license in Thailand? Thaksin blocked a license for Vodafone here knowing full well that they would take over as number one operator. After using all that money from Thai people who really had little choice over what network to use in the early years, he built up a state monopoly wholly owned by himself. After the Thai people made him rich, he then paid them back by selling it off tax free to line his own pockets. God, even the UK government made BT pay millions back to the treasury after it was accepted that the company had been a national asset.