Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I want it NOW!!!

Like a little kid, accustomed to having his way, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez is throwing an international temper tantrum for the ages. With his hopes set high on eliminating any semblance of checks and balances in the political process of his nation, Chavez is appalled at the U.S. expression of concern.

Telling the United States to “go to hell” and referring to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as “missy”, Chavez is proceeding toward what he aspires to be the development of a totally socialist state in Venezuela. Now, I am not an expert on political ideologies, but this is ragingly close to communism in a nation far too close to home, much less one that is a world leader in petroleum exportation. Furthermore, this guy is going to “buy” the national television broadcasting company, but will “not pay market price”.

Information is power. Make no mistake about it. This guy is about to become Kim Jung-Il in South America. He is about to “nationalize” everything in Venezuela, including the national electrical and natural gas resources. As the leader of a Socialist state, he becomes the defacto “owner” of it all. His media outlets will then become his own personal propaganda tools and his wealth will only grow as he absorbs all of Citgo’s profits. This is the scariest part, to me - the fact that he will gain the most powerful tool in the world. The tool he will own is the media. He will own what people read, see and hear. He will tell them exactly what he needs them to hear to convert them to his arcane beliefs. The ease with which he will disrupt the global market is alarming. He is in the early stages of international hostage-taking and not many people see it coming. I doubt that he will ever face serious opposition in future “elections”.

The second and third order affects of this move, to socialize Venezuela, will be felt and they will hurt. Like a spoiled child, what this guy needs is a good ass-whippin’ to get his perspective straightened out. Does the United Nations need anything beyond his tirade in front of the General Assembly to realize that he is an emotional powder keg?

Speculation as to how the war in Iraq will affect this can range far and wide. But, I do believe that it will become a factor (as if it’s not already). If we do not get that region stabilized, we could be in big trouble. Well, the caribou may be in big trouble. Instability and influence on the global market may cause the U.S. to re-examine our oil importation needs versus self-sustainment options. Saudi Arabia might be the key to all of this. (I realize I may be connecting seemingly unrelated dots, but I see a connection.)

Oil and petroleum production from the Middle East may need to increase. Exportation will only increase and if the civil unrest and killing doesn’t abate it could cause the per-barrel price to, once again, sky rocket. Do you see the power Chavez is trying to seize over the international community? Deposing of Saddam Hussein in Iraq played right into his hands. His public denouncement of the execution is in direct contrast to the power he obtained, by default, when Saddam was deposed. Saudi Arabia will likely be critical elements to the stabilization of that region, with an accompanying domino affect on the economic well-being of industrialized nations the world over.

To think that no one in Venezuela is saying gracias to Americans! Thanks to us, they pay less than 15 cents for a gallon of gas. If none of this has your attention, just imagine how it will impact us if the next terrorist act on American soil is against an oil refinery.