@topic,

Obama "used the three-day summit to express a tone of openness from the US, and he said on Sunday that he thinks other nations would be more interested in cooperating with the US if the country were seen as a 'force for good.'"

The Washington Post notes Obama ventured "so far as to say that[b] he felt the United States could learn a lesson from Cuba, which for decades has sent doctors to other countries throughout Latin America to care for the poor.[/b] The policy has won Cuban leaders Fidel and Raúl Castro deep goodwill in the region."

I'm shocked beyond words.  Obama in my opinion is clueless and absolutely a joke in making those statements in bold.

Tayo-D:

@topic,


I'm shocked beyond words.  Obama in my opinion is clueless and absolutely a joke in making those statements in bold.

Those statements from Obama are in fact accurate. Cuba has been a force for good and I'm elated Obama has recognized the efforts of Fidel and Raúl Castro.

@Richy,

Even abacha did some laudable things. I'm sure many people will couch for the goodness of heart of Saddam Hussein as well. But to say the US has a lot to learn from these people? Oh my goodnss. I am speechless!

Tayo-D:

@Richy,

Even abacha did some laudable things. I'm sure many people will couch for the goodness of heart of Saddam Hussein as well. But to say the US has a lot to learn from these people? Oh my goodnss. I am speechless!

Well, I'm sorry you're speechless. I'm with Obama on this one.

I'm still trying to figure out one good reason why Obama should have ignored Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez may have something against Bush and his senseless policies, but he clearly has nothing against Americans. Hugo Chavez is not a terrorist.
If America is constantly doing business with Saudi Arabia and China, I see nothing wrong with doing the same with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.
America (Bush) only has problem with his outspoken manner and bold stance on some touchy issues. I think Obama has done the right thing, he continues to deliver his promise unlike other career politicians.

Tayo-D:

@topic,


I'm shocked beyond words.  Obama in my opinion is clueless and absolutely a joke in making those statements in bold.

you're simply spouting tired old republican rhetoric . . . two questions:

1. Has the US-Cuba embargo of the last 50yrs benefited either the US or Cuba?

2. What is the rationale behind cultivating Venezuela as an enemy to the US?

Depilot:

I'm still trying to figure out one good reason why Obama should have ignored Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez may have something against Bush and his senseless policies, but he clearly has nothing against Americans. Hugo Chavez is not a terrorist.

Follow the news. Chavez is a logorrhea afflicted rogue of a leader. Even by Obama's blinkered standards, there are very little grounds for consensus between these two.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama was at best an "ignoramus" for saying the socialist leader exported terrorism and obstructed progress in Latin America.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE52L19G20090322

davidylan:

you're simply spouting tired old republican rhetoric . . . two questions:

1. Has the US-Cuba embargo of the last 50yrs benefited either the US or Cuba?

2. What is the rationale behind cultivating Venezuela as an enemy to the US?

How can an embargo imposed by a Democrat and left in place through successions of Democratic leaders and Congresses be deemed ''old Republican'' rhetoric?

Is the US ''cultivating'' Venezuela as enemy or vice-versa? Chavez is the one who sponsors the FARC and plays the role of unpaid cheerleader for Iran in the region. I can't see how the US is cultivating Venezuela as enemy.

4 Play:

How can an embargo imposed by a Democrat and left in place through successions of Democratic leaders and Congresses be deemed ''old Republican'' rhetoric?

You didnt get my point at all, i wasnt referencing the embargo in that line.

4 Play:

Is the US ''cultivating'' Venezuela as enemy or vice-versa? Chavez is the one who sponsors the FARC and plays the role of unpaid cheerleader for Iran in the region. I can't see how the US is cultivating Venezuela as enemy.

Chavez is only doing this to spite the US government period. So long as we continue the belligerent tone with them they are free to choose who they associate with.

the only important job tayo is doing here is to keep this section of nairaland active
his arguments are so unbelievable that sometimes i wonder if he means them or if seun paid him to keep it up for the good of the website

and to his credit, anyday he doesnt come here, this section is dry

otherwise, best answer to his arguments is . . . . .obama rules, . . do your worst or better still . . .go and hang

You mean: he's a FOREIGN AFFAIRS section punching bag full of shi t?

@davidylan,

You didnt get my point at all, i wasnt referencing the embargo in that line.

See you accusing someone of staying on point! Where did I talk about embargo or relationship with Cuba?

So you share Obama's opinion that the US has a lot to learn from Cuba about taking care of the poor?  You agree that the US is basically a force for evil in the world?  Do you understand the implications of Obama's words that say just that?

**Wonderful.**

Good Job Obama.Keep it up!!

SeanT21:

**Wonderful.**

Good Job Obama.Keep it up!!

Viva Obama!
Viva Chavez!!
Viva Castro!!!

The left rules!!!

Give Chavez a few more years and he'll be no different from any other South American strong-man.
At the moment, he's got most of the electorate in his hands by feeding them anti-US sentiment but when that runs dry, he'll have to resort to good old fashioned dictatorship.
He's based his whole economic regime around a strong price for a barrel of oil. If he doesn't get it, his economy is screwed and all of the promises he's made to his people will go down the pan.

I give him 3 or 4 years. Then people will start "disappearing". He's already going down the road of nullifying competition by going after his opponents on what truly appear to be bogus charges.

@Richy.
Chavez calls himself socialist but truly he's closer to a state capitalist. Nothing is in the hands of the people - it's all tightly controlled by him alone. I believe that he had the chance to truly do something great in Venezuela but like all leaders, the results of his blind grab for total power means that he's leftist in name only.

Depilot:

You mean: he's a FOREIGN AFFAIRS section punching bag full of shi t?

Haba, you were not supposed to say it explicitly. We need Tayo in this section of Nairaland, next time please code your words.

Bastage:

Give Chavez a few more years and he'll be no different from any other South American strong-man.
At the moment, he's got most of the electorate in his hands by feeding them anti-US sentiment but when that runs dry, he'll have to resort to good old fashioned dictatorship.
He's based his whole economic regime around a strong price for a barrel of oil. If he doesn't get it, his economy is screwed and all of the promises he's made to his people will go down the pan.

I give him 3 or 4 years. Then people will start "disappearing". He's already going down the road of nullifying competition by going after his opponents on what truly appear to be bogus charges.

@Richy.
Chavez calls himself socialist but truly he's closer to a state capitalist. Nothing is in the hands of the people - it's all tightly controlled by him alone. I believe that he had the chance to truly do something great in Venezuela but like all leaders, the results of his blind grab for total power means that he's leftist in name only.

Hugo Boss is not perfect but he has reduced poverty in Venezuela and his support is largely from the poor. Any president/prime-minister/head of state that focuses on improving the lives of poor people, instead of fattening the accounts of multinational corporations, has my vote!

Check out the following data on Venezuela's economy:


Viva Chávez!

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