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Posted by: y_soitenly 8 months, 1 week ago

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y_soitenly8 months, 1 week ago

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FTA~

So Obama embraced Cuba's overture to put every issue on the table, but he wants the Castro government to free political prisoners. He had attention-snaring handshakes and smiles with Hugo Chavez, but he wants the Venezuelan leader to stop being an authoritarian figure. Obama pledged the U.S. and Mexico are united on the drug war, but violence keeps on raging.
For now, Obama has what he wanted. A start.
"What we showed here is that we can make progress when we're willing to break free from some of the stale debates and old ideologies that have dominated and distorted the debate in this hemisphere for far too long," he said Sunday at the end of the Summit of the Americas.
The White House hopes it will all pay off — Obama's personal diplomacy, his promises to lead without lecturing, his willingness to hear leftist leaders gripe about the past.

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  UnusualSuspect8 months, 1 week ago
  
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  "Everywhere in Latin America, enemies of America are going to use the picture of Chavez smiling and being with the president as proof that Chavez is now legitimate that he is acceptable," Gingrich said in an interview on NBC's The Today Show.
  
  "What I find distressing is that this administration is opposed to looking for oil offshore, but the president bows to the Saudi king, and the president is friends with Venezuela whose biggest impact on us is that they send us a lot of oil," Gingrich added. - Newt Gingrich
  
  Sigh...Republicans and conservatives...they want to keep the status quo, and keep the hardline that was the downfall of the Bush Administration. To get anywhere in this world they have to understand that talking with others, shaking hands with others, is not a sign of weakness. It's not a sign that the US in in bed with Cuba or Venezuela, but a sign that we want to move forward in discussions with them, to see if things can be worked out among nations. Nothing wrong with being polite. Certainly better than snubbing people like we've done for years, acting superior and arrogant.
  
  Gingrich et al are the old guard...watch out for them...the US is starting to gain the confidence and the trust of the world again....and people like Gingrich...all they want to do is tear it down...
  
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  - prophyporcritesComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned1 Reply
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      sinophil498 months, 1 week ago
      
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      prohyporcrites - The US imports about 1.5 million barrels of oil daily from Venezuela (about 7% of our consumption).
      
      Chavez and Venezuela has great influence on countries like Cuba, Ecuador, and Bolivia. He can make them more receptive to US programs and initiatives.
      
      Venezuela has been accused of aiding rebels and drug dealers in Colombia, weakening the Colombian government and making it more difficult to eradicate the drug problem.
      
      Just think of the oil situation alone. What if Chavez decides to sell all of Venezuelan oil to China instead of the USA?
      
      Please inform yourself before making silly statements.
      
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    buckncindykill8 months, 1 week ago
    
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    Incredible suspect!
    
    Ortega trashes our country and what does Obama do? Rather than stand up for his country, Obama simply thanked Ortega for not blaming him personally for things that happened when Obama was young.
    
    So what can we conclude from Obama's visit? This was nothing more than a political photo-op for Latin American leaders, and a chance for them to roast America for their perceived history of neglect and abuse. I say photo-op because Barack Obama is extremely popular with the Latin American people. That's why these Latin American leaders made a point to deride America, but not Obama .. they know that having Obama on their side will only boost their own popularity.
    
    He is a pawn, folks. He is being used to boost personal popularity. Meanwhile, Obama's "listen and learn" approach gives them the luxury to hate on America in a way that makes them look stronger and America weaker.
    
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      sinophil498 months, 1 week ago
      
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      buck - Wait a minute. The USA was a big meddler in Nicaragua and helped install the Somoza family. They were completely corrupt and ruined the Nicaraguan economy while accumulating great wealth for themselves.
      
      USA companies exploited much of Nicaragua's resources - lumber, rubber, mining, etc - then promptly abandoned Nicaragua when these were destroyed or depleted.
      
      And you talk of Ortega trashing our country? You are the epitome of the ugly American. Brash, abrasive, arrogant, totally oblivious of other nation's interests and totally absorbed in your own.
      
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