Venezuela's CITGO to Provide Cheap Gas for US Hospitals, Nursing Homes and

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1738

More details provided on Chavez's offer to help U.S. poor

Venezuela's CITGO to Provide Cheap Gas for U.S. Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Schools

Caracas, Venezuela. August 28, 2005 (VenezuelAnalysis.com).- Rafael Ramirez, president of Venezuela's oil company PDVSA, offered some details of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's offer to provide cheaper gasoline and heating oil to U.S. poor communities.

Speaking shortly after a press conference held by President Chavez and U.S. Reverend Jesse Jackson, Ramirez said that CITGO Petroleum Corp., the wholly owned subsidiary of PDVSA, is currently refining up to 664.000 barrels of oil through the refineries it owns and operates in the United States.

Venezuela is the world's fifth largest oil exporter and the fourth largest supplier of oil to the United States. Venezuelan oil accounted for 12% of U.S. oil imports.

Ramirez said that under the Venezuelan government plan, CITGO will set aside up to 10% of its refined oil products to be sold directly to organized poor communities, and institutions in the U.S. without intermediaries.

The plan calls for the sale of heating oil and gasoline to hospitals, nursing homes, schools and organized poor communities in U.S. soil, according to Ramirez.

[Inland]

1. God, they are going to go ballistic

Jackson obtaining help for the US from Chavez....the neocons wouldn't hate them more if Chavez had declared an oil embargo instead.

[Charles19]

16. It's all fun and games until they want to help the poor!

Now Bush is really going to take this guy out.

My opinion on governments role to its citizens is to help and protect those who need it most, those who can't help themselves.

Current administration and the congress spend all their time thinking about ways to make rich people richer.

Chavez is shining a light on their hypocrisy. Good for him.

[faithnotgreed]

55. good post charles - were right there with you

[KyndCulture]

2. I LOVE this story!!! fantastic...

what a FUCK you this is...

[aquart]

6. Yes!

And the pointing finger has a pretty bow on it.

[aquart]

3. These boys have my awed respect.

To do a good deed that both insults and embarrasses people you don't like anyway? I wish I could do that.

[NJCher]

31. I agree!

Simply brilliant.

Outclasses bushco and just about every other politician in America.




Cher

[UDenver20]

95. Yup...

Although it doesn't take much to outsmart Bushco...lol

[Cocoa]

4. he must be stopped!

at all costs!

edit! :sarcasm:

[merwin]

5. Sweet! Giving the middle finger to BushCo!

[rodeodance]

7. it will certainly snub rummy and condi

[rodeodance]

8. and a kicko

[goforit]

38. Cute!

[MuseRider]

9. Ahhhhhh.

Compassion and a big FU to Bush**. You gotta love that!

[Sanity Claws]

10. This is the true Christian way

Chavez is helping the poor and turning his cheek at those like Pat Robertson.
I hope the false Christians are ashamed of themselves.

[KittyWampus]

11. Why, Just Tell Bush It's The CHRISTIAN THING TO DO

bwahahahhahaha

[goforit]

39. LOL!!!....they did say Satan would meet his match from heaven.

[me b zola]

12. Hoot!

Chavez sticks a finger in the eye of chimp & dick!

[stillcool]

13. OMG...Did anybody see the press conference....

...and at the bottom of the page is this: Venezuela also plans to provide free surgery for certain eye conditions for U.S. poor.

....this is interesting...The Minister said Reverend Jackson's organization could help Venezuela identify those who are in need, but that they will not be the recipients of the products.

Ramirez was confident the program will be implemented before the U.S. winter begins.

CITGO Petroleum Corp. owns and operates eight refineries in the United States.

It is unclear how the CITGO gas will reach the consumers, as CITGO does not own any of the 14.000 CITGO-branded gas stations operating in U.S. territory through franchising

[IndianaGreen]

18. CITGO gas stations sell CITGO refined gasoline

Many leftists use CITGO exclusively because a portion of the profits go to Venezuela, and Chavez will spend the profits on the people.

[stillcool]

24. Huh?.....The article states.....

"It is unclear how the CITGO gas will reach the consumers, as CITGO does not own any of the 14.000 CITGO-branded gas stations operating in U.S. territory through franchising"

[AP]

44. I believe CITGO does own a lot of 7-11s directly, but could be wrong.

[Occulus]

83. Mr. Chavez! If you have dentists/oral surgeons,

there are a LOT of people here in the US with rotting teeth and no dental insurance.

I'm right now getting a stunningly painful lesson in how much these issues can hurt. And hurt. And hurt.

[Joanne98]

87. Can't Chavez make a deal with the owners?

[Judi Lynn]

14. This is amazing. If Bush prevents this, some people will suffer!

From the article:

Other Venezuelan government officials, who asked not to be named, said that Venezuela will not lose any money with this program because the idea is to "cut the middle-man", the intermediaries.

Ramirez said the beneficiaries will see a price reduction of about 30%.
(snip)

Ramirez was confident the program will be implemented before the U.S. winter begins.
(snip)

“There is a lot of poverty in the U.S. and I don’t believe that reflects the American Way of Life. Many people die of cold in the winter. Many die of heat in the summer,” said Chavez on Sunday during his weekly TV show, explaining why Venezuela was interested in providing discounted heating oil to the U.S. poor.

“We could have an impact on seven to eight million persons,” Chavez added.
(snip)

If _Bush blocks this, he'll look even MORE like the sociopath we know him to be.

[KyndCulture]

15. Not only oil but HEALTHCARE too.. check this out.

"Venezuela also plans to provide free surgery for certain eye conditions for U.S. poor."



wow!!!!

[LeighAnn]

21. Free Eye Surgery ~ Link

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1736

Here's the Venezuelan Embassy website

http://www.embavenez-us.org

There are two contact addresses on that page, I just wrote to both of them. Not ten minutes before I read this, I was thinking, "Oh no, I'm going blind! How will I ever be able to afford eye surgery!"

I think I have retinal damage from all the years of pushing on my eyeballs for the visual effects.

[Berserker]

50. WoW LeighAnn

"I think I have retinal damage from all the years of pushing on my eyeballs for the visual effects". After all the years and tons of money on drugs and alcohol you have to tell me the easy way. Thanks alot

[howmad1]

79. Geeez, maybe Pat Robertson should "look" into this.

You know how squinty eyed he gets when praying for death and destruction to non-christians. :P

[EVDebs]

17. The book of Acts says something about Christian socialism too !

Their heads must be spinning in the rightwingnut strongholds !

[ConcernedCanuk]

19. Don't get too excited y'all - Bush banned our Canuk drugs, no?

.
.
.

He wanted to make sure they are "safe"

So -

he's probably gonna hafta check all that gas to make sure it's up to his "standards"

nonetheless

I'm sure junior is havin' a conniption anyhoo.

and if ya think Cindy put a dent in his vacation . . .

:evilgrin:

[Cha]

59. Cindy put a Big Ol' "Dent"

in his summer vacation..but Chavez is doing a little coup de grace.

I bet Chavez thinks Cindy Sheehan is one strong woman!

[DavidMS]

20. This is big...

Chavez's goverment is attempting to export the bolivarian revolution to the US.

Simply organized poor communities is a way to empower them and export bottom up democracy.

It sounds like a project that organizations like the IAF would naturaly gravitate towards... http://www.industrialareasfoundation.org/

Chavez is also protecting Venezuela from US attack because that would certanly end the programe.

[AP]

46. Activist DU'ers should think about organizing poor communties

for this express (CITGO) purpose and see where that goes.

[Joanne98]

88. How do we do that? I work with a lot of poor people. Hell, I'm poor too!

Don't forget to PM me if somebody gets something going OK AP?

[Cha]

61. And this could turn into

vote power and that's what would bring on major dts for the bushwa.

[leesa]

22. Chavez is one smart cookie. This is so cool.

[Just Me]

23. I'm SURE this ACTIVE COMPASSION will piss-off the corporacrats!!!

All I can do is offer a ((((HUGE HUG)))) to Chavez and Jackson who seek to re-align "democratic" governance!!!!

:hug:

Thank you!!!!!

[earth mom]

25. Oh how I LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

Take that you greedy freeper bastards!!! :rofl:

[SnoopDog]

26. This is just more reason to buy CITGO gas.

It could help the Americans who need assistance - the very people this administration told to 'go to hell'.

[Cha]

62. And I do..even before I knew

it was Venezuelan oil I just naturally veered toward it. When I found out that Citgo was from Venezuela and NOT the Middle East I was estactic.

[Applan]

27. 'tis a beautiful thing

to be sure!

[NNN0LHI]

28. Why aren't the other (US) oil companies all doing the same thing...

...with offers to match Chavez barrel for barrel for the poor with their record profits? Like it would hurt them or something. They don't mind spending millions on inane commercials that try and convince us they are ecologists at heart but when they could actually do something good for people they are all in a board meeting playing stink finger and can't be bothered.

Don

[wli]

29. maybe we need to chuck the citizenship requirement after all...

In order to elect Chavez as US president.

[Mabus]

30. The US receives foreign aid

I hope another country steps up with a health care proposal and really puts BushCo's panties in a knot.

[Pastiche423]

32. Thank you, President Chavez!

Oh, to be a fly on the wall when it hits the ears of the whistle ass cabal.

[Roy]

33. The bashers haven't made it to this thread yet???

They must be still in the Sharpton thread.

But soon as they find out Rev. Jackson has fingerprints on this potential deal, they will be here to try and get this one 'flame' locked.

But, before they do, I'll add my thanks to Mr. Chavez and Rev. Jackson and a hearty F*%k You to Bushco.

By the way is anyone taking odds on how long Mr. Chavez will live if this deal goes into action?

Bushco and cohorts don't like competition ya know.

[Binka]

100. Holy Shit Roy As You Were Typing So Were They

Wolves among sheep and all that. Just sayin'.

[Singular73]

34. You really think he cares about the US poor?

Please.

This is a non-calculated political move, at its worst.

Reminds me of when Saddam tried to donate money to the US poor.

This isn't good. Chavez is pushing things here.

[IChing]

36. What have you done? & Pat Robertson and your diamond mines done?

Please. So is your statement

[Frances]

37. Good point

What has Pat Robertson done for the poor?

Didn't Jesus say that it is harder for a rich man to get to heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?

[northzax]

96. yes, but the phrase doesn't mean what you think it means

the 'eye of the needle' is not an actual needle, but a small door cut into a larger porticulus to allow for fast passage of people. So it would be hard to geta camel through, but not impossible.

you know, Chavez might want to be a bit more concerned about the 47% of his people who live on less than $20/day per family. this is a ridiculous plan that will never come to fruition (among other things, it's illegal) he's being a provacateur, taking advantage of a distracted administration to cause trouble.

[Frances]

97. Actually Chavez is concerned about the poor people in his

country.

He has brought thousands of doctors to them, set up clinics in poor neighborhoods, and is now funding hospitals.

The poor are Chavez' base just like the corporations and the fundies are Bush's base. And Chavez is not stupid.

I grew up in the Bible Belt so I know about the eye of the needle, but it is obvious that Jesus was saying that it is very, very hard for a rich man to get into heaven.

And don't you love how the fundies want the 10 commandments in public buildings? But then they have exceptions for themselves. Thou shalt not kill becomes Thou shalt not kill except when you are the one doing the killing (the death penalty, the killing of prisoners in Afghanistan, the killing of Iraqis). Thous shalt not commit adultery becomes Thou shalt not commit adultery except when you are the one committing adultery (Bush's brother). Thou shalt not lie becomes Thou shalt not lie except when you are the one doing the lying (Bush and the WMDs).

[tkmorris]

40. So what? So freakin' what?

Who cares if it's a political move? As long as it actually helps the targetted group what difference does it make what the motive is?

Actually I would say that you are wrong in any case. Bush occasionally makes noises about helping people in need in the US too, the difference being that his idea of "help" is actually just rearranging the rules so they get screwed even more.

Somebody offers to do something to help the American poor and you label that "not good"?!? That is "pushing things"? What exactly would you prefer be done anyway?

[54anickel]

45. Yep, most of what the US has ever done has been in her self-interest Not

that it's necessarily a bad thing - it's just the way it is. :shrug:

[ima_sinnic]

41. "pushing" what?

his concern and programs for the poor have been sincere in Venezuela. What he is "pushing" is a different way of doing things. It's way past time.

[Minstrel Boy]

42. "The great people of the United States are our brothers"

Chavez = Saddam, and don't forget it! :crazy:

Instead of making glib remarks about how Chavez must not care for America's poor because he's trying to do something for them, you should be thanking God that someone in power, somewhere, actually does care, and is trying.

From Chavez's closing speech at the 2005 World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil:

"One day the decay inside U.S. imperialism will end up toppling it, and the great people of Martin Luther King will be set free. The great people of the United States are our brothers, my salute to them.... We must start talking again about equality. The U.S. government talks about freedom and liberty, but never about equality. They are not interested in equality. This is a distorted concept of liberty. The U.S. people, with whom we share dreams and ideals, must free themselves... A country of heroes, dreamers, and fighters, the people of Martin Luther King, and Cesar Chavez."

http://rigorousintuition.blogspot.com/2005/02/strike-blow-against-empire.html

[Singular73]

48. Beyond the Demigoging

I don't want a communist government. Or even a heavily socialist one.

Deal with it.

[Minstrel Boy]

49. You don't want a "heavily socialist" government - where?

Is it alright with you if Venezuelans have a mildly socialist one?

[Chovexani]

54. OH MY GOD

Somewhere, someone is taking care of the poor!

OH NOES!!!!11!eleven

[tkmorris]

56. So............

You don't want anyone offering help to the poor because that Socialism?

You're a disgruntled Libertarian aren't you? I can't think of any other reason for someone who dislikes social programs to be here.

Helping those who need help is a Democratic value. Deal with it.

[Robeson]

76. "Helping those who need help is a Democratic value".....

...indeed it is. If someone doesn't grasp that basic concept, then I would suggest they reexamine their party affiliation.

[Crunchy Frog]

67. We're about to be overrun by commies from Venezuela!

Quick, let's get out the nukes before they have a chance to give any assistance to poor people!:eyes:

[mitchum]

74. Well, you must consider the present US to be a fucking paradise then

I support President Chavez

[Binka]

102. Hi Honey

How ya doing today sugar?

XOXOXO

[Binka]

101. It Is Demagoguing

Dude if your gonna use the BIG words at least fucking spell them correctly. You are so obvious. Deal with it.

[Cha]

65. Thanks for posting this..I had

never read it before.

[info being]

116. But, but, can't you see this cynical ploy to do good for political reasons

So many minds have been lost, even a few on this discussion forum.

[Chovexani]

52. Second verse, same as the first

:nopity::eyes:

[TankLV]

60. That didn't take you long, did it!

Thanks for your spew - NOT!

[Cha]

64. You should study up on the

difference between saddam and Hugo Chavez before you make such cavalier comparisons.

And, I think it's damn good.

Somebody with some moral character needs to push things around here.

[mike923]

98. Agreed. Are there no more poor people in his country?*

no message

[Laughing Mirror]

107. Poor people in US certainly do appreciate Chávez "pushing things here"

And some of us might take him up on his offer to have our eyes operated on too. Sorry to be the one to break the good news (for us at least) to you.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

115. Enlighten me

Did Saddam do those evil things before of after he personally flew two planes into the WTC with Michael Moore as co-pilot?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[loudsue]

35. This is remarkable!! Whoooo-eeeee!

:woohoo: Go Chavez! :applause:

He REALLY needs to beef up his security now...bush is going to go after him with all barrels blazing (you know..the cowboy thingy).

THANK YOU, MR. CHAVEZ!!!

:kick:

[musiclawyer]

105. Totally agree

Hugo knows the USA will try to kill him, at least while Bushco is in charge. So he's probably being super careful.

[AP]

43. 700 Club takes from the poor. Venezuela gives to the poor.

Hmmm.

[54anickel]

47. They can make their donations to "Operation Blessings" on-line.

Pat gives to the poor - just not outta his own pocket.

http://www.operationblessing.com/programs/disaster_relief/news/2005/dr_2005_0824_katrina.asp?adsource=cbn

[Chovexani]

51. Damn I love Chavez

Can he adopt us?

[Cha]

66. I'm up for adoption!

:)

Somebody put on curse on us and said.."May you live in interesting times"!

[genieroze]

53. We should all buy CITGO gas only. lol

[beetbox]

63. Join the BUY-cott!

Published on Monday, May 16, 2005 by CommonDreams.org

Buy Your Gas at Citgo: Join the BUY-cott!

by Jeff Cohen

Looking for an easy way to protest Bush foreign policy week after week? And an easy way to help alleviate global poverty? Buy your gasoline at Citgo stations.

And tell your friends.


Of the top oil producing countries in the world, only one is a democracy with a president who was elected on a platform of using his nation's oil revenue to benefit the poor. The country is Venezuela. The President is Hugo Chavez. Call him "the Anti-Bush."

Citgo is a U.S. refining and marketing firm that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Money you pay to Citgo goes primarily to Venezuela -- not Saudi Arabia or the Middle East. There are 14,000 Citgo gas stations in the US. (Click here http://www.citgo.com/CITGOLocator/StoreLocator.jsp to find one near you.) By buying your gasoline at Citgo, you are contributing to the billions of dollars that Venezuela's democratic government is using to provide health care, literacy and education, and subsidized food for the majority of Venezuelans.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0516-25.htm

[genieroze]

80. Kick, but there are no Citgos near me. CRAP, there's a freaking

Walmart near me (I'm already boycotting their ass)

[Buns_of_Fire]

93. Kick and HOT DURN! got one within about two miles of me!

I always knew there was a gas station of some sort there, but it's a little hidden away, and off the main road, so I seldom bothered to make the little jog to get to it.

That, of course, was then.

Now, is now. A BUY-cott! I love it! :thumbsup:

I used the station locator referenced above to find it. Try it -- you may be pleasantly surprised (as I was!). ;-)

[PleadTheFirst]

103. Wow - A CITGO is on my way home from work!

... just 1 block off my regular commute!

Thanks for posting the Locator, beetbox - I think you just found me my new regular gas station. :)

[Cha]

57. This is too much! I told you Chavez

was an intelligent being. What a guy..This will go down in history as one big "FUCK YOU, bush!"

Maybe the poor chickens who voted for Colonel Sanders don't want his oil(patwah says "No, pray some more for it").

But, I bet lots of sane poor people would adore it!

[Minstrel Boy]

58. I think it's even better than that.

I don't think it's a simple "Fuck you, Bush." I think David hit on it in post #20: this is about exporting the Bolivarian revolution to the United States. It's a nudge to the American dispossessed to get themselves politicized and organized.

[Cha]

68. I agree..it's the

Ultimate FU. Has this ever been done before..getting the American dispossessed politicized and organized?

Chavez is becoming more than a nightmare for the bushwa..they'll rue the day they awakened the sleeping Giant. They should have left well enough alone.

I read yesterday on DU that some in Congress were encouraging the bushwa to reach out to Chavez and con job said.."We just don't like him". They wanted him gone and their own man in..tough nuggies.

[Crunchy Frog]

69. That bastard! This is the last straw!

We're going to have to invade Venezuela for sure now.

[Don1]

70. I am all for Chavez.

However, all the Bush regime has to do is say the word...

They can have corporate media start an informal boycott campaign against Citgo gasoline. All the rednecks in the country would stop buying it. Venezuelans would suffer and then the time for the CIA to start another coup there would begin...

[fearnobush]

71. The Citco Buycott gave my truck 10 cent cheaper gas per gal today.

[Scout1071]

72. I'm buying Citgo tomorrow.

There aren't many in my area, but there happens to be one less than 1 mile from my office. I'll filler up tomorrow.

[Chicago Democrat]

73. Viva Chavez!!!

Viva La Revolucion!

[Nothing Without Hope]

75. Oh, the neocons are going to HATE this!!! It offends their only true

religion: profit and power.

edited to add: Recommended. I hope the news of this is blasted far and wide.

[Nothing Without Hope]

77. Chavez is offering fuel to hurricane-hit areas too - related thread

by the same poster:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1735871&mesg_id=1735871
Thread title: Venezuela offers fuel, food to hurricane-hit US
NNN0LHI LBN Mon Aug-29-05 09:07 PM

[burrowowl]

78. Good IDEA!

When is Bu$hie going to bomb the HELL out of Venezuela!?!

[ninkasi]

81. This is priceless...

Chavez is spotlighting the Bush administration's policy of helping the rich at the expense of the poor. If Chimp were capable of feeling shame, it might make him implement some programs to help the unemployed, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and children. Unfortunately, it does no good to try to shame a sociopath. They are incapable of feeling empathy, and instead of shame, Bush will feel only rage.

Chavez is outclassing Smirk at every opportunity. The rest of the world must be enjoying this, since Bush has bullied his way around, and made so many enemies of countries we used to be able to count as friends. What a failure the little man is.

[lala_rawraw]

82. They won't let this happen

[Catherine Vincent]

84. Yep.

[rman]

85. probably - so much for 'Free Trade'

[Andrushka]

86. Priceless!

Viva Chavez!

I just saw 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' last night. The more I learn about this guy, the more I like.

Kick for Chavez, CITGO and PDVSA!!:yourock:

[0007]

89. I'd like to be optimistic but my mind's eye see the poor Hummer

and SUV owners hogging the cheap petrol from the needy.

Hugo Chavez is a man after my heart and I salute him, while giving junior the middle finger salute.

[stlsaxman]

90. but if "poor little rich boy" buys his Hummers gas at Citgo 'cause it's

cheeper... all the better, right?

[Jawja]

91. Good for him!

Excellent response to the thugs in control of our government who are trying to make him into a "brutal dictator."

[0007]

92. bttft

[Peace Patriot]

94. They threaten to kill him and he arranges to help America's poor with

cheaper gas and free medical care. You gotta love this guy!

Can you imagine Prince Bandar and the Saudi royals--or Chevron--saying, "We're concerned about America's poor and we're going to try to help them"? It's amazing to even think about it.

If Citgo would offer even slightly cheaper gas on a general basis, they'd have the whole USA lined up at their gas stations! Someone upthread said Freepers would boycott Citgo because Chavez is on Bush's hit list. Are you kidding? Even Freepers have to be hurting with current gas prices! They'll be the first in line!

I absolutely love the idea of Peoples' Gas Stations! Wouldn't it be great if Chavez would undercut these bastards' prices, and people all over the U.S. start organizing to get Citgo franchises in their communities?

You know what? This is the first statement by a politician in THIRTY YEARS--not since Jimmy Carter was President--that has given me a positive feeling! --a feeling that "someone up there" among the powers-that-be CARES about human beings, and that we, the people, can DO something to help ourselves, and improve conditions for all. NO LEADER in the Democratic Party today, or over the last thirty years, has given me that feeling--not even the best of them! Either I feel they are not sincere (Clinton, Kerry--in cahoots with the rich to squeeze and disempower the poor), or they give me the feeling that they and we are powerless to stop the bastards who are destroying our country, taking away our right to vote, slaughtering helpless people, and killing the planet (all the good guys, without exception, give me this feeling--even people like Conyers and Boxer and Kennedy).

Chavez gives you the feeling that he's right there on the ground with the poor--that he's seeing and feeling things the way the poor see and feel them, in very practical terms--gas prices, medical care. He sees things clearly, the way we ordinary people see them. He's not flying high above the rest of us, inside a protective bubble of power and money, the way most of our politicians do. He's not trying to cover his ass. He's not trying to protect his own power and privilege, and insure his own fat pension. He's not catering to ANY corporate ruler interests while trying to look like a populist. He's not lying!

That's it. He's NOT LYING! And when you don't have to lie, and cover your ass, and earn big campaign contributions, you see what really needs to be done, and you DO it.

It's the difference between an honest and a dishonest political system. An honest political system WILL see to the needs of the majority of people, and will not just give lip service to it, while letting corporate lawyers write the laws. REAL representation! Can you imagine it? REAL politics. REAL government. REAL leaders.

Some of OUR leaders have good hearts and good heads--people like Conyers (an amazing man!). But they are mired in a completely corrupt political system, and I mean corrupt to its core--so corrupt that one can't even use the word "democracy" any longer to describe it. It is fascism (the joining of the state and the corporation, to oppress the majority and turn them into slaves and cannon fodder). It's not possible for a politician mired in this system to convey real hope and a positive vision. He can fight; he can struggle; he can tell the truth; he can even hearten and inspire by his courage and persistence. But he can't really dislodge the utter oppression of a government gone fascist.

Chavez is obviously NOT MIRED in a stinking, corrupt, oppressive fascist political system. He is FREE of it. And so he can imagine VENEZUELA helping the poor in the UNITED STATES; can think up ways to do it, and can get it done. And he can inspire ME to think that the poor people in the U.S. could get together, get organized, get Citgo franchises started everywhere, and throw these horrible, oppressive, fascist oil companies and their Saudi royal brethren off our backs. We can throw a monkey wrench into the system of capitalist predation! We can do it with our economic power--our purchase of gasoline.

It's refreshing! It opens up possibilities. Free Venezuelans and oppressed Americans joining forces to help each other out--and using our economic power to undermine Corporate Rule. Imagine!

[lateo]

99. That is too funny....

Who would have EVER thought that another country would send aid to America?

Look how low we have sunk as a nation under Bush.

[Binka]

104. Kick

Everyone needs to read this!

[underpants]

106. I didn't know CITGO was Venezuela's oil co.

BP and CITGO for me now I guess.

[Kire]

108. I have always gone to Citgo if I had a choice.

their gas is usually considerably cheaper than Exxon/Duck Strangler

[renate]

109. here's how you can find a Citgo near you

...the only oil company I would be HAPPY to pay the big bucks to.

http://www.citgo.com/CITGOLocator.jsp

On edit: whoops, guess I should have read the whole thread first. Sorry for the duplicate info.

[Darranar]

110. How "anti-American" of him. n/t

[Amonester]

111. That good Samaritan must hate us for our freedom. /sarcasm

[AuntiBush]

112. What Irony.

Got my gas at Citgo today. Drove down the road and while sitting at a red light, the Mobile station guy was changing the prices to almost 2.97 a gallon, while Citgo was 2.59.

[Historic NY]

113. Well Citgo raised their gas prices today...........

yesterday morning regular unleaded was 2.63, today its 2.89. Preminum is 3.09 here in upstate N.Y.

[ngGale]

114. Chavez is a great politician...

if the MSM would pick this story up and run with it, but they will not allow this. What would the sheeple do if they knew the truth, being - other countries know how poor we are. And, our present leader's who are bringing us down. America does need help, in a bad way. Good for Chavez and Jackson for bringing up the unmentionable subject - poverty in America.

[Megahurtz]

117. Gotta Love That Guy!

:loveya: