The better response to Chavez's remarks is...

[eallen]

That only a backwards buffoon calls someone a "devil" in this day and age. That does two things. First, it separates us from Chavez. Second, it lumps Bush with Chavez, in a way that is quite important. They share a similarity in rhetoric, because they share a similarity in thought. They both believe in "devils" and "axes of evil" and similar fantastical tropes.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Good frame ... but I'd broaden it a bit .....

Don't leave it just at the specific word 'devil'.

Better, perhaps, might be something like:

"In this day and age, only a backwards buffoon calls someone derisive, inflamatory names like 'devil', 'evil', 'fascist', 'nazi', and so forth. Anyone who is truly interested in diplomacy starts from a posture of respect."

[herbbrown]

2. What do have against Chavez?

He was more democratically elected than Bush, has a 80 % approval rating in his country, and helps the poor not only in his own country but ours too. Yea that's one bad man!

[shireen]

3. what Chavez did was inappropriate

Unprofessional.
Unbecoming of a national leader.
Undiplomatic.
Undignified.
Impolite.

But you gotta admit, all those things aside, it was damn funny! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[herbbrown]

6. he treated a killer like a killer

when the truth starts getting out of fashion it's time for me or you to change parties!

[shireen]

10. Chavez gave an honest speech.

all i meant was it was inappropriate in a diplomatic setting which is mostly full of stuffy suits with no sense of humor who make policy that affect the lives of everyone on this planet. But Chavez spoke truth in quite a colorful entertaining way, and I thought it was funny. It was great to hear the reaction to his comments in the chamber: laughter. Maybe there's hope yet for the UN ....

Except for his friendship with Castro, which is kinda creepy, I think Hugo's a cool dude.

[Peace Patriot]

4. When Bush starts recommending books by Noam Chomsky to the UN,

then maybe I'll stop calling him an "ignorant buffoon."

And not before.

I think Chavez is a great leader--and a great comedian. The smell of sulfur, indeed. God, I roared! What a treasure he is!

You guys are much too serious.

[Poll_Blind]

5. Amen. Thanks for that comment. n/t

PB

[liberalmuse]

7. I second that!

I simply can't argue with anything Hugo Chavez has said about Bush at this point, and don't understand the outrage. It's one thing to keep all this contempt bottled up inside, and quite another to get a welcome release when listening to someone who has enough guts and honor to point out the obvious. Knowing Chavez' comments are being blasted about the same media that has been trying to gild the turd pretending to be president since day one has probably moved my stroke up a year or so.

[sandnsea]

8. I agree - but it's probably too late

I think some of us just have to accept that it's the dawning of the age of the unhinged and we just have to hope we survive until the stars realign somehow. That or we've always been led by lunatics and just never knew it because we didn't have access to so much information.

[angstlessk]

9. When the leader of the free world uses hyperbole and religious

rhetoric the rest of the world follows...by example...we lead...sadly!