Is there more of Chavez to come?

After the December 2nd vote that denied Hugo Chavez the right to be dictator for the life you would have thought, given his propensity to be for the people, that he would have abided by the will (vote) of the people? I mean, after all, isn't that what dictators masquerading around as socialist do-do the will of the people? Even though it was a close vote 51% against versus 49% for (in sports whether you lose by one or one million it is still a loss) it was still defeated. But the ego of Chavez will not let this stand in the way of what he wants - ruthless power.

After the vote Chavez got up on national television with his army commanders in tow and conceded the vote and proceeded to tell the opposition that this defeat is "mierda". He said "mierda" three times to them telling them that he will still get what he wants this is merely a bump in the road (For those of you linguistically challenged, mierda means shit in English).

So the Chavez saga will continue. This is a sad commentary on leadereship around the world. It is clear to me that national leaders (mostly men) are driven by greed, power, and ego. It does not matter the side they are on what matters is the method in which they drive their agendas. Chavez clearly feels pwoerful only due to the fact that his country's coffers are getting full as the cost of each barrel of oil rises. Without the wealth Chavez wouldn't have any power hence no world stage. His people would see him for what he is but the graft built into the political and military infrastructure runs so vast and deep it didn't take much thinking to beleive Chavez with the money rolling in could easily buy the alligences of those that controlled the foot soldiers necessary to keep his stronghold on the people and fight back any resistance.

The fact that oil producing countries sponsor dictators, non-democratic elections, have human rights abuses, and endanger women it can be argued that anyone that uses the by-products of oil are also contributing and sponsoring these regimes. Oil profits are allowing what was once small and distant countries take command of the world stage and allowing radical politics and thought to become accepted.

As we continue to rely on foriegn oil, whether it be from the north of us, the south of us, or east of us, we will have to learn how to swallow "meirda" from these radical leaders with their new found power.