Chavez: The Venezuelan Boor

Sitting in airports and flying around the country occasionally gives me some time to get caught up on world events other than the snapshot news at the top of the hour that one views on airport terminal TVs or in the early am.

While travelling to and fro the not-so-lovely City of Pittsburgh earlier this week, I read two interesting articles about our latest little Latin nemesis, Venezuelan 'president' Hugo Chavez. And, while not being completely ignored in the major media in the U.S., it would seem that the American media is more fascinated by Islamo-fascists rioting over cartoons than the threat that this little socialist poses to the Western Hemisphere.

The first article that piqued my interest was a brief article entitled "Chavez turns up heat in tit-for-tat battle with Bush" that was found on page six of Tuesday's Financial Times.

In sum, this article described how Chavez is insulting Condoleeza Rice by blowing her a kiss on his national TV, calling George Bush "Mr. Danger," spreading his influence throughout Latin American and threatening to cut off its oil supplies to the U.S.

Ironically, however, the article also stated that Venezuelan oil can only be processed in US-based refineries owned by Citgo, the Venezuelan state-owned oil company.

After explaining how the Venezuelan autocrat expelled the US naval attache, essentially accusing the US of spying--and the US responding in kind by expelling Venezuela's embassy chief of staff in Washington, the article quotes Adolfo Salguiero, an international relations analyst in Carcas as saying:

"Relations with the US are deteriorating and they are going to get worse. At some point this year we could wel face a grave diplomatic crisis as Chavez attempts to rally nationalist sentiment ahead of [his re-] election."

As always, for every one of society's parasitic ticks to thrive today, the enemy must be the US (or capitalism).

The second article is from Foreign Policy magazine and brilliantly describes Chavez's rise to power, his tactics in demonizing America to keep his population's focus away from his own totalitarian tendecies, even has he faces opppostition. In sum, the article describes, the modern-day, democratically-elected dictator.

It is an excellent article and well worth the read. You can link to it here:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3332

As you read the article about Chavez, you may find (as I sadly did) similarities between his tactics and those of the political parties in America.

Some of the COOLER Objectivist Sites

Wanna check a couple of cool sites?

Here's a couple worth your time:

The Atlasphere--a site with Objectivists from all over the world, a cool meta-blog, a dating site for those rational singles out there, and a bunch more!

http://www.theatlasphere.com/about/

The other one is one of the hippest out there, called CapitalistChicks...Ya gotta love that!

http://www.capitalistchicks.com/index.html

Flushing a Baldwin Out of a Bush...It just gets more humorous!

Well, it official! Dick Cheney is a terrorist, according to actor Alec Baldwin. Yep! That's right, Alec-I'm-leaving-the-US-if-Bush-wins-Baldwin posted this lovely gem of a quote on Huffington's post:

"Cheney is a terrorist. He terrorizes our enemies abroad and innocent citizens here at home indiscriminately. Who ever thought Harry Whittington would be the answer to America's prayers. Finally, someone who might get that lying, thieving Cheney into a courtroom to answer some direct questions."

To view the whole post, go here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/will-they-go-to-court_b_15875.html

Baldwin also blames Cheney for the fall of California Governor Gray Davis and Arnold's ascension to the governor's mansion in Sacramento.

[Note to self--can't figure out how to turn off the damn boxed block thing!]

On a more serious note: Bummer of a day in the stock market...

Happier hunting on Monday!

Capitalist [and Proud PETA* member]

* People Eating Tasty Animals

Levity About Cheney's Hunting Accident

Amid all the media and liberal hysteria, I thought this Quote of the Day was just so funny I had to pass on:

"I'd still rather hunt with Cheney than ride with a Kennedy."

BTW: For those people who don't know what a quail is (the bird that Cheney & friends were hunting, when the veep pulled the trigger and shot his buddy in the face), it is a helpless little bird found in the great American Southwest, that lives under bushes, doesn't fly (except in short bursts) and is typically marked with an oh-so-cute little plume on the top of their heads. Quails hatch their young, which then follow the hen around in a little line (kind of like ducklings). As helpless little creatures, they are easy to find, shoot & kill...Much easier than bin Laden! PLUS, they taste GREAT BBQ'd and served with corn and beer!

Enjoy your day, Capitalists!

OLD FRIENDS & NEW FRIENDS

Hey ya'll! Just wanted to let you know that there's a couple of new blog links over on your right hand-side.

One of them is an old friend to those of us who appreciate capitalism and the free-market: The National Association of Manufacturers. The NAM has been around longer than cars, airplanes, and, most definitely, computers and blogs. For those of us who fight collectivism from the front lines on a daily basis, the NAM has been doing it longer than most of us have been alive. Be sure to check out their blog, it's got a TON of info on there.

The second one is Teresa. Teresa runs Objectivism Today and, judging by our e-mails in the last 36 hours, is one outrageous Objectivist! Make sure you drop her a warm greeting on her blog, as she's up in the hinterlands of the frozen tundra!

These folks are, as my 4-year old says, "CrackaLackin'"!!! (Not sure what it means exactly but it's from some movie with a bunch of zoo animals!)

FEELING A BIT WIMPY ON VALENTINE'S DAY?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with not knowing what to get that someone special for Valentine's Day?

Here's a CAPITAList idea: Why not try something different?...Something a little more daring, something exciting and even something (dare we say) capitalist?!?...

Why not buy that someone special in your life a share of stock (or 10) in a company that you or (s)he admires? Who knows? The stock might take off, soar through the roof...you might even get lucky (with the stock, that is).

If that doesn't sound better than buying a bunch of roses that are just going to die in a few days, we don't know what does!?!.....

...Except shopping at Capitalismgear.com

Save the Humans

The humans are being perscuted by the ivory towers. What?...You don't understand?

You need to check out http://www.savethehumans.com to see how honest inquiry got a slap in the face.

They're irreverent and funny, with just a (big) touch of in-your-face-attitude.

Check them out!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Don't forget to send your Valentine something from CapitalismGear.com

Capitalismgear is now online

This is the blog for capitalismgear.com

Freedom Meets Fashion
Capitalismgear.com is based on a simple idea: To be the premiere provider of fashions that are designed for those who support freedom and capitalism—specifically, laissez-faire capitalism. Capitalismgear.com’s goals are to provide Gear for the Rugged Individual—the Freedom Fighters for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Our apparel has been designed for broad appeal for those that know that freedom begins with the individual, and that capitalism is the only economic system that embodies freedom. All of our apparel and gear have been selected for the quality and looks that are both classic and popular, with designs that are daring and different.

The Origin of an Idea
“Fighting collectivists and those that strive to take freedom from others is something that I’ve been doing professionally for over a decade,” says Peter List, Founder & CEO of Capitalismgear.com. “About 13 years ago, I began reading books by the author Ayn Rand—most notably Atlas Shrugged and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. These books, as well as several others, blew away my ill-conceived notions about socio-economics and convinced me that there are too few defenders of freedom and free-market capitalism.”

“In today’s society, it has become far too trendy to demonize American business, to denigrate the businessman, capitalism, and the United States in general,” says List, “Not only are we in the midst of a war on terrorism from abroad, we are in the midst of a war of ideologies. Capitalismgear.com’s mission is to reverse that trend to make capitalism and freedom symbols that Americans understand the meaning of and are proud to wear.

The idea for Capitalismgear.com began shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. Amidst all of the tragedy that surrounded that day, there were two things that stood out. The first was the symbolism of the World Trade Center attacks. This was not only a direct attack on the United States, but an attack on Capitalism. The second was Osama bin Laden’s statement in November 2001: “We love death. The U.S. loves life. That is the big difference between us.” His statement described the essence of the battle on so many different levels—from a militaristic level, from a moral and philosophic level, as well as an economic level.

Turning an Idea into Action
“In early 2002, we had some designs created and a couple of tee shirts printed in small lots, more as statements about freedom than anything else, and the idea for a company that espoused the virtues of capitalism was born,” says List. “However, we’ve been so busy with other aspects of our careers that we weren’t able to build on the idea until the beginning of 2005.”

Why Capitalismgear and its US Clothing Collection?
Simply put: Capitalism is freedom. “The idea for capitalismgear.com is equally concise,” explains List. “It is to make clothing and apparel for capitalists who take pride in their beliefs and accomplishments, who wish to make a statement, and who want to look good doing it. We believe there is a market for people who know that capitalism represents freedom and are proud of that knowledge.”

“The rationale for the US Clothing Collection is even simpler. Look around you—there are people who wear an alligator, a horse, a moose or a swoosh—all of which say nothing, but are symbols of status nonetheless. The dollar sign that is the symbol of the US Clothing Collection is one that Americans who know that capitalism is the economic manifestation of freedom should be proud to wear, because it is—for the first time—a clothing symbol that is wholly and uniquely American.”

We'd love to have you help us spread the message of Capitalism! Tell us what you think! Visit us at http://www.capitalismgear.com