We Owe a Thank You to Hugo

By Kanrei

The entire United States of America is outraged by Hugo Chavez’s speech at the United Nations the other day. In that speech he referred to Bush as the Devil and commented numerous times on how the U.N. smelled of sulfur since Bush’s speech.

It was, to say the least, not appropriate for a world leader to make such childish statements about the host nation. Regardless, I am going to thank Hugo Chavez giving that speech. The after effect of it is something I did not expect and I guarantee neither did he.

In the days and weeks after 9/11 we all were Americans with a common wound. It was a beautiful sight amidst the horrors of that day. We all put aside our political squabbles and decided that we were untied in something bigger than the pettiness we allowed to divide us. It slowly faded as we slowly put 9/11 behind us and I missed the unity until Hugo opened his mouth at the United Nations.

Does anyone else sense that unity feeling? You have to stop debating for a few moments to feel it, but it is certainly there. We are all standing behind the President right now because, regardless of how we feel about Bush or his war, Hugo just insulted the President of the United States in New York! The time has come for us to show where we stand and we have said we stand with the country and I am so proud of us right now.

Charles Rangel is a Representative for New York his eighteenth term serving and representing Harlem. It was in his city that Hugo said his words for Bush and Rangel has words of his own in response:

“It should be clear to all heads of government that criticism of Bush Administration policies, either domestic or foreign, does not entitle them to attack the President personally…It was not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an ‘axis of evil.’ Neither is it helpful for a head of state to use the sacred halls of the United Nations to insult President Bush.”

On the other side of the aisle, the country, and also a Democrat comes Representative Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco. She has become nationally well known for her constant and correct disapproval of Bush’s policies and his presidency. It would not surprise most people if she found areas of agreement with Hugo I’m willing to bet.

"Hugo Chavez fancies himself a modern day Simon Bolivar but all he is an everyday thug…Hugo Chavez abused the privilege that he had, speaking at the United Nations."

Just to remind everyone, she leads the House Democrats and she said that today about Hugo’s speech while at a press conference. She, like the rest of us stand behind the office regardless of how we feel about the man’s actions or the man.

I remember hearing a talkshow host say something to the effect of "I have the right to call my President an idiot because he is MY President, but I'll be damned if someone in another country is going to insult my President, even if he is an idiot."  I wish I could remember who said it.

This common ground should be found without us being attacked. At least no one died in this time. He wanted to weaken us and play on the divides we create, but he did not realize that all families fight from within all the time.  It is not until the outsider tries something when the family unifies and differences are forgotten. We are a family. We are stuck with each other and it is time we remember that.

Thank you Hugo for bringing this feeling back, if only for a little while.