[QualityReachOut]

Ok, here's a (hopefully) thought provoking political exercise. I want you to read through the article below and, in your mind, substitute every occurrence of "Hugo" with "George," every occurrence of "Chavez" with "Bush" and every occurrence of "Vargas" with "New Orleans."

BBC News - Venezuela flood victims still live in ruins 10 years on

...

The exact number killed in the tragedy is hard to know, as many bodies were buried under the mud or washed into the sea.

But there are estimates that between 10,000 and 30,000 people lost their lives. Tens of thousands more were made homeless.

...

[enlinnyGoob]

I'm not sure exactly how would be a "thought provoking political exercise", the title implies it's more aimed to "remember" BUSH-KATRINA than to discuss CHAVEZ-VARGAS, or the similarities between the 2.

By the title and then your intro, I can pretty much guess that Bush was called at the time a racist murderer, I'm guessing due to the population in New Orleans being mostly black?

I wasn't here and I'm a "visitor" in this country, so I better refrain to comment on such issues.

Now, on the other hand, as of Chavez being a racist murderer?, Not racist, now murderer.....mmmmm......putting aside the rest of his term and just focusing on the VARGAS issue, I say, yes, he share's some of the blame on the amount of deaths, and just 1 would suffice.

I say that because of 1 single fact only.

He could had called out that day's referendum, and start the evacuation of the zone and all the emergency movilizations.

This not only did not happen, but he actually was seen on TV encouraging people to go out and vote, that a "simple rain" shouldn't deter the Chavez movement and blablabla..... and this was the goverment stance 'til pretty much it was impossible to not act and declare emergency.

For that simple fact alone, my answer to your question is yes, it wouldn't have saved all those lives lost, but a few hundreds if not thousands (and again just 1 would suffice)

Now, after it was declared national emergency, here's another fact that adds to the charges, just like that other nutcase dictator from Burma, that didn't accepted US aid after that cyclon a few years ago, Chavez didn't accepted aid by the US, which would had saved more lives during the first days of evacuation when it was most necessary.

Won't extend more on the issue on what/how/why Vargas' current state is.

[QualityReachOut]

By the title and then your intro, I can pretty much guess that Bush was called at the time a racist murderer, I'm guessing due to the population in New Orleans being mostly black?

In a nutshell, yes. The title of the thread is tongue-in-cheek. The point of the exercise is to imagine people defending Bush, personally, regarding the Katrina fiasco, and instead blaming the problems on unresponsive government agencies. Or, conversely, that Chavez had been held personally responsible for the Vargas deaths, and people had demanded that he do something about the situation the same people acted toward Bush. The contrast between the two presidents involved (one perceived as far right vs. one perceived as far left) makes the exercise that much more interesting.

What I was hoping people would get out of the exercise is that it's counterproductive to defend your favored politician/party to the point that you're manipulating/distorting facts in order to make them look good, or excuse them of wrongdoing/responsibility/etc. All politicians, political parties and government agencies need to be viewed objectively by voters, and held accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.

That's about it.

[PRengin]

You do understand that your comparison is significantly flawed, right?

What I was hoping people would get out of the exercise is that it's counterproductive to defend your favored politician/party to the point that you're manipulating/distorting facts in order to make them look good, or excuse them of wrongdoing/responsibility/etc. All politicians, political parties and government agencies need to be viewed objectively by voters, and held accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.

And that your conclusion seems rather... Obvious? Mundane?

I'm just confused why you posted this?

[realfan87]

And where does Mayor Nagin fit in to your lunacy. Who left his own to perish.

[usacomm]

Gov. Blanco also refused to allow the Red Cross to enter New Orleans. That contributed much to the mess.

[Vomazoono]

Spain and Venezuela headed toward a potential diplomatic face-off after a Spanish judge on Monday accused Caracas of collaborating with rebel groups to assassinate Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and other top political figures.

Spanish National Court Judge Eloy Velasco alleged Monday that the Venezuelan government had collaborated with Basque separatist group ETA and Colombia's main guerrilla group in a plot against leaders living in or traveling to Spain that began in late 2003. ..The allegations were part of an indictment that ordered 12 alleged members of ETA and of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to stand trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and terrorism, according to a copy reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

"There is evidence…showing the cooperation of the Venezuelan government in the illegal collaboration between FARC and ETA," according to the indictment. ...The allegations come at a bad time for Mr. Chávez, whose popularity is falling due to electricity shortages and an economy mired in recession and high inflation. They could also prove tricky for Colombia and Spain, both of which have been trying to move beyond past differences with Venezuela's populist leader.

The indictments also bring fresh attention to Spain's National Court, whose judges act on their own investigations and are independent from Spain's executive and legislative branches. Some judges have gained international attention, and criticism, for their handling of global cases involving other governments, including an investigation into allegations of U.S. torture at Guantanamo Bay.

Mr. Velasco, by contrast, has handled mainly local and less controversial terrorism cases, maintaining a low profile domestically and internationally. Spain Accuses Venezuela of Rebel Links - WSJ.com