[68AttendGem]

Going to Brasilia to meet with Workers' Party President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday, on the other hand, was important. As president, Ms. Rousseff, who was once a member of a Marxist guerrilla group, was expected to be further to the ideological left than her predecessor and just as dangerously populist. But so far she has proven pragmatic. Whereas the charismatic Lula was fond of the limelight, she keeps a low profile. When she does speak, she is serious and measured. Lula complained loudly about media criticism and wanted to clamp down on press freedom. Ms. Rousseff has rejected the idea.

If Brazil is seeking rapprochement with the U.S., it is a welcome development for the entire hemisphere. As an ally on the fundamentals, like opposition to torture in Cuban jails, Brazil could be part of a long-awaited regional push to denounce human rights abuses. It might also come in handy next year when Venezuela holds presidential elections. Mr. Chávez has said that even if he loses, he won't step down, and the commander of the army has agreed.

That could make for a situation not unlike what is unfolding in Libya today. If the U.S. and Brazil are singing from the same hymn book, it will help. It's only too bad the commander in chief who was starting a war didn't have the good sense to return home after the meeting in Brasilia.

O'Grady: Why Obama Went to Brazil - WSJ.com

[VrQsgM7c]

We don't seem to have too much of a problem with Chavez considering that Venezuela is our 5th largest oil supplier.

[fil_nurser]

We don't seem to have too much of a problem with Chavez considering that Venezuela is our 5th largest oil supplier.

well, Bush did try to overthrow Chavez, but that ended badly, as most Bush initiatives did.

[VrQsgM7c]

well, Bush did try to overthrow Chavez, but that ended badly, as most Bush initiatives did.

I thought we had said some things against him, but what action did he actually take against Chavez?

[LarryRda]

I thought we had said some things against him, but what action did he actually take against Chavez?

none , except in Goobers mind. All I saw was two mouths yappin at each other.

[fil_nurser]

I thought we had said some things against him, but what action did he actually take against Chavez?

He recognized the coup as the legitimate government of Venezuela, a coup that overthrew a democratically elected governement, this is a government that lasted less than 48 hours in total.

[VrQsgM7c]

He recognized the coup as the legitimate government of Venezuela, a coup that overthrew a democratically elected governement, this is a government that lasted less than 48 hours in total.

Ah... well, Chavez himself rose to power through a coup.

Still, yeah... that's not much of a coup if it only lasted that long.