Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Answering Brian & Brother Jones

Pink, you are sympathetic to Hugo Chavez because he's a socialist. He's moving Venezuela away from capitalism and toward socialism - which you see as a good thing. And, I will agree that many (though I'm not sure "most") in Venezuela ALSO see as a good thing.

AND...when you transform a society from one economic system to another (in this case...capitalism to socialism), it necessitates the taking of some drastic measures. This is why every nation that has done so has been accused (rightly so) of authoritarianism (i.e., dictatorship), human rights abuses, property confiscations, stifling of free speech, etc.

Folks like you are not super-comfortable with these drastic measures, but you understand that they are the inevitable result of such a societal transformation - which you see as a good thing. Thus, you use lines like "it's a complicated situation."

If I'm being too presumptuous about your feelings on this matter, I apologize. But it SEEMS like I'm not far off - if I'm off at all. I think you generally support the direction Chavez is taking Venezuela, and thus you're willing to cut him a LOT of slack when it comes to how he's affecting those who disagree with him or don't support him.

I find it interesting, though, that you cut NO SUCH SLACK to George W. Bush. And I think the reason is that you do NOT support the direction Bush is taking America.

What this all boils down to is...

Do the ends justify the means? You oppose Bush's "ends" and you support Chavez's "ends." Right? So, for you, what's complicated is sorting through all the "means" that Chavez is utilizing to achieve his ends. There's no need for you to explore that with Bush, because you don't support his "ends" at all.

I'm not writing this to offend you. But I really think I'm on to something here.