Over the coming days, there will be continued “buzz” about the exchange between President Chavez, President Zapatero and the so-called “King” of Spain.It is useful to examine this exchange on many levels – and also to carefully observe exactly what happened – within context.

In order to assist with the latter, the following links will lead you to video segments and websites that you can use for reference.

First, here is the exchange between President Zapatero and Presdient Chavez – along with the intervention by the “King”:

http://radiomundial.com.ve/yvke/

Once you view the video, it is also interesting and informative to listen to the audio commentary of Professor Vladimir Acosta from the Central University of Venezuela (History Department). To do so, you need to click on the button on the website page that says: (note: you need to do this from the above website; this is not a live link).

“Escuche las declaraciones de Vladimir Acosta, profesor de Historia de la UCV”

I would note that below this particular version of the video there is a blog opinion exchange section that you can review and join if you would like.

As you may have noted during President Chavez’ remarks, he referred to a famous phrase by José Gervasio Artigas – a great Uruguayan and American fighter for independence.

I’m sure the Spaniards – President Zapatero, the “King” and staff - in attendance at the Summit are well aware of the significance of Mr. Artigas – to their great chagrin.

President Chavez says:

“Voy a responderle con una frase de un infinito hombre de esta tierra al presidente Zapatero con todo mi afecto, que él sabe que se lo tengo. Me refiero a José Gervasio Artigas cuando dijo ‘con la verdad ni ofendo ni temo’. El gobierno de Venezuela se reserva el derecho a responder cualquiera agresión, en cualquier lugar, en cualquier espacio y en cualquier tono. Sólo eso”, expresó.

Wikipedia information about Mr. Artigas:

José Gervasio Artigas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Gervasio_Artigas

In English, President Chavez says:

“I would like to respond to President Zapatero with all of my great affection – which he knows I feel for him - by quoting a phrase from a great man of from this land (South America). I refer to José Gervasio Artigas when he said, “With the truth I do not offend nor do I fear.” The government of Venezuela reserves the right to respond to any aggressive act, in any place, in any space, in any tone. That’s all I want to say,”
he said.

Brief Commentary:

Over the course of the last few hours, many have attacked President Chavez for his exchange with President Zapatero.

However, it is clear, once one examines the content and context of the exchange that President Chavez responded exactly as most Americans would wish to respond to the aggressive and domineering attitude of the Europeans when it comes to how they think about their American “children”
or “slaves.”

Frankly, when I saw the full exchange that President Chavez had, I felt a certain pride about being an American.

It is the same pride or - better said - sense of purpose - I felt when I joined efforts against the war in Vietnam, the war in Central America, the war against our Civil Rights, and the war against the Iraqi People, to name a few.

Today, thanks to this interesting exchange between the European Powers and the Americans – to frame it in this way - I was reminded of why it is worth fighting for the real “American Dream” – which has always really been about the human rights for all of the citizens of the world, as we all recall what was written on the Statue of Liberty:

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,_The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,_I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

And that is also symbolized by the phrase that is made famous in the Declaration of Independence of the United States:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These are common ideals shared by the People of all of the Americas from Canada to Chile and Argentina.

We suffer in “America” from being a rather young “construct” and from being a kind of “New People” that had never existed in the history of the World.

In other words, we are constantly in the act of creating ourselves. We are somewhat “undefined” in the eyes of most in the “Old World.”

It seems that in the eyes of some in Europe this also makes us “unworthy”
of the same respect they expect should be paid to them - even when those among them advocate policies and procedures that are clearly anti-democratic and oppressive.

People in some other parts of the world have a hard time understanding us because we don’t fit in the normal boxes.

I think the “King” of Spain had a huge “wake up call” regarding the reality of this situation in his exchange with President Chavez.

The old ways of doing things don’t work any more.

The “kings” of the world cannot simply shake their fingers at the servants and expect that they will behave.

When the “King” of Spain shook his finger at the President of Venezuela, the message he sent had more than 500 years of history behind it.

We have all seen that European/Colonial finger wagged many times.

Let’s all hope that this was one of the last times we have to see it.

Many thanks to President Chavez for not even blinking at this moment when the “King” and the President of Spain are attempting to remind of his “place.”

He ignored the feeble gesture of the “King” and pursued his conversation with the President of Spain.

It seemed clear that the President of Spain was taken aback by all of this. He seems to be in a kind of shock.

President Chavez instantly understood what was going on and he was very astute not to fall into the trap that the “King” was trying to set for him. He handled it well.

He ignored the “King” and responded to the duly elected President of Spain who – unfortunately - was trying to defend one of his fellow citizens (Mr.
Aznar) who continues to walk around offering political opinions about Venezuela and Latin America.

It seems that Mr. Aznar feels a need to defend himself at this point – even given his status as a private citizen.

Mr. Aznar has strong allies – the current “socialist” President of Spain - apparently - and the historic head of the Spanish Empire, King Juan Carlos.

All of this is a good example of why we should never allow ourselves to be confused ever again by thinking that our European colonial masters know what is right for us.

Many in the merchant and “professional” class of Venezuela seem to be confused by this question at this point.

However, it is also clear that many in the working class – and many in the middle class - are not confused by this and never will be.

It seems that what worries more Venezuelans is that some of their fellow Venezuelan citizens are wasting everyone’s time and energy paying attention to what the President and King of Spain think about what needs to happen in Venezuela when everyone should be focused on the needs of Venezuela and not on the needs of Spain, Europe, or the USA.

If one is Venezuelan, one should rightly be asking what is best for the People of Venezuela - and one is not concerned about what is best for the “King” of Spain.

Simply said, whatever those in the government of Spain – or in the rest of Europe - or those in the USA – may be thinking is the best approach for those in Venezuela to follow cannot be in Venezuela’s best interests – by definition.

Obviously, over the years, Spain, other European countries, and the USA have sought their own interests in Venezuela - not the interests of the Venezuelan people.

It is that simple.

By the way, as you review the video of the exchange, it is worth noting that President Chavez chooses to totally ignore the two different interventions of the “King”.

Knowing how perceptive and “quick” President Chavez tends to be, one cannot assume that this is by accident.

It seems that he ignored the “King” two times because the “King” has NO recognized authority in America nor does he have any authority at this Summit.

The “King” is, as they say in Spanish, “un zero a la izquierda.
Translation: “A zero to the left of the decimal point.” In other words, he is meaningless. He means nothing.

You will note that Mr. Zapatero and others are very upset that the “King”
attempts to intervene and they attempt to contain him with hand gestures but they fail.

He is too arrogant – and too “important” - to be contained by the President of his own country (Spain).

Already in Europe – and especially in Spain – people are noting that what the “King” did was another demonstration of how ridiculous it is to have a “King” in this day and age – especially attending a summit of “democratic”
(elected) leaders.

One has to recall that General Franco – one of the most infamous fascist leaders Europe and the World has ever seen – installed or re-installed the Bourbon Family to its present status as the Royal Family of Spain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon

It is interesting that Mr. Zapatero was playing the “democrat” card – while using the “King” (a Bourbon) to protect him against President Chavez.

Mr. Zapatero lost a lot of credibility – in Latin America and in Europe - because of the actions of the “King.”

He needed the “King” to defend him – and both Mr. Zapatero and the “King”
felt compelled to defend Mr. Aznar. One has to wonder “why?”

Finally, it also seems clear that there is a clear racist element to this entire situation.

This racist element cannot be ignored.

Can one imagine that the President of Spain and the King of Spain would ever – ever – ever - talk to a fellow European – or European American - in the manner that they spoke to President Chavez?

Clearly, the answer to this question is a resounding “NO.”

This entry was posted on Monday, November 12th, 2007 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.