Re Chavez, see Democrat Jimmy Carter, enabler.

Re Norway, see North Sea Oil, largest owner by far of Europe’s non-Russian supply.

Re Latin America, Hugo has added Paraguay and Bolivia to his alliances. Paraguay, where the keepers of the flame of Nazism reorganized post WWII, Bolivia, alternate cocaine supply what with USA ally Uribe fighting the product via fighting FARC in Colombia.

Re Colombia, Pelosi’s bete noir, which she is breaking unprecedented house rules (oh, how i wish there was a constitutional rule on house and senate rule-changing) to keep the Colombia Free Trade bill from a floor vote, a strangely huge expense of politcal capital to kill a type of bill that has always previously breezed thru congress, and on grounds (Colombia’s bad treatment of unions) that appear as mouse to the mountain that is USA’s failure on the glaring world stage to supprt an ally whom everyone knows is at war with next-door Chavez.

Re Chavez, just yesterday took over the Venezuelan cement industry, via snatching Mexico-owned Pemex plants. Slaps USA ally Mexico –which nearly had civil war in last election due to loser and Chavez ally making every attempt to foment –and makes large scale construction projects –such as military bases and airfields –that much easier & more profitable for Chavez.