Boycott Citgo
September 25th, 2006
There have been quite a few calls to boycott Citgo recently. After the most recent outburst by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, right-wing bloggers and other keepers of the gate have been ranting and raving about how Americans should unite and stop supporting this madman. Apparently, they seem to think that a boycott of Citgo would teach Chavez a lesson. I would oppose such a boycott for the following reasons:
- The boycott wouldn’t hurt Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A (the parent company) at all. They’d still be able to sell all of their gas to plenty of other interested parties - China, Russia, etc… Your local dealer might get screwed, but your boycott won’t hurt El Presidente at all.
- Punishment of the Venezuelan population for the outbursts of their leader doesn’t seem very fair. Our elected officials have insulted more than their share of other leaders. How about applying the same rules to all parties?
- Today’s foe may be tomorrow’s friend. Remember when Citgo
bailedhelped us out when Katrina hit? Seems a prudent course of action would be to not alienate ourselves from non-Middle Eastern crude oil sources.
Most of the outrage seems to stem from the recent UN debacle. However, this isn’t the first time Chavez has been on the radar. Remember when Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Chavez? A truly deplorable moment in the cross section of church and state. However, in the heat of his cry for state sponsored terrorism, Robertson does have one moment of clarity. One thought that really touches at the heart of the matter:
This is in our sphere of influence, so we can’t let this happen. We have the Monroe Doctrine, we have other doctrines that we have announced.
That’s it in a nutshell, isn’t it? “God damnit, this guy is playing in our section of the world, and if he doesn’t get with the program, then take him out by any means necessary.” His failure to bow to our power is unacceptable to the corporate interests pulling the strings. What kind of example would that set? We couldn’t let Latin America break loose of our shackles.
At present, Chavez poses no threat to the US. There is no chance of Venezuela invading or militarily attacking us. The only attack we face from them is an attack on ideology. Venezuelan’s socialist democracy can’t be permitted the chance to flourish, or our Latin American house of cards may come tubmling down. The propaganda machine will ensure that the public stays ill-informed, or focused on the clowns climbing out of the car in the third ring. All the while, ignoring the elephant in the room.
September 26th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
The whole idea of a boycott is just stupid. Citgo isn’t selling encyclopedias door-to-door they are selling oil. If a few soccer moms in the US won’t buy it I’m pretty sure someone else will.
September 27th, 2006 at 7:40 am
We all need to work together to make Chavez suffer the consequences of his speech. No one should be able to walk onto American soil and insult our Commander in Chief.
Please visit my website to read more about the Citgo boycott and another organization who is coordinating efforts as well. Click for here more details.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:47 am
I read today that 7-11 has dropped Citgo. Freedom in the marketplace.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:32 am
As usual, Greg’s knee jerks before his brain engages. Fine, make Castro’s mini-me go to the enormous expense of reorganizing the distribution of $4 billion dollars in annual oil production. It’s a banana republic, Greg Butt-Boy; they don’t have our resources, and it will hurt them, a lot.
And if it hurts enough, maybe a few more people in Venezuela, including some with guns, will figure out that having some stupid and mentally unstable in charge of things is a bad idea, and that being friends with the most economically powerful nation in the history of civilization is a good idea.
Liberal: one who is genetically incapable of taking his own side in a fight.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:33 am
(Correction: “having someone…”
September 29th, 2006 at 9:50 am
In response to Mr Tastics comment:
“No one should be able to walk onto American soil and insult our Commander in Chief.”
My Father, Grandfather, and on back fought for exactly that right. Your contempt for the entire basis of this nation is deepy disturbing.
In response to Right Side Strong Side who said:
“And if it hurts enough, maybe a few more people in Venezuela, including some with guns, will figure out that having some stupid and mentally unstable in charge of things is a bad idea,”
Both your chosen NickName and your comment show the same totally Orwellian contempt for basic rationality.
The blatant stupidity and mental unstableness of Bush in addition to his current savage attacks on the constitution, put him squarely in the same category you filed Chavez under with the additional fact that Bush is in the position for his deeply held anti-American viewpoint to do some real damage.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
“I read today that 7-11 has dropped Citgo.”
Funny, I bought my Citgo gas at a 7-11 yesterday…
December 8th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
Hey Doug, STFU.
P.S. When do we fight?