"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

Massachusetts in energy deal with Venezuela
Deal provides discounted oil to needy in state
The Associated Press
Updated: 3:25 p.m. ET Nov. 22, 2005

QUINCY, Mass. - Venezuelan officials signed a deal Tuesday to ship 12
million gallons (45 million liters) of discounted home heating oil to poor
Americans in Massachusetts as part of plan by Venezuelan leader Hugo
Chavez to help needy U.S. communities.

The fuel is being offered by Citgo Petroleum Corp., a subsidiary of
Venezuela's state-owned oil company which runs roughly 16,000 gas stations
in the U.S.

U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, who helped broker the deal, called the
agreement "an expression of humanitarianism at its very best," and
rejected criticism that the move was motivated by politics. Chavez often
blames the plight of the poor on unbridled capitalism and had criticized
U.S. President George W. Bush's government for failing to reduce poverty.

"This is a gesture about people," said Delahunt, a Democrat.

Delahunt said the agreement could set an example for U.S. oil companies.
Congressional leaders have asked the companies to use some of their
profits to fund heating fuel assistance programs for low-income residents.

"I just hope that this sends a message, and that other oil companies will
step and help also," Delahunt said.

Reducing costs?
Chavez announced the idea of offering fuel directly to poor U.S.
communities during a visit to Cuba in August. He has said the aim is to
bypass middlemen to reduce costs for the American poor.



And you should have seen Delahunt and Markey taking advantage of every photo
op on the local news stations taking credit for this "breakthrough". It was
not "delicious". It was positively disgusting.

Eisboch

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

But it was delicious nonetheless. Perhaps if Presidummy Bush hadn't been
so eager to be rid of Chavez, we'd have a better relationship with
Venezuela.

Shortsighted "diplomacy" does you in these days.


Delicious to some maybe but it was nothing more than political BS.
I watched Delahunt speak several times. His mouth moved and sound came out
but, after he finished, Mrs. E and I looked at each other and said, "What
did he say?"

It was as if Delahunt and Markey were as surprised as everyone else and
weren't sure how to react so they both put on big smiles and spoke
traditional party line mumbo-jumbo.

"Helped broker the deal", my ass.

Eisboch

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

Happy holidays, "E".



Same back to you and everyone else. Keep a stiff upper lip. We'll all get
through this and survive.

Eisboch

In article ,
says...

But it was delicious nonetheless. Perhaps if Presidummy Bush hadn't been
so eager to be rid of Chavez, we'd have a better relationship with
Venezuela.

It's damned entertaining to see Chavez outflanking Bush and Pat
Robertson by helping American poor.

Damned pinko!!!

Although I'm sure Chavez feels some pride in helping the poor, this is a
political move on everyone's behalf.

I'm just glad the stunt has the benefit of helping people in need. Wish
all political stunts would have such consequences.

jps

In article ,
says...

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

But it was delicious nonetheless. Perhaps if Presidummy Bush hadn't been
so eager to be rid of Chavez, we'd have a better relationship with
Venezuela.

Shortsighted "diplomacy" does you in these days.


Delicious to some maybe but it was nothing more than political BS.
I watched Delahunt speak several times. His mouth moved and sound came out
but, after he finished, Mrs. E and I looked at each other and said, "What
did he say?"

It was as if Delahunt and Markey were as surprised as everyone else and
weren't sure how to react so they both put on big smiles and spoke
traditional party line mumbo-jumbo.

"Helped broker the deal", my ass.

As far as political stunts are concerned, wouldn't you say this is
having a better than normal outcome, apart from the grandstanding?

jps

In article ,
says...
Eisboch wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Happy holidays, "E".



Same back to you and everyone else. Keep a stiff upper lip. We'll all get
through this and survive.

Eisboch




Stiff indeed. I'm already celebrating, because my house full of female
relatives and guests are all still asleep and so far I don't have to
provide transportation to the malls for "Black Friday" shopping
adventures and risk death by trying to snare a parking spot.

I guess those knock-out drops in the brandy helped.

My wife and I are turning the tables. We're searching the house for
what we want to give to charity and staying away from any shopping.

jps