Reply #170: Good observations

[rabs]

Most of this thread has hinged on one word, "blond." But Reuters mistranslated intentionally or maybe not, because Chavez did not utter that word. He said "blanca" (white).

Then the focus on the thread went to racism, but anyone who has lived in South America knows that to describe someone's skin color is not necessarily racist.

For example, in Argentina, husbands call their wives or daughters "negra" or "negrita" if they happens to have dark hair or a slightly darker skin color. In Bolivia, women are called "chinas" if they have Asian-looking features.

What was lost in the discussions was that Hillary went to Brasilia this week, and while there, she criticized Chavez in interviews with Brazilian media.

That was what set Chavez off.

Also, many people forget that Chavez is a "milico" by training. I lived and worked in South America for nearly 20 years under several dictatorships and discovered that "milicos" universally have tunnel vision, black and white vision. They are NOT statesmen.

So while Chavez is no diplomat by any stretch, in his spouting off he often says the truth, which grated the Condi crowd and now the Clinton crowd.