Chavez = Mussolini

A potential big problem in this hemisphere is Hugo Chavez, the tyrant of Venezuela. The correct historical model for understanding his antics is Benito Mussolini. As Mussolini did almost 100 years ago in Italy, Chavez manipulates the "masses" to get power. He doesn't care about the people at all; all he cares about is his own power. He's ruthless and a cunning liar, as was Mussolini. And he's likes to be a showman to get attention, as did Mussolini.

Don't believe all that Allied World War II propaganda denigrating Mussolini as a buffoon. He was a very, very dangerous person who did great evil. Adolf Hitler is famously quoted as saying that he owed everything to Mussolini, who showed how a small determined group could seize power and retain power. In that sense, Mussolini is partly responsible for begetting all the evils of Nazism.

Now we have Hugo Chavez as a 21st century Mussolini in our own hemisphere. He's having big economic problems, mostly of his own doing. What can we now expect ?

He needs a war to mobilize support and militarize his nation even more. Otherwise, the economic problems might lead to him losing power. That's all he cares about, himself.

Don't ignore this tyrant's bluster over Columbia. He clearly wants a war with Columbia to either conquer it to loot or simply to create more nationalist fervor in Venezuela that he can use to retain power.

So far, Obama has been firm, ignoring his threats and lies, while arming and helping Columbia. He needs to be very wary and keep some military assets in reserve to help if Chavez does a surprise raid ... or more.

Markets

The Green-Red rule prompted me to close out the call option speculation early yesterday for a small loss. No big deal - I hit the ball well, but Ms. Market caught my line drive. I'll keep my bat ready for another good pitch.

Ruling Classes

I am disgusted with all this press fawning over the views of "one of the world's richest men" over matters they know little about. I just heard Blabberg interview a Saudi prince about China. sheesh, what crap! Ditto re interviewing Soros or Gates or Buffet about anything except their primary expertise. This is a problem with the ruling classes - they want to tell everyone how to live and what to do. To the Rich & Powerful: Shut up and spend your money on something useful and good for humanity.

Word of the Day

"Occlude" - verb, transitive [$10]
Occlude means 1. to stop up or close (pores or a surface), obstruct (a passage); 2. (Chemistry) absorb and retain (gasses or impurities).
Sentence: Any implementation of populist libertarian philosophy would occlude the power of the ruling classes. In colloquial terms, go ahead and earn money, but don't try to become an aristocracy and don't tell the common man how to live.