Bush and Latin America

According to the Associated Press, George W.'s five day trip to Latin America is about reversing the perception of neglect and promoting the spread of democracy. The rise of clownish socialist Hugo Chavez seems to indicate that some nations may be backsliding, thinking perhaps that dictators and colossal governments are somehow the route to prosperity.

Can't we just leave them alone, and let them (for the umpteenth time) figure out what a losing proposition these "popular" ultra-Left revolutions ultimately become? I know, I know - I'm sure there are plenty of folks in Latin America who would much prefer open markets, equal opportunities, and free speech, and we should completely abandon them to banana-pot socialism, but they really need to get the ball moving first themselves.

And how helpful is this, really (from the article):

"The trip is to remind people that we care," Bush said in an interview Wednesday with CNN En Espanol. "I do worry about the fact that some say, 'Well, the United States hasn't paid enough attention to us,' or 'The United States really isn't anything more than worried about terrorism.' And when, in fact, the record has been a strong record."

Don't forget - we care!

Okay, fine - we do care. The countries of Latin America are our hemispheric neighbors, and once and a while you have to talk over the fence, just to stay in touch and keep the lines of communication open. There are some vaguely positive PR items on the president's itinerary, such as ethanol agreements with Brazil, and American assistance programs - including a Navy medical ship that's in the region treating up to 85,000 patients at various ports of call.

Sure as rain, however, no matter how many vecinos are vaccinated on Uncle Sam's dime (because we actually do care, even though it's tedious) - the nightly news will cover the inevitable protestors that will materialize in comparatively small numbers along the president's travel route. That news story is already being written.

Update: Erstwhile musician and investment guru Justin Jeffre sticks up for Chavez, pumping his signature 'Democracy Now' linkage. But Steve Fritch from the Cincinnati Standard comes back with a comprehensive takedown of Jeffre's position- replete with links, citations, and sources.

On one hand this seems like a lot of fuss over me calling the guy a 'clownish socialist'. Goodness me, plenty of sensible Democrats agree with that assessment, and have even said as much. How Ultra Left do you have to be to defend Hugo Chavez? But I suppose it's really more about George W. Bush - who I was hardly even endorsing - but who can drive some people completely, insensibly, crackers.