I was on the University campus last week and noticed that Eva Gollinger was speaking. I did not attend her talk, but I was quite sure I would see some of the classic knee-jerk talking points from those who choose rhetoric over reality, and Scott Zeppa’s letter did not disappoint (“Eva Gollinger’s claims need proof to back them up,” ODE May 21, 2007).
Getting to the point quickly: Mr. Zeppa makes the usual generalization for just about any people’s movement and/or government that wishes to control its own resources and make its own decisions, labeling it Marxist or communist, accusing its leaders of being dictators, and denying the role of the people. Sometimes a portion of these generalizations hold water, but often they do not. For those that do not, as with Mr. Zeppa, the accusers present no facts, just inflammatory ad hominem attacks. The most basic of facts is this: most of the people of Venezuela like their government. Outside observers have declared the elections fair and free, and despite a media that is over 90 percent controlled by people opposed to Chavez’ policies, the people have elected him three times. He survived a coup approved by the United States (outside of the U.S., this is not a matter of “probably” as Zeppa calls it – it is known, and in the US mainstream media it was considered a step forward for democracy), being reinstalled in office 72 hours later because the Venezuelan people took to the streets in support of their democratically elected leader.
Considering Rice’s role in events of the past six years, such as the invasions of two sovereign nations, not to mention support of the aforementioned coup attempt in Venezuela, as well as Pelosi’s support for softer forms of U.S. imperialism, it tells me what should be obvious: their differences are on tactics, not principles, and neither the Democratic nor Republican parties have shown much aversion toward imposing the will of the United States upon other countries.
In the end, whether or not we here in the United States like Chavez is meaningless, or at least that should be obvious to anyone who cares about the founding principles of this country. That people like Pelosi, Rice and Zeppa seemingly believe that those who disagree with us should be forced into obeyance makes obvious the contempt they have for those principles.
Pete Shaw is a Portland resident