Interest thread Jean-Francois. Didn't Harper attend a summit in Mexico recently as well? It would certainly be an evolution of NAFTA. I agree they've been talking about if for a while, prob since the Euro came out. I wonder though, what happens when countries sign an agreement with a third world country, a second world country - Canada, and well I guess the US is the shitter right now.
They were at a summit.. What's he supposed to do slap him?
But it was only days before that Chavez was calling Obama ignorant:
"He goes and accuses me of exporting terrorism: the least I can say is that he's a poor ignoramus; he should read and study a little to understand reality," said Chavez, who heads a group of left-wing Latin American leaders opposed to the U.S. influence in the region.
So to then go up and shake hands, exchange smiles and pleasantries... It makes Obama appear weak and tends to legitimize Chavez and add to his supporters.
Obama said:
"I think it's just that President Chavez is better at positioning the cameras."
It's a fucking handshake.
They were at a summit.. What's he supposed to do slap him?
The biggest problem with the world is we fucking over analyze the shit out of everything and make it an issue when it's not an issue.
Go look at Fubar right now and see how many pics there are at shows of people shaking hands and hugging with people who are ripping each other off.
Well said. If he hadn't shaken hands with him, there would be outrage from these same people about how he's a foreign policy lightweight who doesn't understand diplomacy.
Well said. If he hadn't shaken hands with him, there would be outrage from these same people about how he's a foreign policy lightweight who doesn't understand diplomacy.
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Sorry... Obama got *used* by Chavez. He calls Obama out as ignorant, states that he needs to read up more on the history of LA, then proceeds to hand him the "gift" of a book for him to read said history.
Obama stood there all wide-eyed and smiley. It made him look weak (and yeah, I guess ignorant).
You're right - it was politics - but it was Chavez playing the role of master politician in this scenario. Calling out the American president and then giving him some reading material so that he can go educate himself... Nice... The move just bolstered Chavez that much more amongst his socialist support base.
Sorry... Obama got *used* by Chavez. He calls Obama out as ignorant, states that he needs to read up more on the history of LA, then proceeds to hand him the "gift" of a book for him to read said history.
Obama stood there all wide-eyed and smiley. It made him look weak (and yeah, I guess ignorant).
You're right - it was politics - but it was Chavez playing the role of master politician in this scenario. Calling out the American president and then giving him some reading material so that he can go educate himself... Nice... The move just bolstered Chavez that much more amongst his socialist support base.
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