Sean Penn "Soaks In?" Hugo Chavez
Normally, when my wisdom gets the best of me, I stay away from political discussions because, like any discussion based more often than not on emotion rather than reason, they just don't go anywhere. But every so often, I see something that drives me so crazy that I succumb to my own emotions and ooze myself into the slime of "unreasonable" discourse. So here it goes.
Last Monday, I'm minding my own business by my locker at the gym, getting dressed to go home. A guest host for Bill O'Reilly is on the TV in my locker row talking about Sean Penn's recent visit to Venezuela far a meet and greet with their wanna be dictator, Hugu (that's Ugo) Chavez. Seems Mr. Penn is rather impressed by the work Mr. Chavez is orchestrating in his quest to build what he refers to as "21st Century Socialism" which, if actions speak louder than words, is defined as unlawful property seizures, censuring (or "re-defining" to be kind) free speech and "modifying" his country's constitution to engender himself a "be in charge" card for life.
All of this topped off like whipped cream on pumpkin pie by a big spoonful of "Bush is the Devil" rhetoric and that's, apparently, the bait that hooks Mr. Penn and the like.
Mr. Penn is critical of many US government policies and, it's safe to say, President Bush as well. That is, as an American, of course his right. As an American, Mr. Penn no doubt enjoys and covets the freedoms bestowed upon him, the freedom to do the work he pleases, own the property he buys and say what it is that's on his mind. If only the citizen's of Venezuela had it so good. In fairness to Mr. Penn, he smartly had little to say during his trip, choosing instead to maintain that he was visiting the country only as a journalist to 'see things for himself and sort of take it all in. For Mr. Chavez, like most big talkers with little minds, would have none of that. Way too scary to leave to chance just what Penn might say with his, um, pen. Like any dictator in training worth his salt, Mr. Chavez paraded Mr. Penn around his country in the company of soldiers, no doubt orchestrating and controlling who and what Mr. Penn could see and hear. Chavez even spoke for Mr. Penn describing him as "a man who is critical of his government and of imperialism" (he' no doubt redefined imperialism to exclude himself).
It's pretty clear that Mr. Chavez is systematically and actively trying to engage any and all well known American Bush Haters like Mr. Penn, Danny Glover and Cindy Sheehan for a visit and photo op in an attempt to add some global legitimacy to his Tony Soprano like ambitions. No doubt that a visit from Alec Baldwin is forthcoming, after the whole calling his 11 year old daughter "a little bitch" phone message thing blows over (Mr. Chavez is needy but not stupid after all).
I'm 100% certain that Mr. Chavez will fail in his quest to become the supreme leader of 21st Century Socialism for two reasons. First, socialism is a fundamentally flawed system that, in order to be successful, must appeal to the "have nots" at the expense of the "haves". Were Mr. Chavez Mother Theresa, he may have a shot at this. Second, like any dictator attempting to drape himself in the veil of socialism, Mr. Chavez will, himself, become his own worst enemy, lining his pockets while lying to his "people". And like nearly every dictator (or wanna be) in recent history, Mr. Chavez will either end up with a bullet in his head or on the run constantly looking over his shoulder for the end of his life.
And as for Mr. Penn, I hope he writes a great article on his Chavez experience. But I also long for the good old days, a time when I like to think Mr. Penn was most in his element, as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. It was in this role that Mr. Penn professed, "What Jefferson was saying was, Hey! You know, we left this England place 'cause it was bogus; so if we don't get some cool rules ourselves - pronto - we'll just be bogus too! Get it? Got it. Mr Chavez, any questions?
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