can you blame him?

disclaimer:
- i am not a fan of hugo chavez
- i am not a communist
- i am not george bush's enemy
- i am a fan of protocol, but remain a fan of meaning

extracts from the speech of hugo chavez at the un general assembly, yesterday:

The devil came here yesterday," he said, referring to Mr Bush's speech on Tuesday. "It still smells of sulphur today," he added.

On Tuesday, Mr Bush had defended his policies on the Middle East and said democracy was gaining ground as terrorists were marginalised.

Mr Chavez said Mr Bush promoted "a false democracy of the elite" and a "democracy of bombs".

"He came here talking as if he were the owner of the world," the Venezuelan leader said.

He called for drastic reform of the UN to reduce what he called US influence.

The UN in its current form "doesn't work", he said.

"I don't think anybody in this room could defend the system," the Venezuelan leader added.

"Let's be honest. The UN system born after World War II collapsed. It's worthless."

you can say that he shouldn't express himself like this in a un general assembly. that he is an enemy of the us and prejudiced. that he doesn't know what he's talking about. that he's a fanatic. or anything else.

BUT,
- can you really say that the us administration promoted democracy is not one of bombs
and of the elite?
- can you say that the un system works today?
- can you see any other leader mentioning these things? especially any western leader, for a change?

excuse me, i was just wondering.

of course, talking like this is easy, whoever's side you might be on. it's addressing the issues that is always more difficult.

the full speech is here.