All of this is our fault. It dates back to the "original" oil crisis' of the 1970's. I was a geology student back then, we knew that we needed to wean ourselves off of the petro drugs we were used to. I went to work for an oil company and many were laid off because we were so sucessful and we found new large reserves of cheap oil for our country's daily habit of cheap fuel and no consequences.
Well, here we are, 30 years later now more than ever at the mercy of a petty dictator, who will cut off our oil.
Do us a favor, cut us off, we will take a hit and come back stronger with new alternative fuels and technology. Like going "cold turkey" it'll be pretty messy for a while but better than if we hadn't.
Chavez Seeks Sweeping Changes in Vote
by IAN JAMES Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez would take on expanded powers and have a shot at being president for life under constitutional changes being considered by Venezuelans Sunday in a vote that raised tensions in South America's top oil exporter.
An emboldened opposition and recent violent clashes involving protesters point to a potentially volatile dispute if the vote is close, as some pollsters predict.
Lines snaked outside many polling stations, and Information Minister Willian Lara said across the country there was "a massive turnout." Voters were awakened in Caracas by fireworks exploding in the pre-dawn sky and reveille blaring from speakers mounted on cruising trucks.
Chavez has warned opponents he will not tolerate attempts to stir up violence, and threatened to cut off oil exports to the U.S. if Washington interferes. His country is a major supplier to the United States, which in turn is the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan oil.
Chavez, who has become Latin America's most outspoken antagonist of Washington since he was first elected in 1998, calls the constitutional overhaul vital to making Venezuela a socialist state. He labels those who resist it pawns of President Bush.
Chavez, who has become Latin America's most outspoken antagonist of Washington since he was first elected in 1998, calls the constitutional overhaul vital to making Venezuela a socialist state. He labels those who resist it pawns of President Bush.
Venezuelans across the political spectrum saw the referendum as a turning point. Some Chavez opponents described it as a protest vote—and a point of no return.
"This is our last chance to change things," said Judith Padova, a 57- year-old housewife who lined up among about 300 voters in the Caracas neighborhood of Los Ruices.
continued at the link: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8T9EQU80&show_article=1
