It’s interesting how our government, and main stream media, is so rabid about going after Iran’s nuclear power ambitions.   And now, in the back yard of the United States, Venezuela has signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear reactor. I’m not seeing any rabid war mongering coming from our government, or media, about it.  Mmmm.  Here’s what U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley had to say about it; “It is certainly a right of any country to pursue civilian nuclear energy, but with that right comes responsibilities,”.  Not as tough sounding as with Iran.

Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, is traveling the world.  His first stop, Russia, where he gave a speech denouncing the United States, and expressing sorrow for the fall of the Soviet Union.  The nuclear plant deal was part of a larger economic deal with Russia.  Another part of the deal involves the sale of Venezuela’s stake in four oil refineries that are co-owned by a German company.   Other petroleum deals with Russia involve the sale of Venezuelan assets co-owned by British Petroleum (BP, remember those guys).  Gee, that doesn’t sound like a communist thing to do?   Chavez stated; “I’m a socialist, but also a good merchant.”

Chavez also stopped in Ukraine, and had a tour of the famous Antonov aircraft factory.

In a Russia Today interview, President Chavez blamed the current violent state of the world on the “…Yankee Empire.” (I wounder how many U.S. citizens know that ‘Yankee’ refers to them).  Russian President Medvedev said Russia and Venezuela are working to create a world order not dependent on the United States; “…a world order where our future would not depend on the will, desire, or mood of some country, but on joint efforts of the international community, and, indeed, internal development.”