Here's a question. What do you think of Hugo Chavez?

I'm not sure. I find I'm favorably predisposed to his notions of using oil revenue to build both physical and human infrastructure in Venezuela, and I also find that a great deal of criticism directed his way is speculative (what he "might" do) or hyperbolic. However, I'm no expert. Any opinions?

What strikes me the most as I try to learn more is just how fucked up Latin/South-American politics really are. I mean, I knew some things from my college studies, but those were sort of broad strokes about military juntas, secret police, people being "disappeared" and the like. Trying to read the news from down there presents a more granular, and frankly more difficult picture. Sort of makes me appreciate our own situation, bogus and screwy as it is.