Which way in Venezuela?

Re “U.S. More Intent on Blocking Chavez,” March 10

I am sick of reading about the Bush administration’s bullying, propaganda and diplomatic failures. Thoughtful dialogue is crucial to resolving conflicts, and we’ve got a bunch of yahoos who couldn’t negotiate the peaceful exchange of pencils among third-graders.

So now they’re going after Venezuela. Isn’t it odd that any country with a decent oil supply suddenly becomes a threat to humanity?

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld makes jokes about torture and accuses Chavez of being a Nazi. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sneers at Venezuela’s attempt to crack down on foreign money influencing local elections, but presumably she would be among the first to cry foul if China spent money here on campaigns it deemed pro-Chinese.

Why does this administration’s unsubstantiated garbage even end up in print? If the media refused to publish anything unsupported by fact, Rumsfeld et al would be forced to resort to logic, reason and truth in order to be heard.

STEPHANIE REMINGTON

Costa Mesa

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Re “The failure of Hugo-bashing,” Opinion, March 9

As a Venezuelan citizen, I find that Mark Weisbrot’s admiration for President Hugo Chavez can only be explained by his underestimation of my country and its citizens.

Sure, Weisbrot admits, Venezuela has limited rule of law and a government that is often corrupt and incompetent -- but just look at previous Venezuelan governments or other governments in the region, he says.

Such comparisons are of little comfort to Venezuelans, where poverty remains pervasive and crime rates worsen despite record-high oil prices.

Groups such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned the deteriorating environment for journalists, and both the Organization of American States and the European Union have raised serious concerns about an electoral council that faces deep mistrust from voters. It is the worst form of condescension when those who enjoy freedom in their own nations can’t seem to imagine that Venezuelans might expect real freedom themselves.

VICTOR RAMOS

Caracas, Venezuela