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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Chavez Gives Obama Book —on Colonial Oppression

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(Newser) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave President Obama a Spanish-language book today about the historical ravages visited on Latin America by colonial powers, Politico reports. The English title of the 1971 book by Eduardo Galeano is The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent. The gift came as Obama met with Chavez and other Latin American leaders.

It follows the two leaders' handshake last night, when Obama greeted Chavez in Spanish, the AP notes. "I think it was a good moment," Chavez said about that encounter. "I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous US president." Obama remained noncommittal about a formal meeting, saying only, "I think we're making progress at the summit."

President Barack Obama looks at the book.
President Barack Obama looks at the book.   (AP Photo)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.   (AP Photo)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama a book.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama a book.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez yesterday.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez yesterday.   (AP Photo/Mariamma Kambon, Summit of the Americas, Pool)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hands President Barack Obama a book today.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hands President Barack Obama a book today.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 18, 09 1:17 PM CDT
Actually, learning from history's mistakes is something so infrequently attempted; why not? Reply
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AS1280
Apr 18, 09 3:21 PM CDT
I suppose Chavez thinks the exploitations of the past give him the right to do the same to others - "O Chavez, we're so sorry! How can we EVER make it up to you?" Yeah, right! Maybe Obama should give Hugh-boy "The Last King of Scotland". Reply
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shonangreg
Apr 18, 09 7:30 PM CDT
The AP article is much better than the summary here. And Obama about the book from Chavez, "I thought it was one of his books. I wanted to give him one of mine." Reply
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Mad
Apr 18, 09 8:03 PM CDT
Wow, everytime Bush spoke Spanish, the 'Liberal Media' swooned; Obama does it, and it barely gets mentioned Reply
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Adapt-Overcome
Apr 19, 09 12:11 AM CDT
Obama is an intellegent man. And for the media to say he's been "punked" is really stupid. Reply
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