I hit the wrong button. If there's a moderator, please eliminate my previous missive and this sentence!

conversation at lunch yesterday with folks like me peripherally related to the oil bidness.

Me: I always say that Socialism is a great theory but it shouldn't be left to the government!

Chet: I wonder how folks here'd like it if they had a Chavez running the place like down in Venezuela. After that vote down there he's likely to be dictator.

Edward: Well, South Americans, they like a dictator, y'know, Peron, people like him.

Chet: Or that guy in Russia, pyutin, he's not lettin' go of the reins, is he?

Sam: Russians don't seem to have a feeling for Democracy. They're whole history is full of Tsars and dictators.

Me: Well, Chavez is goin' nowhere, first he wages class warfare in order to get elected, then he takes over the oil companies and tries to get America all riled up. But 'W' doesn't play, so he's left with blaming Jews and there aren't that many Jews in Venezuela-

Sam: Maybe he can get some help from Putin!

Chet: And how about that Illinois thing, that new Senator Burris and his story? Think they're gonna change him out?

Me: Naw, people from Illinois like a strong leader, someone who gets in and won't be pushed around. Must be a lot of Russians and Venezuelans there!

Sam: Yeah, Illinois has no history of Democracy either!