While Bush is busy with his excellent Iraq adventure, hopeful signs

[Veggie Meathead]

are sprouting up throughout latin America.We all know now that under Chavez Venezuela is transforming itself with major land reforms that promise to bring hope to the downtrodden people in that country.Mexico, by refusing to kowtow to the US in the run up to Iraq war has asserted its independence and plans to be a partner with Brazil and other Latin American countries. Brazil, as the largest country in Latin America is moving ahead with economic cooperation with other Latin American countries.

This hopeful trend is going to catch on.The US needs to encourage this movement that for the first time empowers the Native Indian and Black and mulatto populations of these countries. I am afraid that our hegemonic tendencies will screw up another opportunity to be on the right side of history.

We seem to be jinxed by our arrogance time and again.Is there anyone who knows how to play this game? as Casey Stengel used to say.