Oldfool, I did as you suggested. My response was to your take on ZW's post. I think you fall into my point about Hugo not being much different from any other head of gov. including Canada and the USA. Here is your post:

ZW--You forgot one NO on the Vz. side " no deal" they don't have to make a commitment ,it's their game-bat,ball and field.

One more point "Someone will do it. Why not us?"Hugo is a commie SOB. He would be happier if we failed.

How did you miss what he stands for????

It doesn't matter what he stands for or what we think he stands for. There is only one thing that makes sense to me. LC is an asset that will be exploited as ZW said and VZ can not build and mine it themselves. They need outside investment and expertise to do it.

If you believe in what Hugo says he stands for then they will approve the permit and put his people to work. If you think Hugo is full of BS (and what politician isn't) and simply wants to stay in power then they will approve the permit so the voters in the up coming elections will be happy. Hugo and Sanz will look like heros to Bolivar State. Either way they want the project to start asap and the quickest way is to approve the permit.

The bottom line is that we can posture about Hugo all we want, there is no rational argument that can be made for not giving us the permit. I know it is an oxymoron using rational and VZ in the same sentence but no matter what we think Hugo isn't stupid. He might be crazy but not stupid!