Danny Glover - Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has approved $20 million (US) financing to back two movies by Danny Glover who is a big buddy of Chavez. One is about the South American liberator, Simon Bolivar and the other is about Haitian revolutionary, Toussaint Louverture.

Mr. Glover has visited with President Chavez on several occasions and seems to be totally infatuated with him. Glover touts himself as an activist who wants his movies to "move people and help them understand what is happening in the world". 

Mr. Glover has NO idea what is happening in Venezuela. He is treated like royalty when he visits. He has not been out in the barrios and seen the abject poverty that many of the people live in. He stays in a luxury hotel and is served the best food and is squired around by the President.

On one of our trips to Venezuela we were about to board the plane when we were asked to step aside. A group of very stern looking men approached and in the middle of the group was Danny Glover. We had to wait while he was ushered on the plane and seated. Once that happened we were allowed to board. Mr. Glover was sitting in first class (as expected) and tried not to make eye contact with anyone as they boarded. I understand that, he just wanted to left alone. But, the reason I share this is because HE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE what the average Venezuelan has to deal with. He doesn't mingle with the average person......anywhere!

When he visits he isn't aware that the average Venezuelan cannot get chicken or sugar. He is not aware that in order to get these things you have to shop in the "government" grocery stores, where the sugar is full of ants and the stores are very dirty, rather than the independent ones. The sugar on his table is free of ants and if he wants chicken.....he gets chicken.

Maybe Mr. Glover needs to get out into the country, on his own, and get to know the REAL Venezuela. He will find a people who are extremely proud of their country and their heritage. A people who want to work and provide for their families. A people who want a living wage. He has only seen what Chavez has wanted him to see but he is too foolish to know that.

I will not see either of these movies when they are released. I urge you to do the same.