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From The Sunday Times

November 4, 2007

The ‘useful idiot’ A-list flocks to Hugo Chavez

Tony Allen-Mills

They have dubbed it the return of the useful idiots. More than half a century after western supporters of Soviet-style communism were derided for their misplaced sympathies, a new generation of celebrity activists is playing into the hands of Hugo Chavez, the leftist president of Venezuela.

Chavez’s antiwestern rantings have not deterred a stream of celebrities from paying homage to the leader of the so-called Bolivarian revolution. The latest recruit is Naomi Campbell, the supermodel turned Latin American economic specialist who last week declared her “amazement” at the “love and encouragement” that Chavez poured into welfare programmes.

Campbell’s tour was reminiscent of a visit with Kate Moss several years ago to President Fidel Castro of Cuba, when she angered his opponents by declaring him “a source of inspiration to the world”. Castro said the meeting had been “very spiritual”.

A Caracas newspaper said Campbell was wearing a “revolutionary and exquisite white dress from the prestigious Fendi fashion house” when she hugged Chavez and declared: “I’m not here to be political.”

The stream of celebrities to Caracas has upset human rights campaigners, who claim Chavez’s welfare propaganda conceals a plot to turn the country into a one-party dictatorship.

“Just being there with Chavez says that [Campbell] agrees with what is going on,” declared Maria Conchita Alonso, a former Miss Venezuela and antiChavez activist. “Do they know that last week they had a huge march of hundreds of thousands of people against the changes Chavez wants to make to the constitution?”

Other visitors have included the actors Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn and Danny Glover. Chavez’s encouragement of critics of President George W Bush has reminded analysts of Castro’s success in turning Havana into the so-called “revolutionary Riviera”.

Lenin coined the term “useful idiots” for westerners who visited Mos-cow to support the Soviet system.

Chavez has emerged as the free-spending leader of antiAmerican forces in the region. He is putting up almost $20m (£9.6m) for two films to be made by Glover; one featuring an 18th-century slave uprising in Haiti and another an adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel, The General.

Penn turned up in Venezuela last August and caused anger by visiting the studio Chavez is building to compete with North American producers.

“A lot of us think Penn was wrong,” one producer told the Chicago Sun Times. “It only gives ammunition to conservatives who like to point to Hollywood as being anti-American.”

"Money at the service of the poor" ...?? I would LAUGH at this repeated statement if Venezuela's current situation wasn't so serious. Right now "the poor", and everyone else, have no milk, no flour, no sugar, no bread and several other basic food items. There's a seroius food shortage, people have to stay in line for days in order to secure - maybe- one roll of toilette paper or a milk carton. In 2007 in Venezuela, there were 14,000 (FOURTEEN THOUSAND) homicides. That is more than in the Irak war. Hospitals and clinics are without supplies. In the meantime our president spends the "poor's" oil money in hostage rescue shows, military resources to Iran, money to Cuba, Boliviaand all other leftist govs., and more propaganda which includes A-listers and such. To those you from New Zealand, UK and America (all wonderful countries to live in), I ask of you: STOP USING VENEZUELA'S SITUATION TO FEED YOUR LIBERAL/ANTI-BUSH FANTASIES AND COME LIVE IN VENEZUELA...you wouldn't last a week.

G. Torres, Venezuela,

Oh please how ignorant can people defending Chavez sound Mr. Cheeseman. Every simple mind could notice that the guy is mean! In Venezuela the oil money is being used, more than ever, to generate corrupted new millionaires that are involved in the government (one of the more corrupted in the world, there are sources: find them). The have systematically destroyed the democratic institutions in Venezuela, using the confidence the simple majority of the people have put ONCE in them, to eliminate every possibility that the same people could change their minds and elect someone different: The basis of democracy. The media is partially auto-censored to avoid retaliations from the dictatorship. Chavez wants to stay forever in power, he uses oil money to apply pure populism, giving, yes, some help to the poorer people (Not everything is bad) but not working for a sustainable solution to misery in Venezuela. That's the truth Mister Cheeseman. Bad Luck

Franz Muller, ZUrich, Switzerland

I have been teaching my daughters about what Chavez is about by having them follow along, chapter by chapter, in Animal Farm. It is the perfect teaching tool. Last year Chavez started walking upright, and today Chavez started wearing the farmer's cloths. The wonderful thing is that Chavez looks like he came out of Central Casting for the part. No wonder these celebrities go there to swoon over him. They want to be upright too.

I think the best thing to do for Venezuela is to airdrop millions of copies of Animal Farm over the whole Farm...country

Richard, Kalispell, MT

Anyone who says Liberals with this, is beyond stupid. You want to call someone out, call them out personally. Republicans support Communist China and Saudi Arabia, and let's not forget them giving arms to Iran. Oh, and let's also not forget that little friendship they had with the now big bad evil, Saddam Hussein.

The problem I still have with this, is that I'm still not getting anything concrete to use against this guy. Does that mean that he doesn't have some other motive? Of course not, but I'm still waiting from some big reveal. All of it sounds like mere speculation without any actual evidence. He was democratically elected. Why on Earth should I care about him? Seriously. The world has bigger problems. He's anti-Bush. So is America and the rest of the world. Any idiot could come up with that.

Al, Phiadelphia, PA

"And Robert Clark, 'The Economist' is not a "right-wing magazine". It is a newspaper that supports political liberalism."

Meaning, it's a Right wing magazine. Thanks for stating the obvious.

Al, Phiadelphia, PA

Interesting article. I see that most of the condemnation of Chavez generally comes from the US while his quasi-supporters are from the UK and other countries. Does that not demonstrate the general movement of Europe toward a more socialist outlook? Does that make it easier to forget the lessons of the past? Socialism and Communism have been used to support some of the most evil dictators throughout the last 100 years including Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot. 10s of millions of people are dead because of these guys "enlightened"policies of social engineering. And when was the last time you saw people fleeing for Venezuala or Cuba??? Anyone volunteering to relocate? No. But we do have thousands in Miami that are praying for Castro's demise. But Bush is an easier target for the weak minded (ie. the slow man from Palm Beach). When I was young I always thought liberals were for freedom of thought and expression. The truth is that they are for this freedom ONLY if it is on their terms.

Greg, Lewisville,

Mr. Tony Allan-Mills, have you ever been to Venezuela? Have you ever seen what a beautiful country it is? It's paradise! With lots of oil and many other natural resources. This paradise was plagued by neo-liberal policies from Washington and their neo-conservative corporations before President Chavez was democratically elected by a vast majority who want change in their country. As a Californian, married to a Venezuelan, I've lived in this beautiful country for over 18 years, and I'm so grateful for these celebraties that have come to show their support for the Bolivarian Revolution and President Chavez. Maybe you should visit us in Venezuela and report the truth and not what people tell you like Maria Conchita Alonso. Just by you mentioning her in your article shows me that you really have NO clue of what you're talking about. She is an embarassment in Venezuela! Get real, stop lisenting to fools who have no clue, get out and see the real thing, go to Venezuela and report the truth!

MLG, Bern, Switzerland

I do not understand Liberals. They accuse Bush of being a dictator when he clearly wants to leave in 2009 yet they HUG REAL DICTATORS LIKE CHAVEZ AND CASTRO!? Do they hate America so much that they play the "Enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

Hollywood right now is scratching their heads in confussion as to why they are having the worst box office receipts for fall in 6 years. Gee? Ya think Anti-Troop films like Redacted and others might do it? Hollywood INSULTS 1/2 of it's potential audience and it wonders why it's losing money.

And this Writers Strike? HA! Don't make me laugh...there is NO CREATIVITY ANYMORE! Look at all the reality shows we've got right now? Hey writers, how about you come up with some new and better Movie and TV Shows...THEN YOU COULD ASK FOR A RAISE?

The Hollywood of today are SICK! Don't they know if we lose everything, they'll be the first to go.

AB, Boise, USA/ID

Ha! Thank you Mr. Steve Brown. Funniest thing I've read today.

Phil, McLean, Virginia

Clearly, Anti-Americanism is not the result of a relentless campaign of propaganda from Marxist and/or Islamist professors, entertainers, journalists, and government entities. It is cleary the result of George W. Bush. In a similar way, it is clear that 911 was an inside job.

Steve Brown, Palm Beach,

Unfortunately, it has been the universal resentment and ill will that George Bush has created who drives this flock of sympathizers to Chavez.
The real idiocy is not approving of Chavez policies; it is thinking that you have to side with Bush or with Chavez. You can condemn them both...

Stefan Fernandez, Olney, Maryland/USA

Perhaps Naomi is concerned about rising cocaine prices?

Paul, Esher,

What's wrong SAM, U.K...... don't you like hearing the truth????

M S, Gw, USA

@Thomas Cahill

Your country (USA) has a lot to learn from Venezuela both in democracy and freedom of expression. Chavez has won numerous elections against hostile media and won with majorities that no US President even dreams of. Unlike President Bush, he didn't need to resort to fraud and judicial chicanery, because he has popular support.

As for freedom of information, where is the anti-capitalist opposition TV network in the USA? Venezuelan media allows far more variety of opinion.

As for calling Hugo Chavez mad... well that just makes you look foolish. Have a nice day!

PS Yes, life is lovely here in Aotearoa in the spring.

@John Dough, it's true, they hate him even more for taking steps to ensure that Venezuela can defend itself against an imperial attack.

Richard Cheeseman, Wellington, NZ

Was this even an article? It read like a hodge podge of opinionated propagandist drivel to me.

sam, UK,

James, I just thought I would remind you that Chavez was elected... you know, as in.. chosen by his people !? Dictator ? who ? Musharraf ? Saudis ? Mubarak ? who elected them ? I am afraid my friend, Chavez WAS elected.. it's just that he happens not to be "in bed" with you or your "ideals" for that matter. That does not make the man a dictator... seriously.

luis, caracas,

Richard Cheeseman SAID..

"The reason they really hate Hugo Chavez is for putting the oil money at the service of the poor, and that is too obviously a good thing to serve as a reproach either. Bad luck, Mr Allen-Mills!

Richard Cheeseman, Wellington, New Zealand"

...by buying fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, tanks, submarines, AK47's ??

John Dough, Paris,

I will be more impressed when people such as Ms Campbell, Mr Spacey, Mr Glover and the other A-list celebrities give up their Hollywood lifestyles and gigantic mansions with latin maids to live in a place like Venezuela under Chavez or Castro. As Gerrard Baker so aptly put it, "America is a great place to antiAmerican".

Thomas, Mooresville, NC

The left wing sure hate democracy and freedom

How galling it is that people like Richard Cheeseman has the right to speek openly and freely about politics and human rights while people in Venezuela are slowly and methodically having each and every one of their rights taken from them from a tyrannical and obvious mad dictator.

Life is good in New Zealand, isnt it Mr. Cheeseman? What do you care about human rights in South America? That is what you apparently wake up every morning thinking. I wish that I could beat you with a "democracy or illegal invasion stick".

Thomas Cahill, Lewes, United States

Superb article. It hits the nail on the head. Thank you, Mr. Allen-Mills.

Emilio Carril, New York, NY / USA

Hey Robert Clark...I have friends in Venezuela. Why would a "President", such as Chavez declares himself, systematically strip away civil liberties to further democracy? Any "Idiot" can see that he wants to become another Castro. It is easy to proclaim your support for the poor and criticize your own government, etc while sitting in your 9000 square foot home and living high off the $$ you made living here in a "free" U.S. Hey Mr. Cheeseman....why aren't you over there helping those lucky Venezuelans? Hugo needs more people like you. Have any experience with handling water cannons on those damn freedom loving students?

Scott, Morro Bay, California

Chavez, like Castro, is just another dictator with a talent for manipulating hapless celebrities who are desperate to support anything "revolutionary" and anti-American just to look cool. The only thing worse than their intellectual vacuity is their moral bankruptcy. Sean Penn (who famously believes in selective free speech, i.e. only for those who agree with him) is a disgrace to his country.
We should listen to the people in Venezuala who are being systematically denied liberty.

And Robert Clark, 'The Economist' is not a "right-wing magazine". It is a newspaper that supports political liberalism.

James, Sunderland, England, UK

A VERY one-sided article. For example, who are these "human rights campaigners.... who claim Chavezâ€™s welfare propaganda conceals a plot to turn the country into a one-party dictatorship"?

Wouldn't a more balanced article have detailed some of Chavez's welfare programmes? Even rightwing magazines such as The Economist acknowledge their existence and effect.

The trouble with the Venezuelan opposition is that most of them can't accept that they're now in the minority (about 60:40 in favour of Chavez). They are too quick to conflate "human rights" with their point of view. That's why the opposition wilfully boycotted the election 2 years ago, leaving the way clear for Chavez's supporters to dominate the National Assembly.

The trouble with the UK media is that THEY, not silly publicity-seeking celebrities, are the biggest "useful idiots" because they lazily recycle the US government / Venezuelan opposition's viewpoint.

This site is better:- http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/

Robert Clark, London, UK

Is there any doubt that many of the people who work in the film industry are anti-American? For that matter, they are also anti-Venezuelan and anti-Cuban, as well as anti-freedom.

JimBob, Rensellear, NY

The right wing sure hate Hugo Chavez.

How galling it must be for them to have to froth at a socialist without being able to beat him with the "democracy" or "illegal invasion" sticks! Bush's fraudulent elections and the US/UK criminal invasion of Iraq have wrecked those particular anti-communist propaganda lines in any case.

The reason they really hate Hugo Chavez is for putting the oil money at the service of the poor, and that is too obviously a good thing to serve as a reproach either. Bad luck, Mr Allen-Mills!

Richard Cheeseman, Wellington, New Zealand