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4 villages shun gift of free oil {Alaska, Chavez}
Anchorage Daily News ^ | September 29, 2006 | ALEX deMARBAN

Posted on 09/29/2006 9:53:14 AM PDT by thackney

WESTERN ALASKA: Patriotism led to a rejection of the Venezuelan handout.

Leaders from four Western Alaska villages have rejected an offer of free heating oil from a Venezuelan- owned company because that nation's president this month called President Bush "a devil" and made other inflammatory comments about the United States.

"Despite the critical need for fuel in our region, the Unangan (Aleut) people are Americans first, and we cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation," read a statement from Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association released late Thursday.

Under a program from Texas-based refiner Citgo, which is owned by the Venezuelan government, that is giving cheap and free heating fuel to poor people across the country, more than 12,000 rural Alaska homes in about 150 villages are scheduled to receive 100 free gallons this winter.

Valued at about $5 million, the gift to Alaska is welcome by people in many poor, remote villages. Heating fuel exceeds $7 a gallon in the remotest villages.

But that gift has been criticized by some as politically motivated. They say Chavez is trying to make President Bush and the U.S. government look as if they don't care for their own people. Chavez also supports Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Nelson Lagoon, Atka, St. Paul and St. George face heating fuel costs between $5 and $6 a gallon, the press release said. They were the only four villages in the region scheduled to receive fuel.

Atka Mayor George Dirks said he didn't like the decision.

"How stupid that is," he said. "We can use the fuel."

He said heating fuel is more than $5 a gallon in the village of 90, located 1,200 air miles southwest of Anchorage, "and some people are just getting by."

(Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: energy; fueloil; hugoping
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1 posted on 09/29/2006 9:53:16 AM PDT by thackney
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To: thackney
Previous related thread

Venezuelan firm will buy fuel oil for villagers (Citgo)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1705736/posts
September 20, 2006
2 posted on 09/29/2006 9:54:24 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: thackney

Unlike the traitors in the NE.


3 posted on 09/29/2006 9:56:17 AM PDT by pissant
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To: thackney

I think that they should speak out against Hugo Chavez AND take the free fuel. It will put a greater cost on the Venezuelan government and it will benefit the Alaskans while also giving Chavez no PR windfall.


4 posted on 09/29/2006 9:56:21 AM PDT by Axhandle
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To: thackney

God Bless 'em.


5 posted on 09/29/2006 9:58:48 AM PDT by rushmom (l)
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To: thackney

A year or so ago Chavez proposed selling Citgo, telling Veneezuelans that it was losing money. At the time, it was making money hand over fist, which means he was lying, he was looking to sell it because he needed cash.

Now, guess what, he's poisoned his own investment, and it probably will lose money, and he probably will have to sell it, but at a lot less money.

The thought of it makes me smile.


6 posted on 09/29/2006 10:00:00 AM PDT by marron
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To: thackney

I think that these villages and their inhabitants are almost entirely subsidized by the federal government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

which makes their decision even more admirable.


7 posted on 09/29/2006 10:01:05 AM PDT by squarebarb
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To: rushmom

Ditto.


8 posted on 09/29/2006 10:01:35 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life)
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To: squarebarb
I think that these villages and their inhabitants are almost entirely subsidized by the federal government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

You should do some more research into Alaska Native Corporations.

9 posted on 09/29/2006 10:02:14 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: marron

Who whould buy it knowing he would just take it back from private ownership.

Few people I know want to even do business there.


10 posted on 09/29/2006 10:02:57 AM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
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To: thackney
"Despite the critical need for fuel in our region, the Unangan (Aleut) people are Americans first, and we cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation," read a statement from Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association released late Thursday.

Wow! God Bless them!

11 posted on 09/29/2006 10:04:30 AM PDT by pgkdan
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To: thackney

I good R congress critter should ask for some extra cash for these villages. They deserve it and it would be good PR for the Rs.


12 posted on 09/29/2006 10:04:56 AM PDT by Hazcat (Live to party, work to afford it.)
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To: thackney
"How stupid that is," he said. "We can use the fuel."

No, what's stupid is that they are practically sitting on so much oil up there, yet untapped and unrefined.

God bless them for their decision to stand as Americans first. Capable fellow Americans should make sure they have a nice, warm winter.

13 posted on 09/29/2006 10:05:57 AM PDT by agrace
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To: thackney

Piss off socialists! Beyond the area's surrounding the Universities in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska is about as Conservative as you can get.


14 posted on 09/29/2006 10:06:32 AM PDT by vpintheak (Yep.)
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To: thackney

Thank you Aleuts. Maybe the leeches in the rest of the country will follow your example. Like the followers of Jessie Jagmo...nah, not a chance.


15 posted on 09/29/2006 10:06:40 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
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To: thackney
"Despite the critical need for fuel in our region, the Unangan (Aleut) people are Americans first, and we cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation," read a statement from Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association released late Thursday.

Bravo!

16 posted on 09/29/2006 10:07:37 AM PDT by hsalaw
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To: thackney
Atka Mayor George Dirks said he didn't like the decision. "How stupid that is," he said. "We can use the fuel."

How typical is that of the sentiment of a politician?

17 posted on 09/29/2006 10:08:48 AM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("...peace is the result of victory...")
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To: justshutupandtakeit

What a pleasant contrast to the church in Harlem that invited this low-rent pig to speak in a sanctuary of God.


18 posted on 09/29/2006 10:09:47 AM PDT by laconic
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To: thackney; Kathy in Alaska; All

OH KATHYYYYY


19 posted on 09/29/2006 10:11:16 AM PDT by SevenofNine (I'd rather hunt with Dick Cheney than ride with Ted Kennedy)
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To: Hazcat
"I good R congress critter should ask for some extra cash for these villages. They deserve it and it would be good PR for the Rs."

If your afore mentioned congress criter wants to organize something in his/her district through churches and other charitable organizations to help these folks out then I agree.

otherwise, I disagree
20 posted on 09/29/2006 10:16:22 AM PDT by tfecw (It's for the children)
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