Posted on 01/15/2007 11:11:15 AM PST by thackney
controversial gift of heating fuel from Venezuelan oil company Citgo is finally warming homes in rural Alaska.
In Gambell, Jennifer Apatiki's husband hauled home a 55-gallon drum of free heating oil shortly after Christmas. The fuel, courtesy of Citgo, kept her warm in subzero temperatures in recent days.
"It was a great way to start the new year," she said.
As part of its program to donate heating fuel to poor Americans, Citgo, headquartered in Houston, Texas, pledged this year to give away 1 million gallons of heating fuel in Alaska Native villages. More than 11,000 homes are eligible for 100 gallons each.
The $5.2 million gift drew a hail of criticism from people around the country because of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez's combative attitude toward U.S. policy, especially after he called George Bush the "devil" in a speech at the United Nations. The Venezuela government owns Citgo.
The Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, a Native regional nonprofit corporation representing four eligible villages, chose not to participate because of Chavez's political views.
More than 150 villages took advantage of the offer, however, and residents in many villages began receiving vouchers for the fuel late last month. They can redeem those vouchers at their local fuel store.
Apatiki said people in Gambell, a Yup'ik village of 660 on St. Lawrence Island, need the money more than they care about the politics.
"Devil, angel, whoever gave it to us, we're grateful," she said.
Heating fuel costs $4.65 a gallon in the Western Alaska village, she said. Despite relatively warm temperatures this winter, Apataki said she's spending more than $600 a month to heat her three-bedroom home, she said.
Gas, food and other necessities are also "ridiculously expensive," so many people are scratching by, she said. Hunters have butchered and shared a few walruses...
(Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...
Save a barrel, burn a Hugo.
If the idiot Chavez wants to give away his oil to Americans, I say, terrific! He's not going to win converts that way, and it could screw him at home.
I rather earn the money to buy my own fuel. Or freeze to death. Either is better than taking Hugo's blood oil.
And that's been historically true for how many hundred years yet they've managed to survive. They think it's free today... but there's no such thing as a free lunch.
California feels left out. We have a fuel price crisis here.. how about some free gasoline? LOL
Damn right. Chavez can use that oil to give himself more regular bowel movements, because fat Hugo is definitely full of sh*t.
Ya don't have to go to Alaska to find it. :-)
Whoever takes money or oil from Chavez should be tried for treason.
BOYCOTT CITGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugo Chavez should be in a US prison and Citgo should be a nationalized business.
Do you believe you personally do not use fuel or other products made from Venezuelan oil?
I'd rather earn my own way too, but I would take it before I'd watch my kids freeze to death.
Would make a great biodiesel..........
I can't say I disagree with you.
I understand the sentiment, but it's too easy to say when we're not actually in danger of freezing to death.
It will burn nicely while they watch "24" on their 42 inch plasma...from the Directv....they bought last year from US government subsidies.
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