Cognitive Dissonance #325

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition is demanding leftist President Hugo Chavez take a drug test after he said he chews coca leaves to keep up his energy.

The anti-U.S. leader has repeatedly defended the use of coca leaves despite accusations by the United States that he is turning Venezuela into a "haven" for drugs from Colombia.

Chavez said during a January speech that Bolivian President Evo Morales, a close Chavez ally and outspoken supporter of legalizing the cultivation of coca, sends him coca paste.

------- From what I've read, America's "left" sees nothing wrong with chewing a little coca leaf every morning, and conveniently ignore whether or not Chavez smokes that paste sent to him by good buddy Morales. But hey, maybe coca helps him work longer and harder.

Also unmentioned by the American Chavez supporters is the fact that coca cultivation, rather than food staples, does little to feed the peasants, aids deforestation, erodes the soil, and poisons the rivers, killing plant and animal species.

Never mind that coca paste, or "basuco" can be used in the production of crack for Black America - the "left" loves you.

Never mind that the same "left" cannot bear the sight of tobacco - and pay no mind to the biggest US beneficiaries of the coca trade (USA,Inc/CIA) - according to the "left" coca chewing is good for South Americans because they're responsible people or ceremonial with it, unlike our own dopers who never know when to pass up a rock or line.

Last but not least, imagine if you will the "left" reaction had Bush admitted he chewed coca every morning and his friend sends him coca paste. Would it be okay?