From Mar del Plata to Brasilia

When a slimmed-down Maradona does his “popcorn” (“pipoca” in portuguese) dance with Chavez in Mar del Plata at the Summit of the Americas to denounce a trade agreement and Bush , and when Mexico´s Fox says he wants to wed Mercosur and NAFTA, you wonder when Latin America will be able to articulate a coherent approach to defining its trade position and relationship with the US.

When Bush lands in Brasilia to convince Lula into giving him a hand to control Chavez while ignoring any other bilateral issue, you wonder when the US will stop looking at the hemisphere as its fief and start a dialogue of equals with Latinos.

When Bush´s presence in Brasilia disrupts the lovely w/end we were enjoying, I say ENOUGH! Leave us alone George, for chrissake!

T-