(image from The Guardian)

At the Summit of the Americas, in a weak human moment, Obama shook hands with and smiled at Hugo Chavez. Needless to say, that has set off the most profound analyses among our news media.

Shake hands with Chavez but hold smiles, analyst says – CNN.com

David Gergen, CNN’s senior political analyst, said Obama is trying to make good on that pledge.

“I think most political advisers would tell the president, you know, it’s fine to shake hands, hold the smiles,” he said, adding that the gesture shows some inexperience on Obama’s part.

“What the real test here is going to be in policies and in the actions. And I think Barack Obama has to somehow make a balance between being open, reaching out and also not surrendering or retreating on basic American principles and on showing some toughness,” Gergen said.

Perhaps Gergen, part time CNN stooge and full-time Harvard professor (yes you read that right), also needs a copy of Open Veins of Latin America, or a full record of US participation in the various anti-Chavez actions.

A bit presumptuous of me to suggest that Harvard professors spend time reading history, but the rest of you might benefit from perusing these:

• U.S.-Backed Rightist Claims Victory in Salvador Election
• History of U.S. Interventions in Latin America
• US Intervention in Latin America

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