If you needed any proof of what a ridiculous buffoon Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, is, he offered it clearly yesterday in his address to the United Nations. In a speech notable for its utter lack of civility and common sense, he stood before the General Assembly and repeatedly called President Bush "the devil," commenting that the chamber "...still smells of sulfur today."

Regular readers of this blog know that I am no particular fan of President Bush, but he is the President of the United States, and as such deserving of a certain level of respect from fellow heads of state. Chavez has shown himself to be a common demagogue on the name-calling level of the worst Islamic radicals, unworthy of his position as the head of a great nation. He has made a complete fool of himself, and has served his nation poorly.

By contrast, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, another thorn in the political side of the United States, sounded almost statesmanlike in spite of the odious nature of his comments.

The United Nations, and the people of Iran and Venezuela, deserve better. Come to think of it, so do we.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo