Pope Francis

During the second day of Conclave, the cardinals elected an Argentine as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first pope to be elected from Latin America.

Hugo Chavez Dead

Venezuela's vice president, Nicolas Maduro, has announced the death of the country's president, Hugo Chavez.

Now what will happen to the price of oil?

Rio gets the 2016 Olympic Games

I think it is great that Rio de Janiero, Brazil, was selected to host the 2016 Olympics. Chicago suffered a defeat in the first round of voting, but that is okay. It was about time that a country/city in South America was selected to host the Games.

Africa is next!

(Europe and North America have dominated the Olympics since their resurrection in the 19th century.)

America mending fences

President Barack Obama, who is attending the Summit of the Americas, has made headlines by having a photo-op with Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez.

Republicans are beside themselves with grief and worry. They warn the president not to be "laughing and joking" with one of America's enemies. Let's revisit the whole scenario that led to countries, like Venezuela, becoming our enemies. I think I can sum it up easily: George W. Bush.

Barack Obama is not George Bush. The voters of the United States spoke clearly when they elected Obama to the White House. We want a new direction for America at home and around the world. That is what Obama has been doing. He has done a great job of it so far.

The United States is easing decades-old sanctions against Cuba, which have proven to be ineffective time-and-time again. Venezuela, which had its ambassador expelled by Bush, is talking about mending diplomatic ties with the United States. Mexico and the United States are openly discussing the war on drugs, which has mangled parts of Mexico and is dangerously close to America's southern border.

I know we have had eight years of war and antagonism with the rest of the world, but this is the new face of America, and it is called diplomacy.

American hostages released in Colombia

Fifteen hostages, who were being held by Colombia terrorist group, FARC, were released today. These hostages included Americans and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

Betancourt was the most recognizable hostage who was released. Although, she was being held hostage in the jungles of Colombia, I do not believe that indicates a person should be lax on their appearance when they are released.

If I had been in her situation, I would have at least lost the military camouflage fatigues and horrible matching (if you can call it that) hat. In addition, Betancourt is in dire need of having her eyebrows waxed.

My Apologies

I wish to express my apologies to the people of Venezuela. In an effort to deter absolute authority, the voters of Venezuela rejected the sixty-nine amendments to their constitution, including allowing the current president, Hugo Chavez, to serve for unlimited consecutive terms.

In another shocking move, Chavez seems to have accepted the rejection of the country's electorate.

Chavez on dictatorship

Venezuela, in a moment of rather unparalleled national stupidity, is currently voting to expand the powers of President Hugo Chavez.

Under the expansion of powers in the nation's constitution, Chavez can be president for life.

Chavez has threatened the United States by stating he will cut off Venezuela's oil exports to the United States if it attempts to meddle in the election. Of course, he better be careful, considering I place Hugo Chavez a few notches beneath George W. Bush when it comes to despotic rulers who have a chip on their shoulders.