Sorry, We're Reading "The Shack" This Month

This view from Venezuela of Hugo Chavez's noxious regime makes one wish that President Obama's handlers had handled the choreography better at the Latin American summit in Trinidad. But once Chavez lunged at him with his submission for the next White House reading circle, it's hard to imagine what else Obama could've done. If you don't accept an outstretched hand, then the story becomes your snub.

As it was, Obama, who kept his body partially turned away, obviously knew he was being Hugoed. I'm hoping that the incident will persuade the White House to wrap up its "Please like America again" international advertising campaign. Otherwise Obama will begin to look like a supplicant, and that means he'll look weak, and that won't be good for anyone, especially us.