Hugo Chavez Enters Space

Among Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez’s many displays of public bravado, this ranks right up there: Yesterday, the Venezuelan government launched that Venesat-1, a telecommunications satellite that has been baptized "Simon Bolivar.” Chavez was filmed watching the launch from Venezuela along with Bolivian President Evo Morales. Venesat-1 will expand its signal through the Caribbean, Central and South America and, according to the Venezuelan president, will contribute to the "construction of socialism of the 21st century.” "What does a satellite have to do with socialism?" Chavez asked. We’ll leave you to ponder that.