Hi Dr.Dawg
I'm no fan of large international corporations and the oil industry players are some of my least favorite.
When I read the CNN article I noticed this bit.
"Exxon Mobil secured court orders in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean last week that prevent PdVSA, as the Venezuelan company is known, from hiding or selling off assets ahead of an arbitration proceeding. Exxon Mobil, the world's largest oil company, filed for arbitration following a decision by President Hugo Chavez to nationalize the company's assets in a heavy-oil upgrading venture located along the Orinoco river belt.
ConocoPhillips (COP), another U.S. oil company, has also filed for arbitration over Chavez's decision.
Mr. Chavez stole their property and now both sides are playing their cards in the arbitration game. Venezuela plays sell off or transfer assets - Exxon plays $12B asset freeze as a in reply.
If it was your vacation home that had been confiscated, you would also be concerned if you thought the contents were being sold off before the assessors arrived.
Much better than sending in the marines for sure.
This is one libertarian that doesn't cheer for Exxon or any other large corp, mainly because they are now, at least in North America, the state. They exist because they rely on the coercive powers of the state and its regulations to maintain their power, privilege and profits (yeah, don't let them fool you, they love state regulations).
So though I detest Chavez, as the undemocratic populist thug he is, I detest Exxon equally if not more - they are all but an extension of US foreign policy.
My preference would be to see both Chavez and the Exxon executive paraded thought the streets with shaved heads and signs around their neck.
Corporations aren't against the nation-state (which died years ago because very few states encompass a single 'nation' anymore - the proper use of the word 'nation' in nation state). They are the state. Crony capitalism and mercantilism are what passes for a "free" market and states use corporations to do their bidding just as corporations use states to do theirs.
Libertarians that apologize and sympathize with these corporations are 'vulgar libertarians' and useful idiots for the very forces the pretend to rail against.
Mike:
My preference would be to see both Chavez and the Exxon executive paraded thought the streets with shaved heads and signs around their neck.
In the name of democracy, of course. : )
Since Chavez came to power, elections/referenda have proliferated, and he lost the last one fair and square. The rule of law continues. Your not liking him shouldn't result in your proposed ritual humiliation for the people's choice. Doesn't sound very "libertarian," if I may say so.
Sounds like desperation on part of Exxon. Their coup attempt failed so now they try a little financial revenge. Tough. The oil is in Venezuela's hands and not theirs.
Dawg,
Of course, in the name of democracy 
I merely distrust any politician that even wants to have term limits extended and the power to rule by decree. And the ritual humiliation would take place, of course, after the peaceful "Velvet Revolution" by the people, so I'd totally respect their choice.
Sorry, but as much seeming good as he's done, he's also flirted with dictatorial powers and has many anarchist detractors in Venesuala as well.
Absolute power and all that.
Ah, the invisible hand of the market...
Funny how it's always clenched like a fist..
Mike,
I think that's the first time I've seen "populist" and "undemocratic" linked together like that.
I thought the whole point of populism was the will of the common people.
I tend to view the right's obsession with hiving off sovereignty to corporations (and trans-organizations acting on their behalf) as only one blade of the scissors. The other blade is the left's preference for ceding sovereignty to the courts and "good" transnational organizations. This is incredibly stupid from the left's point of view, since the end game (if there ever is an end game) would be likely to pit a weakened, delegitimised state and a politically passive citizenry against the guys with the money. Hmm, who do you think would win that one?
It's about power, always has been. So, then--which side are you on?
Well, I'm an Exxon shareholder, so....
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