[oor wullie]

He did at one time supply discounted heating oil to poor people in America because the US government was doing nothing to help their own poor......Made me smile - basically sticking your fingers up at your enemy by being nice.

He also supplied cheap oil to Cuba in exchange for doctors so that everyone could access healthcare and had a huge campaign to improve literacy.

The previous ruling classes, wealthy people and foreign oil companies didn't do so well out of his policies though.

[doganjo]

I used to have huge arguments with a friend of mine on this.  She had lived their with her Oil Manager husband for 4 years in Venezuela - in a compound, with all mod cons, imported food, beautiful houses, and terrific gardens with their own pools, carried guns when out of the compound (not surprised they had to protect what they had!    ) went diving every day in the sea, did a great deal of sightseeing, and buying beautiful homecoming gifts for next to nothing from the poor - said he was a thief and a rogue.  I pointed out all those things you mention, OW and she just said he did it to 'annoy the Yanks' (her words, not mine!  ), and I said "Yes,  - so?  - well done Chavez!"

[Rosemary]

So poorly they are burying him

Seems they're not - he's being embalmed and put on display.

Is this something we should do with our deceased politicians, do you think?

[Hassle]

Rosemary I'd prefer if they where made into a piņata, bagsy I go first with the big stick 

[happygolucky]

I so remember my best friend who's family were Russian, having a photo of their grandma in her coffin...I found that a bit haunting, I  was there when my parents died and that still is in my mind so a photo or some one embalmed is not the thing I want to see, but strangely, it IS fascinating!