Why so much negative press and so many negative comments regarding the handshake between President Obama and Hugo Chavez?
President Richard Nixon shook hands with Chou En-lai, Mao Zedong and Leonid Brezhnev -- even giving Brezhnev two big American-made cars. These leaders of oppressive nations were at the heart of American criticism and Cold War missives for decades.
George W. Bush shook hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders of two countries with very questionable human rights records. Where was the outrage then?
These attackers do more to sow the seeds of doubt and divisiveness in front of the rest of the world, regarding America's intentions, while this new administration attempts to repair the massive arrogance and damage from the previous administration, and renew America's place as a true world leader.
They should allow Obama to do his job.
JEFFREY BIPES, PLYMOUTH
