The Associated Press (AP), in its own twisted way, lauded Hugo Chavez, the former dictatorial leader of Venezuela, while slamming Margaret Thatcher, the former towering conservative leader of Great Britain, after their respective deaths. Here’s the AP on Thatcher:
Combative and determined to get her way, Margaret Thatcher divided opinion down the middle in life — and in death. Many leaders lauded Thatcher for her steely determination … others saw a pitiless tyrant who preferred conflict to compromise.
And Chavez? Try this:
He bedeviled the United States and outsmarted his rivals time and again, while using Venezuela’s vast oil wealth to his political advantage … . The barrel-chested leader electrified crowds with his booming voice, and won admiration among the poor with government social programs and a folksy, nationalistic style … Chavez was a master communicator and savvy political strategist …
When in doubt about which way the wind blows at the AP, rest assured that it comes from the left.