7-11 Takes A Stand

And an amazing one at that.

In partnership with Citgo for over 20 years as its sole-source petroleum provider, 7-11 has severed its ties with the Venezuelan-owned company on Wednesday the 27th -- and had the balls to additionally indicate the reason was partially "due to politics."

For those just tuning in, harken back to the toad-frog-faced Hugo Chavez making his pronouncement last week at the UN that the smell of sulfur remained on the podium at which he spoke due to President Bush's presence there prior -- and at that point crossed himself and declared Bush to be el diablo -- the Devil.

Apparently 7-11 decided to make their own stand and distance themselves from Citgo gas and, in the process, moved to Tower Energy Group of Torrance, Calif., Sinclair Oil of Salt Lake City, and Houston-based Frontier Oil Corp.

And to this I say: bravo.

If I had a 7-11 anywhere near me, I'd purchase gas at their pumps just on principle.

There used to be a 7-11 on darned near every corner.

In today's pussified environment, it took testosterone to say:

Regardless of politics, we sympathize with many Americans' concern over derogatory comments about our country and its leadership recently made by Venezuela's president," said 7-Eleven spokeswoman Margaret Chabris.

"Certainly Chavez's position and statements over the past year or so didn't tempt us to stay with Citgo," she added.

God bless 7-11 for that.

Even if 7-11 decided to pull this off for political reasons, fabulous. The timing couldn't have been better.

Incidentally, for those interested, Chavez rules over Venezuela's state-owned tar sands -- an environment that requires much technical expertise, heavy work and consultation. It is estimated that, due to Chavez's presence and overall inefficiency, Venezuela is experiencing a 15% diminishment of its oil capabilites each year.

Things are not as easy as they seem on the surface.

Where is Cindy now that we need her?

BZ