If Pedro can't do it, neither can Venezuela

I saw on the news the other day that Venezuela and Guatemala were handing out some goodies in the course of gladhanding diplomats as they gun for votes for a seat on the U.N. Security Council. Venezuela handed out some chocolate; Guatemala at least did something native, a card with fabric on it (why not just go all out for the friendship bracelet, really?). Um, I am pretty sure that tactics such as this are banned in most high school student council elections. I'm not sure what the benefit of these gifts are. I mean, we should be really worried if some guy is deciding on what country to vote for and says to himself, "Chavez may be crazy, but that was some good chocolate." It's not like the people there need reminders of the two countries gunning for the same spot. It's not a crowded field. Again, we should be really worried if some guy is deciding on what country to vote for and says to himself, "Why am I here? Ah, yes, the Security Council. Who's gunning for it? Ah, yes, the people giving away the fine chocolates. And the friendship bracelet people."