The Global Marketer

It’s been a year since Southland Corp., better known in the U.S. by its massive 7-11 franchise, sold the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela the remainder of its minority interest in Caracas-controlled Citgo Oil, subsequently opting to supply its gas stations with fuel of a much less controversial provenance.

Since then, a nationwide boycott of the Citgo brand has ensued (something to do with Mr. Chavez calling Mr. Bush el Diablo and teaming up Sen. Kennedy to exploit this nation’s needy with heating- oil discounts) which continues to be sold at approximately 14,000 — many of them exceedingly slick and spiffy — Citgo service stations across the country.

So how goes the boycott? Answer: It’s hard to tell. Aside from a few poorly tended blogs and a virtual blackout by the so-called mainstream media, one wouldn’t know there was a boycott on at all. The only coverage we could find is this report from a few days back by a Pittsburgh-area newspaper: http://www.slate.com/id/2177484?Gt1=10636 .

…which provides a flimsy enough excuse to send you to a hilarious but insightful column from Slate wherein one Anne Applebaum fills us in as to just why it is that American actors and models love to hang out with Hugo…

…and we thought it was the hugs.

See for yourself at http://www.slate.com/id/2177484?Gt1=10636