There's a riot goin' on

The protests over Bush's visit to Argentina erupted into riots this afternoon, and Hugo Chavez didn't do anything to endear himself to the current administration, and 8,000 Argentinian police were called in to maintain order. Quite a reception for Fearless Leader, and perhaps unprecented in US history. It comes on a day when several polls were released that put Bush's approval rating at 35-37%. Hopefully the rest of the planet will cut us some slack in light of that fact..

Hundred of protesters have run riot in Argentina, throwing rocks at police just blocks away from the opening of a summit attended by 34 Americas leaders.

Groups of demonstrators approached security cordons around the summit, and a bank was set on fire as police fired tear gas to disperse the rioters.

US President George W Bush is one of the leaders present, for discussions which include free trade and poverty.

Mr Bush faces opposition over plans to revive talks on a free trade area.

As the meeting opened, there was no indication that any compromise had been reached.

Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez told protesters earlier he would bury the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) - and defeat US "imperialism".

Perhaps the most ridiculous part of Bush's address today was his declaration that Argentina and the United States have much in common-- such as a commitment to freedom, and a free press. I'm willing to wager that it didn't do anything to assuage the ill-will.