Obama's Salsa Dance With The Devil Down Under

President Barack Obama arrived on the two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago for the 5th Summit of the Americas on Saturday, where he hobnobbed with Latin leaders and even exchanged handshakes and pats on the back with hearty Venezuelan president and perpetual thorn-in-the side Hugo Chavez.

It was quite a departure from the previous administration's interactions with the leftist Venezuelan leader which usually resulted in Chavez likening George W. Bush to the devil followed by the immediate expulsion of all US ambassadors from both his country and his comrade Evo Morales' Bolivia (just) for good measure.

This time around it was all smiles and hugs for the two leaders, with Chavez even bearing gifts for his new presidential friend Barry--including an entire book dedicated to the rape and pillage of Latin America by the U.S. and Europe. Yay!

Although Obama did not say whether he would read the book or not, unlike the loser media, he did not consider the exchange to be a earth-shattering moment in history.

But he did call the weekend 34-nation Summit of the Americas a success, despite criticism from Republicans who blasted Obama for "irresponsibly laughing and joking" with "one of the most brutal, anti-American leaders in the entire world."

"The whole notion was that somehow if we showed courtesy or opened up dialogue with governments that had previously been hostile to us, that that somehow would be a sign of weakness," Obama said. "The American people didn't buy it. And there's a good reason the American people didn't buy it, it doesn't make sense."

His new best friend Hugo agreed as well. "I think it was a good moment. I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous U.S. president."

He even reads good too!

Slumming With The Stars!

This year's humbled-down "modest" Oscars were a slummin' success--from the totally reasonable $35,000 gift bags (Hollywood bargain!) to the rags-to-riches Mumbai darling Slumdog Millionaire snagging 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

Heath Ledger rightfully won Best Supporting Actor and not just because he died, but because no one plays a psycho, demented scar-faced clown quite like him. Kate Winslet obviously won the Best Actress award because she is British and it's basically like a rite of passage for them. The whole Holocaust theme didn't hurt either.

The "commie, homo-loving sons of guns" in the Academy also apparently have a sweet-spot for all things not-straight, including Sean Penn's portrayal of San Francisco's openly gay mayor Harvey Milk, which earned him the Best Actor award.

This in turn earned the audience an earful from Penn, who showed you don't have to be gay to play gay, but you must love gay. Or else.

"It's a good time for those who voted for the ban on gay marriage to look into their minds and anticipate their great shame in eyes of their grandchildren. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

What you thought Sean would come to some ritzy-ditzy Hollywood award show just to accept his gold statuette and walk off without saying something fiery and political? He's an activist first and an actor second, and he doesn't need Hugo Chavez to prove it.

Oh, and let's not forget the fabulous Hugh Jackman who flailed his hot host- self around just enough to keep 33 million Americans tuned in...and confused about their sexuality for three and a half hours.

Here's To Hugh!