Legislator to Kennedy: Stop celebrating Venezuelan oil

A discount oil program for the poor run by former US Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II is being criticized by a Florida congressman who said Kennedy is relying on "a sworn enemy of the United States."

Kennedy's Citizens Energy Corp. distributes low cost oil to poor families and the elderly. In television commercials, Kennedy credits "our good friends in Venezuela" for providing much of the oil for the program.

That didn't sit well with Republican congressman Connie Mack, who faulted Kennedy for praising Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who once called President Bush "the devil" in a speech before the United Nations.

"Hugo Chávez is providing your company 'low-cost heating oil' not to help the American people, but rather to exploit his apologists in the name of public relations," Mack said in a letter to Kennedy. "Sadly, you have chosen to actively participate in his charade."

Kennedy fired back, calling Mack's arguments "misguided" and said he should consider a ban on all Venezuelan oil, not just the relatively small amount Kennedy uses to help the poor heat their homes.

"Once we've followed the Mack Doctrine and refused oil from every country that fails to meet our disciplined moral standards, I'm sure you'll enjoy your walks to Washington, because there certainly won't be fuel to fly you there," Kennedy wrote.