I was sent this link last night. For those too lazy click, snopes.com references e-mails which urge Americans to by Citgo gasoline. Traditionally, chain e-mails are sent with the intent of discouraging buying oil at a certain time, from a certain company, on a certain day of the week, or in some less-than-certain fashion. This one is unique in that it actually suggests we buy gasoline, even at $4/gallon. The justification? Citgo is owned by Venezuela, a government which has not sponsored global terrorism or has mass murdered political dissidents.

Yet, to paint Venezuela as a political ally and beacon of democracy is far from accurate. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is staunchly opposed to “American Imperialism” and has come up with less-than-flattering monikers for President Bush. He has presided over quasi-democratic elections and recently failed in his attempt to enhance his powers to dictator-like levels.

If not for oil exports, Venezuela would be seen as a political enemy which seeks to destabilize and anti-Americanize the Latin world. Chavez routinely funds opposition groups in pro-American countries and uses oil revenues to prop up anti-American leaders. His brand of socialist populism is toxic to democratization, but not nearly the menace that fundamentalist, Muslim theocracies are. Chavez does not endorse, formally or informally, killing innocent civilians. It is because Chavez is a “peaceful” man, that he seems to be the best despot we can support when we fill up our tanks.

It is unfortunate that we have to face a decision between supporting Chavez , Vladimir Putin, or Nigerian violence when we buy gasoline. We have a veritable bevy of unsavory options. But we have to make a choice. My suggestion: be less aware of the political ramifications of our choices. Former New York Times Bureau Chief and Northwestern professor Stephen Kinzer argues that it is impossible to understand the long-term geopolitical ramifications of anything. If we all bought from Hugo, then he might grow his power to such an extent that he could afford to stop oil exports to the US and kill our economy. Maybe buying from Russia would allow a middle-class to grow to the point that the public will finally bring democracy to its country.

The point is that we don’t know. Punishing Germany after WWI with severe financial penalties seemed appropriate…at the time. Supporting Osama bin Laden against the Soviets seemed to be an excellent decision…at the time. Arming Saddam Hussein to fight Iranian Ayatollahs also was the wise choice…at the time. Pushing for freer elections in Palestine was both moral and prudent…until voters put Hamas in power. The list of failed successes goes on and on. No matter how positive and convinced we are, we still could be wrong.

I’m not saying that we should never pay attention to who we are supporting. If you think McCain is the best candidate this November, don’t vote for Barack Obama just because there is a chance McCain will be awful. You don’t need to donate thousands of dollars to al-Qaeda or murder civilians to prove the randomness and unpredictability of politics.

Make rational decisions, but don’t be crippled by the decision-making process. Being pragmatic is good, but being sane is far more important than the destination of your all-powerful $100 gas receipt.