There's a "There" There

It's difficult to find anything positive to say after the 8.8 earthquake catastrophe in Chile. But I do have one.

I think it's really interesting the way U.S. correspondents -- or at least the English-speaking journalists -- based in that country are suddenly the go-to reporters on this story. Of course, these are people who likely live in Chile and just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.

If you heard them on the air before, they were usually buried deep in the newscast somewhere. And since it was South America, they were probably talking about a military coup or a war criminal's arrest or some company nailed for despoiling a rain forest. But now, these nobodies are providing the precious details of the top international story. They're stars. You're going to remember their names. It has always amazed me how the world generally ignores an entire continent. Africa gets a lot more respect than South America, which isn't close to anything we really care about.

It takes a lot to make us care about South America. Argentina had to start a war with Britain. Colombia had to supply us with illegal drugs. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela had to kiss up to Castro and Iran and threaten to cut off our oil. Brazil, which has achieved about the highest level of energy independence of any country on the globe, doesn't get nearly as much attention, except at Carnival time.

Oh, by the way, I think we're supposed to pronounce Chile like "Chillay" if we want to be in the ball park -- not like the spice or the restaurant chain. "Sheelay" is probably the most accurate rendition. Just thought you should know, in case you find yourself talking about it.