It’s a haul from the United Nations floor to the town office in Turner, and even farther from the CITGO on Route 4 to the office of controversial President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela.

At least one official in Turner, however, seems to think both are around the corner.

In a meeting Monday, Selectman Charlie Mock boldly defended U.S. President George W. Bush, using his bully pulpit on the town’s governing board to call for an immediate end to municipal business with CITGO, Venezuela’s massive nationalized oil refiner. (The initiative was tabled to November.)

Mock’s anger stems from comments made last month by Chavez, who spared little vitriol for Bush and the U.S. in a speech at the UN. Chavez equated Bush to a sulfur-smelling devil, and called him a “spokesman for imperialism.”

“What a strange democracy,” Chavez said. “What type of democracy do you impose with Marines and bombs?”

Harsh words, without question, but the halls of Turner are a poor forum for grandiose foreign policy statements. All politics is local, sure, but in local politics, the only ones hurt from grandstanding are friends and neighbors.

Like Rep. Joan Bryant-Deschenes, owner of the CITGO on Route 4. She discovered Tuesday she was, instead of a small-business owner in Turner, now part of an anti-American conglomerate and the target of ire.

“There are over 13,000 CITGO stations in the U.S. and they are privately owned by local businessmen and women,” she told the Sun Journal. “These local stores are owned by local folks who live, work and support their communities here in the United States.” Gasoline, according to the American Petroleum Institute, is indistinguishable in its basic form, until mixed with additives and branded as CITGO, Exxon or Shell.

Chairman Dennis Richardson resigned his chairmanship over the issue, as he couldn’t “sit as chairman of a board that chooses to punish Turner citizens and taxpayers for the absurd remarks of an idiot from Venezuela.” Bryant-Deschenes has urged Richardson to keep the board’s gavel in his hand.

We agree with Bryant-Deschenes, as Richardson’s sudden resignation was an unnecessary act precipitated by an inane political gesture.

The outspoken Chavez has been rebuked for his commentary, and it has cost CITGO. The brand is under fire, with even landmarks like the CITGO sign outside Fenway Park in Boston criticized. His words spurred vociferous responses in the appropriate circles, all of which are far from Turner.

Chavez will likely never hear about Monday night in Turner, and would smile if he did. As Bryant-Deschenes put it, “Do we affect foreign policy by taking business from local retailers? Perhaps the headline should read, ‘Turner selectmen bring Hugo Chavez to his knees?'”

Sarcasm aside, she is right. It’s a long way from Turner to Venezuela, and no voice carries that far.

Instead of speaking to those who can’t hear him, Mock should have considered those who can.