Then here’s something that might lighten your Monday morning: Hugo Chavez appears to have “reached his peak” and his influence is starting to decline, says this Tribune analysis. Despite his “best” efforts, Venezuela fell far behind U.S.-backed Guatemala in the United Nations vote for a Latin American seat on the Security Council. Apparently, quite a few countries took Chavez’ bribes and then stiffed him in the secret balloting, which is confirmation of the old “no honor among thieves” rule. There is also the failure of several Chavez-supported leftist candidates in recent regional elections. The pugnacious punk is not out, but is down.