http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4801521.stm -- Mass Venezuela opposition rally By Greg Morsbach BBC News, Caracas Tens of thousands of people have marched through the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in support of the main opposition candidate, Manuel Rosales. Mr Rosales will face President Hugo Chavez in December's presidential poll. The march, which filled the main avenues of the city centre, was the biggest opposition rally Venezuela has seen since early 2004. Then, protesters made an unsuccessful bid to oust Mr Chavez from power in a recall referendum. Chance to unite Young and old took to the streets to throw their weight behind the campaign of Mr Rosales, a middle-class Social Democrat who governs the state of Zulia, on the Colombian border. Many claimed that they were seeking liberty and democracy and that made Mr Rosales their only option: "The problem of the opposition is that before we had a lot of candidates and people couldn't make up their minds whom to support," one woman said. "Right now we have just one candidate and I believe that we have a better shot if we have just one candidate against Chavez." For some it was simply a day out to enjoy the sunshine, but for most it was a chance to listen to a speech by Mr Rosales, who declared that Venezuela was "at a crossroads". Mr Rosales condemned what he called the cheque book diplomacy of Mr Chavez, accusing him of giving away Venezuela's oil wealth to foreign powers. If Mr Rosales can keep up this kind of pressure against his rival, the election results may not necessarily be a foregone conclusion. But for now, Mr Chavez still enjoys a clear lead in opinion polls because of a sense of loyalty that poor and working-class voters feel towards him.
There are far more poor and working-class people in Venezuel than middle-class/wealthy folks, and the poor there -- unlike their counterparts in the U.S. -- actually vote. I don't think Chavez will lose sleep over it...
Did y'all hear about the people up in Alaska who wouldn't accept free oil from Chavez even though it meant they may freeze or have to pay outrageous heating prices?
So I guess there is some real democracy in the making in Venezuela. People are expressing different opinions, and election decides what opinion represents the majority?
These people have a strong belief and they are willing to pay more because of it...this is dumbassitude?
Patriots. They won't accept if from the loser who came to our country to ridicule our leader by calling him the devil. Seriously. I wish I could give these people free oil for standing up against Chavez.
Don't they have cheap oil in Alaska or at least the money to pay for it? Don't all Alaskan citizens get a stipend from Alaska's oil trust fund?
Wow. Patriotism is possibly not having heat in Alaska for your kids because a president of one country called our corrupt, war mongering, deserter, chrony job giving, let people suffer president the devil. Thats NOT patriotism, and any fool who thinks this is the case while you freeze, then I cant begin to understand what we should call real patriots who die in wars, fight fires, and put their lives on the line.
Irregardless of your personal feelings, on the principle of a foreign president who could easily be himself labeled as many things calling our President the "Devil" at the U.N. is plain offensive, I personally can't see the acceptance of Chavez on this offer, and I feel there is a choice based on a patriotic basis in this matter...I wouldn't take free **** from Chavez as well.
I would like to know what you thought about the speech were Bush talked about the Axis of evil? and said which countries were part of that Axis?
How Sad and true. Why the poor here in the US can't err I mean won't vote amazes me.. They can actually make a differnce in our government.
North Korea under Kim who is crazy Iraq under Saddam who is crazy Iran under Ahmanijadwhatever,...who is crazy Not only crazy, but evil as well...Evil as in acts of heinous nature of torture against their own people, women being raped before being put to death, cruelty by abuse of power to intimidate, much, much more,....that is EVIL. Blah.
I have no problem with them taking a stand and not accepting the offer. That is there choice and I applaude people sticking to their principles especially when it is more difficult to do so. But for the record Chavez made his remarks at the UN, which is an international agency, and not really part of the U.S. even though the building is housed here. But it wasn't as if he was a guest or anything.
So i Gues you agreed with Bush, and thought that he was right?So it was not offensive? Is it so hard to imagine that some people might in some way agree with Chavez? I have to say i do not agree with Chavez. I do not believe in the devil. However i do think Bush is not a really nice guy(to put is nicely). Also I'm not sure if someone who is defending Bush should use the terms: Torture, and Abuse of power
George Bush has had 2757 of his own soldiers wacked because of his selfish oil war. He makes mafia Godfathers look tame by comparison.
