He might not be as bad, but his dictator powers have set him on the path of the dark side. The ability to resist using that power over time is like betting against the casino.
I have read on The Internet that the TV station was shut down was actively participating in the coupe against Chavez. Shutting down sure beats getting disappeared.
giddy you have said in the past something to the effect that in these times and against these opponents restricting our liberties is needed for our security. Now Chavez is doing the same thing. I am not talking who physically does which piece of dirty work. I am talking about leaders removing freedoms, and trying to accumulate power in their particular branches of govt.
I agree, it could be worse, but why even start down that path toward dictatorship. It is a horrible move.
America's dependence on Foreign Oil is worse than that of a heroin addict. Power and money are the drive behind all corruption and Chavez seems to be on a lunatic fringe for both.
Emergency powers for 18 months....hmm... Anyone else expecting Chavez to turn Anakin to the Dark Side and hunt down the Jedi next? NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So you equate Bush and Chavez, I guess? Is it possible that Bush is motivated by something noble? Is it even possible that Chavez is?
It is possible that both are acting out of noble intent. That doesn't really matter. Their deeds are not dissimilar.
Whatever his sins, they don't hold a candle to our close ally Columbia, and their government-supported right wing death squads. The hysteria about Chavez is out of all proportion, when you compare his government to other Latin American governments that the U.S. has historically supported.
Another perspective on the RCTV controversy. Television's role in the coup against Chávez Saturday May 26, 2007 The Guardian We believe that the decision of the Venezuelan government not to renew the broadcasting licence of RCTV when it expires on May 27 (Chávez silences critical TV station, May 23; Comment and Letters, May 25) is legitimate given that RCTV has used its access to the public airwaves to repeatedly call for the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chávez. RCTV gave vital practical support to the overthrow of Venezuela's elected government in April 2002 in which at least 13 people were killed. In the 47 hours that the coup plotters held power, they overturned much of Venezuela's democratic constitution - closing down the elected national assembly, the supreme court and other state institutions. RCTV exhorted the public to take to the streets and overthrow the government and also colluded with the coup by deliberately misrepresenting what was taking place, and then conducting a news blackout. Its production manager, Andrés Izarra, who opposed the coup, immediately resigned so as not to become an accomplice. This is not a case of censorship. In Venezuela more than 90% of the media is privately owned and virulently opposed to the Chávez government. RCTV, far from being silenced, is being allowed to continue broadcasting by satellite and cable. In Venezuela, as in Britain, TV stations must adhere to laws and regulations governing what they can broadcast. Imagine the consequences if the BBC or ITV were found to be part of a coup against the government. Venezuela deserves the same consideration. Colin Burgon MP Dr Julia Buxton Jon Cruddas MP Tony Benn Billy Hayes General secretary, CWU John Pilger Professor Jonathan Rosenhead LSE Hugh O'Shaughnessy Rod Stoneman Executive producer, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised And 16 others http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,2088662,00.html
I spent 5 minutes googling the first 4 names. Certainly explains the letter. I see a garbage can, my dog sees a wonderful toybox with toys just waiting to be scattered on the floor and played with. Oh well, people see what they want to see. Goes for both sides. Not much you can do about that.
Chavez definitely has experience with coups. That experience leaves me a little underwhelmed about his indignity at a television station for choosing sides once a coup was already underway.
