Chavez defeated, but the worst is yet to come
Dec 3 at 7:07am by Macranger
You know, sometimes destabilizing factors work such as in the case of Venezuela and the defeat of Chavez’s referendum to stay in power for ever.
“Venezuelans, by the slimmest of margins, rejected a constitutional referendum that would have granted Hugo Chavez the presidency indefinitely and tightened socialism’s grip on the oil-rich South American nation.
By a margin of 51 percent to 49 percent, voters shot down a referendum that included 69 proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution, according to Monday reports from the National Electoral Council. In all, 9 million of Venezuela’s 16 million eligible voters went to the polls.
“Don’t feel sad. Don’t feel burdened,” Chavez told supporters after the results were announced.
Thousands of people gathered in the streets, many of them university students who worked to defeat the measure, and burst into singing their country’s national anthem upon hearing the news. Watch what led to the referendum’s defeat ยป
One of the more controversial proposed amendments would have abolished term limits, allowing the firebrand Chavez to hold office indefinitely as long as he is re-elected.
The 53-year-old Venezuelan president was voted into power in 1998 and has twice been re-elected by large margins. The present law prohibits Chavez from seeking re-election when his term ends in 2012.
Another amendment on the ballot would have pushed the country more toward socialism. The leftist Chavez has said he should have full authority over the autonomous Central Bank as well as the nation’s economic policy. These measures, Chavez has said, are necessary to move the economy toward socialism.
Since winning a second six-year term in December, Chavez has promised to push forward with his particular brand of socialism and his “Bolivarian Revolution.”
Over the last few weeks and months underground opposition has peppered the landscape with leaflets and other anti-Chavez information in an attempt to bring about the defeat of this cooked up referendum. It worked. The question now is what will Chavez do about it?
On the eve of the vote he had a Jewish social club raided “for weapons and explosives”, perhaps sensing that they were participating in the destabilizing effort.
Even though he has conceded defeat it’s only a ruse. Look for further raids and clamp-downs to come. Chavez knows about the efforts to defeat him from within and there is no way he is going to go quietly in 2012.
While a victory for Venezuelans, it may be only the beginning of coming repression and destabilization.
Sorry Charlie, ain’t buying your jive
Sep 21 at 12:12pm by Macranger
Everyone - including conservatives are fawing over Rep. Charles Rangel supposedly coming the President’s “defense”?
” I want to express my extreme displeasure with statements by the President of Venezuela attacking U.S. President George Bush in such a personal and disparaging way during his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.
It should be clear to all heads of government that criticism of Bush Administration policies, either domestic or foreign, does not entitle them to attack the President personally.George Bush is the President of the United States and represents the entire country. Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us.
I feel that I must speak out now since the Venezuelan government has been instrumental in providing oil at discounted prices to people in low income communities who have suffered increases in rent as heating oil prices have risen sharply. By offering this benefit to people in need, Venezuela has won many friends in poor communities of New York and other states. I am surprised that American oil companies have not stepped up to provide that kind of assistance to the poor.
Venezuela’s generosity to the poor, however, should not be interpreted as license to attack President Bush. Those who take issue with Bush Administration policies have no right to attack him personally. It was not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an “axis of evil.” Neither is it helpful for a head of state to use the sacred halls of the United Nations to insult President Bush.”
Whatever Charlie. Some of my fellow conservatives are buying this smoke and mirrors, but I’m not. Rangel is a shrewd politician and the only reason he’s coming out in defense of Bush, when in fact he - like a lot of other Democrats - are just playing damage control. The fact is that Chavez simply mimicked what Democrats have been saying for the last five years.
They have said far worse and they know it. Talk about hypocrisy!
Anyone remember Charlie accusing Bush (a republican) of being a modern day “Bull Connor” who was a racist Democrat? And who could forget him comparing our efforts in Iraq to the Holocaust.
Now Charlie wants to act like he’s offended by Chavez’s rants?
Pluuueeesseee! Sorry Charlie. Blow that smoke up your own fat ass.
More reacts at Hot Air, Blog for All
UPDATE: Ms. Pelosi joins the “outrage”.
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Chump Chavez skedaddles back home
Sep 21 at 6:06am by Macranger
Seems Chavez is a bigger punk than we though. After insulting the President and generally acting like the ass he is, is even now running back to Venezuela before a coup or something like that happens.
“The president cancelled several appointments previously scheduled in NYC today including a second news conference he was to hold at Venezuela’s United Nations mission.”
Actually he got “tipped” that something was up - like his tenure as President.
Won’t matter, his days are numbered.
UPDATE: More at Sticky Notes Journal.
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