Eye on Venezuela
Every so often, the truth about leftist ideology penetrates the pages of the New York Times. Today, a former Chavismo explains why he parted with Hugo Chavez and exposes the dangers of the Orwellian “reforms” on the ballot this weekend. Raul Baduel writes:
Hugo Chávez and I worked together for many years. I supported him through thick and thin, serving as his defense minister. But now, having recently retired, I find myself with the moral and ethical obligation as a citizen to express my opposition to the changes to the Constitution that President Chávez and the National Assembly have presented for approval by the voters tomorrow.
The proposal, which would abolish presidential term limits and expand presidential powers, is nothing less than an attempt to establish a socialist state in Venezuela. As our Catholic bishops have already made clear, a socialist state is contrary to the beliefs of Simón Bolívar, the South American liberation hero, and it is also contrary to human nature and the Christian view of society, because it grants the state absolute control over the people it governs.
Venezuelan society faces a broad array of problems that have not been addressed in the eight years Mr. Chávez has been in office, even though the present Constitution offers ample room for any decent, honest government to do so. Inflation, threats to personal safety, a scarcity of basic supplies, a housing shortage and dismal education and health care are problems that will not be resolved by approving this so-called reform.
At Babalu Blog, Alberto de la Cruz notes the thug-oc-rat’s threat to cut off its oil supply to the U.S. He jibes: “With 60% of Venezuela’s oil production going to the US, the interminable mouth-flapper could ill afford to take such a financial hit. But threats such as these sure do make provocative headlines. Go ahead, monkey-boy; I double-dog dare you to cut your oil sales by 60%.”
Daniel at Venezuela News and Views has late-breaking developments and poll numbers.
Stay tuned.
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It is truly a shame that the American public, as a whole, does not know the importance of the Venezuelan vote tomorrow. Shame on the MSM.
Unfortunately I think the American public in general is all too ignorant (Meaning a simple lack of knowledge rather than stupidity or as a derogatory commentary) about all too many things political. As long as our own little corners of the world remain okay we seem to be capable of believing that nothing else matters. I know there are exceptions and I am not saying anyone in particular, just society as a whole.
IMHO
In the meantime, I will be praying for a favorable outcome tomorrow despite Jimmy Carter, Hollyweird and company.
This man is becoming increasingly unhinged, and the people there are beginning to wake up to his plans, which are all about himself, not so much about the country or it’s people.
He’s now branded the opposition an “American CIA operation”. If you vote against his propsoal, you are a George Bush stooge against the “people”.
Here’s Captain Ed’s take:
Rick Moran at The American Thinker:
I sincerely hope that this foolish thug is put in his place by the people, but he does control enough of the state already to influence the vote his way by force of the state.
This is what modern American leftists seem to admire. As long as absolute power of government is used for “social justice”, then no tyranny is out of bounds. Let a conservative try and liberate us from our own government even a little, and it’s Hitler all over again.
This guy will destroy his country, and he may be receiving a “Mussolini Parade” from his subjects before it’s all said and done.
One can hope he gets derailed before it comes to that.
When I hear and read about Chavez and his wanting to
become “president for life” I inevitably think of Haiti and how much good that has done for that country.
I just wish the MSM would report more of this to the
American people and they would leave their warm
little cubbyholes long enough to learn about what is
going on in the rest of the world ( and care about it.)
No. He won’t take the hit that cutting off oil to us would mean but it makes good headlines in his country.
In our country, we have some powerful lobbies
duking it out right now over the fact that Ethanol
is not the be all and end all that greenies and Iowa
want us to think it is, and what stepping up production is going to do to food prices, etc.
All I can say is “Brace Yourselves Everyone” … I predict that if the people don’t approve Chavez’ changes he will impose total martial law in the country and force the socialism anyway …
As for the American public not being aware enough of what is going on … what can you expect when the only real news they see about Venezuela is who the latest Hollywierd Chavez visitor and supporter is …
Former U.S. representative Joseph P. Kennedy II was unavailable for comment.
As I am fond of asking: If you still buy your gas at CITGO, may I ask why?
This could be a big turning point for not only Venezuela but, for all of So. America. The speed and flow of information has helped the pro-democracy, anti-Chavez movement. Let’s hope it can continue and the pro-democracy movement can win out peacefully.
DesertLover:
If Chavez believes the referendum is in danger of being defeated, he won’t even hold the election.
But I think most people believe he’ll be able to rig the vote regardless of what the outcome truly is. The question is how big a margin he can engineer.
If the polls show it as close as it is, it would be very suspicious for him to get an overwhelming mandate. Therefore, he may, as you suggest, declare martial law - after cancelling the vote.
Venezuela is not China. I don’t think the army will turn on it’s citizens if he tries to declare martial law.
I fixed that so it would sound familiar.
The way it works with the radical left in Latin America is you demagogue the poor (of which there are a lot) and you rig the vote to make up for the wealthy and middle/professional class voting against you. If that doesn’t work, play the martial law card.
Somehow, I don’t think Chavez is going to lose.
I think Chavez has already lost. He did not anticipate the outpouring in the streets against the referendum.
Rick and Dave,
Unfortunately, I think you two are correct. Nothing is beyond this man and his flunkies.
I my opnion, he represents the second biggest threat to America, right beyond militant Islam.
A Catholic classmate from Venezuela asked me to pray for Venezuela that the people can defeat that “crazy guy” (her words.) She doubts it will be a free election or that Chavez will accept defeat. She said December 2 is going to be a day of prayer for Venezuela.
She said Chavez is attempting to close down all the Catholic schools and expel all the priests and nuns from country. He is turning the children against the parents and forcing them to go to state schools to indoctrinate them. She said you will have a whole generation of children who are brainwashed.
He is attempting to steal from the middle class and wealthy who have worked hard for possessions and forcing them to give to those poor who support Chavez. For example, if you have two cars, he wants the state to take one away. Chavez grew up as a “have not” who loathes the middle class and because of his narcissism, he cannot believe others who are “haves” have actually worked hard to own their possessions.
It is a nightmare, which is why there is a day of prayer for the country on December 2.
…nothing less than an attempt to establish a socialist state in Venezuela…
Venezuela…?!?! Waaaaay too modest a vision.
Chavez has a much larger goal than that. Ask the folks in Columbia…
My take is this: Chavez will lose, and it might be on “purpose.” He will claim that the will of the Venezuelan people was subverted by “CIA Agents,” and that he must take extraordinary actions to stop the “Imperialist Americans” from interferring in Venezuelan affairs. He will close off the oil exports to the U.S. immediately causing the oil futures market to spike ridiculously on Monday hence causing the Dow Jones to drop 300+ points. This is economic warefare people. Chavez and Mad Mahmood has stated they will use oil as a weapon against us. What better excuse than the “Americans rigging the election” than to cut off the oil. It sounds somewhat conspiratorial, but I am just following what Chavez and Mad Mahmood have said. As crazy as your ememy may be, it is a mistake not to listen to what they are saying.
#14
The threat he poses is the same as radical Islam. He has actively aligned himself with Iran, Cuba, Bolivia and other extreme regimes. It reminds me of the “Legion of Doom” from Super Friends.
#16 said:
Good point Rags. I’ve read that there are major trade dispute issues festering on the borders of these two countries, including accusations that Venezuela has been siphoning off oil from Colombian territory. All pretexts for Chavez to “increase the socialist prize” in the future.
Chavez would already have defacto allies in the form of militant narco-terrorist groups like FARC to pave his way.
Shades of Saddam/Kuwait 1990. It sounds similar, but such are the ways of dictatorial, megalomaniac, central government types.
Rick Moran
I understand your thinking about the cancellation of the elections … but I am unsure of what the potential backlash from the rest of the world might be if he did not let the people vote … so I think it more likely that if he sees the results indicating he is going to lose he will basically use the military to ensure he gets his way … and the results of the vote will never be known to the rest of the world …
Inquiring minds want to know…what is the current state of Venezuela’s military readiness?
It seems to me, that Chavez will have already taken steps to put down any revolt tomorrow, by increasing the Venezuelan military state of readiness.
People should look for staging areas, troop movements, along with formations of APC’s, and tanks.
What about the military airports?
Have munitions been moved to convenient areas for arming the Hind’s?
I think if we could find answers to these questions, we will surely know what are Chavez’s intentions.
There is considerable evidence he is using FARC now, and his military arms program appears to have the end in mind of over-powering his neighbors…in the name of resisting Yankee Imperialism, of course.
It is a thing that needs watching…or a well-placed soft-point…
Better yet, a 30 mm Hell Hound projectile…HELLO!!!
Ms. Malkin:
Help!
Cannot seem to get to the comment box on :”Report: Armed man takes hostages at/near Hillary NH office…”
What’s up?
The scary part is that this is where the Democratic loons want to take us. Where are the Hollyweirdo’s now? Chickens..ts they are.
More effective, but too many finger-prints…. .30 is good enough… Room temperature is room temperature.
Y’all ask yourself what “threats” Hugo is preparing for with all this hardware…
http://www.google.com/search?q=chavez+military+purchase&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official
Speaking of vote-rigging and one party rule, let’s not forget Mr. Putin’s efforts in that direction — a “vote” that will happen in the expected manner — though I am unsure of the exact date. Either way, it is clear that socialism/dictatorship is coming back in a big way. “We dare not tempt our enemies with weakness,” said a well-known democrat long ago. Well, we have tempted them big time and they are coming to collect.
Now, a personal confession. I foolishly thought as well that a historical turning point had occurred with the fall of the Soviet Union. Was I ever wrong. It is clear after 15 or so years, that the colossus simply went through a difficult time, “re-invented” itself and is now back, relative to us, stronger than ever. It is clear nothing has changed in the world, except that Europe is no longer relevant and America is as psychological weak and divided as it has ever been. Canada could conquer us.
The future looks grim indeed. And yes, Mr.’s Chavez and Putin will win, no matter what the vote count. At least our democrats will be happy. As one soldier in Iraq put it: “We are at war, the rest of the country is at the mall.”
If you are religious, pray for America, at least five times a day.
Is Jimmy Carter on the spot with his rubber stamp?
Seriously - is he going to “validate” this election like so many in the past?
socialism allows the economic elite to be fat and happy, which is about 5% of the population. While the other 95% are dirt poor, and yes they are all the same poor. that is the sad inevitability of socialism the poor remain poor (but you can’t convince them of that) and the middle class become poor. that way everyone is even. the sad thing is the democrats here are and have been leading us down to the ripe event of dictatorship. socialism infiltrates a democracy/republic and eventually permeates all. at that point (where Chavez is now) it is ripe for dictatorship. we are NOT far off, the sad thing is the wealthy elite hollywood believe it will not impact their lives. well, we will see when we are all too poor to go to the movies or buy dvd’s. but, that is too far thinking for them, they live in only today. that is why they are too blind to see where they are taking this country. pray for venezuela, pray for this the USA.
As of yesterday, I read that no poll watchers had been invited. I don’t know what good Carter would do, anyway…he rubber-stamped a fraudulent election result there at least once before.
This would not affect Chumpvez at all. He will make up for the loss in oil revenue by making more people suffer. He will still pocket billions of dollars and not even bat an eye over how it will affect his people.
You have to care about your people. He cares about money and power - that is it! I am sure he is less concerned about less money.
Just My opinion – correct me if I am wrong.
Me thinks that there are others who would be happy to buy the oil if it was not sold to us.
And he may just declare an emergency and skip the election IF the military goes along… this is dicey.
Chavez did not win the last election as declared by the organization of what ever that monitors elections except who’s findings were over ruled by Jimmy Carter. So if there is any drought about the results of this ‘I am dictator’ referendum forget it, Jimmy Carter will always be available to declare Chavez for life.
I think it’s interesting that what Chavez is doing in Venezuela is exactly what the liberals are claiming President GW Bush is trying to do here in the USA - and they totally support Chavez actually doing it, and rail against GW as if he were doing it.
Pardon me while my head spins around a few times…
The man is ill, but, like many of them, they do come to power. Once in power, they try to expand upon it, usually toward some other country(s), and the expense of their own people. History has shown that many times. We end up dealing with them when they become too strong to ignore, unfortunately. But, one thing I hope the American people take note. Socialism doesn’t work and a working example of it is in Chavezville. Do you really want that here?
DL, IMHO, I dont think old Hugo gives a Flyin Fig about backlash from the rest of the world, He’s in his own little La La Land doing donuts in his egotistical sick mind.
#30, right_on said:
50 years from now, I imagine the next “Ann Coulter” will get shelled just as hard for documenting the seditious acts of Jimmy Carter and his liberal worshipers.
North Korean nukes, Marxist oppression in Venezuela, false hope for Palestinian terrorists, and the dangerous assertion that Israel and the Bush Administration are the the scourges of humanity. Jimmy Carter’s treasonous efforts will leave a dangerous wake for generations of US citizens to come.
#35 graysonret said:
I don’t know what to make of socialists who petition for government control of private industry. Or when they brag about confiscating profits from private industry and distributing to those they deem deserving. I am referring to the democrat party via their current leadership.
A little hard to believe that the liberals would like to see Chavez succeed so he can continue to bash Bush and America……But, they do.
Dictators begin to smell long before they take over completely. And the politically informed and culturally grounded literates in Venezuela have a refined sense of smell.
Venezuela has a rich history steeped in a love of freedom. They have had their problems, but most Venezuelans I know who are middle class and above, and who have been somewhere else in the world, hate this Cuban re-heat.
An old farmer told me that when you start believing you have clout, and you want to make a move, be sure the hammer is in your hand.
I don’t think Hugo will be around for long. Organized crime is not a solid political base where it counts.
Cruise missle time.
Where is Lupe Hector Oswald when you need him?
I doubt Chavez wants to stop at socialism. He’s aiming to become a full-on dictator. He wants to do it through the electoral process so he can stand before the world and crow that the people of Venezuela want him in power. It will feed his massive, elitist ego. He will likely be unable to resist reporting a large winning percentage, his ego won’t let him do that. The rest of the world will know he stole the vote, but that will not deter him. He’s rigging the elections, and will rig this one also so he can falsely claim he’s being legitimate. I am sad to say this, but the outcome of the election is a foregone conclusion and that travel on the road to oppression will soon be picking up speed.
The military nay not be in his back pocket yet, but soon enough shortages of goods amongst the population combined with an abundance in the military will bring about an alliance whereby they both will rely on each other to maintain their power, control and material comfort.
Oil is a fungible asset. If Hugo doesn’t sell it to the USA, it’ll go to somebody else and what they had been importing from the middle east, will then be available for USA. Not that it’s a nice picture, but his threat really has no teeth. He won’t cut off 60% of his revenue nor will the USA lose a substantial amount of oil.
On one of my trips to Venezuela, I heard him “speak” on national TV there. I understand Spanish and the man can only be described as a megalomaniac. The people of that country have many reasons to be afraid, very afraid. Pray for that vote.
Chavez is still in power. He just can’t run again in 2012. That’s a long time for him to gain control and eliminate oppostion.
We may be seeing another Cuba in the making.