Venezuelan Dictator Vows To Bring Down U.S. Government

[OrangeEmpire]

Yeah Socialism, I mean, Yeah Capitalism!

:blush:

 

[jdsa]

Why would you say he's a lunatic? It's not like Saddam where you have genocide or repressive state policy. He leads because his Socialist policies are incredibly popular with the majority of people in his country. As far as I can tell, the reason for this is that poorer countries, such as Venezuala don't have the financial resources to make our more free-market form of government work, so they have to resort to more of a collective effort to achieve things such as providing health care to the to the bulk of the people. Based on what I've read Chavez is very much in favor of the free-market. Socialism and capitalism don't have to be at odds with each other. . . just look at Europe, India, or China (though China, lamentably, is not a democracy).

Quotes such as these need to be contextualized a bit. To me it's just an inflammatory sound-bite that probably doesn't mean anything when put in context. Do you really think Venezuala wants a war with the U.S.? No one's crazy enough to want that these days.

To me this is no different than liberals using sound-bites of Bush to much the same end. I don't think it's the right thing to do in either case.

 

[GAVol]

I disagree with that on so many different levels that I'm going to just agree to disagree.

 

[U-T]

I'd support pulling out of the Persian Gulf and taking over Venezuela on the way home. I really don't understand why we don't just erradicate some of these troublesome populations who are standing between us and the resources we need to maintain our standard of living.

Sounds like a great idea. We will need many more men for the job so please sign up your kids/grandkids to me.

What? Well, come on people, if this country wants another war...a draft will be needed.

Invading Iran is laughable option right now with our troop levels. I did details with men on extended 12-months for an added year meaning 24+ months in Iraq.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Sounds like a great idea. We will need many more men for the job so please sign up your kids/grandkids to me.

What? Well, come on people, if this country wants another war...a draft will be needed.

Invading Iran is laughable option right now with our troop levels. I did details with men on extended 12-months for an added year meaning 24+ months in Iraq.

We should probably just nuke the Iranians. Remember, a weapon unused is a useless weapon.

 

[U-T]

:lol:

True

 

[volfan2024]

:birgits_giggle:

 

[rwemyss]

We should probably just nuke the Iranians. Remember, a weapon unused is a useless weapon.

Ahhhh... nothing prettier than oil under glass... :birgits_giggle:

 

[overseasorange]

I agree entirely. Chavez is the new Castro, and he even admits it. If he had the power to bring the U.S. down, he would not think twice about it. We should watch this guy very carefully.

 

[utvolpj]

I try to stay out of political topics because they can be too heated. I've been impressed by the mostly civil discussions in here but when people start defending Chavez it goes too far. I'll start with this quote by John Kerry in 2004: LINK

Upon being asked by reporter Jorge Ramos if he considered Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez a dictator, Kerry responded,

"Chavez is fast on the road of becoming exactly that. He is breaking the rules of democracy. I think it is very important for him to allow that referendum to take place and for this administration and others to put more visibility on what is happening so we can hold him accountable to international standards of behavior. Democracy is at risk."

An article by a writer with the Hudson Institute details Chavez vision of democracy: LINK

Understanding the reasons the pro-democratic groups in Venezuela oppose Mr. Chavez requires a brief review of his anti-democratic actions, which have been little noted outside Venezuela.

Mr. Chavez moved Venezuela through four principal phases.

First, the use of illegal and pseudo-legal means to invalidate the existing constitution (in force since 1961) and have a new constitution written by his supporters (1999).
Second, under the new constitution, having himself eligible to be president for two six-year terms and obtaining a unicameral legislature that would give him dominant federal powers (2000).
Third, beginning his "social revolution" by using presidential decrees in the fall of 2001 to begin confiscating private property.
The fourth phase began in January, when Mr. Chavez established the political command of the Revolution under his direct control to supervise the "Bolivian Circles" - an armed militia of Chavez supporters who would intimidate and if necessary seek to defeat the political-civic opposition and the Venezuelan armed forces.
This was intended to assure his indefinite continuation in power. In a March television appearance, Mr. Chavez announced his decision to allocate $150 million from the federal budget to fund his armed thugs. This was illegal because the legislature had not given its approval.

Internationally, Mr. Chavez has established alliances with Cuba, Iraq and Iran, all state supporters of terrorism. He has provided the Castro regime with free oil, probably worth $2 billion, and worked closely with Cuba in support of the communist guerrillas in Colombia and other anti-democratic movements attacking nearby countries.

Even the Clinton administration broke its silence on Mr. Chavez, stating in December 2000 that the Venezuelan was supporting "violent movements opposing the governments of Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador." There has been an increasing flow of credible evidence, including from the former Chavez chief of intelligence, that the regime has been and remains a state supporter of terrorism through its aid for the Colombian communist guerrillas and other radical groups.

I have more on him but this may quiet some of his backers. If you have links to where he promotes democracy and is trying to bridge the ever-widening gap between the extreme rich and poor in his country, please show me the link and I would be happy to read it. I just ask that have sources for your assertions.

As I said I try to stay away from these discussions but couldn't help myself. When I get my home computer running again I may have to post in the other political threads. Great job keeping it above board guys (for the most part). Keep it up. :rock:

 

[overseasorange]

I try to stay out of political topics because they can be too heated. I've been impressed by the mostly civil discussions in here but when people start defending Chavez it goes too far. I'll start with this quote by John Kerry in 2004: LINK
An article by a writer with the Hudson Institute details Chavez vision of democracy: LINK
I have more on him but this may quiet some of his backers. If you have links to where he promotes democracy and is trying to bridge the ever-widening gap between the extreme rich and poor in his country, please show me the link and I would be happy to read it. I just ask that have sources for your assertions.

As I said I try to stay away from these discussions but couldn't help myself. When I get my home computer running again I may have to post in the other political threads. Great job keeping it above board guys (for the most part). Keep it up. :rock:

 

[overseasorange]

Chavez has said many times that he intends to remain president of Venezuela past the year 2021. That does not sound much like a democracy to me.......