The more I see people get on their knees and worship Hugo Chavez

The more I dislike him.

What is it about you people? He is just a politician. Just another power-hungry man with a huge ego. Deep inside, he's not much different than Bush. He may have improved poverty, but he is not a fucking god.

Hero worship is so pathetic. Get a fucking life. Seriously.

At least that's what I think it is to people around here.

I get a kick out of it.

But I'm not about to sell my soul to him.

It's just that we know things will be a lot worse in Venezuela and other places in Latin America if the Bushies get their way and Chavez is overthrown.

You know we're right about that.

Look at how horrible things got in Nicaragua, Chile and all the other places where Tio Samuel got his way.

And the thing is, the antichavista posters in these threads haven't proposed a good alternative. We know that the US will always forbid actual democracy in Latin America(by which I mean elections where the people are allowed to vote for what they really want) so what you folks, well-meaning as you are, are proposing is, effectively, that we surrender and just accept the rich running the hemisphere for all eternity.

But history has shown that those type of leaders end up going in the opposite extreme, which doesn't do anything for the people in the end.

A president is supposed to represent all the people, not just the rich, not just the poor.

at least he takes care of his poor!

How do you know?

My gut tells me he is fighting for his peeps (against the elitist, fascist mofos (including ChimpCo)).

What do you know about it that I don't?

Convince me please!

I oppose his anti-abortion stance, for example. I do think he has done more good than harm, however.

But I see what you are saying: we have Bush-bots in here America and there are some people on this board who are Chavez-bots.

next to George Walker Bush.

control is ok with me. I don't think I'm "on my kness" worshiping Hugo, but I do admire and respect him for courage, tenacity, social agenda.

get thyself a grip.
maybe it's just the blatant contrast between the Bushole way and the other ways possible. Maybe Chavez brings some possibility of hope.

but no way a god. you seriously get a fucking life if that is how you interpret it.

Chavez acts rather than reacts and that's why American liberals love him. We're long tired of triangulation and rope-a-dope strategies.

Even today's voting machine stories on CNN were driven by the fact that Venezuelans had bought one of voting machine companies.

Yip, I was called a "right winger" who "spouts right wing talking points." All I said was that somebody who is asking to be installed for 25 years is just out for himself and that 25 years is sure to turn into pResident-for-LIFE. Might as well get it all out here: I also detest BOTH Castro AND the fascist-hard-core-Cuban-exiles (not their Dem offspring).

And I would love to see the embargo lifted. I've been called communista down here for my views about opening dialogue with Cuba.

And I see Castro as an extremely gifted politician.

But I also see him as a tyrant. A dictator. And I would hate to live under his regime.

And as much as I would like to have a gifted, charismatic politician on our (Dem) side, ultimately he or she HAS to relinquish power and assume the same humility-under-the-law that we are all SUPPOSED to share (which we don't, really, but anyway).

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I expressed an opinion, like every body else here, including you, and you respond with this ridiculous personal viciousness.

If you would read what I said, I said he ASKED to be INSTALLED for 25 years. I never said he wasn't elected.

And I'm not responding to any further from you.

I've heard it bandied about but not had anything other than heresay on it.
I just Wonder who would put a story out there like that. :quizzicle look:

so, link me

And before anybody decides to gig me on the link: I have NO idea whether the newspaper or the author here in the link are wingnut or whatever. It was the very first item in the Google search, and I'm bidding adieu now.

*******QUOTE*******

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-chavez07.html

25 more years of Hugo Chavez?

May 7, 2006

BY CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER

CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that Venezuelan voters should have the chance to decide whether he should govern the country for the next 25 years. ...

********UNQUOTE*******

"I am going to ask you, all the people, if you agree with Chavez being president until 2031," he said.

It was not clear if Chavez was talking about holding a legally binding vote to eliminate term limits or proposing a plebiscite.

Chavez said Friday that he said he might seek "indefinite" re-election through a referendum if the opposition boycotts the presidential vote.

"I would call a national referendum to have the people decide if I can continue here indefinitely or if I have to go after six years," he said.

Opposition leaders accuse Chavez, a former paratroop commander first elected in 1998, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and opening dangerous divisions along class lines in Venezuela -- the world's fifth largest oil exporter.

==
sounds creepy, yes. but what's the alternative? Who is likely to 'win' after his term? Can always do another coup on him if he don't treat his people right beyond the normal term. but we all know that's not the issue. It's treating the corporatists right is what's it's all about.

Nobody is worshiping Hugo Chavez.

Yes, he is a politician, but a much more competent one than Bush**.

Providing low-cost heating fuel to our poor and post-Katrina aid are things that
our own government should be doing, but has spectacularly failed to do. By doing
so in its stead, Chavez at the same time alleviates some real suffering, and
royally embarrasses Bush**. Pretty fucking brilliant if you ask me.

straw man big time. And after seeing what Bush has done, the "just another politician" argument rings weak with me. There are huge differences between politicians. Massive.

The man is pivotal in bringing about the rise of the new left. He deserves respect.

Not sure where your hero worship fantasy is coming from. Maybe it's you who should get a life?

Nice flame bait, but to me, it looks as though you are more interested in worshipping your wicker man than dealing with reality.

what does that say?

with my friends there...to see what they think. In any case, shouldn't this evaluation be done by the Venezuelan voters?...and wasn't it?
:eyes:

I'm not saying he needs to be overthrown. I just don't understand the hero worship.

You do realize that Hugo is battling the chimp's black-ops mutherfuckers, right?

But I do not fully trust Hugo. So I am saving my hero worship.

I am not anti-Chavez. I am not pro-Chavez. I am just wary of Chavez.

The chimp needs to butt out, and take all his black-ops mutherfuckers with him!

if you studied South American history. There is a long history of the United States acting in the most reprehensible fashion conceivable and beyond. Do you want people that seek liberty and a better way of life to be murdered in your name? Of course not. Please pick up a history book.

And the Monroe Doctrine. And the Spanish-American War. And Sergio Allende's murder by the CIA (I was a political science minor and wrote a term paper on it). And the cocaine-funded, CIA-backed Nicaraguan contras, etc.

But I refuse to get on my knees and blow a man just cause he snubs Bush.

to better understand your position, so far all I have is your gut feeling that you don't like him....why?

We are all tired of Bush and Republicans looking out for the top 10% and we are tired of outsourcing and we are tired of greed by the Rich and profits over people.

And we look to what Chavez is doing for his people and we long for leaders in Washington to act the same way.

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He has more right to do things down there than we do.

Why does everybody try to justify his actions by pointing out the U.S.'s actions?

Peru, Nicaragua and Colombia have a right to elect whom they want without him making threats.

:shrug:

I hadn't heard of it.

to do?

Jeez!

in other words, what harm do you see from his interest in developing a regional independence from American influence?

That is what I am saying. Now you're going to twist it around and tell me to let the countries decide for themselves?

What is one example of where he has become involved with another country against the wishes of the other country?

What I'm doing is not psychology. In reading your OP I detect a visceral emotion against Chavez. I don't care what the reason is. However, from a purely objectiv standpoint, I see his actions as a continuation of a long line of populist leaders. All of them have been silenced in the past. If he is able to set a new course for Ven and the rest of the region, free from ownership of the IMF, why is that a bad thing?

This thread has turned into a flame-fest.

Lex
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