[Cincinatus' Wife]

Will Venezuelans Sign Up To Dump Chavez?***Chavez is scrambling to counter the opposition's moves.He has ominously warned public sector workers and soldiers that if they sign the petition "their names will be recorded forever." He's also wooing voters by channeling new funds into subsidized food stores and other social projects. Chavez' popularity rating, which went from 80% in 1999 to 30% in June, has crept back up to 35%. That may not be enough to stop his opponents. Most analysts are betting the petition's sponsors will get the required 2.4 million signatures. "The people are feeling the economic crunch and want to see a change," says Steven Ellner, professor of political economy at Venezuela's Universidad de Oriente. Unemployment is 20%, while crime is soaring.

Opposition leaders are hoping for a resounding victory. If they collect well over the threshold number of names, "the President will be a lame duck," says Henrique Salas Romer, an opposition presidential contender. But Chavez may not go easily even if a recall referendum were to win. The danger remains that his supporters and opponents alike could take to the streets -- and that Chavez could declare a state of emergency. Venezuela's political struggle is far from over.***

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Venezuela's Chavez Talks Tough Before Poll Drive ***DESTABILIZATION THREAT -Chavez called on his supporters to be on the lookout for cheating when opposition petitioners turn out to sign on Friday. "Every one of our militants should be in place at 6 a.m. Friday morning," he said.

Ledezma and other opposition leaders said they hoped the presence of around 50 international observers and numerous foreign journalists would prevent any attempt by Chavez supporters to disrupt this weekend's pro-referendum campaign.

Chavez, who survived a coup last year followed by a crippling two-month general strike, predicted that if a referendum went ahead and he lost, "the country would enter into a profound process of destabilization." He did not elaborate.

Popular support for Chavez's self-styled "revolution" has slipped as high inflation and unemployment have pushed more and more Venezuelans into poverty. His foes accuse him of ruling like a dictator and of trying to drag Venezuela toward Cuba-style communism.

A rival pro-Chavez signature drive last weekend seeking to recall 38 opposition parliamentarians failed to produce a visible, massive turnout. Electoral authorities have a month to verify the total signatures collected.

Chavez hailed the pro-government drive as a "tremendous success," saying it showed a 60 percent level of backing. But opposition leaders scoffed at this. ***

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I'll bet money Chavez has his Chavistas gearing up to create chaos and disrupt the recall petition which will then be blamed on his opposition.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) President Jack Fuller speaks at news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2003. Fuller said that the Inter-American Press Association is concerned about possible restrictions on news coverage of the opposition petition drive that starts Nov. 28. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)

[Beck_isright]

Of course the reporting on communist subervision of freedom in Latin America gets a big ZERO in the states. Network coverage? Ha, only if there are deaths and then you'll hear the phrase "right wing" mentioned with the protesters. Cable news coverage? Only if they can slant it to make Chavez look good with phrases like "legally elected President", etc. It's a shame. We are watching a long time ally, a long time stalwart against communism and a nation critical to our interests turn into a mini-Cuba. And we're whistling Dixie non stop as it occurs, doing not one damn thing because we have to have their oil.

[ChadGore]

chavez is such a pig.