Venezuela Erupting

NRO ^ | Mar 5, 2004 | Stephen Johnson

[Enterprise]

If it would only come true. Imagine early Russia had the people united and shot the communists.

[Woahhs]

Unfortunately, you're probably right. The good people will forbear until it's too late.

[neverdem]

I find to many career soldiers that like gun control and socialism.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I wonder how much behind the scenes encouragement Chavez is getting from 'friends of the Democrats' to foment mischief and crisis at the most inopportune time for Bush?

[Zeroisanumber]

He has a lot of support amongst Venezuela's poor (which is a majority of the people) so it would probably be a hornet's nest if we did invade.

[squidly]

I dunno about that, but I took one of my sporadic trips to DU and support there for Chavez looked like about 75 % to me.

[Quix]

I hope we are helping those on the side of right there.

We are stretched pretty thin, already, it seems to me--but this needs to be a significant priority, too.

It shouldn't take too much to bring him down.

[neverdem]

He has a lot of support amongst Venezuela's poor (which is a majority of the people) so it would probably be a hornet's nest if we did invade.

I don't see us invading. He's a popular socialist. The middle and upper classes need to lay low with their weapons until the socialists really screw it up, then they should have a revolt IMHO.

[Zeroisanumber]

I don't see us invading. He's a popular socialist. The middle and upper classes need to lay low with their weapons until the socialists really screw it up, then they should have a revolt IMHO.

They won't want to take that chance, and neither do we. Rolling the dice with a major oil supplier is too chancy for us to risk, rolling the dice when your own country is on the line is unthinkable.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[SunkenCiv]

Time to:

1. Drill the ANWR! Introduce the bill NOW!
2. Contract with Mexico to pump more oil
3. Educate people about the energy costs in all goods and services
4. Develop oil sands in Alberta, and eventually in Venezuela
5. Overthrow Chavez, and hang him and his cadre on Venezuelan TV

[SunkenCiv]

Regardless, this is an issue of US national security. Having commie guerrilas in nearby Columbia being supported by drug cartel money is likewise an issue of US national security.

Maybe we should just postpone that, and overthrow Castro. That would put all the OAS at attention. ;') And the Cuban people are ready for him to go.

[backhoe]

-The Fire Down South...( Latin America--)--

[neverdem]

"Rolling the dice with a major oil supplier is too chancy for us to risk, rolling the dice when your own country is on the line is unthinkable.

If the lower classes have been armed as I mentioned in comment# 4, IIRC, and he also has the Venezeulan Army, I believe they need to choose their time very carefully, as I believe timing is everything when your outnumbered.

[neverdem]

Pardon me, your = you're.

[hedgetrimmer]

Civil unrest in Venezuela continues.


Venezuelan riot police firing at demonstrators. US officials called on Venezuelans to 'remain engaged' with the country's electoral officials(AFP/File/Rodrigo Arangua)



Venezuelan protesters prepare to shoot fireworks at National Guardsmen while a small group of protesters clashed with soldiers, in Caracas March 3, 2004. Venezuela's opposition said on Wednesday it would intensify anti-government protests that have shaken the oil-rich nation to increase pressure on President Hugo Chavez to submit to a recall vote. But the government said its opponents were failing in efforts to destabilize the country and oust Chavez. REUTERS/Jose Miguel Gomez

[hedgetrimmer]

A Venezuelan opposition protester slips as he tries to kick a tear gas canister while a small group of demonstrators clashed with soldiers, in Caracas March 3, 2004. Venezuela's opposition said on Wednesday it would intensify anti-government protests that have shaken the oil-rich nation to increase pressure on President Hugo Chavez to submit to a recall vote. But the government said its opponents were failing in efforts to destabilize the country and oust Chavez. REUTERS/Jorge Silva



An anti-President Hugo Chavez protester carries oil to add to a fire barricade blocking traffic in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, March 3, 2003, in protest of the Venezuelan election council's rule against a petition to force a presidential recall referendum on Chavez. (AP Photo/Leslie Mazoch)



National Guard soldiers patrol by graffiti reading 'Take the dictator out,' referring to Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, March 3, 2004. Venezuela's election council ruled yesterday against a petition to force a presidential recall referendum. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Well congratulations to the Venezuelan people! It would seem, for them, it actually IS time to "shoot the bastards."

The time was over a year ago. But everybody wanted to be "civilized" and follow the "rules" never mind that the guy that they were trying to oust was the one who made the rules that they were following.

I hate it when the good guys shoot themselves in the foot.

[hedgetrimmer]

To me, it looks like one communist mob battling an elected communist mob. The opposition appears more bent on creating chaos than achieving a legitimate government change. What's your opinion?

Opponents of President Hugo Chavez roll a flaming tire toward National Guard soldiers during brief clashes in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, March 2, 2004. Venezuela's elections council was expected Tuesday to ask hundreds of thousands of citizens to confirm they signed a recall petition, a request that could spark new unrest because the opposition says it will deal a blow to democracy in this oil-producing nation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)



A masked Venezuelan opposition protester readies to throw a Molotov cocktail during riots in Caracas, March 2, 2004. Venezuela's top electoral official said on Tuesday that only between 1.7 million and 1.8 million opposition signatures seeking a referendum against President Hugo Chavez had been found valid so far, not enough to trigger a vote at this point. REUTERS/Howard Yanes

Black mask anarchists?


A Venezuelan fan of the President Hugo Chavez shouts in front of the National Electoral Council in Caracas, March 2, 2004. Venezuela's top electoral official said on Tuesday that only between 1.7 million and 1.8 million opposition signatures seeking a referendum against President Chavez had been found valid so far, not enough to trigger a vote at this point. REUTERS/Jorge Silva


Venezuelan opposition protester holds a placard during a riot in Caracas, March 1, 2004. Venezuelan anti-government protesters blocked streets and several avenues in Caracas with burning debris as opposition leaders said they would keep up protests to demand a recall referendum against leftist President Hugo Chavez. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Moveon.org member?

An opponent of President Hugo Chavez's government fires stones with a slingshot during a demostration in Caracas. Venezuela's election commission has postponed until Tuesday announcing whether a recall referendum against Chavez will be held(AFP/Rodrigo Arangua)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

No the opposition is not a mob. I've been following this since June of 2001. Chavez was voted in by a huge margin and proceeded, with that good will, to remove democratic protections in the name of fairness for all. Once it became obvious that fairness meant Venezuela would follow the model of Cuba, the shit hit the fan. You can go to my LINK and see the sick and twisted mind of Hugo Chavez and the brave and committed stand his opposition has taken to save Venezuela. The latest being, his denial of the recall petitions to stop a vote on his presidency.