Venezuela's Congress Prepares to Grant Hugo Chavez Power to Rule by Decree (Translation)

El Universal ( Caracas ) ^ | January 18, 2007 | El Universal Staff Article ( translated by self )

[StJacques]

(03:02 PM) Enabling Law approved in first discussion

Caracas. - The National Assembly this afternoon approved unanimously and in first discussion a law which enables President Hugo Chavez to legislate by decree during [a period of] 18 months.

The second debate will be carried out next Thursday, a day in which its definitive passage is forecast.

Chavez was authorized "to dictate by decree . . . with the force of law, with statutory urgency," the President of the National Assembly, Cilia Flores, said after deputies approved the petition of the Chief Executive by a show of hands, as reviewed by Agence France-Presse.

The Enabling Law grants the President the ability to decree ordinary laws (which require a simple majority) and organic laws (which need a qualified majority)¹ as the the Supreme Tribunal of Justice² established in 2001.

"Welcome to the Enabling Law which has the support of this National Assembly that supports the [nation's] leader," Hugo Chavez, the President of the National Assembly proclaimed in an exposition of [their] motives.

About the objections of opponents who consider the special powers as a "totalitarian abuse" of power, Flores replied: "The are always going to fight tooth and nail and more when they know that these laws are going to give depth to the revolution."

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Translator's Notes:

¹  The distinction between "ordinary" and "organic" laws in Venezuela is that ordinary laws can be passed by the Venezuelan National Assembly by a simple majority vote while organic laws require a two-thirds majority.

² The Supreme Tribunal of Justice is Venezuela's Supreme Court.

[Chode]

one of my all time favs... my genius German professor in college complained he couldn't watch it after tedturner colorized it.

i ask him why he just didn't turn off the color???

how he ask, i said just turn down the tint and hue.

he was SHOCKED!!! but glad he could watch all the movies turner ruined again.

[Candor7]

Chavez, the man who would be king.

I have a feeling that there is in his future, a rendezvous with about 3 onces of lead, cast from afar.

[GreenLanternCorps]

"Chavez, the man who would be king."

King, no, I think Chavez would like to crown himself Emperor however...

[Bender2]

As friend Chevez continued down his 'Bring Back Führerprinzip' tour, we can soon expect Juventud de Chavez for Venezuela's boys beginning at the age of six, and at age 10, entering the Gente Joven and serving there until entering the Juventud de Chavez proper at age 14. Boys will remain there until age 18, at which time they will enter into the Servicio de Trabajo

Venezuela's Girls will soon become part of the Maidens Jóvenes at age 10, and at age 14 be enrolled into the Liga de Maidens Venezolanos. Girls will remain in the LMV until age 21.

Now we can only wonder what South American neighbor will pay the price for Venezuelan Espacio Vivo.

I just hope to live long enough to see Chevez meet the same fate as old Adolf or Saddam.

That is unless Nancy P anoints Hugo to serve as Special Attorney General to get the occupied Red States in step with the Democrat Party Line...

Thanks to StJacques posting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleichschaltung for the base idea and http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr for help in my really, really poor Spanish.

And thanks to Homer...

for the Duff Beer!

[norton]

Thanks again StJ.

[Tribune7]

Jimmy Carter's legacy.