Photos of Hugo Chavez shown after 2-month absence

AP ^ | 02-15-2013 | By IAN JAMES

[Red Badger]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The world got its first glimpse of Hugo Chavez since he underwent a fourth cancer-related surgery in Cuba more than two months ago, with photos released Friday showing the Venezuelan leader alongside his daughters in Havana.

Along with Valentine's Day images of puffy-faced Chavez came a possible explanation for why no one has heard from Venezuela's longtime president since his surgery: He is breathing through a tracheal tube that makes speech difficult.

The government described Chavez's condition as "delicate" and said he continues to undergo "vigorous treatment for his fundamental illness."

[nothingnew]

He is breathing through a tracheal tube that makes speech difficult.

I have 5 scissors in my house...oh if only...

FMCDH(BITS)

[JustSayNoToNannies]

And we make those millions available to him and his ilk with our War on Drugs by consuming massive quantities of drugs.

There, fixed if for you.

All of the above - drug megaprofits depend on both demand and laws eliminating legal competition. Which factor can realistically be removed?

[JustSayNoToNannies]

And we make those millions available to him and his ilk with our War on Drugs.

Helps him when you buy Citgo gas, too.

Yup. Which do we need more - gas, or the War on Drugs?

[Antoninus]

All of the above - drug megaprofits depend on both demand and laws eliminating legal competition. Which factor can realistically be removed?

Yes, because when you legalize something, it is no longer a profitable commodity. Witness how little money is made by purveyors of spirituous beverages. Also, the horrifyingly awful society-destroying elements of drug addiction magically disappear once they're legalized. That's why the red-light districts in Amsterdam are like a paradise on earth.

As for demand, it could be dried up if the government was serious about it. Part I of how to do that would be a multi-million dollar marketing campaign showing before and after drugs photos of addict after addict in the schools and anywhere else that kids might see it. The message: "Drugs are for losers."

Part II would be instituting a public and televised beating for anyone convicted of providing drugs to children, first offense. Second offense, the death penalty.

That's how a country that's serious about eliminating the drug problem would go about it.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

drug megaprofits depend on both demand and laws eliminating legal competition. Which factor can realistically be removed?

Yes, because when you legalize something, it is no longer a profitable commodity.

Which part of "mega" did you not understand?

Also, the horrifyingly awful society-destroying elements of drug addiction magically disappear once they're legalized.

Did anyone say anything remotely like that? Or are you flailing at straw men because you can't address the arguments that have actually been made?

As for demand, it could be dried up if the government was serious about it. Part I of how to do that would be a multi-million dollar marketing campaign showing before and after drugs photos of addict after addict in the schools and anywhere else that kids might see it. The message: "Drugs are for losers."

"Federal resources totaling $1.7 billion support education and outreach programs aimed at preventing the initiation of drug use, a nearly 8 percent increase ($123.0 million) over the FY 2010 enacted level." - http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/policy-and-research/fy12highlight_exec_sum.pdf

Part II would be instituting a public and televised beating for anyone convicted of providing drugs to children, first offense.

Never mind the Eighth Amendment, let's emulate Third World sh!tholes.

Second offense, the death penalty.

Dealers already face a real threat of death from competitors and twitchy customers, but they continue to deal and if killed are quickly replaced.

And what makes you think that ending the providing of drugs to children would dry up ALL demand?

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Witness how little money is made by purveyors of spirituous beverages.

Very little is made on those legal drugs by black-marketeers, in drastic contrast to the situation with currently illegal drugs.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

It’s a body double. The real Chavez is probably cremated already and this is the miracle puppet the family and handlers have put in place to continue the hold on power. Just like Castro...

[dennisw]

dittos on that... death by hanging is in order for confirmed drug dealers. Marijuana dealers a bit more leniency but they have to stop too. Those who push meth, heroin, crack etc need to die. Be deleted from the human race

[dennisw]

die you commie rat!!

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Dealers already face a real threat of death from competitors and twitchy customers, but they continue to deal and if killed are quickly replaced.