Hugo Chavez: Yes We Do

I'm rather glad that I haven't spent the four years since I made this comment sat in a jail cell, because truly it seems like a lifetime ago.

And the reason for going back in time? a coincidence really, yes they do exist, in spite of every overused cliché in every detective story that you have ever read, that would have you believe there is no such thing.

That the two stories, on which both I had commented on, and in much the same time period and at the same blog, should sit one above the other on today's news alert, was for me, quite astonishing.

It would appear that the man I had tipped as the next "Giant" in news broadcasting, Keith Olbermann, isn't going to be so. Well not with MSNBC he ain't.

Update: Keith Olbermann at his best, and goodbye. prideinutah.com

And the other story? that ubiquitous thorn in the side of both the Bush and Obama administrations, Hugo Chavez.
I offered this piece of advice to dear old Hugo, those long years ago.

Advice from a socialist to Mr Chavez.

Extremes in attitudes and implementation never work, and socialism is no exception.
The balance is crucial, it is possible to have a just and caring society, but it is of paramount importance that there is sufficient incentive left in place, that hard work and the generation of wealth don't go unduly punished.
Poverty cannot be distributed, only wealth.

And if Chavez can get the balance right he will be the first man in history that has.
I think his heart is in the right place, I wish him luck.
(Comment left here.)

Well I have to say, that on the face of it dear old Hugo ain't making too bad a job of it. (See recent posts, South America tag.)

Now I know Hugo is hankering after the "President for Life" slot, and we all know how fraught with danger is that little can of worms. But I can't help but wonder what disasters would befall Venezuela and its indigenous population if the Right were ever returned to power.

A benign dictator; is there such a thing; has there ever been one?

As Bad as Bush

By Mike Whitney

January 22, 2010 "Information Clearing House" -- His enemies call him a tyrant and a dictator, but he is neither. Hugo Chavez is a tireless champion of the poor and a committed Christian socialist. The only difference between Chavez's type of Christianity and Barack Obama's, is that Chavez walks the walk.

For example, on Tuesday, Chavez used his powers under the new "enabling laws" to enact the "Law for Dignified Refuge" a presidential decree that mandates "dignified and humane" housing for all Venezuelans. The Venezuelan parliament approved the controversial (and temporary) enabling laws because the country faced an unprecedented housing crisis due to the massive floods in December.

More than 125,000 people lost their homes in the disaster requiring a speedy response from the government. Chavez swung into action immediately turning the presidential palace into a homeless shelter and initiating a campaign to construct permanent housing for the victims. Now he has pushed through landmark legislation that will legally require the government to help the homeless.

Contrast Chavez's response to Obama's during the BP oil spill. BP was allowed to wreak havoc on the environment and destroy people's livelihood without any consequences. In fact, Obama even provided cover for the oil giant by appearing in public relations "I feel your pain" photo-ops on a beach in Louisiana that were intended to divert public rage away from BP. So, now the fishing and shrimping industries are devastated, sensitive estuaries and ecosystems have been destroyed, and the level of toxins in the bloodstreams of people living in the region have skyrocketed. And, worst of all, BP has gotten off Scot-free. Thanks, Barack.

Now imagine what would have happened if Chavez had been in charge. BP's stateside operations would have been shut down, their assets would have been seized, and Tony Hayward and his buddies would have been thrown in the hoosegow. Got a problem with that?

Last week, while Obama was singing the praises of "deregulation" on the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal (".. the rules have gotten out of balance, placing unreasonable burdens on business—burdens that have stifled innovation and have had a chilling effect on growth and jobs.") and first lady, Michelle Obama was hawking "healthy foods" for food behemoth Walmart in the national media, Chavez was busy transforming shelters into “institutions of the state” to make sure that people had a place to stay while they get back on their feet again.

The new law stipulates that these people be provided with food and medical assistance (Venezuela has universal health care) as well as "scholarships, pensions and special allotments of resources" depending on their needs.

The new state facilities that are being set up by Chavez will focus primarily on "the most vulnerable population; the children, adolescents, seniors, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.”

“It’s not a question of the government wanting to do this or not,” said Chavez. “It is now a legal obligation.” (venezuelanalysis.com)

Right on. And how has Washington reacted to Chavez's emergency programs and new laws? Here's an excerpt from a recent article by ex-pat Eva Golinger that sums it up pretty well:

"This week, (Venezuelan) opposition leaders will meet with their counterparts in Washington. They have already said their mission is to seek more aid to help remove President Chavez from power. Unfortunately, their undemocratic actions have already been welcomed in the US Capitol. Representative Connie Mack (R-FL), now head of the House Sub-Committte on Foreign Relations for the Western Hemisphere, announced on the first day of Congress that his one goal this year is to place Venezuela on the list of "state sponsors of terrorism". And Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), now head of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has backed that objective, even going as far as to publicly state she would welcome the "assassination of Fidel Castro or any other repressive leader" such as Hugo Chavez." ("Setting the Record Straight on Venezuela and Hugo Chavez", Eva Golinger, Global Research)

Surprised? Don't be. Any foreign leader who attempts to control his country's resources, improve human rights, or distribute the nation's wealth more equally among its people, is the de facto enemy of the United States. People thought that things might change under Obama, but they were wrong. He's as bad as Bush. ICH

Other Parrots in The News Today