Welcome to Venezuela

[French jurist]

There aren't contradictions or room for doubt with somebody like Hugo. He is a authoritarian thug who is leading his country into the abyss. He is trying to export this disease to other countries in the region. Evil like this should be called what it is. To do otherwise is both naive and dangerous.

Just curious :
- How would you call the guys who did a putsch against Chavez (democratically elected) ?
- Do you support the extradition of L.P. Carriles from the US for the bombing of a civilian airplane (73 deaths) ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Posada_Carriles

 

[gouchobob]

Just curious :
- How would you call the guys who did a putsch against Chavez (democratically elected) ?
- Do you support the extradition of L.P. Carriles from the US for the bombing of a civilian airplane (73 deaths) ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Posada_Carriles

Don't know all the facts in either case. I don't think democratically elected leaders should be overthrown. I don't think Venezuela today would count as a democracy. When is a putsch justified, I don't know, depends on the circumstances, could be justified to restore democracy in Hugo's case. I really don't know the facts with the other guy. The judicial system in Venezuela is severely compromised, its doubtful that a trial of this guy there today would be fair. None of this regardless of the facts can be used as a justification for this despotic regime.

 

[John.St]

It's actually telephone AND face-to-face. Gallup is, of course, a hot bed of communist sympathisers!

Here's the methodology, from the World Bank website (damn, more commies!):

But of course, it seems there's reds under every bed all looking to paint Chavez' Venezuela as the shining light of happiness.

There are even more reds in the red light districts

 

[John.St]

It's possible to have nothing and be happy or have everything and be miserable.

Personally, I prefer to be unhappy in my Super de luxe Bentley over being unhappy in a donkey cart

 

[jp]

I don't think Venezuela today would count as a democracy.

Based on what? For all the things he may or may not be doing wrong - Chavez is in office based on the democratic will of the citizens of Venezuela.

 

[John.St]

... Venezuela ranks 75th out of 85 countries and shows the biggest drop in the index 17 points of any country compared to the prior survey. Maybe things aren't so good in Hugoland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index

Number 75 out of 169 and on the list of countries with "High human development (developing countries) - all according to your own link.

 

[gouchobob]

Based on what? For all the things he may or may not be doing wrong - Chavez is in office based on the democratic will of the citizens of Venezuela.

A democracy is more than voting for one guy, its separation of powers, an independent judiciary, rule of law, a functioning legislature, freedom of the press and expression. Hugo has pretty much hollowed out all the institutions that make a democracy. A better question is why you think it is a democracy.

 

[ReemsterCARP]

Just curious :
- How would you call the guys who did a putsch against Chavez (democratically elected) ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Posada_Carriles

This was a broad coalition of civilians, unions, business organizations, the army and various political parties. It was then hijacked by several undemocratic elements. But I wouldnt call this broad coalition "authoritarian thugs"

a nice documentary about the so called "coup": http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3378761249364089950#

 

[gouchobob]

Number 75 out of 169 and on the list of countries with "High human development (developing countries) - all according to your own link.

Sorry my mistake, but 75th and sinking fast doesn't seem to be much to crow about.

 

[ReemsterCARP]

I can recommend everybody with an interest in Venezuela to follow Caracas Chronicles and The Devil's Excrement. Two excellent blogs on Venezuela(n) politics.