Chavez Moves to Dictator Mode
Chavez is predictably carrying out what America's left habitually accuses Republicans of doing, silencing the opposition with an iron fist. Socialism always ends up having to clamp down on it's critics in order to stay in power, just ask the Cubans.
Venezuelan police fired tear gas and plastic bullets Monday into a crowd of thousands protesting a decision by President Hugo Chavez that forced a television station critical of his leftist government off the air.
Police fired toward the crowd of up to 5,000 protesters from a raised highway, and protesters fled amid clouds of tear gas. They later regrouped in Caracas' Plaza Brion chanting "freedom!" Some tossed rocks and bottles at police, prompting authorities to scatter demonstrators by firing more gas.
It was the largest of several protests that broke out across Caracas hours after Radio Caracas Television ceased broadcasting at midnight Sunday and was replaced with a new state-funded channel. Chavez had refused to renew RCTV's broadcast license, accusing it of "subversive" activities and of backing a 2002 coup against him.
...and it's only the beginning...
Chavez says he is democratizing the airwaves by turning the network's signal over to public use.
The socialist president accused the network of helping to incite a failed coup in 2002, violating broadcast laws and "poisoning" Venezuelans with programming that promoted capitalism. RCTV's managers deny wrongdoing.
Trackposted to Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate's Cove, Perri Nelson's Website, Leaning Straight Up, The Bullwinkle Blog, third world county, Conservative Cat, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
The left is every bit as fascist as Chavez... They are proving it with the "fairness doctrine" legislation, rather than the brute force that Hugo is more comfortable with.
Posted by: brooke | May 29, 2007 at 11:48 AM
The left is every bit as fascist as Chavez... They are proving it with the "fairness doctrine" legislation, rather than the brute force that Hugo is more comfortable with.
Posted by: brooke | May 29, 2007 at 11:52 AM
When one needs to resort to suppression in order to remain in power, you need to ask yourself why.
Dictators like Chavez believe that they and only they know what is best for the common people.
Posted by: American Crusader | May 29, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Brooke,
Words worth repeating ;)
AC,
Not only that, but staying in power becomes paramount. Chavez won't be losing any elections, you can count on that.
Posted by: kevin | May 29, 2007 at 06:52 PM
I'd take this with a massive pinch of salt to be honest.
Read this first:
http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/venezuela_and_freedom_of_speech_a_4_lies,_4_answers.htm
The channel in question was openly supporting and advocating a violent overthrow of a democratically elected government. If this had happened in the UK, those responsible would be in prison. Demonstrations being met with violence by the police have happened in a lot of democratic countries including America, France, UK, Australia etc etc... this isn't an attribute of dictatorship.
As it stands, 90% of the news outlets in Venezuela are privately owned and openly anti-Chavez. I think it's fair enough that one of them is able to give a different point of view.
Posted by: Nick T | May 29, 2007 at 09:59 PM
Sure Nick, of course the TV station was trying to kill Chavez. Just like Chavez thought that John Negroponte was out to get him. Yep, Hugo was just shutting down one little insignificant TV station making up only 10% of Venezuela's media and the people went so crazy for no reason at all. And then, Hugo sends in the tanks to shut down the opposition he openly welcomes in a totally free society. Yeah, it all makes sense now.
Posted by: kevin | May 30, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Hmmm... one might give some consideration to exactly why 90% of the news outlets are anti-Hugo. What would cause that? Perhaps they all decided to gang up on poor Hugo and collectively be mean! What a huge chip they must carry on their shoulder, huh?!
"Dictators like Chavez believe that they and only they know what is best for the common people."
Dictators, et al, could give a rat's posterior as to what is best for the 'common people', but more to the point, what the common people can do for the dictator and at what minimum level of sustenance to guarantee their products.
Nice to see you continue producing excellent posts, Kevin. Hope things are well in your camp.
Posted by: Defiant_Infidel | May 31, 2007 at 02:38 PM