Hugo and the RevolutionFollow

A step better than Castro.

We hear two things about him: he's a filthy socialist, and he hates us.

Of course it's possible that he just hated Bush; but it wouldn't have been the done thing to say so right out loud.

But he hates us, you see. That makes him evil.

I admittably use "dictator" pretty casually. Partially because that's the local impression and partially because he has done the typical "round up the nay-sayers, seize the presses, consolidate the power" gambit even if he was elected. I wouldn't say he's significantly better or worse than any other Central/South American government aside from the fact that he's opposed to us. If he was Right wing, he'd be Columbia and we'd be sending him foreign aid.

I doubt Obama will make much of a difference over Bush. Chavez pumps himself up before the people by demonizing the United States and making public shows of love towards Russia, Syria, Iran, etc as a "thumb the nose" thing. I won't deny that the US has given him plenty of reason to dislike us what with the support of coups and all, but he needs the US as an enemy to justify how valuable he is. Especially since the country is currently hurting from a lack of oil profits since the bottom fell out of the market. Chavez was able to buy love through schools, hospitals, etc when the cash was pouring in. Now it's not. It will again some day but he needs a reason for existing until then.

Edited, Feb 17th 2009 8:22am by Jophiel

I'm guessing 90% of the population doesn't know who he is.

"Evil" is not the term that comes to mind for me, but something more along the lines of adverse, also, however, insignificant.

Darn, I though this thread would be about Victor and the French Revolution

That or the Hugo Ballot for this years World Con. I'm such a Geeky Nerd

As to Chavez, I think the guy was quite gutsy for offering free oil to us poor folks in the USA, while Bush and Chaney were in office. Not sure if he can't keep his populous support now that he doesn't have oil profits to pay for programs.

I'm not really sure how to feel about him. For one, I don't know that much about his record other than the few snippets that I've heard. From what I have heard, however, he seems a mildly corrupt yet almost workable example of socialism. I'd have to do a lot of independent research on him to form an opinion that isn't tainted with US propaganda of course.

I associate in pretty lefty circles so most people like him. Also, he is really supporting something really important in a country that could easily be (or is)an oligarchy connected to a racial/cultural divide, controlled by multinational interests. His own desire to take power might be perceived as the lesser of two evils.

Also, I remember studying Simon Bolivar in sixth grade.

His politics are fine with me, but I find him to be an indolent **** with little respect for anyone not called Hugo Chavez.

There's a difference between standing up for principles and being an offensive little twerp.

¿Por qué no te callas, maricón?

I've been told by my boss not to buy Citgo gas, because the money goes straight to Hugo Chavez to buy missiles to point at the U.S.

Of course, he learned that from a forwarded e-mail.

Poor M*ssholes probably like Chavez well enough, since he's been selling heavily discounted heating oil to them for the past 4 years, even if it is just a political stunt. Not to mention that we have an historical landmark that is basically free advertising for his country.

The guy's clearly nuts, though, and getting rid of term limits is just going to lead to bad things down the road.

I seem to remember Venezuala being in the tropics last time I went to that area!

They can't be politicaly swayed that much by cheap heating oil. Can they?

And whats a M*sshole??