[quote=Tim;1115068]Not only has he improved the lot of the poor in his own country, both in terms of food and shelter and education, he has also improved the lives of the poor in other countries as well. Including america.

Your knowledge on the subject is lacking.

The bilateral trade agreements that involve services and goods as opposed to just hard cash is unique. I.e., trading oil for doctors and pharmeceuticals. I think its brilliant. Stealing the wealth of his own nation... gimme a break. Just look at the improvement he has made infant death rates, literacy rates, and converting the land he took from the rich into community farms and distribution networks.

Come on Tim, your irrational hatred is glaring.


Actually he talks like he does simply for the domestic benefit. His supporters love it. But yeah, i would agree that on the world stage he could stand to choose his words more carefully. But in the end i do find it amusing.. why wouldn't I, its relatively harmless.

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

[quote]Indeed? Tell me more about this benevolent leader who has done so much for his people...



Irrational hatred? Truth hurts, doesn't it? How about some data to back up your description of Chavez. And tell me how productive these community farms are - the ones that have been stolen from their owners.



Yes, I bet they do.

Go right ahead and enjoy his antics. By the way - this was just released on the BBC web site: BBC NEWS | Americas | Chavez vows no ties with Colombia

Apparently it is not only the King of Spain who has reached his limit with Hugo's "harmless" caperings. The president of Colombia, his neighbor, will no longer speak to him either.

It's a good thing our favorite left-wing bully has friends like you to support him. There is no one else left.

__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

the latest poll has Chavez's party wining by 60%. That does not surprise me, here we are talking about some changes in the constitution that the media of some countries avoid to talk (how convenient for the system) and only write about superficial stuff about who told who what, nobody is talking about Venezuelans having the chance of a 36 working hour week.. ..God!

for example: one of the changes will be the 6 hour work day (article 90), people are going to earn the same and work less, gay rights are also in the big picture..no employer can discriminate or fire an employee because of sexual orientation or in the case of transexuals because of sex change or appereance. Free education will include also University, guaranteed by the constitution, the only country in the hemisphere with a recall referendum, ..Venezuela's constitution is going to become the most progressive and advanced in the region.

Art. 64 - Lowers the minimum voting age from 18 to 16

Art. 87 - Creates a social security fund for the self-employed, in order to guarantee them a pension, vacation pay, sick pay, etc.

Art. 90 - Reduction of the workweek from 44 hours to 36.

Art. 103 - Right to a free education expanded from high school to university.

Art. 72 - Increase in the signature requirement for citizen-initiated recall referendum from 20% to 30% of registered voters. Also, voter participation set at minimum 40% (previously no minimum was set, other than that at least as many had to vote for the recall as originally voted for the elected official).


Venezuela’s Constitutional Reform: An Article-by-Article Summary | venezuelanalysis.com

Really? ... Maybe government employees, but are you sure about the rest?

Could also have something to do with the fact that Uribe is a total cunt who runs roughshod over human rights, gets in bed with death squads, and purposely sabotages the end of a pointless war simply so he can stay in power.


Or it could just be all Chavez's fault.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

The biggest problem with Chavez is, he's just an Indian. He doesn't have the brainpower to run a civilized country.

Well i never said he was benevolent. But the fact remains that he has improved the lot of the poor, not diminished it. Those are just the facts Tim. Is he perfect? No. Is he altruistic? No. He is a politician like any other with a thirst for power and glory.


Chavez appropriated land that was not being used for food production, it was simply not being used for anything other than the luxury of the very wealthy. The stats are all available through the UN and other organizations - you are a smart guy, im sure you know how to find them. He has improved health, literacy, community, and the availability of food. There is no doubt about that.

So.... at least we can agree this puts him on par with any politician anywhere that knows where his votes are.

Actually it is Chavez that has refused to talk to the president of Colombia, not the other way around. From what i understand Uribe asked him to help release some hostages being held by FARC. Uribe fired him as mediator when Chavez spoke to the general of the Colombian military without first asking permission from Uribe. Chavez got angry at this interruption to freeing the hostages (and making Chavez appear the hero no doubt) and has recalled his ambassador to Colombia and apparently severed ties. Oh my... the drama of Latin American politics... i really do find it amusing form my perch as observer of world affairs.

I can't really figure out where your seething hatred for Chavez comes from??? Is it only because he calls Bush names? What is it? Are you such a rabid free marketer that you throw tantrums whenever a socialist leader interferes with the ability of mega-corps to exploit the resources of poor brown people?

Support? I don't see how that is possible, i have no influence or stake in Venezuelan politics. I'm merely trying to look at the situation from all perspectives - and I'm curious as to where the Chavez reforms will lead. There is active opposition to Chavez in Venezuela, there are free votes, and Chavez has said if the nation does not back his attempt to extend his ability to run for re-election indefinitely (like Canada, the UK, Australia, and many other democratic nations) he will step down at the end of his term.

We should all respect whatever the Venezuelans choose to do, don't you agree?

Andrew

__________________
Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Three points:

1) fuck off

2) any proof?

3) werent you banned?

Wow it must really bother you that he is a mix of negro, indian, and spanish ethnicity. Your comment is not only the lowest form of racism and hatred, but it also reveals your ignorance. The three things are inseparable of course, so thanks for giving us a convenient display of abject racism in action.

Andrew

__________________
Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

I'm curious and can't help myself from asking: what are your thoughts on Michael Jackson?

REally?! That explains his cocky attitude .

In what way is one constitution more "advanced" than another?

Earn the same and work less = earn the same nominal value, but the salary will be worth less since the work is worth less.

Is there any advantages to this?

Why do this have to be in the constitution?

In correct words: right to an education paid for by the tax payers...

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President Josiah Bartlet: Sweden has a 100% literacy rate. 100%! How do they do that?
Leo McGarry: Maybe they don't and they can't add.

Poverty's barely budged(so the Venezuelan government redefined it in such a way as to make it seem like it was dropping), street crime is rampant(the murder rate's tripled in recent years), inflation is close to 20%, and inequality has actually gone up slightly.

You call this improving the lot of the poor?

You'll need to source that, because I've seen some quite contradictory numbers.

__________________
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

f you have a source for this i would like to see it. The numbers i have seen from 3rd party organizations, not the venezuelan government, show an increase in health, education, etc.. the standard metrics are on the rise.

I.e.,

United Nations Statistics Division - National Accounts

which clearly shows an increase in GDP in Venezuela since 2002.

Andrew

__________________
Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown