US Assails Venezuela's High Court Scheme (Irony Alert)

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The State Department accused Venezuela on Wednesday of "packing" its Supreme Court to ensure a pro-government majority and said the move calls into question the country's commitment to judicial independence.

The Venezuelan Congress, dominated by supporters of President Hugo Chavez, appointed new justices on Monday in carrying out a court expansion from 20 to 32 that won legislative approval last spring.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States shares the concerns expressed by human rights groups and Venezuela's opposition.

"We think that separation of powers is an intrinsic part of democracy that is respected throughout Latin America and throughout the international community," he said.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-venezuela,0,5974568.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[rpannier]

1. It's laughable

This administration hates independent jurists -- when they're not conservative, Bible-thumping jurists.

[Khephra]

2. Notice that last sentence

"We think that separation of powers is an intrinsic part of democracy that is respected throughout Latin America and throughout the international community," he said.

Usually our diplomats make it a point to say "The United States" when making statements like this. Instead the term "International community" is used.

I guess that's because it would cause everyone arround the world to collapse in a laughing fit if they included the US under Bush as respecting the separation of powers.

[Solly Mack]

3. Some days it reads like a really bad novel

We're trapped in a right wing wet dream people....

[ElectroPrincess]

8. Three words describe the present * Administration to a tee ....

[Judi Lynn]

4. So this is THIS week's accusation. The pace is quickening, isn't it?

Less than a week ago, the State Department accused Venezuela of trying to limit freedom of expression through a new media law that restricts violent and sexual content over the airwaves.

Department spokesman Adam Ereli said the United States is "deeply troubled" by "threats to freedom of expression" posed by the law.

Chavez has said the new law will ensure more responsible programming for children and adolescents.

Boucher, in his comments Wednesday, also found fault with a new economic integration agreement that Venezuela has signed with Cuba.
(snip/...)

Busy, busy, busy. They apparently see us as an enormous flock of baby birds, waiting helplessly for our daily rations of grisly propaganda orts they can scrounge up and drop into our lives. If they had to stick to the truth, we wouldn't be hearing from them.

http://edutel.musenet.org:8042/birdhabitat/images/sm_bird_babies_shadow.jpg

ARE we this gullible?

They surely could use the time gossiping (lying) about countries they want to seize, to clean up their own acts, but then they'd have to start all over again. Their reign of terror is based upon lies, fear, hatred, and dishonesty.

[magellan]

5. Bush** ought to embrace Chavez

After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

[Charon]

6. "Bush** ought to embrace Chavez"

President Roosevelt tried this, it didnt work then, wouldnt work now.

[AP]

14. IIUC, The Venezuelan Constitution specifically allows the legislature to..

...change the number of SCt justices within a range.

FDR's problem was that the US Constitution didn't provide specifically for changing the number of justicies and the court that was overloaded with pro-corp anti-Democratic justices had to interpret the laws FDR relied on in order to increase the number of judges and naturally were against it.

[pinerow]

7. Bizarro World!!!

nt

[Supersedeas]

9. Boucher to get the Presidential Media of Spin from Rove himself

[bemildred]

10. Yeah, so they have their panties in a wad. So what? nt

[MisterCompletly]

11. Irony aside, what chavez is doing is criminal

I know the chavez march toward dictatorship is blessed by many here simply because he is throwing some bones to the poor but his arrogance and quest for power makes the US look like Mother Theresa.

Perhaps the chavez backers should listen to what President Carter has to say about his nightmarish plans for his dictatorship.

[bemildred]

12. What does Jimmy have to say?

http://cartercenter.org/doc1801.htm

[el_gato]

13. Who has Chavez invaded? Pull your head out of your ass!

Bushco. make Chavez look like Ghandi.

[bvar22]

17. Some bones!!

Housing, HealthCare, and Education for millions.

[AP]

15. People should know that Ven SCt juges only serve 12 yrs and can be...

...impeached with 2/3 vote of legislature.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

16. I wonder how that would change the nature of American politics were

we to have that rule?