Robertson's not alone in his dislike of Chavez

[Jon8503]

Mattie Weiss - August 29, 2005

Last Monday, Christian televangelist Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. While Robertson's remarks were shocking in their utter disregard for global democracy and the rule of law (he eventually apologized), he is by no means the first to beat the drum against Venezuela.

In fact, his comments were merely a more vitriolic version of what the Bush administration has been saying for some time, with declarations to "contain" Chavez and the funneling of millions of dollars to opposition groups within the country. The White House even supported a 2002 military coup, before popular uprisings restored Chavez to power. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and now Robertson are all in their own ways trying to build the case that Chavez is a menace, a danger to democracy and a source of instability in the region.

But I was in Venezuela just this month. And I saw a different reality.

I attended the 16th World Festival for Youth and Students, which drew more than 15,000 young peace and justice activists from across the globe.
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http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5581661.html