I'm often a pessimist and a skeptic,

[Qibing Zero]

but for the life of me I don't understand some of you out there who are so quick to bash the more progressive leaders around the world today.

I know you're not just pure idealists, because you'll stand up for someone like Clinton in a hearbeat. Is it a cultural issue? Is the red scare still in effect to some extent? I really don't know.

People here calling Chavez fascist shows me that they're either closed-minded or haven't done their research. Every last attack has been on either shadiness or speculation. I don't think he's anywhere near perfect (some of his speaking seems a bit religious, but it's his people he's speaking to, not me), but compared to what we're dealing with in the US and around the world, he's miles above most.

Though, really, anyone calling Chavez fascist obviously doesn't know the backstory, especially not that of the failed coup against him. There was a great article, that I used to have linked, at the uk independant on this. It'd be great if someone still had that bookmarked somewhere. His non-democratic ways include allowing free speech in the media (which is largely corporate and against him) to the extent that if someone said the things they say about him, about bush instead, they would be offed in a heartbeat. They include retaining the rights of every single person involved in the coup against him. He does not squash dissent in any way, and I wish I could say the same for this country.

I, too, was skeptical of Chavez at first, but time has shown he really does care about the things that matter, and he gets things DONE. He's been in office quite some time now. Not only does he seem like a great, genuine guy, but he seems to know exactly what's wrong in the world at this point in time, and he's not afraid to say it.

So you can blame him for firing a bunch of union workers, without knowing about the corruption, or the constant strikes that were going on.

You can blame him for trying to overthrow a beyond-corrupt government in the past.

You can blame him for taking back the oil company and using it's wealth for all of the people and not just a select few.

Blame him for whatever you want, but before you do, do some research. I recommend to anyone who doesn't know all that much about the situation in Venzeuela, and that involving the coup, the documentary: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. The truth is that the world - and especially the US - could use more people like Chavez. He's true to his word, and he's in government for the only reason anyone SHOULD be: to help the people. So, it's the ideas he holds, the fact he doesn't play politics with people's lives on the line, and his unfettering attitude to speak out that we praise when we say...

Viva Chavez!

[Gyre]

1. I'd love an American version of Chavez as president.

Right now we have the exact opposite. Dark days for America.

Gyre

[Seansky]

2. don't know enough and it's tricky...but

How much were the union workers making per month? I forgot about that. And I also forgot whether the corruption was widespread (all sides involved in one type or another)...The thing is that he is standing up against the empire...but I am not clear about the motivations behind that...Are there articles/links you could share with me? I, for one, would like to become more informed on the subject.

[Qibing Zero]

6. Like I said, I wish I had that UK Independant article on him.

Hopefully someone here has it bookmarked!

This thread was the only thing I had personally. It contains a bunch of links not only in the OP, but in the replies as well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2029862

[applegrove]

3. Chavez is a populist and a danger to the RW because he represents

an alternative. He puts in place De Soto & other third way alternatives. He picks and chooses from a pot of policy choices to improve the health of his country.

If Chavez is allowed to continue along this vain - Venezuela will be a more middle class place than America some day soon.

Now what could the Neocons have against that?

[az chela]

4. AGREE

I absolutely agree with you on this one.He will be on nightline tonight with Ted Koppell .I advise people to listen with an open mind!!! Why do you think Pat robertson considers him a threat???Duh wake up,get over your tunnel vision

[PATRICK]

5. Chavez bashing is ludicrous

What proved it was the eulogizing of a truly shady character like Huey Long who was rightly praised for a fraction of the populist action and idealism Chavez has exhibited.

If it were safe for the future of Venezuela and the US to carp on the failings, of having to have a strongman, you could say some things about it, but in fact Chavez is not only necessary for the freedom and rights of his citizens but is performing very well, certainly better and less oppressively than castro whom he clearly admires for the main general themes: people first and stand up against American exploitation.

The Commie and fascist name calling tell us two things. The high and low marks cancel out. The extreme controversy matches the situation. It is always a bad thing that a strongman government has to exist at all. To admit its necessity is as harrowing as the evil treat. If things calm down and Chavez is able to step aside he would seal his greatness but that is irrelevant to the positive effect of his duty at the moment.

The criticisms are likewise tainted by the corporate media crusade against him and the implications against the independence of any legitimate and populist government the establishment so chooses to control and punish. This is obviously another undeclared war against an abused resource country. OUR undeclared war, not Chavez'. Even Castro tried to come to the US and make a deal and fled for his life to the Russians.

We are blaming the victims for fighting back but none with so much concentrated hatred as against their legally appointed government and charismatic leaders. Some of these fine critiques come from people who have done nothing but sit back or enable matters for the neo-fascists in our own suffering nation. And our leaders? And our semi-elected leaders? Words cannot begin to encompass the just loathing any freedom loving citizen has for them. If Chavez is the creation of the loathsome shadow of our national exploitation, let there be many more and diverse heros.

[Qibing Zero]

7. Yes, very true

As I said, I'm really not sure what drives it for each individual person, but the US has a serious problem in accepting anything different from our capitalist-driven government. Once we crossed the lines and started siding with real dictators, as long as they adhered to our goals, it was the end of the end. Off base you say: 'we hate anything non-democratic!', but in reality you mean: 'we hate anything that threatens our superiority as well as our privitely owned markets!'.

It's such a double-standard, and it doesn't help that we act on our own interests, and what WE think will be best, even if they harm the innocent people of countries like they have in Cuba.