Big news from DUer trud in LBN, Chavez is back in Venezuela

[rabs]

23. he's home

http://news.yahoo.com/chavez-home-surgery-cancerous-tum...

"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a surprise return from Cuba early Monday, stepping off a plane before dawn amid rampant speculation about his fitness to continue in office following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Looking thinner but standing straight and appearing energetic, Chavez strode across the tarmac of the Havana airport before boarding a plane.
...
The president was expected to greet his supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace later Monday, one day before the 200th anniversary of Venezuela's declaration of independence from Spain. A military parade and other events are planned to mark the bicentennial.
...
Fidel Castro wasn't visible on the tarmac in the video of Chavez boarding the plane in Havana. But Chavez joked that "Fidel practically got on the plane.""

[bemildred]

1. +1 nt

[ChangoLoa]

2. He'll be speaking in 5 minutes. nt

[Judi Lynn]

3. Glad you got that thread in LBN in time for some of us to see his speech, or part of it, anway.

Thanks for making the effort so we could see for ourselves.

I'm sure he's feeling shaky, but he looked terrific, and a huge number of Chavez-supporting citizens turned out to be there.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Earlier article from today: Thousands celebrate Chavez's return to Venezuela

Thousands celebrate Chavez's return to Venezuela
By The Associated Press
Monday, July 4, 2011 at 2:58 p.m.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Thousands of supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are celebrating their leader's surprise return from Cuba at a rally outside the presidential palace.

The crowd is waiting to hear Chavez address them from the balcony of Miraflores Palace.

Revelers are waving Venezuelan flags and chanting "Thank you, Fidel, for taking care of him!" Fidel Castro often visited Chavez in Cuba after the Venezuelan leader underwent surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed.

Chavez arrived home early Monday morning, a day before the country is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Spain.

More:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/04/thousands-celebrate-chavezs-return-to-venezuela/

[rabs]

5. In NYT, Simon sez return was "classic political theater" and "well-choreographed"

------------- snip ---------------------

The predawn return of Mr. Chávez, 56, was classic political theater from a leader who has vexed his critics here time and again during his 12 years in power.
--------------------------------

For more Simon:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/americas/05venez.html

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Plus there is this terrible photo caption translation of "¡Pa` lante Comandante!

Ariana Cubillos/Associated Press
Venezuelans in Caracas celebrated the return of President Hugo Chávez with signs saying, “Moving forward, commander.”

"Moving forward, commander" makes no sense in English or Spanish.

(My translation would be "Onward, Commander!"

---------------------

NYT reporting from Caracas, ugh.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Classic Romero style, isn't it? Dripping with venom. He hopes to insinuate

Hugo Chavez is a fraud, apparently, with his somber speech from last week, and his summoning his strength to walk out and give his speech today. Nimrod Romero suspects he's lying about something. The little dirtbag's crabby because Hugo Chavez hasn't divulged where his ####### cancer is/was: was it on his behind, like Rush Limbaugh's hemmorrhoid? Perhaps on his private parts? Simon won't allow him any haven over this, the S.O.B. wants to know, goddammit!

I'd like to know where Simon's brain is! I don't think it's where it's supposed to be.

Well, Simon Romero certainly didn't let anyone down. Same old sludge, isn't it?

I see Fernando Ochoa Antich, who was sought for a quote, wasn't just any defense minister, he was Carlos Andres Perez' defense minister, the president who told his cops, then his military to fire directly into crowds of protesting citizens, in El Caracazo massacre. Uh, HUH! Romero's got a real eye for getting right at the truth, wouldn't you say?

Ochoa then mocks the people who turned out to welcome and celebrate, insinuating they are a bunch of superstitious, simple peasants, easily gulled, tricked, duped, real morons, there to be helpless Chavez pawns. Exactly what you'd predict. Ah, yes, the magical, invincible caudillo.

http://www.somoslanoticia.com.nyud.net:8090/secciones/politica/ochoa-antich-chavez-sabe-que-puede-perder-comicios-presidenciales-del-2012/big-ochoa-antich-chavez-sabe-que-puede-perder-comicios-presidenciales-del-2012.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com.nyud.net:8090/images/I/51sGqUOCrLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
I see the terrapin has written a book his own views of Hugo Chavez. Big seller? It's doubtful.

Romero knows what he wants to write, and goes to get quotes he can predict from the anti-Chavistas. What a whore.

Thanks for the link. I am once again confirmed in my views of Simon Romero, just like the other people who've been watching this stain. He's doing his part in showing the world why it's so important to have GOOD people around. They provide exquisite contrast to right-wingers, if nothing else.