Chavez to U.S.: 'Go to Hell, Gringos!'

[Kadie]

Chavez to U.S.: 'Go to Hell, Gringos!'
By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER, Associated Press Writer

Sunday, January 21, 2007



(01-21) 14:18 PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) --

President Hugo Chavez told U.S. officials to "Go to hell!" on his weekly radio and TV show Sunday for what he called unacceptable meddling after Washington raised concerns about a measure to grant Venezuela's fiery leftist leader broad lawmaking powers.

The National Assembly, which is controlled by the president's political allies, is expected to give final approval this week to what it calls the "enabling law," which would give Chavez the authority to pass a series of laws by decree during an 18-month period.

On Friday, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Chavez's plans under the law "have caused us some concern."

Chavez rejected Casey's statement in his broadcast, saying: "Go to hell, gringos! Go home!"

Chavez, who was re-elected by a wide margin last month, has said he will enact sweeping reforms to remake Venezuela into a socialist state. Among his plans are nationalizing the main telecommunications company and the electricity and natural gas sectors.

more...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/01/21/international/i141856S46.DTL

[Selatius]

1. While I don't oppose him nationalizing the telecoms and public utilities, I have to...

say that I am opposed to rule by decree. The only comfort is the fact that this bill being contemplated by Venezuela's legislature has a sun-set clause of 18 months.

If I were Chavez, I would've nationalized several sectors by passing bills through Congress, since they're majority leftists and socialists anyway.

Regardless, the US has no say in what Venezuela does.

I find it funny the US is quick to condemn Chavez yet remains mute on the totalitarian nature of the House of Saud, for instance. They rule totally be decree, and there are no sun-set clauses there.

I also have to object to the wording of your title. He isn't telling all of America to go to hell. He's telling that simply to the US government itself.

[originalpckelly]

4. Last time I checked the first "Patriot Act" had sunset clauses as well...

we know how that worked out.

And I totally agree, the secret government doesn't have any place criticizing Chavez.

[EFerrari]

5. He is simply telling the GOVERMENT WHO TRIED TO OUST HIM ILLEGALLy

to go to hell.

Myself, I'd have hard feelings, too. :eyes:

[Selatius]

9. Yes, I said the same thing in my post.

I don't see any disagreement here.

[EFerrari]

11. Yes, you did. I was just, um, highlighting.

[originalpckelly]

12. I wouldn't doubt that the secret government (CIA, NSA, NSC) tried to oust him...

but I don't think he's as great as you may think. Why rule by decree if the legislature is completely dominated by his own supporters? What could possibly be the point of it?

[EFerrari]

16. When you read up on it, the legislature has given him a specific

time window to complete a specific task.

This whole "HE RULES BY DECREE" thing is more hot air from BushCo just like the attack of the 100 foot Woman.

You can read about it at the Venezuela Information Office. :hi:

[Kadie]

18. I just used AP's title.

I just found another article by (Reuters), their title refers to Washington...

Venezuela's Chavez tells Washington "go to hell"
17 minutes ago


CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday called the U.S. secretary of state "my little girl" and told Washington to "go to hell" after it questioned his plan to seek special powers to legislate by decree.

Chavez, a Cuba ally re-elected by a landslide in December, this month launched a campaign to consolidate power by nationalizing key industries, seeking expanded executive powers and pushing for unlimited presidential re-election.

A State Department spokesman on Friday described Chavez's proposal to allow presidents to rule by decree as "a bit odd" in a democracy.

"That is a sacrosanct legal authority of Venezuela. Go to hell, gringos! Go home! Go home!" Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast. "We're free here, and every day we'll be more free."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070121/ts_nm/chavez_venezuela_us_dc_3

[EFerrari]

20. The difference between the Authorized Propaganda headline and Reuters

is interesting.

One says "Washington" and one makes it sound like he's tarring us all.

These guys get more transparent every day.

[TahitiNut]

19. The US loves corporatist monarchs and dictators. "Efficient."

Those populists, though, they just get in the way of profits. How dare they hoard their own resources? If God didn't intend for the global corporations to profit immensely from the resources in other countries then He wouldn't have created the US military!

[quinnox]

2. fuck him then

chavez can go to hell!

[Meshuga]

3. Yep! I'm with you! n/t

[hogwyld]

59. US first

We, as a nation have killed more people, done more harm to the earth than all of the other countries combined. Our government has put us in a position to deserve all of the karma we get.

[Deja Q]

6. Telecommunications and electricity for all in his country?

Or for only hand-picked people?

It'll be... fascinating... to see what he does, and if he does it out of legitimate altruism or merely an attempt to make the USA look bad.

[Cocoa]

7. what does Chavez have against the U.S.?

that little coup attempt thingy is in the past. Chavez should move on.

[EFerrari]

10. LOL.

Yeah. What's his problem?

[LoZoccolo]

8. Can we say "demagogue" yet?

Sheesh, even Bush* hasn't used outright racist epithets.

[Solon]

32. The headline is inflammatory.

Reuters has a more accurate headline.

[Buzz Clik]

13. "I'm not really an insane dictator, I just play one on TV."

Chavez's act is growing old. I hope he's enjoying his 15 minutes....

[EFerrari]

22. You seem to be reacting more to the reframing of his "act" than to his act

itself.

He is beloved and will be while we will work long and hard to recover from this last BushCo shame.

[Buzz Clik]

30. Good call.

Chavez, as leader of Venezuela, can do whatever they allow him to do or whatever he can get away with. That's Venezuelan business, and I have no comment.

However, his maniacal rantings about the US in international forums is clearly some sort of charade for the benefit of his voter base and likeminded countries.

[EFerrari]

That's interesting. Most of the world agrees with his rants.

In fact, he received applause and laughter at the UN for his "devil" speech that was censored in our media.

Oh, geeze. Gives me no pleasure to point that out.

/spellin'

[Buzz Clik]

38. I wouldn't be posting at DU if I had admiration for anything Bush does. However,...

to assume an international spotlight and make those comments is a cheap, gutter trick. He received applause (and I, too, laughed), but it did nothing but reaffirm him as yet another bizarre leader of a third-world country who is dying for attention.

[EFerrari]

40. That's the thing. That's the impression *here* because it has been

carefully cultivated.

[Buzz Clik]

43. Exactly -- cultivated by Chavez himself.

He supplied the seeds, the water, and fertilizer. If he doesn't like his image, he can change it.

Seriously, even at home, Chavez stated in his Jan 11 inauguration speech to continue to convert Venezuela to a socialist nation. That ain't leftist? Calling Bush the devil and tell us to go to hell isn't fiery?

He is what he is.

[Glorfindel]

14. Chavez would do well to remember Chile's Allende

He is neither immortal nor invulnerable. I wish him well, but he should exercise a bit of caution in his public pronouncements. Does he actually think the B*shit regime would MIND ridding itself of him? It wouldn't even be all that difficult. :-(

[Bridget Burke]

64. I'm quite sure Chavez remembers Allende.

He needs to keep speaking out.

[Robbien]

15. Such bias. "fiery leftist" "lashes out"

BushCo gets labels such as calm and considered and oh so right.

But those from south of the border are pasted with the every single crazy label in the book.

If AP's Toothaker is not on BushCo's propaganda payroll, Toothaker is missing out on one massive giveaway.

[Buzz Clik]

21. Surely your point is not that Chavez is not fiery or not a leftist... right?

I'm assuming that you're criticizing those in the media who give Bush a pass. The inconsistency if frustrating, but they've got it right on Chavez.

[EFerrari]

23. Really? And how do you defend castigating a progressive passionate

leader for rescuing his country from American corporate interests?

I'd really love to read that.

:rofl:

[Buzz Clik]

26. As soon as you quit wetting your pants with laughter, ...

you might try re-reading my post.

If calling someone a "leftist" qualifies as castigation, you need to reel in your sensitivies. Unless, of course, you feel that Chavez is a rightwinger of some sort; that really would be funny.

[EFerrari]

27. Let's try again. In what sense do they "have it right" on Chavez?

You and I know that the America press paints him as some kind of cross-eyed communist when all he's done to try to set Venezuela on a course that doesn't involve being enslaved to the multi nationals.

So, what am I missing? How did they get it right?

[Buzz Clik]

34. My comments were directed strictly at Robbien's reaction:

It seemed that Robbien was indicating that Chavez was neither a "fiery leftist" nor "lashing out" when clearly both are accurate.

I don't agree with painting Chavez as a "cross-eyed commie" -- I think that he puts on a big act to whip up support. As for what he's done for his country, only time will tell what happens and what his real motivations are. I am skeptical.

[Robbien]

29. Wrong. The US media cannot say Chavez, they have to say the leftist Chavez

Hugo Chavez' name is not the "leftist Hugo Chavez".

Show me one article in the US where Hugo Chavez is not referred to as the "leftist Hugo Chavez".

Luntz is good at taking out the "ic" from Democratic and good at making sure the media toes the line in branding those not on the GOP bus.

[Buzz Clik]

42. Here's your article

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/world/americas/19latin.html

I've had enough of this.

Please continue your Chavez love fest.

[Robbien]

44. Not surprised you have had enough

Expressing kneejerk hatred for everyone the rich elite tells you to hate probably gets very tiring.

[Buzz Clik]

49. zzzzzt.

Let us know when you get your tongue out of Chavez's ear.

[Wiley50]

28. And i wonder exactly who is calling it an "enabling act"

I hope it isn't Chavez. i absolutely love the guy.

Enabling Act is what gave Hitler absolute power.

[whistle]

17. I suspect Dubya will make a statement during his ScrOTUM on

....Tuesday evening accusing Chavez of buying African Yellow Cake, developing WMDs and engaging in nuculair enrichment to build bombs. He will be dispatching two imaginary carrier fleets into the Caribbean and sending all remaining National Guard units by way of the Panama Canal to invade both Columbia and Venezuela from the south up through Peru. Oliver North will be recommissioned out of retirement and named Supreme Commanding Corporal and Bush himself will fly a jet onto the carrier somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico to announce Mission Accomplished in about 30 days!

[EFerrari]

24. And Baker will be bringing up the rear or being the rear. The Pentagon

won't declassify their plans.

lol

[Downtown Hound]

25. If Venezuela didn't have oil

and Chavez wasn't a leftist, would he really be getting all this attention? What Venezuela does within its own borders is its own business, not ours. At least Chavez was elected by his people. That's something Bush can't say. Well, he can, but he'd be a liar.

[whistle]

31. That is correct, but Big Oil think they own Venezuela along with

....Big American Central Banks and Big American Money funds and any other Big Shot that Bush claims as his base.

So Chevez is thumbing his nose at all of them.

[StClone]

33. My God Socialism! Kill it before it spreads!

I have misgivings that Chavez will be the "decider" as a country should be ruled by the governed not by a Solo Act.

However as far as I have seen Chavez has (and probably will do) done what is best for the majority not the elites. The reason he is telling Gringos to step off is because America has no place telling other countries how to run Venezuela. The Coup attempt by the Bush's CIA is a clear indicator that a puppet is desired not a intelligent independent leader controlling on one of our largest oil suppliers.

Another scare is removal of the Elites there could pave the way for pushing for De-elitism in the U.S. I've heard that Communism, Socialism or a Dictatorship in place in Venezuela. What is clearly happening is the shaking off extra-Venezuelan controls and that scares the big Corporate Overlords. What is there to fear in Venezuela? Once Bush is out of office I am certain efforts will be made to talk with Chavez. He will not cut the oil supply but he will tell Bush to go to hell.

The painting of Chavez as a madman is working noting the posts here already. Tell me what he has done or threatened to do that hurts us? His attempt to experiment with a Quasi-Socialist state in his country is bold but is mostly based on Capitalism i.e. Oil Sales.

I can see the villianization and selling of an invasion of Venezuela to the easily duped as was done to a real Dictator in Iraq and even there we should have kept our zipper up.

[LittleClarkie]

36. I'm not worried about him being a socialist

I'm worried about him being a dink.

[Downtown Hound]

51. Why are you so worried about it?

Oh my God! The man called us some names. THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

Of all the things to be worried about in the world, this is the thing you pick? All you're proving is that the anti-Chavez propaganda is working. Let's just say for a minute, that Chavez is a dink. He really isn't, but let's just say that he is. What the fuck does it matter to us? I mean really. As long as he isn't meddling in our affairs or invading other countries or polluting the world's environment or any of those other things, why the hell are so many of you obsessed with Chavez and are so quick to condemn him because he says a few insults here and there? I mean really, if all he is is a dink, shit, just laugh at him and be on your way. Let's concentrate a little more on fixing our own political system, of which our leaders are guilty of all the crimes I mentioned above, and leave Venezuela to pick their own leaders and have whatever economic system they choose. It's their country, not ours.

[LittleClarkie]

52. Not terribly worried really. Just commenting on a post on DU.

There's no "ohmygodohmygod" here.

Sorry I don't worship the dude. Is that a problem?

[Downtown Hound]

55. I don't worship him either

I do respect him. I think he's trying to do what's best for the majority of people in his country, and the constant hatred of him in the American media, the government, and here on DU, is really wearing thin. Oh how I wish Bush would stand up the the conglomerates the way Chavez has done. I would love it if our oil industry was nationalized and I didn't constantly have to pay through the teeth for gas to make billionaires even more rich than they already are. I wish Bush would make an effort to wipe out illiteracy in inner cities the way Chavez has done in his own country.

I give Chavez credit for the good things he has done. And whatever bad things he's done, if there are any of any significance, (I certainly haven't heard of any that I think really matter in all of the bashing of him here on DU, so far the worst seems to be that he called us gringos) are far outweighed by the things our own government has done. I just wish my fellow Americans and my fellow DU'ers wouldn't be so quick to display knee-jerk reactions to a democratically elected foreign leader that has every right to be pissed at the United States for trying to oust him from power so we could control his country's resources. I think it cheapens us as Americans. I'd like to think we're better than that. So far I haven't seen any evidence that we are.

[LittleClarkie]

37. I'm not worried about him being a socialist

I'm worried about him being a dink.

[StClone]

39. An Elected Dink

He stands up to the U.S. and he's a dink. Read the article he is painted unfairly. Unless being threated by the U.S. makes him a dink I think the point is missed.

[LittleClarkie]

45. It's not the standing up that makes him a dink. It's the namecalling

and bluster.

I want adults in charge. Is that so wrong.

And I said nothing about whether or not he was an ELECTED dink. How does that help his dink-dom?

[LittleClarkie]

35. Alittle general there, Hugo.

Some of the people you've been supplying oil and gas to are also gringos.

Name-calling. Great. Oh to have adults running the world, rather than George "axis of evil" Bush and Hugo "go to hell, gringos" Chavez.

[StClone]

41. He's called a Dictator

A Socialist Extremist, Communist -- name calling too. I am a Gringo by the way.

[LittleClarkie]

46. Oh, I see.

How does that make him an adult?

The grade school "They started it!" defense. Swell.

[Pastiche423]

47. I don't understand why what he says bothers you so

How does it affect your life? What does it matter that an elected president of another country calls out the corporatists in a country w/an unelected president?

Personally, I love Chavez's humor.

[AngryAmish]

48. No one likes to be called a slur

and yes, gringo is a slur.

[Pastiche423]

50. I am a gringa

and I take no offense to the word.

[AngryAmish]

57. But do you agree it is a slur?

[Pastiche423]

58. No, I do not agree it is a slur

Why do you think it's a slur?

[AngryAmish]

61. Slur

n 1: (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played
legato
2: a disparaging remark

Some African Americans don't mind the N-word. Some do. Therefore, when one is not an African American it is best not to use the word for fear of offense.

You are from the United States of America (I assume). You are not offended. I am from the United States of America. I am offended.

Do you think that the use of that particular term, by someone who is not from the US, may not be appropriate?

(Of course you may never have been called a gringo in a disparaging way. I have and it is not nice.)

[Pastiche423]

62. Look up gringo/gringa is a Spanish-English dictionary

Before I looked it up, I thought it meant anyone that doesn't live there. I was correct. It means foreign.

How has it been made as a slur to you?

[Bridget Burke]

65. There are far ruder words in Spanish.

"Gringo" is pretty mild.

[LittleClarkie]

53. How does anything I comment on at DU affect me all that much?

I'm just commenting. I'm not pacing day in and day out, beating my tits over the guy.

He doesn't bother me that much at all.

What does bother me a bit are people who appear to worship him.

[Pastiche423]

54. I am seriously trying to understand

why it matters to you what other people think about a president in a different country that has not hurt the American people.

I worship no one and no thing. But I sure as hell would prefer Chavez over El Mono.

[Swamp Rat]

56. "Gringos" is right.

:D

[killbotfactory]

60. Tom Casey's full comments

QUESTION: There's been a lot of talk lately that because Castro -- President Fidel Castro of Cuba has been ill and fading from the scene that President Chavez is looking to take his place and instituting a lot of the same authoritarian policies that President Castro has and is more dangerous because he has oil money. What are your thoughts on this and what is the U.S. doing to contain his influence in the hemisphere?

MR. CASEY: Well, look, President Chavez is the elected President of Venezuela. He has put forward plans and ideas internally in Venezuela that, you know, have caused us some concern, including a current proposal that's working its way through the legislature to give him power to rule by decree. Again, that's the sovereign right of Venezuela but certainly is a bit odd in terms of a democratic system.

In terms of his role in the hemisphere, well, I think as far as we're concerned there is a positive agenda for the hemisphere that we've laid forward. It's an agenda that's shared by the vast majority of countries in the hemisphere and frankly that's what we prefer to concentrate on. The economic issues and the efforts to move towards -- what I believe he calls a 21st century socialism -- are things that again are -- we talked about this at the gaggle this morning with respect to Bolivia. Countries can choose whatever economic policies they wish to, though, that needs to be done in the context of their international agreements. I have seen commentaries written by a number of people in the region that say that 21st century socialism looks a lot like 20th century communism. But whether this serves the interests of the Venezuelan people or not is something that the Venezuelans themselves are going to have to decide.

We again believe, as far as the broader hemisphere is concerned, that there is a broad consensus in the region in favor of democracy, in favor of economic reform, in favor of dealing with those kinds of issues like the rule of law that help ensure that economic benefits do accrue more broadly and generally to all people involved. And we believe there's a consensus, too, to move forward to help do things like alleviate poverty and provide opportunity for people and again, that's where our focus is.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/79056.htm

I noticed Reuters give's a little more context than the AP version.

A State Department spokesman on Friday described Chavez's proposal to allow presidents to rule by decree as "a bit odd" in a democracy.

"That is a sacrosanct legal authority of Venezuela. Go to hell, gringos! Go home! Go home!" Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast. "We're free here, and every day we'll be more free."

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-01-22T033328Z_01_N21389167_RTRUKOC_0_US-CHAVEZ-VENEZUELA-US.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C1-topNews-4

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

63. Chavez haters remind me of Clinton haters.

They haven't got anything legitimate to complain about, and so they just take any random thing and pretend to be outraged by it.

[otherlander]

66. Ok,

Chavez: Hiring people for nationalized industries because of political stances rather than merit.

Clinton: Didn't do anything about Rwanda genocide.

But, no, there's nothing 'legitimate' to complain about. :eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

67. My point exactly.

When was the last time you ever heard a Clinton hater actually complain about Rwanda? And if they did, did they actually care about the Rwandans?

[otherlander]

68. If they complained, I would assume that they cared

about the Rwandans. Who else would they be worried about? I'm not aware of any Americans who were killed there.

But no, I haven't heard that much talk about Rwanda. What I've heard more is that he sold us out when he made the NAFTA agreement. Outsourcing is completley out of control now.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

69. Really?

Like all the people who want to spread democracy to Iraq really care about the Iraqis?

:rofl:

[otherlander]

70. Yeah, that's exactly what I said.

Let's go steal all the oil from Rwanda. :eyes:

[otherlander]

71. ...

Poser. I was telling them to go to hell for years before it was cool! :P