General Discussion

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)

82. Not trying to shut down discussion

Wed Jan 9, 2013, 07:02 PM

Jan 2013

And for what it's worth I'm not exactly an admirer of Chavez--I don't care for his choice in allies or his methods of stifling judicial independence and press dissent; I'm not so sure that "progressives", whatever that means, should support someone who's ready to get in bed with Iran and Syria and who has reporters locked up for "insulting the president", or who has a judge locked up for three years without trial because he doesn't like a decision. But leaving that to one side, I also think that the evidence shows that the elections in Venezuela were free, fair and democratic, and that the Venezuelan constitution appears to be clear that new elections are only necessary if Chavez is incapable of discharging the duties of his office; a postponement for health reasons seems reasonable enough, honestly, although if he's as ill as he appears he's more likely to have a mass than a swearing-in.

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No progressives should be demanding new elections in Venezuela due to Chavez' health... [View all] Ken Burch Jan 2013 OP

If Barack Obama took off to another country for a medical procedure on the 20th of December, MADem Jan 2013 #1

Unless somebody actually has proof that Chavez is dead, there should be great care Ken Burch Jan 2013 #4

We don't have Proof of Life, either. And it's not "totally inappropriate" to wonder what the hell MADem Jan 2013 #8

It's only the Venezuelans' business to face that, not OURS. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #9

That is an ABSURD statement. If Obama disapppeared, it would not be a topic of interest just in MADem Jan 2013 #13

It's not going to destabilize OUR country if people spread rumors about Obama's health Ken Burch Jan 2013 #15

There's another strawman. No one needs to spread rumors, by not responding to questions, the VZ MADem Jan 2013 #16

"God Given Good Hair"? Why are you so fixated with the guy's 'do? Does it really matter? Ken Burch Jan 2013 #17

I thought you were familiar with the country and its language....and its politicians. MADem Jan 2013 #25

The Venezuelan government grants individuals a right to information. joshcryer Jan 2013 #24

I'm a fan of transparency. I don't see why they couldn't just take a quick picture of Hugo. MADem Jan 2013 #26

Why is it OUR business, though? Ken Burch Jan 2013 #29

Why is it your business to try and shut down conversation on this topic? MADem Jan 2013 #32

The man's health should not be a political issue. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #36

Um, the health of the head of state is in the constitution. joshcryer Jan 2013 #47

It's a CONSTITUTIONAL "interest" of the people of VZ. And it's an INTEREST of the people of the MADem Jan 2013 #60

You didn't answer the question and you just want to shut down discussion. joshcryer Jan 2013 #21

He didn't ask a valid question...its not our place to demand proof that Chavez is alive. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #28

Forever morally barred? Is that why we do business with them in the billions every year? MADem Jan 2013 #34

He gave you a hypothetical. joshcryer Jan 2013 #35

His "hypothetical" doesn't work in this situation. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #37

How on earth is revealing Chavez' health = coup? joshcryer Jan 2013 #45

Funny, isn't it....how this 'progressive' stance and crude oil speculation go msanthrope Jan 2013 #64

The post from Venezuela Analysis PROVED new elections aren't required. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #68

The Venezuela Analysis article doesn't address Article 234. joshcryer Jan 2013 #74

you really believe that talking about this on DU backwoodsbob Jan 2013 #53

Well... Chathamization Jan 2013 #54

There are some posters on DU who think that whatever goes on here msanthrope Jan 2013 #62

I see it as a real possibility. It's a whispering campaign. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #67

this is amazing backwoodsbob Jan 2013 #96

Normally I would disagree DonCoquixote Jan 2013 #2

Indeed. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #5

The only coup being pulled is by the homophobic bigot Maduro. joshcryer Jan 2013 #20

I don't know if God Given Hair is going to tolerate that.... MADem Jan 2013 #27

Cabello would be best suited to allow Maduro his madness. joshcryer Jan 2013 #46

That might be how it goes down...with The Hair claiming to be the heir! nt MADem Jan 2013 #59

He'd only serve until the next election, if he DID get in. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #30

The constitution is clear. The Executive Vice-President takes power in that event. joshcryer Jan 2013 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author Ken Burch Jan 2013 #38

You should read this. It puts to rest a lot of the claims you've heard: Ken Burch Jan 2013 #40

That does not address Article 234. joshcryer Jan 2013 #41

Said Orly Taitz while complaining about Obama's birth certificate Occulus Jan 2013 #79

Nice nasty insult to me. joshcryer Jan 2013 #80

I can't read Spanish myself and I won't trust a translator I already know to be biased Occulus Jan 2013 #85

Of course not, people who are nasty to me don't care about their nastiness. joshcryer Jan 2013 #86

Protip: if you're getting nastiness over this issue from people in general, and are getting it often Occulus Jan 2013 #89

People who are nasty to me bring nothing to the table. joshcryer Jan 2013 #90

Sigh ........ polly7 Jan 2013 #99

I'm surprised a Latin America right-winger hasn't ridiculed you already for not speaking Spanish. Judi Lynn Jan 2013 #91

Yeah, you care so much you can't be bothered to learn the language. joshcryer Jan 2013 #94

Thanks for posting that information in your thread. Judi Lynn Jan 2013 #48

+1000 nt. polly7 Jan 2013 #50

I'm saving up all my gravedancing for Cheney's day. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #3

+1 lunasun Jan 2013 #6

The Undead don't NEED graves, though. n/t. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #7

Chavez is a dictator. There should be elections after he, as expected, dies. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #10

He's no dictator...the man was just freely and fairly re-elected a few weeks ago. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #11

amen, and if I might add DonCoquixote Jan 2013 #12

That is right wing bs. roody Jan 2013 #14

Your statement that "Chavez is a dictator" is facially and ludicrously false. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2013 #18

Uh, Chavez has a 70% approval rating and was democratically elected by the people. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #49

Translation: No progressives should care about following constitutions. joshcryer Jan 2013 #19

That's not it...and it's not OUR country. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #22

I absolutely agree. joshcryer Jan 2013 #23

It's more of the usual, Ken Scootaloo Jan 2013 #31

NO, a lot of them don't. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #39

Excellent point Scootaloo n/t flamingdem Jan 2013 #55

. Prometheus_unbound Jan 2013 #42

I'd object to ALL of them. Chavez won because the people support him. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #69

How dare YOU write this sanctimonious, coercive demand? cali Jan 2013 #43

It's immoral to gloat about a democratically elected leader's possible death-in-office Ken Burch Jan 2013 #70

It's truly sad malaise Jan 2013 #44

Truly. Many in New England survived nasty winters because of Hugo's generosity! n/t flamingdem Jan 2013 #56

Many here in Alaska as well. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #92

+1 Thank you. polly7 Jan 2013 #51

Indeed...it's probably the most sickening thing I've ever seen on DU. n/t. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #97

It really is, but the Venezuelan people are saying Enough!. polly7 Jan 2013 #98

100% correct obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #52

The Venezuelan supreme court has ruled in favor of postponing the inauguration flamingdem Jan 2013 #57

And the meme has already been started here on DU that such an election would ONLY be legitimate Ken Burch Jan 2013 #71

Capriles is exactly what you have described flamingdem Jan 2013 #72

It's their country and their Constitutional crisis slackmaster Jan 2013 #58

Check the futures market on light crude. Now it becomes an international msanthrope Jan 2013 #65

I think Chavez is dead, Ken. msanthrope Jan 2013 #61

I think so too and I think his poor family is being manipulated. joshcryer Jan 2013 #75

Well, I wish him what I would wish any human--dignity at passing. msanthrope Jan 2013 #78

If a doc says "he'll recover" few will pull the plug. joshcryer Jan 2013 #81

"What will 'recovery' look like?" is a question few families will ask. Scary to contemplate msanthrope Jan 2013 #84

My dad was in that state. joshcryer Jan 2013 #87

Progressives shouldn't help Wall Street speculate on crude prices, either....but refusing to demand msanthrope Jan 2013 #63

If Cabello WilmywoodNCparalegal Jan 2013 #66

Chavez called for new elections and said Maduro should be party head. joshcryer Jan 2013 #76

No-one outside Venezuela has a right to an opinion Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #73

Everyone can say what they want as long as it's within the ToS of this site. joshcryer Jan 2013 #77

Not trying to shut down discussion Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #82

The question is shoud they keep his health secret indefinitely? joshcryer Jan 2013 #88

The Venezuelan government has issued daily reports on President Chavez' condition. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #93

Link me to todays report? joshcryer Jan 2013 #95

Wow mythology Jan 2013 #83