In Caracas, Belafonte Calls Bush Terrorist (I love this guy)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
33 minutes ago

CARACAS, Venezuela - The American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world" on Sunday and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including the actor Danny Glover and the Princeton University scholar Cornel West that met the Venezuelan president for more than six hours late Saturday. Some in the group attended Chavez's television and radio broadcast Sunday.

"No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution," Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast.

>snip

Belafonte accused U.S. news media of falsely painting Chavez as a "dictator," when in fact, he said, there is democracy and citizens are "optimistic about their future."

Belafonte has always spoken his truth, from the heart. MKJ

edited to add: women of a certain age would surely agree with me. The man is smart and ho...ttt!

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/01/08/299642.html

[HuffleClaw]

1. well, i guess he just earned himself a spot

on the no fly list.

[ugarte]

2. I wonder if he gets to keep his National Medal of the Arts...nt

[Jayhawk Lib]

3. This is our country

And if you are going to badmouth it or our leaders do it here. I have never liked anyone going abroad to badmouth and criticize our country. I could use stronger language but I will refrain from that.

It absolutely does no one any good to go abroad to do that. They are not going to vote in our elections so what is the point in it....

Rant off

[ugarte]

5. He has done it here

It's not like he was saying anything that is not universally known.

[Jayhawk Lib]

6. Makes no difference.

There is absolutely no reason to go abroad to hang out our dirty linen. If he is going there to say anything he should be an ambassador of good will. I cannot imagine what is to be gained by running our country and its leaders down in a foreign land. It is asinine and that is what he is.

[ugarte]

9. Actually you have it backwards

By condemning Bush he is improving the image of this country.

[Jayhawk Lib]

11. That makes absolutely no sense!

[951-Riverside]

16. Stop nitpicking Jayhawk....

If he wants to "badmouth" <B>your</B> dear leader George W. Bush abroad more power to him remember we no longer have a free press here so if he started bad mouthing Bush who is going to bother airing it?

[Jayhawk Lib]

21. Chavez is Venezuela's elected leader

and that is their business. Bush is our elected leader and that is our business. I did not vote for him because he is a Republican and I liked Kerry's ideas much better.

Whomever Venezuela elects is none of our business and who we elect is none of their business.

It is absolutely pointless to air our dirty laundry and make political statements in a foreign land. As a matter of fact it is rather tacky.

[Warren Stupidity]

23. Why?

What difference does it make where the criticism occurs?

Are you aware that the Bush regime attempted to overthrow the Chavez government through a bungled CIA sponsored coup? Are you aware that we also financed and supported a political campaign inside Venezuala to attempt to recall Chavez?

The Bush regime meddles in the affairs of nations all over the planet. Perhaps the efforts of people like Harry Belefonte to make it clear that our government does not have the support of all or perhaps even most of the american people for this sort of behavior helps to undo some of the damage done.

[951-Riverside]

26. ...Okay

Chavez is Venezuela's elected leader and that is their business. Bush is our elected leader and that is our business.

Let me get this right you're suggesting anyone who is american and traveling abroad should be forbidden from talking about your "elected" dear leader?

I did not vote for him because he is a Republican and I liked Kerry's ideas much better.

I guess you forget this site is visited by non-american so you might want to take your own advice.

Whomever Venezuela elects is none of our business and who we elect is none of their business.

:rofl:

It is absolutely pointless to air our dirty laundry and make political statements in a foreign land.

If you're a bush-bot,republican,freeper,etc I agree it would be pretty much pointless to be critical of the dear leader outside of America.

As a matter of fact it is rather tacky.

Oh no! God forbids we appear to be tacky in front of freeps & republicans who happen to be the only ones who gives a damn about this.

[dutchdemocrat]

49. Funny that

Venezuela has made who you elect their business

This is bizarre.

You may not know that the Sequoia Voting Systems company was sold in March (for a song, $16 million) to a Venezuelan-owned company -- Smartmatic. The new US headquarters is in Boca Raton. DeLaRue, the former owner, just cashed out of Sequoia at a loss.

And stranger still, last week our government denied permission for Sequoia's new CEO Antonio Mujica to return to the US.

Our embassy in Venezuela has revoked his visa. (Presumably, the company's president Jack Blaine is still allowed on US soil.)

So, it seems the supplier of US voting machines (one of the three largest makers) is being run by a man who the US doesn't trust to enter the country!

What can we make of this?

SNIP

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/19/05745/788

[chelaque liberal]

56. I have to take exception you your statement...

"Bush is our elected leader"

I think that is debatable.

[Tight_rope]

76. Dude give it a rest...this is about more then dirty laundry...

This is about "LIFE"...about many "LIVES"!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

84. Herr Busch is NOBODY's "elected leader"!! What is it you don't.....

...understand about massive election fraud!!

[ugarte]

19. My point is, Bush does not represent all Americans

It's important for the world to know that. Why is that difficult for you?

[EFerrari]

30. Sure it does. It shows that there are American citizens who are

fighting the rampant criminality in their government.


It's not pretty, but our situation, let alone the havoc we've visited on the world in the last five years, isn't pretty either.

[Ben Ceremos]

43. Makes perfect sense.

Bush is a dictator, involved with coup attempts, illegal wars, kidnapping, torture...What I am constantly being asked is, "Do Americans feel this way?", ie; actually support this new pre-ermptive, etc. America? If no one stands up to say otherwise, then Americans as a nation get tarred with the same brush reserved for criminals...

[Vidar]

58. Goodwill Abroad=Telling truth= US under bush is a Terrorist nation.

Applauding Bellafonte,an American hero for over 50 years.

[Realityhack]

93. Does to me...

it lets the world know that not every american thinks his actions are just.

That way they know that some americans are not evil. So they have a better opinion of the country as a whole.

Just the way many people here have a bad opinion of certain countries untill they meet someone from those countries or at least learn a few facts about the country.

[pretzel4gore]

18. bush wasn't elected....

if the TRUTH about bush and them thieves was known, Belafonte's commentary would be representative of the vast majority's sentiments....did einstein think that saying truthful things about the nazis outside of germany was hanging out 'our dirty laundry'? bush is gangster number one in the world right now (if saddam was such a bastard, why's HE in stir while geeb, brother of john ellis bush, or, 'jeb', playacting President in the white house?)

[JanusAscending]

40. Bush has already "ruined our Country"......

and as far as it's leaders are concerned, "WHAT LEADERS"??? They sure aren't mine,.........are they yours? How dare you call Harry Belefonte asinine!! He is speaking truth to power, much the way our dear President Jimmy Carter is. Would you call him asinine too???

[malaise]

45. And the rest of the world

can't imagine what is to be gained by covering up the evil deeds of your government as they continue killing citizens in other countries for American special interests. This is not dirty linen. Your government has violated international law and invaded a sovereign country. This is the slaughter of citizens of other countries by your government. Patriotism is the last vestige of fools. And by the way who gave your government the right to decide it can bully the entire planet because they have the most lethal weapons? Who voted for them and since when has might become right.
Thanks for speaking truth to power Harry.

I suggest you next attack that professor in Florida who has just pointed out that Gore won the 2000 elections.

[Spazito]

64. If you think your dirty laundry isn't already out there in screaming

headlines, with or without any citizens commenting, you are living in a bubble not unlike your leader. The world probably knows more about what is going on in the US than the US public does.

[Realityhack]

92. Thats not right... its not even wrong...

By that reasoning chinise people should not talk about violation of civil and human rights except in China.
Heck if you extended that to companies nobody should ever blow the wistle no matter how bad it gets (think enron) because that would be 'airing their dirty laundry'.

Terrorism is an international crime. And Venesualy (where said comments were made) is just one of many international victims of the US.

--- On edit ---

BTW I don't think you should ever talk about a forin leader or political system again. Thats their dirty laundry and none of our buissness.

[gtar100]

8. Are you whining? Belafonte criticized *ush, not "our country"

And I'm damn glad someone spoke for me to President Chavez in Venezuela...I'm one of the millions that support his revolution - a peaceful, democratic revolution targeting to end poverty. Screw *ush and his criminal bunch. He deserves his rotten reputation. The world needs to know that not all Americans are idiots. Good for Belafonte. I hope he goes all over the world to tell people.

(edited for speling:)

[Jayhawk Lib]

10. I am not whining. I am pissed

If there a point or reason to badmouth Bush in a foreign country. He can run him down or say whatever he wants in this country and there is plenty to run him down on but to run him down and our country in a foreign land is pointless.

What would be the point to run our country down in a foreign land?

[pfitz59]

12. RW media here........

blocks nearly all dissent. International media provides a forum for OPEN debate, not the RW echo-chamber (AKA: Faux News)

[Don Claybrook]

14. What would be the reason NOT to talk about him abroad?

I don't understand the core basis for your argument. You've said you don't like it, but you never said why you don't. Aside from any perceived protocol, why is it not OK to exercise our freedom of speech rights anywhere we want (provided we can get by with free speech at venue in question)? What is so sacred about the presidency that we can't call the buffoon any damned thing we want worldwide?

[silvermachine]

62. You don't understand...

...because there is no real core basis for the argument. I don't understand it either. It's like an adult telling a child "Because I said so!". It has just about that much substance to it.

[gtar100]

15. Running *ush down is UPLIFTING our Country.

You want him to go around the world telling people it's rosey? Or maybe silence is golden. Belafonte is practicing truth without borders. Having a requirement to criticize the US only within US borders is pretty odd. What exactly are you trying to protect? Our reputation? hahaha It's already been shot to hell by the republicans.

[Betty]

22. the president is not the state.

They want us to confuse criticizing bush, who is beneath contempt in my book, with criticizing the country. He is NOT the USA, he is a piece of shit puppet that got put there by people who want to use the US treasury as their own personal ATM.

And besids, badmouthing bush abraod isn't giving any secrets away, they all know what he is.

[pretzel4gore]

24. i heard president clinton called worse then that!

by americans in canada, AND by canadian nazipoohs (one guy stupidly called JFK a 'male slut' while damning 'bubba' Bill...michael harris shortly after disappeared from national media lol (helped by me sending hundreds of his vile article to everybody i could think of, i hope :))....too bad there's such a double standard (and mr clinton was legally elected, meaning he truly represented the USA, while bush represents rush limbah-humbug's last pass o gas, and that's it!)...i still have the article, btw, and should post it to remind people that any contempt for bush barely meets the depths that Bill Clinton underwent routinely inside and outside the usa....

[AndyTiedye]

27. You Would Have Us All Pretend We Support ** to the Rest of the World???

What kind of message does that send? That we are all fascists and warmongers???

Bush** speaks for somwhere around 36% of the voters these days, if that.

The vast majority of Americans:

do not approve of the war in Iraq
do not approve of torture
do not approve of George W. Bush

[TankLV]

35. There is ALWAYS a good time and point to criticize bunkerboy ANYTIME &

ANYWHERE we can!

Bunkerboy and the repukes have DESTROYED what was once our country.

I am PROUD and GRATEFUL that Bellafonte is doing this.

Thank god for Bellafonte.

[Cha]

37. You are not making sense..

sorry. Harry Belafonte can run down the killer bush in any country he wants.. and guess what? In other countries it gets reported in their mainstream media.

[Ben Ceremos]

44. To help prove that it is

still a democratic system. People like you are attempting to chill free speech. Time for you to consider the nature of your complaint. No nation is sacro-sanct, so criticism is always valid, no matter where it is proclaimed. You are ignorant, I believe, of the perception many have of the USA under Bush. Mr. Belafonte's criticism is meaningful, sends a clear message that the junta is not representative of American Democracy, and that the nation, the people are not supportive of Bush's evil. You may be patriotic, but it is not an excuse that allows you to gag the truth. Reconsider your position, as emotional committment to it is not a rational argument or position to have in a discussion forum. Mr. Belafonte, I thank you for speaking out.

[Ani Yun Wiya]

47. The point is..

* has already "run this country down", in the eyes of the whole world.

Mr. Belafonte was merely letting one of our neighbors to the south know that not all of this nation's citizens are in support of this criminal administration, that they prefer the course taken by the citizens of Venezuela when they ELECTED a leader who cares about his people.

[terip64]

51. With so much to get pissed about you choose this...hmmmm

[Little Star]

66. If it's true why not?

Truth should be spoken everywhere. Not saying it does not change what the world at large already knows. Not saying it only makes our government of "we the people" look brainwashed. Again, the truth is the truth period!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

85. All dictators deserve to be "run down" by anyone that wants to do that....

...and it doesn't matter who does it, or where they do it.

[Realityhack]

94. Easy.

Because you can't here (esentialy a media blackout)
Because it affects them even more profoundly and directly than it affects us (they are victims of US terrorism)
It shows them not all americans want to screw over/exploit/destroy them (a very important point to spread IMO)
We are talking about an international crime (state terrorism) the international comunity SHOULD be called on to respond to it
Venesuala in particular is fighting quite hard to opose our attcks on that entire part of the world... they should know some here are not offended and agree with them.
Because the actions of the US can affect these people even more than their own governments (for example overthrowing their government and installing a new one).

[personman]

97. So let me get this straight...

Bush is killing our kids in some other country, killing the civilians in some other country, shitting all over our country (or atleast the lower economic 99%), and THIS is where you choose to direct your outrage? Isn't that just OBSCENE?

Take your nationalist bullshit to a site where it belongs please.

[htuttle]

13. When we started threatening and invading so many other countries...

...at that point, our 'dirty linen' became the world's business.

If we want to keep our foibles private, we need to start by keeping our military forces out of other people's yards.

[chelaque liberal]

60. Exactly!

[goclark]

28. GW bad mouths our country every time he speaks

for us any where in the World.


Belafonte has the right to say anything he wants to. He is loved all over the world.

Bush is greeted by protesters every place he goes to "represent" America the Beautiful.

[IChing]

31. "This is our country" and nationalism stands before anything right?

This is our country, but my county is not necessarily my government.
Sounds like you need to go abroad and learn what "the real world" thinks.

"Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right."

British journalist G. K. Chesterton debunked the patriotism argument many years ago when he wrote:

"'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying 'My mother, drunk or sober.'"

[TankLV]

34. BUSH* IS NOT "AMERICA" - he is not "our country"!

He is a petty dictator, who stole the office illegally.

By criticizing bunkerboy, he is IMPROVING the "image" of America.

But glad to see you are speaking up for your repuke pals.

[wake.up.america]

41. A country is only the values it espouses.

[Ben Ceremos]

42. Truth is truth...

and your response is tribal. Ever hear of freedom of speech? L

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

63. They all know it anyway

Foreign papers have told the truth about this clown since the beginning.

[AzDar]

65. The havoc Bush is wreaking is certainly affecting the entire globe;

why shouldn't he be criticized before ALL it's citizens?

[Tight_rope]

75. I don't care if people do it here or abroad...Just do it...Tell the truth.

That's what you need to be standing for. The "TRUTH"! What Bush and his gang crooks are doing does not just affect the USA...it is affecting the whole world.

So as for your opinion, well you know what they say about opinions, they are like assholes, everyone has one. And you can think the same of mine.

[wrate]

80. You are wrong. It does help when Americans badmouth * outside the U.S.

Mostly because then people in other countries will come to realize that not every American is behind *'s fascist policies.

I had to come to this place to see that not all Americans are fascists.

[Judi Lynn]

81. Glad to hear your comment, wrate. I can only imagine what Bush's

actions must represent to people who don't know how disliked and unsupported he is at home. He appeals to the bitter, hate-filled, isolated and selfish among us.

[Realityhack]

95. Excelent Post! n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. LOL, I guess his status as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador just seals the

deal! MKJ

[Southsideirish]

7. "Through the night by heart was aching, just before the dawn was

breaking..." I always loved this man! Go Harry!

[David__77]

17. I support the Venezuelan people's movement.

It is a progressive and profoundly democratic social movement. I agree wholeheartedly with Belafonte.

[0007]

20. This is indeed great

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

25. Belafonte has always been at the head of the pack--civil rights, etc.

This is SO GREAT !!
-let's hope other American celebrities will join him in calling a tyrant a tyrant and a terrrorist a terrorist.---

At least our fascist media didn't bury it this time.

[Judi Lynn]

29. Thank God this man has carried the message not all Americans

support what _Bush has done to destroy Hugo Chavez who is so very much more popular with his own majority than _Bush could be even in his dreams.

_{George W. Bush} has conducted a campaign of constant belligerence toward Chavez from the very moment he stole the pResidency. Everyone knows that. The only ones who support these attacks on a democratically elected Latin American President are fellow criminals.

I suspect people trying to savage Harry Belefonte over this also hate him for his politics going well back into the 1960's, perhaps the 1950's, not to mention his color. They are posting on the wrong message board, as Democrats aren't racists, and Democrats don't hate lib'ruls.

[G_j]

32. Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5532836,00.html

Belafonte Calls Bush 'Greatest Terrorist'

Monday January 9, 2006 4:02 AM

Associated Press Writer

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called President Bush ``the greatest terrorist in the world'' on Sunday and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including the actor Danny Glover and the Princeton University scholar Cornel West that met the Venezuelan president for more than six hours late Saturday. Some in the group attended Chavez's television and radio broadcast Sunday.

``No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution,'' Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast.

The 78-year-old Belafonte, famous for his calypso-inspired music, including the ``Day-O'' song, was a close collaborator of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and is now a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He also has been outspoken in criticizing the U.S. embargo of Cuba.

..more..

[Cha]

33. WOW! Just what we were

talkin' about on another thread.

Harry Belafonte was at the Peace Rally in NYC on Feb 15, 2003 before the Bombs fell on Baghdad. He was very passionate and eloquent in his denunciation of the War On Iraq.

He was right.

[G_j]

36. "they are men who are possessed of evil."

(the guy knows what he is talking about)

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/harry_belafonte.html

I don't think that George Bush is a man of honor.
Harry Belafonte

I not only think that they are misguided, but I think they know exactly what they are doing, and I think that they are men who are possessed of evil.
Harry Belafonte

I think Bush has a very selfish, arrogant point of view. I think he is interested in power, I think he believes his truth is the only truth, and that he will do what he wants to do despite the people.
Harry Belafonte

I think that they are men who are possessed of evil.
Harry Belafonte

You can cage the singer but not the song.
Harry Belafonte

[NVMojo]

38. I love Harry Belafonte!!!

XOXOXOXOXO!!!!

Thanks, Harry, for telling it like it is!

[theshadow]

39. Everyone seems to be ga-ga over

...President Chavez and how wonderfully democratic he is. He might be more democratic than we're used to seeing in that part of the world, but that doesn't make him or his government all warm & fuzzy:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/01/13/venezu9843.htm
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR530052004?open&of=ENG-VEN
http://www.ncbuy.com/reference/country/humanrights.html?code=ve&sec=intro

[Judi Lynn]

48. HRW's Jose Vivanco is known as a man who opposes Hugo Chavez

and makes no secret of it. He directs HRW's pronouncements on Venezuela, and I have learned by simple awareness gathered through the last few years he's going to support _Bush and his administration. Pity.

Under President Clinton, Human Rights Watch was the most influential pro-intervention lobby: its 'anti-atrocity crusade' helped drive the wars in ex-Yugoslavia. Under Bush it lost influence to the neoconservatives, who have their own crusades, and it is unlikely to regain that influence during his second term. But the 'two interventionisms' are not so different anyway: Human Rights Watch is founded on belief in the superiority of American values. It has close links to the US foreign policy elite, and to other interventionist and expansionist lobbies.
(snip)

http://web.inter.nl.net/users/Paul.Treanor/HRW.html

As for A-I, its double standards are well known, as well, unfortunately. This is a statement made by a former member of the Amnesty Board of Directors, Prof. Francis Boyle:

When I was on the Board of Directors of Amnesty International USA near the end of my second term in 1990-92, we received the authority to call for an arms embargo against major human rights violators, which Israel clearly qualified for at the time and still does -- even under United States domestic law. Of course no one at AI was going to do so because pro-Israel supporters were major funders of Amnesty International USA, which in turn was a major funder of Amnesty International in London. He who pays the piper calls the tune -- especially at AIUSA Headquarters in New York and at AI Headquarters in London.
(snip)

http://www.counterpunch.org/rooij10132004.html

As for your third source, ncbuy.com, it doesn't seem to offer any information about itself, and I've never heard of it. What IS it?

[theshadow]

53. Your objections to HRW and AI....

.... don't answer whether the allegations themselves are true. I myself don't agree with everything AI starts campaigning about, but that doesn't mean that everything they report is false or biased. The final link was, I believe, quoting the State Department report to Congress. Naturally, that opens the door to another "it's all biased" response, but that's a convenient way to dismiss the problems Chavez has with democracy.

The same issues identified by HRW and AI were raised by the Organization of American States:
http://www.cidh.oas.org/countryrep/Venezuela2003eng/conclusions.htm

And The Committee to Protect Journalists:
http://www.cpj.org/attacks04/americas04/ven.html

and the IPI:
http://www.freemedia.at/r_wl_venezuela.htm

Just to name a few. I'm not suggesting that Chavez is anything like Pinochet, but he isn't this paragon of virtue and freedoms that people are gushing about.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

88. Chavez is an hundred times better person and leader than Herr Busch...

...whip out some reports to rebut that.

[EFerrari]

52. We should be so lucky to have such a government

in this part of the world.

Reading those links, I see a vigorous and public political debate -- yes, marred by violence. But there is a national debate and the violence is on both sides.

Unlike here. Where we simply fund our government's violent crimes.

[theshadow]

57. Sorry, I have higher expectations.

It's funny. When I say this, I don't mean you but others in DU. If some cop Tasers someone, there are a hundred posts about how facist the police are, and we have a police state, and we have no rights, etc. But when it's a favorite of the crowd, like Chavez, more serious and real human rights issues are brushed aside. I saw it with Castro, too.

The right does it too, you bet. Look at every dictator they supported as a means of opposing communism, whether it was in Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay, or the military dictatorship in Greece.

.

[EFerrari]

61. Did you read your own links?

We're in far deeper trouble in this country than the occasional misuse of police equipment. What more serious human rights issue is there than the global export of torture.

Last time I looked, Venezuela wasn't doing that.

We could aspire to reach the level of participatory democracy Venezuala has today.

[theshadow]

67. Police & army death squads aren't something to aspire to. eom

[stickdog]

71. So you didn't read the links you cited. (nt)

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[theshadow]

74. I don't understand your reply.

First of all, lay off the insults. Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean they're "my" right wing administrations. I thought we were having a civil exchange of ideas and now you call me names ("comical" pompous").

I've made it very clear that the US has erred in supporting right wing dictatorships, and both parties are guilty of it. I have not defended that. My point is that Chavez is not the angel of human rights that's being portrayed, and that the left is as prone to excusing these problems as is the right, when it serves their own purposes.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

89. Right. Whatever you say.

[mdmc]

54. i stand with chavez

Launched in March of 1998, NCBuy.com initially served as a shopping facility, providing discount hardware and software shopping solutions for the Network Professional. While highly successful, one year later NetCent Communications made the decision to expand its customer base by providing a more well-rounded site, with in-depth content and services of interest to the growing market of both personal and corporate Internet users.

[Judi Lynn]

46. Jose Vivanco, head of Human Rights Watch, believes it's o.k. if Bush

pumps funds into the Venezuelan opposition, although it's prosecuted here when the reverse applies. I just ran across this info. and it looks like something to share here:

Vivanco Wants Foreign Money in Venezuela Campaign


By Al Giordano


Posted on Thu Jul 15th, 2004 at 11:52:12 PM EST


Human Rights Watch "Americas Division" chief José Miguel Vivanco falls deeper down the slippery slope of anti-democracy lobbying now with his claim that foreign government funding of partisan electoral groups in Venezuela is okey-dokey by him.
First, a reality check and public service announce for those who might not be familiar with United States campaign finance laws:
If you want to make a donation to the campaign of George W. Bush in the United States (we're not recommending it, for the record) and you go to Bush's website and click "donations" and you will find that, before you can give him money, you have to affirm:
"By clicking on this box I acknowledge that contributions from corporations and foreign nationals are prohibited."
(snip)

Those who have violated these laws against foreign contributions have been prosecuted in the United States…
(snip)

"Q: There is a ban on contributions to candidates from foreign nationals.
Why is that?
"A: I think it is very strongly felt that it simply is not right for foreign nationals to be involved in the U.S. political process. Clearly it is a very sensitive area and one that, over time, people have felt very strongly about.
(snip)

But what is good for the goose (or eagle) is apparently not good for the troupial (the national bird of Venezuela) and apparently not good for a turkey named Jose Miguel Vivanco of Human Rights Watch.
(snip)

And, again, we wonder why an organization like Human Rights Watch continues to keep this oligarch prince of the double standard around, treading upon human rights instead of defending them.
(snip/...)

http://www.venezuelafoia.info/articulosa1.html

[terip64]

50. Here is the updated link

http://www.comcast.net/news/international/index.jsp?cat=INTERNATIONAL&fn=/2006/01/08/299710.html

[nolabels]

55. I guess if Harry says it then it must be true

Actually though * appears to me to be the jester. The jester to the biggest bankrupt pirate state that ever was. * the figure head to the corporate subgroups of speculative crooks that think its not good if one has to put too much effort in stealing it from others (but will still accept what ever is stolen as a trade-able product none the less).

The pride of not doing an honest days work, who would of ever knew it could be held in such high acclaim :shrug:

[Lost4words]

59. com on Mr tally man, tally up Bush treason..

I really appreciate Mr. Belafonte! Now there is an American

[The Onyx Key]

68. I think he's wrong about

the millions of Americans supporting the revolution. The vast majority don't care/don't know.

[President Kerry]

69. he didn't say the majority did support the revolution.

I absolutely believe there are millions of progressive that understand social justice.

[The Onyx Key]

70. No, he said that millions of Americans do.

I seriously doubt that. There may be "millions of progressive who understand social justice" (if that is relevant to the point), but they ain't Americans.

[Judi Lynn]

73. Your serious doubts about the millions of Americans who think well of

Hugo Chavez apparently don't include the many people who are paying far less for their home heating oil this winter, after their own Congress turned down their own Congressmen's request for assistance:

Venezuela deal with Indians could be prelude to big announcement
By David Sharp, Associated Press Writer | January 7, 2006

PORTLAND, Maine --Venezuela's agreement to provide discounted heating oil to four Maine Indian tribes may be a prelude to a bigger announcement as state officials continue negotiations to help low-income Mainers this winter.
The Baldacci administration hopes to sign its own agreement with Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. for heating oil discounts within a matter of days.

Citgo is considering an offer to the state on the order of 8 million gallons at a 40 percent discount, Beth Nagusky, Gov. John Baldacci's top aide on energy matters, said Saturday. That would represent a discount of roughly $5.5 million.

"We're optimistic. We hope we're going to have a nice announcement," said Nagusky, who has been directly involved in the negotiations with Citgo.

The deal being negotiated by the Baldacci administration would supplement the federal Low-Income Heating Assistance Program, which was flat-funded this year despite a 25 percent increase in heating oil costs from last year, Nagusky said.

The agreement to provide cheaper oil to the Penobscot, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians is expected to be signed Thursday on the Penobscot Nation reservation in Old Town, tribal chief Jim Sappier said Saturday.

The Baldacci administration and Citgo were still ironing out details but an announcement was expected this week. Also, Citgo plans to extend its discount this week to Vermont and Rhode Island, according to Venezuela's ambassador to the United States.

Citgo already is selling discounted fuel to New York City and Massachusetts as part of a plan by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to aid poor communities that the self-styled socialist claims are neglected by Washington.(snip)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2006/01/07/venezuela_deal_with_indians_could_be_prelude_to_big_announcement/

On edit: It would seem the millions of Americans involved in the Citgo oil deal this year are VERY favorable toward Hugo Chavez's politics, and that Harry Belafonte is certainly right.

[The Onyx Key]

79. Oil at a discount. Neat. Sorry, that still

doesn't mean MILLIONS of Americans support his revolution.


("of Americans" added on edit.)

[Imagevision]

96. How many oil pipelines were blown up this week??

[President Kerry]

90. I'd say out of the US population of 280 million,

it's not a stretch to say what he said.

[Judi Lynn]

91. Not at all hard to believe. n/t

[Media_Lies_Daily]

86. I'm sorry, but you don't really have a clue what Americans think, do you?

[Judi Lynn]

77. Likely U.S. Plans for Regime Change in Venezuela, Pt. II

Likely U.S. Plans for Regime Change in Venezuela, Pt. II
Written by Stephen Lendman
Monday, 09 January 2006

~snip~
Chavez himself believes there's a U.S. plot to assassinate him. He may be right. There's some credible evidence of a 2004 coup attempt by neighboring Columbian forces whom were arrested in May of that year at a ranch in Buruta just outside of Caracas. Those arrested said they were sent there to prepare an attack against a Venezuelan National Guard base to steal weapons and fully arm a 3000 strong militia.

Latin America expert James Petras, professor emeritus at Binghamton University, New York, has written that the U.S. has a strategy to overthrow Hugo Chavez by military force and at the same time destroy the Cuban revolution in a "two step" approach - "first overthrow the Chavez government in Venezuela, cut off the energy supply and trade links (to Cuba) and then proceed toward economic strangulation and military attack." He also believes the U.S. will employ a "triangular strategy" to overthrow Chavez - "a military invasion from Columbia, U.S intervention (by air and sea attacks plus special forces to assassinate key officials) and an internal uprising by infiltrated terrorists and military traitors, supported by key media, financial and petrol elites." In advance of this, the U.S. has provided $3 billion to Columbia in military aid (supposedly for the "drug war") so it could triple the size of its military to over 275,000, add new helicopters and bombers and receive "advanced military technology."

Prior to the 2002 coup attempt, failed recall referendum and during the oil strike, the U.S. intensified its rhetoric to condition the U.S. public into accepting Chavez as a "dictator" and a "destabilizing threat" to the region so that his removal (should it happen) would be perceived as a positive change. This same rhetoric can be expected to intensify again, most likely in the lead up to Venezuela’s next election.
(snip...)

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/165/1/

[Gregorian]

78. 30,000-100,000 dead civilian Iraqis? More than just a terrorist.

And the truth should be told.
Although I feel sorry for Harry. He may not realize the full extent of what he has taken on.

[Karenina]

82. Harry Belafonte is an old black man.

Don't "misunderestimate" him, please.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

87. Old doesn't mean feeble, and I bet he's been through crap in the....

...States that would make your head spin.

He knows exactly what he's taken on....make no mistake about it.

[Judi Lynn]

83. Just found a photo of him with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I haven't seen a lot of photos published of him (Rev. King) smiling. He looked very pleasant.