Venezuelans March Against TV Station Closure

[BrucePrime]

CARACAS (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Venezuelan protesters marched on Saturday to the Caracas headquarters of an anti-government television station, which is being forced off the air after President Hugo Chavez's administration refused to renew its broadcasting license.

Waving flags with the logo of RCTV, demonstrators packed the streets of the capital where news anchors and soap opera stars slammed the imminent closure of the opposition channel.

"What is happening here is simply the silencing of a television station," shouted soap opera actress Gledys Ibarra.

The government is not renewing RCTV's license after 53 years on the air because of accusations that the broadcaster participated in a bungled 2002 coup against Chavez, incited violent demonstrations and aired immoral programming.

On Friday Venezuela's top court ordered the military to seize control of some of the TV station's installations and equipment in a show of force that included mobilization of anti-riot vehicles to prevent protests from turning violent.

Critics condemned the closure for silencing an influential opposition voice and called the move evidence that Chavez's self-styled socialist revolution is concentrating power and muzzling the opposition.

ARTICLE CONTINUES

Yet the man continues to be celebrated by the American Left.

Edited May 27, 2007 by BrucePrime

[Bob26003]

Its probably a CIA run station............... Honestly.

[ships-cat]

You seem to have a big opinion of the powers of the CIA.

Have you ever considered the possibility that events can happen around the world WITHOUT the supervision of the USA ?

Meow Purr

[Startraveler]

Yet the man continues to be celebrated by the American Left.

Evidence?

[Bob26003]

Evidence?

I celebrate Hugo Chavez. A great victory for the working people of Venezuela after years of Corporate rip off artists plundering them. He is Democratically elected and enjoys an approval rating Bush could only fantasize about. I mean I dont think anyone in our Gov. has 65% approval rating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Ch%C3%A1...t_of_presidency

During Chávez's presidency from 1999 to 2004, per-capita GDP dropped 1–2%,[122] but with the help of rising oil prices, the end of the oil strike, and strong consumption growth, recent economic activity under Chávez has been robust. GDP growth rates were 18% in 2004,[123] 9% in 2005,[124] and 9.6% in the first half of 2006, with the private sector growing at a 10.3% clip.[125] From 2004 to the first half of 2006, non-petroleum sectors of the economy showed growth rates greater than 10%.[126] Datos reports real income grew by 137% between 2003 and Q1 2006.[127] Official poverty figures dropped by 10%.[128][129]

============

Poll: Chavez Approval 65%, Despite 70% Rejection of TV Channel’s Non-Renewal

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 Print format

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By: Gregory Wilpert – Venezuelanalysis.com

Caracas, April 25, 2007 (venezuelanalysis.com)— President Chavez’s performance in office continues to be viewed positively by nearly two-thirds of the population, despite a 70% rejection of the non-renewal of the TV broadcast license of RCTV, according to the Venezuelan polling firm Datanalisis. Also, a new Latinobarometro poll finds that Latin Americans view Venezuela as the friendliest country in the Americas.

64.7% of Venezuelans viewed Chavez’s performance in office positively in March and 29.6% viewed it negatively, explained Datanalisis Director Luis Vicente Leon to Venezuela’s foreign press association today. The survey was conducted between March 12 and 23, among 1,300 Venezuelans of all socio-economic levels, with a margin of error of 2.7%.

=========

http://www.guardian.co.uk/venezuela/story/...ed=networkfront

Despite the unpopularity of his decision Mr Chávez's approval ratings hover at 65%, close to the landslide he won in last December's election, his third consecutive triumph since sweeping to power in 1998. His battle with RCTV began soon afterwards. He was adored by the poor majority as one of their own, a man from the slums who directed oil revenues towards social programmes, but the media establishment considered him a dangerous radical.

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

Its probably a CIA run station............... Honestly.

Pitiful. I am sure you long for the days of dictators like Chavez. So the people give up freedom for security. You really need to move to another country.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Eric Raven The Skeptic

[Bob26003]

Pitiful. I am sure you long for the days of dictators like Chavez. So the people give up freedom for security. You really need to move to another country.

Chavez is Elected, and enjoys overwhelming support from the people....

Bush does not. How is he a dictator again?

Or are you just spouting off as usual?

Look Dummy, you are the one who supports warrantless wiretapping of American Citizens, and you want to talk about sacrificing liberty for security and call me un American and tell me I should move............ Please . Grow Up. Read a Book . People like you are destroying this Country.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Bob26003

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

Chavez is Elected, and enjoys overwhelming support from the people....

Bush does not. How is he a dictator again?

Or are you just spouting off as usual?

Look Dummy, you are the one who supports warrantless wiretapping of American Citizens, and you want to talk about sacrificing liberty for security and call me un American and tell me I should move............ Please . Grow Up. Read a Book . People like you are destroying this Country.

Find a quote you jerk, where I said I support wiretapping. I never have and I don't. Chavez wants to make it where he can be president for life by law.Thats a dictator. I support less government in our lives. You are the one that wants a huge governement as a welfare state. So which is small government with limited powers or a large government that controls every aspect of our lives but keeps us well taken care of.*coughs*Communism.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Eric Raven The Skeptic

[Bob26003]

Find a quote you jerk, where I said I support wiretapping. I never have and I don't. Chavez wants to make it where he can be president for life by law.Thats a dictator. I support less government in our lives. You are the one that wants a huge governement as a welfare state. So which is small government with limited powers or a large government that controls every aspect of our lives but keeps us well taken care of.*coughs*Communism.

So Eric, we know that Bush engaged in illegal wiretapping of American citizens without a Warrant. This is against the Constitution and the American Bar Association has denounced him.

How do you feel about that?

Do you feel he should be punished?

==============

And about Hugo, Pres for life? Show me where, Frankly, I dont believe you.

And eric, you support Corporate welfare, no?

Edited May 28, 2007 by Bob26003

[Pinky Floyd]

Venezuela will soon be even more impoverished than it was before.

The only difference will be that they will have alot less rights to go along with their economic destitution. The socialization of major industries and closure of the oppositions voice is just the first step..

Just let them try to replace Chavez in 10 or so years...By then he will have manipulated the system to eliminate any and all dissent, and like all great socialist leaders/dictators, he will have no qualms about using the military to retain power; ad perpetual infinitum..

Edited May 28, 2007 by Pinky Floyd

[Bob26003]

Venezuela will soon be even more impoverished than it was before.

The only difference will be that they will have alot less rights to go along with their economic destitution. The socialization of major industries and closure of the oppositions voice is just the first step..

Just let them try to replace Chavez in 10 or so years...By then he will have manipulated the system to eliminate any and all dissent, and like all great socialist leaders/dictators, he will have no qualms about using the military to retain power; ad perpetual infinitum..

Interesting and it could swing that way. But it hasn't yet.

But think about this too: He needs the support of the people, otherwise, the CIA is waiting to foment a Coup.............. They already tried once.

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

So Eric, we know that Bush engaged in illegal wiretapping of American citizens without a Warrant. This is against the Constitution and the American Bar Association has denounced him.

How do you feel about that?

Do you feel he should be punished?

==============

And about Hugo, Pres for life? Show me where, Frankly, I dont believe you.

And eric, you support Corporate welfare, no?

I think Bush needs to be out of office. I did vote for him but he has shown he is incompetent. I don't believe of welfare of any sort. I am a conservative not a religious right winger(agnostic here).

So what form of government do you want in place? Communist or socialist.

Once again, it seems you know nothing about me

I will find the source for the Chavez quote.

http://english.people.com.cn/200609/02/eng...902_299116.html

http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id...amp;formato=pdf

There you go.

Edited May 28, 2007 by Eric Raven The Skeptic

[Mekorig]

Chavez is far from socialism or comunism. His is more a populist goberment, wich takes elements from socialism and capitalism. I would say that him is the result of decades of bad administrations that spended Venezuela wealth to benefit some locals and a lot of foregein interest.

Now, about the TV station, while i agree that free press its very important in an occidental society, i have to play the devil advocate and point that the TV station owners supported a failed coup, using the TV station resources. A failed coup that was first recognized by the USA...coincidence, isnt?

To clarify, i am not an rabid anti-usa like some on this forums, but i have to point that the USa have a long history of medling in the govs of the south and central america countries to get benefits, be economic or political, and that meedling have caused a good share of deaths. Whit that, Chavez action against the TV station could be understanded.

[AROCES]

Pitiful. I am sure you long for the days of dictators like Chavez. So the people give up freedom for security. You really need to move to another country.

I think you got Bob26003 here, for he has been bashing Bush about taking our freedom for Security. But clearly when it is a Socialist like Hugo who does it he is all for it. Pretty clear Bob26003 is a soldier of Socialism.

[AROCES]

Chavez is Elected, and enjoys overwhelming support from the people....

who he spoon feed.

[Mekorig]

Like it or not AROCES. He is there by popular choice, like Bush Jr. The day he lost an election, he is out, like Bush Jr. He is no more a dictator than Bush Jr. or any other democratic elected leader how abuse of the power the position give to him.

[AROCES]

Like it or not AROCES. He is there by popular choice, like Bush Jr. The day he lost an election, he is out, like Bush Jr. He is no more a dictator than Bush Jr. or any other democratic elected leader how abuse of the power the position give to him.

We all know that, understand and blame those who did nothing to the rising poor in Venenzuela for his rise to power. But like it or not, Hugo is a Socialist and whatever he is doing will lead to a downfall of Venezuela's economy and freedom.

[Spurious George]

I'm sure if the Left in the US used CNN to overthrow Bush but failed, the Right wouldnt see a problem with dumping CNN. But they have a problem with Chavez getting rid of this station? Cry babies? I think so

I like Chavez, he talks continuous smack and plays Star Wars music while making fun of Lord Bush and his Evil Empire... and that takes a lot of class LOL. And personally I dont care what his policies are, he's supported by his people and if they want to dig their own grave... let em dig it! But it seems Venezuela's economy is doing just fine - http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/15/ap3725042.html - but if you dont like his policies... dont go to Venezuela, right!?! Just like if you dont like America's policies... leave?

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

I'm sure if the Left in the US used CNN to overthrow Bush but failed, the Right wouldnt see a problem with dumping CNN. But they have a problem with Chavez getting rid of this station? Cry babies? I think so

I like Chavez, he talks continuous smack and plays Star Wars music while making fun of Lord Bush and his Evil Empire... and that takes a lot of class LOL. And personally I dont care what his policies are, he's supported by his people and if they want to dig their own grave... let em dig it! But it seems Venezuela's economy is doing just fine - http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/15/ap3725042.html - but if you dont like his policies... dont go to Venezuela, right!?!

Just like if you dont like America's policies... leave?

Good point. Bob, time for you to pack.

[Spurious George]

We all know that, understand and blame those who did nothing to the rising poor in Venenzuela for his rise to power. But like it or not, Hugo is a Socialist and whatever he is doing will lead to a downfall of Venezuela's economy and freedom.

Uhhmmm he has oil and a lot of it... and prices will keep going up = more $$$

Your "downfall" prediction is based on your dislike for Chavez not reality, so I see no reason to take it seriously. Oh and by the way isnt the US economy dependent on Saudi oil and cheap Chinese labour? In other words 'Extremist Muslim Fascists' and the 'Commie Chinese'? Go borrow some more money from the Commies... Saudi lovers!! LOL

[Spurious George]

And if you havent watch 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5832390545689805144 - see for yourself how these private media outlets were instrumental in the coup attempt on Chavez.

[Lord Umbarger]

...and enjoys an approval rating Bush could only fantasize about.

Chavez is Elected, and enjoys overwhelming support from the people....

...Because those that don't support him get thier television stations shut down. There is no disent in Venezuela because the disenters "disappear". Let me make this simpler for those with smaller intellects. If you buy a three new boxes of crayons and throw away every color but white, sooner or later, you will only have white crayons. Right?

(I figured that if I used something people like Bob were familiar with, it would be easier to understand.)

If you "silence" all of those who disagree with you, in time, you are left with only those who agree with you. When people start "going missing" even your disenters will often switch sides.

[Spurious George]

...Because those that don't support him get thier television stations shut down.

Those who's television stations help try and overthrow an elected leader shouldnt have their station shutdown? See my previous hypothetical question regarding CNN aiding the left in a coup against Bush.

There is no disent in Venezuela because the disenters "disappear".

And thats why these people are protesting the shutdown of the station... cause they have been "disappeared"? You guys are hilarious!

Lets make this simpler for those who claim to have higher intellects... Chavez is a Leftist, you dont like that... so he is bad, a very bad bad man. So you look for any reason to justify your dislike for him but the real and only reason for your dislike for him is that he's a Leftist. So just say it, you dont like him because he is a Leftist and cut the crap. I like him not because he is a Leftist but because he talks crap constantly and well I like people like that lol... see I'm being honest.

[Lord Umbarger]

And thats why these people are protesting the shutdown of the station... cause they have been "disappeared"? You guys are hilarious!

Patience, my friend, patience. He can't shoot everybody in one day. It's too hard to dispose of the bodies.

...you look for any reason to justify your dislike for him but the real and only reason for your dislike for him is that he's a Leftist. So just say it, you dont like him because he is a Leftist and cut the crap.

Yeah, I dislike him because he is a socialist. I have no problem saying that. I don't think that I ever hide the fact that I'm an anti-socialist. Read any of my previous posts and you can see it quite plainly. However, it is not the ONLY reason I dislike him. I also dislike him because he is an enemy of the things that I believe in. Free enterprise, freedom of the press, the right of the individual to bare arms, pretty much any/all of those little items in the bill of rights.

So, Catch, can we concider the crap well and cut?

[IamsSon]

Now, why did someone like Chavez stay in power in a democratic country long enough to entrench himself to the point that he will not be easily dislodged?

Hmmm, well let's see, he intimidated his opponents and the people did... nothing! They were too busy watching TV.

He began to nationalize private businesses and the people did... nothing! New season on TV!

But dammit, you shut down the station before they get to see the season finale of Desperate Housewives and you have a freaking riot in your hands and suddenly they're all screaming about their democratic rights and how Chavez is a socialist, "Please help us, America... Our rights are being taken away... by the way who won American Idol?"