Caracas erupts in violence over Chavez TV takeover

[spdirty]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1850844.ece

Venezuela’s yawning political divide spilled into violence on the streets of Caracas last night as thousands of people rallied, some to protest and others to celebrate the shutdown of the country’s oldest and most watched private television station.

Radio Caracas Television, an opposition-allied station, went off the air at midnight on Sunday after President Hugo Chavez withdrew its licence, accusing the network of “coup plotting.”

But the move has fuelled accusations that Mr Chavez is moving towards an increasing authoritarian rule and quashing any dissent against his so-called “socialist revolution”.

Clashes broke out between police and protesters as thousands began rallying in the streets in protest in the lead-up to midnight, banging pots and pans and blowing whistles. Water cannons and rubber bullets were fired to disperse the crowds.

Related Links
Venezuela grabs back $30 billion oil project
Chavez builds 'socialist cities'
Chávez vows to complete his socialist revolution
As the evening went on, protestors convened at the RCTV headquarters where the channel’s best-loved actors and presenters wept and embraced in their final moments on air.

They bowed their heads in prayer and a presenter declared “Long Live Venezuela! We will return soon,” before the national anthem was played and the screen went black.

Seconds later, it was replaced with the insignia of TVES, the new state-funded channel launched by Mr Chavez, which was beamed via huge screens to Chavez supporters gathering in the streets at the President’s instigation.

But the atmosphere turned ugly as pro-Chavez demonstrators began to surge towards the station headquarters, and police intervened, scattering crowds with a hail of rubber bullets.

Mr Chavez’s decision “marks a turn toward totalitarianism,” Marcel Granier, the station’s chief executive said. “He’s losing more than he thinks he’s gaining. He’s losing international recognition and he’s losing the respect of his people.”

Mr Chavez’s decision to withdraw the station’s licence is set to boost his control over the national media and aid his daily battle to dominate political discussion.

But observers say it is a high-risk strategy. Support for Mr. Chavez among Venezuela’s poor majority comes mostly from his high-spending social policies rather than any great sympathy with his ideology.

“People like Chavez not communism,” Luis Vicente Leon, an economist and pollster said. “And they like a free media. This may be a strike too far for them. The only check and balance left in Venezuela for Chavez is his popularity.”

Mr Granier said RCTV would continue its legal battle to stay on the air. “This Government is full of fear, it can’t stand criticism,” he told a press conference. “We will fight this in the courts. We’ll do what we have to.”

[yavoon]

my guess is this will end well....course I thought the broncos might win the last 2 superbowls too.

[ant1999e]

Who cares. this don't effect me. Its none of my business. Chavez is a god. I worship him cause he hates bush. Go chavez go!!!!

[Bob]

Who cares. this don't effect me. Its none of my business. Chavez is a god. I worship him cause he hates bush. Go chavez go!!!!

That IS EXACTLY what is wrong with the left, intellectual inconsistancy...

There are some that love the guy only because he is agasit Bush, doesnt matter what he does, could be satan himself with a really bad hairdoo...

[Spider]

oh no .Chavez is another Hitler ........ WMD , Mushroom cloud go boom ...... Chav......err Hitler is on the move .... run , hide , fear the boogie man ........

[Spider]

That IS EXACTLY what is wrong with the left, intellectual inconsistancy...

There are some that love the guy only because he is agasit Bush, doesnt matter what he does, could be satan himself with a really bad hairdoo...

err , I raq is a perfect example of why we should mind our own business ........ what does it take to learn a lesson with you people on the right ?
**** ............you would think Iraq would be enough to make Idiots on the right say , well we should stay out of it and let them settle this on their own ..............

[ant1999e]

oh no .Chavez is another Hitler ........ WMD , Mushroom cloud go boom ...... Chav......err Hitler is on the move .... run , hide , fear the boogie man ........

Which side likes to run and hide? I'll stay and fight.:redpunch:

[Spider]

Which side likes to run and hide? I'll stay and fight.:redpunch:

oh you are so brave ......... my hero ....taking on Hitler of South America ........... Gee wally can i get your autograph ?

[Bob]

err , I raq is a perfect example of why we should mind our own business ........ what does it take to learn a lesson with you people on the right ?
**** ............you would think Iraq would be enough to make Idiots on the right say , well we should stay out of it and let them settle this on their own ..............

I didnt say nuke him, but I wont have a love fest for the guy either, the truth is, he IS shown love by some in America, only because he in the "enemy of my enemy" folks should be intellectually honest across the board. If they hate Bush for "curtailing freedoms" this guy is taking that a step further. So we go after him, nope, not saying that, but a creep is a creep.

[ant1999e]

oh you are so brave ......... my hero ....taking on Hitler of South America ........... Gee wally can i get your autograph ?

Sleep well spider. I keep our country safe.

[Spider]

I didnt say nuke him, but I wont have a love fest for the guy either, the truth is, he IS shown love by some in America, only because he in the "enemy of my enemy" folks should be intellectually honest across the board. If they hate Bush for "curtailing freedoms" this guy is taking that a step further. So we go after him, nope, not saying that, but a creep is a creep.

Nuke em ? I was talking about invading , 2 different things .........and the love fest , well people tend to be nice to someone that helps them out , I know very stupid , but you know how people are ......... now we hate Bush for curtailing OURfreedom , see Bush is our Problem cause of stupid people voting , Chavez is South Americas problem cause of their stupid people , I dont give a rats ass what Chavez does , I do care what Bush does cause it affects me ....... get it ?

[Spider]

Sleep well spider. I keep our country safe.

hmmm thats like the guy that designed the Edsel telling Ford racing , no problems we got it covered ...........

[ant1999e]

hmmm thats like the guy that designed the Edsel telling Ford racing , no problems we got it covered ...........

:kiddingme That one went right over my head. Guessing it's a NACAR thing.

[Spider]

:kiddingme That one went right over my head. Guessing it's a NACAR thing.

shoot low sheriff the guy is mounted on a shetland .........
;D the Edsel was the biggest bomb for a car ever , nothing has reached that level of failure Ford sunk about 40 mill into the car , and its first year it sold alot , the car was only around for 2 years 56-58 , poor workmanship ugly design ( the Cosair later became a pacer ;D ) alot of things led up to this cars failure .........The Datsun hatchback B-210 out did the Edsel by light years , and the B-210 was one ugly as piece of car

[ant1999e]

shoot low sheriff the guy is mounted on a shetland .........
;D the Edsel was the biggest bomb for a car ever , nothing has reached that level of failure Ford sunk about 40 mill into the car , and its first year it sold alot , the car was only around for 2 years 56-58 , poor workmanship ugly design ( the Cosair later became a pacer ;D ) alot of things led up to this cars failure .........The Datsun hatchback B-210 out did the Edsel by light years , and the B-210 was one ugly as piece of car

What do you expect from ford?

[Spider]

What do you expect from ford?

HEY . be enough of that shít

[Spider]

But Yeah ;D the ford edsel was a flop , then dodge came out with a push button transmission , I cant remembered what it was called , but the damn thing had more cables attached , then the royal george Bridge , then Chevy came out with the corvair the corvair equals were Ford Falcon, Studebaker Lark, Nash Rambler, and the Plymouth Valiant ..all were junk , but none of them failed like the edsel ROFL!
My Uncle Ray had a Rambler , that thing rode like a lumber wagon and couldnt get out of its own way

[ant1999e]

My Uncle Ray had a Rambler , that thing rode like a lumber wagon and couldnt get out of its own way
LOL

[Bronco Bob]

But Yeah ;D the ford edsel was a flop , then dodge came out with a push button transmission , I cant remembered what it was called , but the damn thing had more cables attached , then the royal george Bridge , then Chevy came out with the corvair the corvair equals were Ford Falcon, Studebaker Lark, Nash Rambler, and the Plymouth Valiant ..all were junk , but none of them failed like the edsel ROFL!
My Uncle Ray had a Rambler , that thing rode like a lumber wagon and couldnt get out of its own way

I had a '62 Plymouth Fury with one of those push button transmission and
a 318 V8 that I bought in '68 for $465. The damn thing worked great, never
had a bit of trouble with it. Had in until '75 when my dad wrecked the damn
thing. Sold it to a neighbor and he pulled the engine out and put it in
another car. Those 318s were damn near indestructable.

[Spider]

I had a '62 Plymouth Fury with one of those push button transmission and
a 318 V8 that I bought in '68 for $465. The damn thing worked great, never
had a bit of trouble with it. Had in until '75 when my dad wrecked the damn
thing. Sold it to a neighbor and he pulled the engine out and put it in
another car. Those 318s were damn near indestructable.

the 318 of dodge was only out done by the slant 6 dodge had ... those engines...... damn tough I did like a ford 390 though ........

[defenseman]

Chavez? He's just getting started down there. Perhaps a few of his 'buddies' in hollywood will venture south and make a movie about it all, with a socialists spin of course, and a rigorous endorsement of his methods. Chavez? Nah, he's no problem, right now. Ten years from now? That's another story..dman

[Spider]

Chavez? He's just getting started down there. Perhaps a few of his 'buddies' in hollywood will venture south and make a movie about it all, with a socialists spin of course, and a rigorous endorsement of his methods. Chavez? Nah, he's no problem, right now. Ten years from now? That's another story..dman
Alot has changed in the last 175 years since you was born ........ The latest thing is , butt out and mind our own business .............

[defenseman]

Alot has changed in the last 175 years since you was born ........ The latest thing is , butt out and mind our own business .............

I have no problem letting him run amuck for the time being. I'm hoping his own people take him down, we'll see. However, left unchecked, I'm guessing he'll be a serious thorn in our side in about ten years or so..dman

[Spider]

I have no problem letting him run amuck for the time being. I'm hoping his own people take him down, we'll see. However, left unchecked, I'm guessing he'll be a serious thorn in our side in about ten years or so..dman

if in ten years we are still on the oil teate , he could be , but then who knows

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I have no problem letting him run amuck for the time being. I'm hoping his own people take him down, we'll see. However, left unchecked, I'm guessing he'll be a serious thorn in our side in about ten years or so..dmanOnly if Americans continue to put big oil and gas lackeys in the Whitehouse.

[Bronco Bob]

I have no problem letting him run amuck for the time being. I'm hoping his own people take him down, we'll see. However, left unchecked, I'm guessing he'll be a serious thorn in our side in about ten years or so..dman

His own people were the ones who put him back in after the US engineered
a coup to remove him. Did you ever stop and think that maybe most of the
people in his country like him and like the way he stands up to the gringos?

[ant1999e]

His own people were the ones who put him back in after the US engineered
a coup to remove him. Did you ever stop and think that maybe most of the
people in his country like him and like the way he stands up to the gringos?

Until they realized he wants to be an evil dictator.

[BurgundyNGold]

His own people were the ones who put him back in after the US engineered
a coup to remove him. Did you ever stop and think that maybe most of the
people in his country like him and like the way he stands up to the gringos?
Truth be told, most of his people are poor and uneducated. They like the free candy he gives out more than they care about any of his tussling with the gringos. Anyone with any education at all in the country has known all along that this guy is bad news for the average Venezuelan beyond the short term.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Until they realized he wants to be an evil dictator.Evil dictator? Doesn't he just want to be dictator? Of course, Chavez may well indeed be signing executive orders eliminating any oversight, plans for mass prisons, etc... (just like Bush has).

[defenseman]

His own people were the ones who put him back in after the US engineered
a coup to remove him. Did you ever stop and think that maybe most of the
people in his country like him and like the way he stands up to the gringos?

There were about 7000+ rioters taking on the federales who I'd say have a problem with chavez. That said, we'll see what happens. I'm guessing the bodies will start falling soon enough...dman

[ant1999e]

Evil dictator? Doesn't he just want to be dictator? Of course, Chavez may well indeed be signing executive orders eliminating any oversight, plans for mass prisons, etc... (just like Bush has).

Scary isn't it.

[Spider]

Truth be told, most of his people are poor and uneducated. They like the free candy he gives out more than they care about any of his tussling with the gringos. Anyone with any education at all in the country has known all along that this guy is bad news for the average Venezuelan beyond the short term.

ahh like republicans ......... no wonder he is evil

[ant1999e]

ahh like republicans ......... no wonder he is evil

Republicans? It seems the dems are his biggest supporters.

[cutthemdown]

Chavez is planning on being in power for a very long time. I bet we go through 3-5 presidents before he is gone. Those small arms he is stock piling could only be used against a poorly armed revolt. It's not like ak-47 can really be used as a deterrent to an attack from the USA. The next President is going to have to watch this dude very close.

[Spider]

Republicans? It seems the dems are his biggest supporters.
but Republicans are acting the same way ...........

[yavoon]

I was just thinking. u know what the middle east needs is more chavez's. he's really the perfect president for the world in an oil producing country. now maybe he'll change as dictators are wont to do. but right now its really perfect.

he runs huge deficits even in times of massive oil profit, and he does it on non-strategic social programs. hell this is exactly what we need, all the oil countries to spend themselves retarded on social programs into debts they have to keep madly pumping oil to repay.

he meddles a ton around the world, so thats bad tho.

[cutthemdown]

Only if Americans continue to put big oil and gas lackeys in the Whitehouse.

The thing is it's the same thing when Dems are in office. Even if Obama gets elected somehow I bet nothing really changes.

[defenseman]

Republicans? It seems the dems are his biggest supporters.

funny how that works out. And the "libbers" of america love the SOB, he's a cult hero in and amongst some of them..dman

[Spider]

funny how that works out. And the "libbers" of america love the SOB, he's a cult hero in and amongst some of them..dman
ok .Show me where all this love is ............time to back up the bullshít ..... I say Bush acts like Chavez for wiping his ass with the constitution, Signing laws stating he doesnt have to follow them , NSA wire taps , Invading Iraq , Telling America he is the decider and HE WILL DECIDE ........ thumbs his nose at any suggestions like the Iraq study Group ...............Now D man you state your case

[W*GS]

Spider can remember how Clinton made gas cheap, but he can't remember LABF slobbering all over Chavez time and again right here on the ol' OM.

Amazingly selective memory.

[Spider]

Spider can remember how Clinton made gas cheap, but he can't remember LABF slobbering all over Chavez time and again right here on the ol' OM.

Amazingly selective memory.

and LABF is the entire left ? let me guess you had troubles in math class didnt you ..and Fuel Prices directly affect me since I am a truck driver ........ LABF posting something about some idiot in south America doesnt have to same impact ...........you really cant keep things in perspective can you W*gs ?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

funny how that works out. And the "libbers" of america love the SOB, he's a cult hero in and amongst some of them..dman
LOL

What a joke you are at times.

[ant1999e]

ok .Show me where all this love is ............time to back up the bullshít ..... I say Bush acts like Chavez for wiping his ass with the constitution, Signing laws stating he doesnt have to follow them , NSA wire taps , Invading Iraq , Telling America he is the decider and HE WILL DECIDE ........ thumbs his nose at any suggestions like the Iraq study Group ...............Now D man you state your case

You are an exception to the rule spider. Although sometimes you do shift to the darkside. Most of your buddies on here love chavez either because he hates bush or because he's a socialist. As soon as someone begins to bash him, the libs come to his defense. For proof, all you need to do is look to the begining of this thread. I think you started defending him. Check it out. Am I wrong?

[defenseman]

You are an exception to the rule spider. Although sometimes you do shift to the darkside. Most of your buddies on here love chavez either because he hates bush or because he's a socialist. As soon as someone begins to bash him, the libs come to his defense. For proof, all you need to do is look to the begining of this thread. I think you started defending him. Check it out. Am I wrong?

Funny how there is no answer isn't it? Could it be that you are right? I'm thinking so....dman

[Bronco_Beerslug]

You are an exception to the rule spider. Although sometimes you do shift to the darkside. Most of your buddies on here love chavez either because he hates bush or because he's a socialist. As soon as someone begins to bash him, the libs come to his defense. For proof, all you need to do is look to the begining of this thread. I think you started defending him. Check it out. Am I wrong?

LOL
Joke number 2.

[ant1999e]

LOL
Joke number 2.

Good response. Proved me wrong with that one didn't you.LOL

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Good response. Proved me wrong with that one didn't you.LOLYou and dman make quite the pair (Neocon defenders til the end).

[defenseman]

You and dman make quite the pair (Neocon defenders til the end).

You and others group together quite nicely also wouldn't you say? Question is what do you defend? Therein lies the debate....dman

[Spider]

You are an exception to the rule spider. Although sometimes you do shift to the darkside. Most of your buddies on here love chavez either because he hates bush or because he's a socialist. As soon as someone begins to bash him, the libs come to his defense. For proof, all you need to do is look to the begining of this thread. I think you started defending him. Check it out. Am I wrong?

I dont defend Chavez as much as I say we should but out and mind our own business ,I think alot of reasoning is , Iraq has soured us on meddling , we was attacked for Meddling , and alot of it has to do with Chavez sending that cheap oil to the people in the North east , as for my own personal view , I dont think Chavez is anti American as much as he is Anti Bush , I think alot of reporters took liberties with that ...but either way Chavez can barely manage his own country , much less be a threat to any one else , he is a radical , with Radical policies , and he has his hands full implementing them , meanwhile we have Iraq and an election on our plate ...........

[Spider]

let me tell you this though , as of this minute Ron Paul is the guy I would vote for .....
1. Country Before party ....
2. Ron Paul doesnt pander , he wont say what people want ot hear , but what they need to hear ...
3.Doesnt back down He didnt back down from Rotten Rudy , thunderous applause for Rudy , and Ron Paul gives Rudy a reading assignments .. Thats just bad ass ....
4. Ron Paul has the right message , and he knows how deep the water is .....
As of right now I vote Ron Paul cause I think he is what we need right now ..........

[Bronco_Beerslug]

You and others group together quite nicely also wouldn't you say? Explain. Are you stereotyping everyone who hasn't sucked Bush's dick again?


Question is what do you defend? Therein lies the debate....dmanFreedom. Freedom to say what I want to, when I want to, something your boy is trying to eliminate.

[W*GS]

Freedom. Freedom to say what I want to, when I want to, something your boy is trying to eliminate.

Coming from you, this is rich...

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Coming from you, this is rich...
You haven't been paying attention again but your indifference of the Bush cartel stripping freedoms from Americans has been obvious.

[W*GS]

You haven't been paying attention again but your indifference of the Bush cartel stripping freedoms from Americans has been obvious.

:bs:

The more-delicious irony is that when Clinton tried to pull the alpha version of the PATRIOT ACT after the OKC bombing, you probably bitched about those Republicans who thwarted his authoritarian impulses.

That Bush and the Congress so easily passed the current PATRIOT ACT is proof that your beloved Democrats are no less happy than the Republicans to plop down on the crapper and commence ****ting on our liberties.

[defenseman]

Explain. Are you stereotyping everyone who hasn't sucked Bush's dick again?

Freedom. Freedom to say what I want to, when I want to, something your boy is trying to eliminate.

Your stereotyping methods are consistent and unabashed. If you don't approve of being "stereotyped" yourself, I'd quit doing it if I were you. Us 'bushbots' could do with the same break you desire, know what I mean?......dman

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Your stereotyping methods are consistent and unabashed. If you don't approve of being "stereotyped" yourself, I'd quit doing it if I were you. Us 'bushbots' could do with the same break you desire, know what I mean?......dman
LOL

When I address you, I wait until you start your "lib" sh*t. Once you do I fire back, see how that works?

[defenseman]

LOL

When I address you, I wait until you start your "lib" sh*t. Once you do I fire back, see how that works?

If I overtly attach you to that "lib" sh't, feel free to fire back. However, if I don't, and you include yourself in that group, seems to me you have the problem, not me...dman

[Bronco Bob]

:bs:

The more-delicious irony is that when Clinton tried to pull the alpha version of the PATRIOT ACT after the OKC bombing, you probably b****ed about those Republicans who thwarted his authoritarian impulses.

That Bush and the Congress so easily passed the current PATRIOT ACT is proof that your beloved Democrats are no less happy than the Republicans to plop down on the crapper and commence ****ting on our liberties.

Wow, here we go again with the lame "But Clinton did it too" excuse to
absolve Bush of all responsibilty. If Bush were to go into a drunken rage
and rape a 15 year old boy, would you come back, "Well Clinton got
a blow job."

[W*GS]

Wow, here we go again with the lame "But Clinton did it too" excuse to absolve Bush of all responsibilty.

:bs:

When Bush ****s up, you call him on it. When Clinton ****ed up, you spin and cover for him.

Why the hypocrisy?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

If I overtly attach you to that "lib" sh't, feel free to fire back. However, if I don't, and you include yourself in that group, seems to me you have the problem, not me...dmanNo, you have the problem of trying to justify your vote the last two times, not me.

And you are typical of a lot of Bush backers who now use the famous line of "all politicians are liars".

[Spider]

And you are typical of a lot of Bush backers who now use the famous line of "all politicians are liars".

LOL and the amazing rise in the #'s of independents , Fox News is full of independents now Ha!

[defenseman]

No, you have the problem of trying to justify your vote the last two times, not me.

And you are typical of a lot of Bush backers who now use the famous line of "all politicians are liars".

You are doing it again, you never learn sluggo......dman

*You'll figure it out one of these days. And just so you know, justification to anyone, especially you, is not on my list of things to get done. Don't flatter yourself thinking I could give one iotta what you think or say. You are just fun to mess with occassionally. Though, you do know how to entertain, I will give you that.:thumbsup:

[Bronco Bob]

:bs:

When Bush ****s up, you call him on it. When Clinton ****ed up, you spin and cover for him.

Why the hypocrisy?

Wasn't aware Clinton was still president. What the hell does it matter
what Clinton did in the last century? Bush is the president now.
Calling him on it now might do some good. Just using the excuse
that Clinton did it too is just an excuse to let Bush off the hook
and not hold him accountable. Maybe it's time to stop letting
presidents think they are kings and put some brakes on them.

[W*GS]

Wasn't aware Clinton was still president. What the hell does it matter what Clinton did in the last century?

As if the effects of what Clinton did (and didn't do) ended when Bush took office. When the next President comes in, does Bush get the same treatment from you?

Bush is the president now. Calling him on it now might do some good. Just using the excuse that Clinton did it too is just an excuse to let Bush off the hook and not hold him accountable.

Nope. Bush is a major ****up, and has made major ****ups. Clinton was no better.

Maybe it's time to stop letting presidents think they are kings and put some brakes on them.

Indeed.

[Bronco Bob]

As if the effects of what Clinton did (and didn't do) ended when Bush took office. When the next President comes in, does Bush get the same treatment from you?



Nope. Bush is a major ****up, and has made major ****ups. Clinton was no better.



Indeed.

The point is whether you liked Clinton or not, there is nothing that can
be done about it anymore. With Bush, he's like a cockroach. He likes
to keep things in the dark. Expose his doings to the light of day
and he scurries away from it. We need to keep shining lights on
Bush instead of making excuses for him.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

You are doing it again, you never learn sluggo......dman

*You'll figure it out one of these days. And just so you know, justification to anyone, especially you, is not on my list of things to get done. Don't flatter yourself thinking I could give one iotta what you think or say. You are just fun to mess with occassionally. Though, you do know how to entertain, I will give you that.:thumbsup:What, are you denying you are a Bush backer now? See, that's the difference, when I call you out for what you are, it's the truth where as you just throw crap around as truth and fact.

You might want to add 'researching and informing yourself' to your " list of things to get done".

[ant1999e]

Could we please get back on topic. I'm sure you guys could make a bitch and whine thread if you wanted to.

[TailgateNut]

Which side likes to run and hide? I'll stay and fight.:redpunch:

I didn't realize we were being attacked.

Oh, I see, it's the "Iraq attacked us mentality" revisited, just replace "Iraq" with "Venezuela" and BushCo can keep feeding the "war machine". They still have a few years of profits in their sights.

[ant1999e]

I didn't realize we were being attacked.

Oh, I see, it's the "Iraq attacked us mentality" revisited, just replace "Iraq" with "Venezuela" and BushCo can keep feeding the "war machine". They still have a few years of profits in their sights.

You got a real hard on for me today don't you? Read the post I replied to my friend. It will explain everything.