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Caribbean-Latin America | |
Chavez: Only a 'Traitor' Will Vote No | |
2007-11-24 | |
Brandishing a little red book listing his desired 69 revisions to Venezuela's charter, Chavez exhorted his backers to redouble their efforts toward a victorious "yes" vote in the Dec. 2 ballot. "He who says he supports Chavez but votes 'no' is a traitor, a true traitor," the president told an arena packed with red-clad supporters. "He's against me, against the revolution and against the people." His speech followed the recent high-profile defection of his former Defense Minister Gen. Raul Baduel, a longtime ally who called the president's proposed reforms a "coup." Others have also broken with the Chavista movement in recent months, including politicians of the small left-leaning party Podemos. Chavez's opponents accuse him of concentrating power and seeking to be president-for-life like his close friend Fidel Castro of Cuba. Chavez insists he will only stay on as long as Venezuelans continue to vote for him. "If you don't approve (the referendum), maybe we'll have time for a parachute jump in five years," Chavez, a former paratrooper, told the crowd. "But if you wish—if you approve the referendum—I will stay as long as God wills! Until the last bone of my skeleton dries out!" The proposed revisions would do away with presidential term limits, extend terms from six to seven years, let Chavez appoint regional vice presidents and eliminate Central Bank authority, among other changes. Critics warn he would also have the power to shut down Venezuelan newspapers, television and radio stations by declaring a state of emergency, and the government could detain citizens without charges during such a period. | |
Posted by:Fred |
#4 He wants to eliminate the central bank? He's planning to become ZImbabwe. |
Posted by: OldSpook 2007-11-24 13:45 |
#3 Put him next to Stalin. Matched pair-O-stiffs. |
Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-11-24 13:08 |
#2 "But if you wish—if you approve the referendum—I will stay as long as God wills! Until the last bone of my skeleton dries out!" We need to get Chavez to the skeleton stage sooner than later. His bones could then be propped against the wall with the 'El Presidente' label afixed as he wishes. |
Posted by: WTF 2007-11-24 10:33 |
#1 I will stay as long as God wills! LOL out front with it now. |
Posted by: Thomas Woof 2007-11-24 10:15 |