[Washington Post] Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that members of the country's civilian militia should be issued weapons to be armed and ready at all times.In case the place is overrun by gringos or imperialists or bears...
| Especially bears. |
The Bolivarian Militia is a force of brownshirts... no, make that redshirts ranging from students to retirees formed in recent years by Chavez, who says it is a crucial component of the nation's defenses.
... against people who might not agree with his plans...
Until now, members of the militia have regularly trained at weekend boot camps, but their guns have usually been locked away in military depots when not in use.
Kind of like those of the armies of most civilized countries. And most uncivilized countries as well, come to think of it...
"Who has seen a militia without weapons?" Chavez said during his Sunday television and radio program.
How many countries other than Pakistain and Leb have armed militias roaming their streets?
Iran?
He said he was surprised when he met some bully boyz standing guard recently and learned they had no guns. "The militias are the people with weapons in hand," Chavez told an audience including military officers and high-ranking officials in rural Guarico state.
"You ain't a man without a gun in your hand!"
"We need to break old paradigms because we're still seeing the militias as if they were a complementary force, some battalions that get together once a month over there, or go and march somewhere," Chavez said. "No, buddy.
I believe the Spanish word he uses is "compañero," which can also be translated as "comrade." That's the way it's used in Cuba.
The militia is a permanent territorial unit and it should be armed, equipped and trained - campesinos, workers."
Yasss... The workers and peasants....
Chavez also suggested that the country should accelerate the formation of militia units.
Since the parliamentary tide might be turning he's thinking of storming the Winter Palace.