Chavez might send away foreign nay-sayers.

[Marshal Murat]

Chavez might kick out foreign critics (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20070723/twl-venezuela-chavez-1be00ca.html)

What are your thoughts on the situation?
Is it, as the Mexican politician stated, '21st Century Socialism'?
Would you approve of such actions by your government?
Does it remove the right to free speech, or hamper the exercise of that right?

[Ice]

Chavez ordered officials to closely monitor statements made by international figures during their visits to Venezuela _ and deport any outspoken critics.

This is kind of ironic considering Chavez came to the United States and he could smell the sulfur from president Bush.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Well, if he's going to continue down the path of the Castros...

1. Oil sells a lot more readily and profitably than sugar.

2. Cutting high government official salaries would be popular anywhere/anywhen.

3. Foreign visitors possess no "inherent" right to free speech while visiting in another country. Chucking them out may be tacky, but is within Chavez' purview. Ironies rarely deter national leaders.


I think Chavez' dictatorial status is pretty clear, but it is important to remember that his support -- particularly among the urban poor -- is huge. This was true prior to his (and his party's) consolidation of power across the spectrum of government (his rule by decree, voted to him by the legislature, is actually within the Constitutional framework under which he was elected). Chavez is not simply a junta leader with support of the 3 or 4 best regiments in the nation's military, he is very demonstrably the leadership choice of a convincing majority of Venezuelans.

I wouldn't think this would encourage foreign investment, however, and so far Chavez has increased services to the poor but has not enacted a sea change in the basic economic framework of Venezuela.

[Odin]

What are your thoughts on the situation?

apathy, as long as the oil is still on the market I dont care what he does, he isnt a threat to anyone but his own people.



Is it, as the Mexican politician stated, '21st Century Socialism'?

Well no, the censure part is somewhat fascist isnt it? Unless the 21st century socialism dosent include freedom of speech? I dont know here in Mass, we are as close to socialist as you can get in the U.S. and the press is thriving, so arent naysayers.


Would you approve of such actions by your government?

My personal preference is to allow foriegners to enjoy the fruits of thier own societies, and write and say whatever they want about my government, in thier own country. That said I wouldnt go so far as to expell them, or condone that policy, but encouraging them to enjoy thier own countries would gain my support.


Does it remove the right to free speech, or hamper the exercise of that right?

Well they are still able to speak freely, its just with a consequence. So should someone choose to do so they understand the consequences. While it would be a wonderfully romantic notion to think all peoples should be able to what they want, when they want about whatever they want, In some places that isnt welcome.

Im not sure if they allow free speech there anyway, I do recall some business about chavez being elected by popular vote so it would seem the population desires his policies. I dont recall the vote being held under gun point but i could be wrong...

Suffice to say that the people of venuzula are capable of making thier own choices for thier society, and they should be allowed to enjoy those choices without consequence from outsiders who think they have thier best intrest in mind.

[Adrian II]

Im not sure if they allow free speech there anyway, I do recall some business about chavez being elected by popular vote so it would seem the population desires his policies. I dont recall the vote being held under gun point but i could be wrong...They do allow free speech in Venezuela, but Chavez is skirting closely to the abyss of incipient censorship with this announcement. His real problem is that he is facing more and more criticism from within his own ranks, and that hurts him far more than a couple of foreigners-with-a-attitude. Another problem is that he is seriously preparing for some form of foreign intervention, most probably of an indirect nature, and even for attempts on his life. But this is not the right way to counter any such threat.

I think it would be a serious tactical mistake as well because as much as Venezuelans like him as a leader, they like tuning into the anti-Chavez channels and reading anti-Chavez papers just as much. If he cracks down on free speech my impression is he will lose allies which he can not afford to lose.

[Odin]

They do allow free speech in Venezuela, but Chavez is skirting closely to the abyss of incipient censorship with this announcement. His real problem is that he is facing more and more criticism from within his own ranks, and that hurts him far more than a couple of foreigners-with-a-attitude.

Assuming that Chavez is a negative in most eyes, then this assertion is a positive outcome.


Another problem is that he is seriously preparing for some form of foreign intervention, most probably of an indirect nature, and even for attempts on his life. But this is not the right way to counter any such threat.

Well this bares consideration of how serious he is. The perception I have which is slanted by the media outlets i get most news from (U.S. mainstream, BBC, and public radio) that he is fostering this "foreign intervention" theme to secure his position. Basically another method to combat what you described in the 1st quoted portion.

Searching my memory, I dont recall any serious plans. I know he has bought some more guns from the Russians, and would like a sub fleet, but does this have any real traction or merit? In the U.S. Chavez gets a few minutes here and there, but he isnt percieved to be a threat physically to the U.S.


I think it would be a serious tactical mistake as well because as much as Venezuelans like him as a leader, they like tuning into the anti-Chavez channels and reading anti-Chavez papers just as much. If he cracks down on free speech my impression is he will lose allies which he can not afford to lose.

I am not speaking from a highly enlightened position on the politics of south america, but its my understanding that they are leaning left now anyways, he just happens to be leaning further. Quelling personal freedoms, under any guise is a hard sell historically unless the people are greatly repressed by some outside factor (germany post WWI comes to mind).

I do recall there being a healthy opposition to Chavez but no the majority. His power seems to be rather solid already, and having a boon in oil money allows him to purchase a great deal of security internally. Thats at least what it seems from the states, but that said, it will stir the pot for his opponents abroad, but short of street protests and civil unrest it smells like the status quo.

[Lord Winter]

A bad step, but it is something for the venzualans to solve for themselves. A silencly of vocal minority, even if it is supported by the populence, is still a disturbing breach of humen rights, thou not yet a tradegy.