Chavez wins referendum

[Xiahou]

"Chavez has condemned the attacks and ordered police to crack down. No suspects have been arrested."

No arrests, huh?

Though the ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has denounced such actions, the government has done very little to stop them. The government itself has been targeting student leaders, arresting dozens on vague charges. Accusations of terrorism have been made, and phones have been tapped. In one instance, a student leader’s phone conversation was taped and then aired on Venezuelan radio.

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The common pattern seems to be Chavez supporters riot, attack and otherwise intimidate opponents. Chavez makes a token comment that he doesn't support what they're doing- and then he has more of his opponents arrested- charged with the same things that his supporters do while he turns a blind eye.

Most of the media is anti-Chavez - that indeed sounds like a free and fair media. And of course the government is cheerleading him - HIS PARTY CONTROLS THE GOVERNMENT.

Right. I'm sure had Bush made millions of Federal employees go out and do legwork for the McCain campaign, you would've brushed that off as well, right? I mean, Bush controlled the government, so its ok. While he was at it, he could've used the FCC to force broadcasters to run wall-to-wall campaign ads too. These are all hallmarks of fair elections.