Yannow, I’ve despised “Ooogo” for his thirst for unlimited presidential powers over his citizens, but to give the man his due; unlike our own President Bush; at least he put the vote to the people for constitutional amendments before just grabbing these powers and claiming them as a “divine right” of his position. Of course, he lost at the polls (barely), but to Hugo Chavez’ credit — the PEOPLE had the final say — and even moreso to his credit, he was “gentlemanly” in his narrow defeat.
To illustrate my point, imagine President Bush and Congress, instead of just cramming a whole bunch of illegal (what amounts to being) “Constitutional amendments” into one single, ILLEGAL package titled the USA Patriot Act; the President presents it to the American Citizens for a vote on amending the Constitution to grant our government “Police State” status and our President his already-claimed “Kingl” status (he doesn’t CALL it that, but we all know that’s what it is). Of course, that is NOT the way it was done here in the Good Ole’ U.S. of A., which, upon further reflection, makes me ponder if Hugo Chavez was correct all along in trumpeting HIS nation’s version of democracy as being far superior to what has become American Democracy today under President Bush…
From the (“gun-grabbing” – source: Stop The ACLU):
Venezuela Hands Narrow Defeat to Chávez Plan
By SIMON ROMERO
CARACAS, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 3 — Voters in this country narrowly defeated a proposed overhaul to the constitution in a contentious referendum over granting President Hugo Chávez sweeping new powers, the Election Commission announced early Monday.
It was the first major electoral defeat in the nine years of his presidency. Voters rejected the 69 proposed amendments 51 to 49 percent.
The political opposition erupted into celebration, shooting fireworks into the air and honking car horns, when electoral officials announced the results at 1:20 a.m. The nation had remained on edge since polls closed Sunday afternoon and the wait for results began.
The outcome is a stunning development in a country where Mr. Chávez and his supporters control nearly all of the levers of power. Almost immediately after the results were broadcast on state television, Mr. Chávez conceded defeat, describing the results as a “photo finish.”
“I congratulate my adversaries for this victory,” he said. …”
Of course, President Bush, under the same circumstance, could easily be imagined to insinuate his countrymen and women were misguided traitors, incapable of understanding the need for furthering his G.O.P. Police State. Just using this as an analogy, of course. Further, in an astonishing display of hypocrisy, I look for President Bush to soon join me in trumpeting the citizens of Venezuelas’ choice of democracy over tyranny. It’s just the man’s style, after all. Remember I predicted it…
Anyway — congratulations to my fellow world citizens of Venezuela for their defense of democracy against a “wannabe” dictator as we here in America ready ourselves to appoint our next “Police State” or “Nanny State”, “Big Brother knows what is best for you” dictator to govern us for the next four to eight (or who knows — beyond that even?) years.
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Other bloggers weigh in — H/T to MemeOrandum: PoliBlog (TM); The Newshoggers; The Reaction; Michelle Malkin (Right)
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1:31 pm on December 3rd, 2007 1
I thought we had a process for modifying the Constitution: the Congress proposed amendments, sent them to the state legislatures, and the legislatures of the several states voted. Three-fourths approve and we got us an amendment.
It used to work that way, before left-wing judges started legislating from the bench.
If any branch, the Congress or the Executive (President), tries to overstep, the others can call them on it.
Surely, you’re not suggesting we present Constitutional amendments to popular vote, are you? I thought the current process worked pretty well.
1:52 am on December 4th, 2007 2
Of course not, my friend
Either way, whether via “States Rights” or “Mob Rules”; the PEOPLE are in charge versus a DICTATOR doing the DICTATING. I prefer the former, but President Bush prefers NEITHER (unless of course, you give credence to a scenario where the American People vote, the Electoral Colleges appoint, and the president INHERITS both the Legislative (i.e., a world record number of “signing statements”) and Executive (i.e., “Police State”) powers. Not the way it was originally set up to happen via the blood of our Founding Fathers, my friend. And hey — it’s great to hear from you again 
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Oh, and Feliz Navidad 
5:19 am on December 5th, 2007 3
what’s this i hear about Operation Pliers
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7475