Chavez Threatens to Seize Banks, Shut Down Media as Vote Looms

scotty says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:01:

Chavez is a wack job, some body put him out of his misery

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:03:

Somebody put him out of Venezuela's misery.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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britabroad says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:11:

I hope that his referendum tomorrow gives him a kick in the bollocks, but I think the result´s already been decided.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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slguy says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:28:

Even in the States, his manipulation if pretty obvious.

For example, the voting place in Tropical Park in Miami has been moved to the Venez. Consulate downtown. That should make it FAR tougher for those pesky "no" voters to cast their ballots....

From various reports, it seems the idiots calling for a boycott have changed their tunes, largely. Tomorrow should be fascinating.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:29:

It seems there is the potential for a true civil war in Venezuela, with all that has been written and posted about tomorrow's election, here on pbh. I think there seems like alot of hope for such, from the pbh posters, .... but, my gut instinct says the same, BRITABROAD..... that there WON'T BE ENOUGH OPPOSITION TO THAT BASTARD.... and things will continue onward and downward,... his way, the way of Chavez, ... after the elections, come Monday.

Where do we go from here?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 1, 2007, 12:42:

It would be a lot more interesting if Venezuela actually had a vibrant and credible opposition. It's rare to see a country with such a deficit of options. Even Peru and Bolivia manage to come up with some real options for people.

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slguy says on Dec 1, 2007, 13:01:

If media reports are to be believed, 100,000 "no" voters marched yesterday in Caracas.

El Payaso must be sweating.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 13:24:

that's a pretty good number.
a big crowd.
What's the population of Caracas?
I'm guessing in the 3-4 million range?

Where do we go from here?

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slguy says on Dec 1, 2007, 13:49:

According wiki, about 5.5 million.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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john_stark says on Dec 1, 2007, 14:56:

Yes, 100,000 marched in opposition and the next day they had 500,000 marching in support of it. As long as he has the mob in his pocket, Chavez will do whatever he wants. When it turns against him, the Venezuelan military will depose him.

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Rikito says on Dec 1, 2007, 15:20:

My bet to all in PBH. If Chavez looses I will give everyone a jelly donut.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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deathnova says on Dec 1, 2007, 15:25:

I would not mind spending $6/gallon to have the U.S. stand up to this guy.

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RussianFred says on Dec 1, 2007, 17:43:

$6 /gallon is the fault of Bush and his evil shit. I don't like Chavez but we also need to stand up to Bush.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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deathnova says on Dec 1, 2007, 18:28:

He'll be gone in a year, I don't understand why people are still upset about this. We are a pure republic, the states choose who they want. Once that decision is made everyone is granted the right to shut up for the next four years.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:11:

"The states choose who they want."

That would have a lot more resonance if it weren't for the reality of Bush's first election.

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:30:

Chavez threatens to cut U.S. oil supply over vote By Brian Ellsworth
Fri Nov 30, 9:16 PM ET



CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened on Friday to halt the OPEC nation's oil sales to the United States, seeking to fire up his leftist supporters for a weekend referendum on expanding his powers.


The former soldier faces a tight vote on Sunday over proposed constitutional reforms that would allow him to stay in office for decades if he keeps winning elections.

Chavez has tried to rally his followers in the last days of the campaign with fiery rhetoric against opponents at home and abroad, and he warned at a huge rally on Friday that he would retaliate if the U.S. government interferes in the referendum.

"There will not be a single drop of oil for the United States," Chavez bellowed to hundreds of thousands of cheering supporters in downtown Caracas. "And if they want to come and take our oil they will face 100 years of war in Venezuela."

Most polls show a statistical tie for the "Yes" and "No" votes in Sunday's referendum.

Chavez's heavy spending on social programs has made him popular with Venezuela's poor majority but critics accuse him of seeking dictatorial powers and many moderate supporters are concerned that the reforms would give him too much power.

He portrays the vote as a plebiscite on his rule. "Whoever votes 'Yes' is voting for Chavez, and whoever votes 'No' is voting for George W. Bush, president of the United States," he said.

Chavez has for long accused Washington of backing a failed coup against his rule in 2002. Venezuela provides about 12 percent of U.S. oil imports and the leftist leader has often threatened to cut off the sales, but he has never done so.

Political analysts say he wants to convince supporters that Venezuela is again at risk and they need to rally around him by voting to expand his powers.

Chavez also threatened on Friday to cut ties with Spain and nationalize Spanish businesses in Venezuela if King Juan Carlos does not apologize for telling him to "shut up" at a recent summit in Chile.

NEW POWERS

The constitutional changes would allow Chavez to run for reelection indefinitely and give him direct control over foreign currency reserves swollen by oil sales.

They would also reduce Venezuela's official work day to six hours, expand social security benefits for informal workers like street vendors and allow the government to censor the media in a political "emergency."

It is the first vote Chavez faces without a clear lead in polls, and many Venezuelans are concerned that either the president or his opponents might refuse to accept the result.

Defeat could slow his declared socialist revolution but Chavez, a close ally of Cuba and Iran, has the advantage of a powerful get-out-the-vote machine that could tip the balance against a fractured opposition.

Caracas-based pollster Hinterlaces, which is aligned with the opposition, released a telephone survey on Friday that showed the "No" vote leading "Yes" by 13 percentage points. But most other pollsters show the race is still a tossup, and some give Chavez the lead, helped by strong support in rural areas.

Investors are increasingly nervous with Venezuelan bond prices slumping over the last month on concerns of possible political turbulence if the vote is close.

Opposition leaders have promised to stage protests if the Chavez-controlled electoral authority tampers with the vote, while government leaders say the opposition is preparing to cry fraud and launch violent demonstrations if the reform passes.

"They say they will only recognize the results if they win ... and they will take to the streets," Chavez shouted at the rally. "Fine. We'll see you in the streets then, we are not afraid."

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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deathnova says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:14:

Mr. Hollywood,

The point is that you shouldn't sit around and cry about it, just elect someone else the next time around. You have that opportunity in less than a year.

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:32:

"..... would not mind spending $6/gallon to have the U.S. stand up to this guy...." (deathnova)
Yeah, ... if the USA did it,... you'd think gas would drop to $2 or lower after all was said and done ... EXCEPT......

...............THE GASOLINE COMPANIES ARE ABOUT AS GREEDY AND CROOKED AS ...
...CHAVEZ.

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:37:

big day Sunday. when will we hear the final results on the referendum, in about 6 weeks?

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:39:

"...And if they want to come and take our oil they will face 100 years of war in Venezuela..."

I'm not saying I'm for war of any kind.... unless it's to defend yourself or your country,... but... to choose between the two... Bush would have spent less money and acquired more and cheaper oil, by goin_after Chavez

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:40:

$6/gal gasolina??? a good reason to tell my son he's now riding a 'TWO-WHEELER'..jjeje

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:43:

I'm reading between the lines there GS. we'll see what the results are, and then we can all let loose. The referendum victory for Chavez is not the end of the world, as we know it, as he still has to get elected every certain number of years, in order to be dictator for life.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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deathnova says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:49:

goin_south,

If you think the oil companies are greedy, why not buy stock in said companies and earn some money yourself? My stock based oil investments are up nearly 70% this year.

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:04:

google, ... up 600 % in 2 or 3 years....whatever. ... you're right. and, they are still crooked and greedy as greedy gets.

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:05:

they - the oil companies - are greedy, they do what they do, when they want, and how they want, many times, with no or little thought, because they know they HAVE US OVER DE BARREL.... lol

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:11:

I wish my greed would afford me that type of immunity. If only I were an oil company.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:13:

rather than a 4-wheeler.

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:17:

jajaja. no name calling por favor. I follow my heart. If that means, a lifetime of keeping the ball in the air, so be it. I'm havin fun with it.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:27:

call ab

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:27:

I meant a 2-wheeler,....rather than a 4-wheeler.

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:33:

ab is the final answer?

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:34:

no; you are the final answer.

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:35:

back to the OP.... Soon.............. the voters of Venezuela will be the final answer

Where do we go from here?

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:36:

uhoh. ok I'm good there. can't wait to see the tainted results manana

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:38:

Let's hope it ends like this: "I have never met Chavez, but...."



"You must be joking Hugo! Where did you get those choes!"

Where do we go from here?

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:46:

What are you on tonight GS? .... I want some.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:48:

If the tainted results tomorrow hold forth, we better all be on something by tomorrow night.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 23:54:

makin up 4 last night ;)

2 much time in the mandarin chinese language section of B & N tonight

Where do we go from here?

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scotty says on Dec 2, 2007, 03:30:

big difference between the marching groups in Caracus, the ones marching against Chavez are very brave people who want freedom, they know they could have problems marching against him. but the ones marching for him get paid off and get promises of more wealth distribution..ha!

its a sad situation for the people of Venezuela

someone needs to take him out.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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vladimiro says on Dec 2, 2007, 08:59:

Middle class people (ie, those who oppose Chavez) dutifully vote. Poorer people (ie, those who would generally support someone like Chavez) don't. So in my book, the higher the turnout the more likely this thing passes.

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goin_south says on Dec 2, 2007, 13:48:

ANY ONE HAVE ANY UPDATES, FROM TELEVISION OR ELSEWHERE, ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN VENEZUELA TODAY??

Where do we go from here?

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slguy says on Dec 2, 2007, 14:04:

I'm hearing exit polls giving El Payaso a 6-8% margin of victory. "low" turnout except for those bussed into the polls by Chavistas. But no one yet calling it.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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john_stark says on Dec 2, 2007, 20:43:

Another victory for Il Duce. Of course we know what happened to the first Il Duce and I wouldn't bet against seeing Chavez swinging from a pole at some point in the future.

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podborski says on Dec 3, 2007, 03:15:

it's after the fact already, but for the first and only time I'll agree with Vlad, those with a lot to lose are motivated to vote, I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

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goin_south says on Dec 3, 2007, 21:59:

GIB... I'm certain.,,, Chavez had 'ear plugs' in yesterday

Where do we go from here?

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scotty says on Dec 4, 2007, 00:20:

Russianfred, you been sipping the vodka again commrade, huh?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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scotty says on Dec 4, 2007, 00:24:

gasoline at $6 a gallon??? maybe Rubito was right, maybe its time to look into getting a bike.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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scotty says on Dec 4, 2007, 00:26:

GS is right again, the price of gas is only going to go up, so why not get now and buy some oil stock. if you cant beat em join em.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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goin_south says on Dec 4, 2007, 05:26:

that was deathnova
I'm sticking with google for the moment,
they've got the tech world over the barrel

Where do we go from here?

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