Chavez affirms that he is a dictator.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

Originally posted by lord of the mark
In a democracy,. . .

In our democracy, yes, but this isn't some universal standard. I also think that our democracy could stand to give its leaders some libel/slander protection as well, considering **** like Swift-Boating. It's one thing to try and protect the opinions of those who are opposed to those in power. It's another thing to allow people to make up lies out of whole cloth for the purpose of throwing an election or bringing down a government. The 1st helps democracy. The 2nd thwarts it.

Guev, in the US, libel laws provide LESS protection to public figures.


In other democracies, libel laws may provide equal protection to public figures and private individuals. I dont think thats a good idea, but yes, its true of other democracies.

Guev, the Venezualan press law that HRW cites specifically extends SPECIAL protections to govt officials that ordinary folks dont get. It also extends those protections only to govt officials, not to people prominent in public life who are not govt officials. You cant show disrespect to the Prez, to a legislator, etc. But you CAN show disrespect to a union official, a businessman, a newspaper editor, or an NGO leader. This is NOT a law to maintain civility in public life. It is a law to protect Chavez and his officials. It is a classic example of the limitation of freedom of speech to maintain power. Now you may feel that in view of the socio-economic situation in Venezuala thats justified - but lets not pretend its something other than what it is.


Note also the law speaks of disrespect. Belief that what you say is true, or even proof that it actually is true, would not appear to be a defense. Even under US law, an intentional lie against a public figure is NOT protected speech, nor, IIUC, is reeckless disgregard to the truth. Public figures in the US do occassionally succeed in libel suits, IIUC.

[SpencerH]

Che-vez at his best

"And it smells of sulfur still today," Chavez said. "Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum -- the president of the United States, the gentleman whom I refer to as 'the devil' -- came here, talking as if he owned the world."

Even Clinton was embarrassed by the comments made by this idiot in Fidel's pocket

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by lord of the mark


Guev, in the US, libel laws provide LESS protection to public figures.

Hence my comment that here public officials could stand to get some protection.

Guev, the Venezualan press law that HRW cites specifically extends SPECIAL protections to govt officials that ordinary folks dont get.

Note also the law speaks of disrespect.

Well that's problematic, but given the context of the three major assaults on democracy made by the anti-Chavistas, understandble, if not condonable.

[Kuciwalker]

A lot of the stuff Bush does is "understandable, if not condonable."

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by SpencerH
Even Clinton was embarrassed by the comments made by this idiot in Fidel's pocket

Why would Clinton be embarressed? How is he responsible for Chavez?

In other news, Chavez is giving 100 barrels of heating oil to something like 17,000 Alaskan residents to help them through the winter cuz of high oil prices.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

Originally posted by lord of the mark


Guev, in the US, libel laws provide LESS protection to public figures.

Hence my comment that here public officials could stand to get some protection.

Guev, the Venezualan press law that HRW cites specifically extends SPECIAL protections to govt officials that ordinary folks dont get.

Note also the law speaks of disrespect.

Well that's problematic, but given the context of the three major assaults on democracy made by the anti-Chavistas, understandble, if not condonable.

Chavez also attempted a coup. So you would say that had the old govt done the same, that would have been understandable?

Whats understandable is that Chavez thinks hes bring the revolution to Venezuala, and will use whatever he can get away with to defend that project.

[chequita guevara]

The old government was seriously bad, though.

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by SpencerH
Che-vez at his best



Even Clinton was embarrassed by the comments made by this idiot in Fidel's pocket

Okay, but we have all heard or seen comments by Bush that are definately more embarassing than that, so that's a cheap shot there.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
The old government was seriously bad, though.

[RGBVideo]

Okay, but we have all heard or seen comments by Bush that are definately more embarassing than that [how Chavez opened his speech whom all the leaders of the world were listening]

no