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Ricardo Mazalan / AP
The flag-draped coffin containing the body of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is taken from the hospital where he died, to a military academy, where it will remain until his funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday.
After a seven hour procession through the streets thronged with mourners, the body of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Military Academy where it was to lay in state.
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans followed Chavez's coffin, draped in Venezuela's blue, red and yellow flag, as it was moved through the capital city of Caracas, from the hospital where the charismatic leftist leader died to its destination, about two miles away.
A Venezuelan government source estimated that some 8,000 people were gathered outside the Military Hospital where he died, waiting for Chavez's private guards to begin the procession.
Television pictures showed much larger crowds in the city's main streets.
Chavez, 58, the socialist leader who ran Venezuela for 14 years, lost his two-year battle with cancer Tuesday.
One of the country’s top military leaders and a key Chavez supporter, Maj. Gen. Wilmer Barrientos, said on local television (link in Spanish) that the procession would allow Venezuelans to pay their respects.
"That way we will offer him the honor of a head of state accompanied by the people, the people who love him so much, who venerated him, who continue to venerate him," he said.
A mass attended by the country’s political and military elite would be held at the Military Academy, Barrientos added.
A public funeral is scheduled for Chavez on Friday, followed by seven days of mourning.
"It's a moment of deep pain," Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday, as he announced Chavez's passing and urged the nation not to resort to expressions of violence.
'I adore him'
The deceased leader's daughter, María Gabriela Chavez, tweeted to her followers: "I don't have words. Eternally, THANK YOU! Strength! We must follow his example. We must continue building our NATION! Always daddy of mine!"
Venezuelans — some in tears, some chanting "Long live Chavez!" — also gathered near the Miraflores presidential palace Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.
"I feel such big pain I can't even speak," Yamilina Barrios, a 39-year-old office worker, told the AP. "He was the best thing the country had ... I adore him. Let's hope the country calms down and we can continue the tasks he left us."
One of the world's most flamboyant leaders lost his two-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, ending 14 years of a tumultuous and often bitterly divisive socialist reign. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
"He was our father. 'Chavismo' will not end. We are his people. We will continue to fight!" Nancy Jotiya, 56, in Caracas' downtown Bolivar Square, told Reuters.
Reuters reported isolated violent incidents, including the burning of tents used by students who had been protesting against secrecy surrounding Chavez's condition.
The oil-financed social policies implemented throughout his rule earned Chavez the support of the poor but also disapproval from Venezuela's business community and the wealthy. "At last!" shouted some women in an upscale neighborhood, according to Reuters.
Condolences also poured in from around the world.
Among those who made public remarks was Henrique Capriles Radonski, who faced Chavez in the nation's elections last October.
Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez across the Americas mourn his death.
"We hurt for the feelings of pain of the deceased president's family, and of his colleagues and many Venezuelans, our most heartfelt condolences," Capriles said. "This is not a moment to highlight what separates us. In hours of anguish, families and a people, who are a great family, must unite in prayer, in mediation. Not time of difference, time of union."
Capriles lost to Chavez in October, but the latter was not sworn in due to his illness.
NBC News' Edgar Zuniga and Mary Murray, and The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related:
Venezuela's 'Comandante' Hugo Chavez dies
World leaders mourn Chavez as wave of grief washes over Latin America
Love him or hate him, 'El Comandante' hard to replace
This story was originally published on Wed Mar 6, 2013 10:50 AM EST
Leave a Comment:
Those are tears of joy!
Crap.
I'm sure there are plenty of democratic mourners turning out in the streets of the more liberal states here in the good 'ole US-of-A.
I'm just waiting for MSNBC's multi-day tribute stories in Hugo's honor......Oh, I see they have already began.....
Just in time to save a country from a total Communist takeover; the new leader does not have the backing of the people that backed Chavez; the country is on the verge of Bankruptcy, private industry has been nationalized, oil production down, private property seized, with no compensation, this tin horn dictator did enough damage , I hope the Venezuelan people can rebuild their country.
#5 NBC! He was a brutal Dictator, I'm sure 70% - 80% of the Venezuela people are happy he only made it to 58 yrs.old!
People are crying because of all the free welfare they're going to be missing.
Watching those videos is like watching a little slice of North Korea, right in South America!
The Venezuelan economy is destroyed, thanks to Chavez. And people cry at his death. The irony...
Obama is in mourning
A real Saxon except forgot to put Anglo. If we were to mind our own business we might just save the 56 million poor people in the USA. We don't very much care about our own poor now. Do we? If Jesus, the champion of the poor (modern day terminology "COMMUNIST OR SOCIALIST) were to come again, which I doubt very much, those who pretend to be his followers would surely lynch him.
all the big businesses are leaping for joy.the man that freed the Venezuelan people is dead.now the rich can go back and subjugate the people all over again.that's why there are so many tears.a leader that really cares about most of the people and not just the rich is a rarity.im sure he will be missed
They need to keep the Greedy Americans out and not allow Americans to get any sort of foot hold, or the next thing their country will be like our's "FU_KED".
I think i saw sean penn in the background of one of those pictures.
To all you lefties who troll around the liberal NBC blogs,
Why do you hate Chavez so much? I mean yeah, he spoke out against America and capitalism in general... and Venezuela was the only country that was not on Obama's apology tour... so I get it.
BUT, Chavez and Obama also stand for stood for very similar principles as improving the lives of the poor, spending as much money as it takes, to make people a little better off. The only difference as I see it is that Chavez's economy is further down the road than Obama's when it comes to this economic policy.
I'm not trying to be snarky - just really interested in figuring out where you see the differences between the economic policies of Chavez and Obama.
Gabriel, don't allow leftist loyalties blind you from objective truth. Jesus was not a communist and neither would be today. Don't confuse Jesus' pleas to support the poor through individual charity and Christian works, as being a call for state taxation and redistribution of money. Is that a bit too nuanced for you to understand?
I think I spotted Pop Media elites in the throng of mourners. Actually it was most of the Pop Media elites wearing black, wailing, and sobbing uncontrollably.
Evita!..........Evita!........Evita!..........Evita!
Oh what a circus, oh what a show.
Argentina has gone to town.
Over the death of an acress called Eva Perron.
We've all gone crazy: mourning all day and mourning all night
Falling over ourselves to get all of the misery right.
Oh what an exit that's how to go.
When they're ringing your curtain down.
Demand to be burried like Eva Perron
It's quite a sunset and good for the country in aroundabout way
We've made the front page of all the world's papers to day
But who is this Santa Evita?
Why all this howling hysterical sorrow?
What kind of godess has lived among us?
How will we ever get by without her?
She had her moments she had some style.
The best show in town was the crowd.
Outside Casa Rosade crying "Eva Perron".
But that's all gone now and soon as the smoke from the funeral clears
we're all gone see and how she did nothing for years.
I don't understand how all these people have nothing to do but walk the streets. If I did that my family would starve to death. Why don't they get a job? I have to have a job or my family would starve! Oh - maybe they all live off the government or charity from other countries just like they do in Gaza and the West Bank, Egypt, Libya and most of Africa.
These people are most likely family members and don't have to work, and probably the only ones in the country crying. This country has 22% inflation.
Somwhere on the sugarcane fields of Cuba, Fidel Castro is smoking one of those Rafael Gonzalez Cigars, unaware his companeros has kicked the bucket...
These people look constipated. Use EX-LAX!
When socialism gains a foothold the poor do not prosper nor do they flourish. The leaders flourish and gain wealth that they hide globally. Look at this country right now. The rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer. The middle class is suffering and struglling. Government is getting stronger, wealthier, and taking care of themselves. You are a fool if you believe a democrat leader in DC truly cares about you or your well being.
Emagin1mac, don't forget to add the USA to your list. I think if half or more of a nation's population is dependent on others for their survival, it belongs on the list.
Realist17...I'm not even sure where to begin.
First off, Chavez took over much of the countries revenue producing entities and did distribute some of the money to the poor. He did make their lives a little better. However, how so many people can miss the big picture is beyond me. Chavez helped millions of poor, but the country is still full of millions of poor people. Chavez helped them a little knowing how well an old principle works. What principle is that?
”These Negroes, they‘re getting pretty uppity these days and that‘s a problem for us since they‘ve got something now they never had before, the political pull to back up their uppityness. Now we‘ve got to do something about this, we‘ve got to give them a little something, just enough to quiet them down, not enough to make a difference.” - Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat)
“I’ll have those ni**ers voting Democratic for the next 200 years.”
—Lyndon B. Johnson to two governors on Air Force One, shortly after signing civil rights legislation
How well do you think that concept works?
Chavez could have cared less about the poor. He just wanted their votes so he could remain in power.
Gosh! Golly! and Gee!! At 10cents a gallon for gas AND, AND, AND!!!!! with NATIONALIZED Gas Companies, NO Wonder they are crying. But ooohh noooo!! we "high and mighty" Americans see him as "Tainted with Socialism" So we proudly step up and pay $4.50 for a gallon of gas so that The Robber Baron ceo of exxon gets his $40,000,000 "bonus" on top of his $25,000,000 p/year salary +++Stock Options and Bonuses for Ripping US Off and his aritocrat buttWh0le Buddies put the country in another recession until they get what they want: All the Money!!!!!!!!!!!!!We are really out to lunch....Do NOT Give Up Your Guns and keep your Powder Dry...........
Imagine1mac, you ever heard of taking a day off Moron? How about a vacation day? If you stood on the street for one day, your family would starve you say. You must have the crappiest job in the world. Get a better one Moron. What the hell do you know about Gaza, Egypt, The West Bank, or Lybia? Not a f-ing thing that's what. You are just another self centered piece of @!$%#te American talking out of your a$$.
I love the picture of the Mexican Douche Bag Che look alike. These people are ignorant and pathetic.
They had a professor that was born there talk about the situation there last night. She described it as fairly chaotic. She was pro the opposition, but I think fairly explained who would be replacing Chavez most likely and why.
The bottom line is that the country is very divided, but the problem is and has been that the media is owned by the government and thus any opposition gets 5 min of air time compared to unlimited for the Chavez group. She described lots of people languishing in prison for speaking up, and apparently the 100 plus billion the energy company made last year with help from China and Russia, that apparently 30 billion is gone - disappeared. This sounds just like Mubarak skimming from the profits and making himself mega wealthy. She explained that Chavez followers are many parties that all hate each other, but if they turn on each other they risk losing power.
Realist - Educate yourself on this a little as there is plenty of difference between Obama's policies, and that is why some here on the left are criticizing Chavez. The center right in the US is not socialist. Chavez has put the means of production in the hands and ownership of the government, which is the de facto definition of socialism.. The oil, banking and most media have all been taken over by the state. Foreign investment has been forcibly put out of the country, Dissenters are jailed, elections are blatantly rigged and the media is directly controlled and censored by the government while he publicly embraces and supports the president of Iran. This is NOT the same and that answers your question.
Via con Diablo, Comandante!
What is the going rate in south America for funeral crier's I remember when Kim Died in NK it was a free service people offered to stay out of the re indoctrination camps, I don't think they have those kinds of camps in Venezuela so they must be paying them because no one will go out in public and whale like that for someone they know let alone a politician that they have never met in person get real. anyone that emotional belongs in a mental institute.
Dodiny, Like I said - I get that he has positioned himself against American on the world stage.
But from an economic standpoint, what you just said is the EXACT trajectory that Obama is on. He started with the healthcare industry, which is more than 1/7 of our economy. If he were in power for the next 20 years, do you really think it would stop there? And that is exactly why many people on the left are NOT criticizing Chavez.
Example:
OMABA MEMO PROVES HE WANTS TO SEQUESTER TO BE AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
http://griffin.house.gov/press-release/griffin-email-shows-obama-administration%E2%80%99s-pain-inflicting-plan
THE POTUS WANTS TO CREATE HARDSHIPS ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR HIS POLITICAL GAIN!!!
Realist17
I'm curious where a RWNJ such as yourself sees the similarities?
drive5151, I see nothing humorous with your comment. What makes you so much better than anyone else? I can't think of a single thing. I find you to be a despicable S.O.B. and a coward of the lowest form. Typing racist comments from behind your computer where you are safe. You are not much of man are you? I am so ashamed to have to share this beautiful country with an ignorant piece of garbage like youself. Do us all a favor and please stop the inbreeding.
Excuse me DICK, if you are referring to Che Gueverra, he wasn't Mexican. I love when Morons with no education in History talk out of their a$$es. Makes you look like, well, a DICK! I guess your Ma and Pa picked the perfect name for you to grow up into. It certainly worked. What an Idiot!
flush that POS down the TOILET with the rest of the turds !!! or give him a cremation ? toss him into a greasepit in the oilfields and turn him into several gallons of CITGO gasoline and "tank him up"
drive5151 banned for racist remarks.
We could have learned from President Chavez how to be an industrialized country while protecting our resources and our environment. Venezuela has over 70% of land under conservation. Compare that with 20% of the US.
And politics aside, he did a lot for his country and ours and I can see why people mourn his death:
Reduced poverty from 70 to 20%, provided free education from kindergarten to college, provided universal healthcare. He should be applauded for that. And just because Washington and him couldn't get along (Come on people, how many times do we ourselves not support the decisions our President/representatives make??), we shouldn't demonize him and disregard what he had accomplished.
And lets not forget that with his partnership with the US nonprofit Citizens Energy Corp. and former US rep. Joseph Kennedy, II, the CITGO-Venezuela Heating Oil Program has helped more than 1.7 million Americans in 25 states and the District of Columbia keep warm since it was launched back in 2005.
Some people can be bought on the cheap...
.
You my friend are a moron. If the healthcare in his country were so great, why did he go to Cuba for his treatment? Poverty from 70% to 20%, really? What he did was kill off all the poor people and then spread the wealth down from the rich, except for his wealth. Oh, and his free education...how about free indoctrination? They are not taught, they are programed. If that is what you want for a country, then I suggest you move, the man was a brutal dictator, period!
You show definite signs of mental illness. Not surprising since you worship Obama and the Democratic Party. What a shame you are so ignorant and drunk from the koolaid you have drunk. You are a cradle to grave proponent who is so dumb you have to depend on someone taking care of you. How about you grow up, move out of your mother's basement, get a job and provide for yourself instead of being a leach.
I have a great idea diplomat!! If you think he did so great???? MOVE. There are other countries that have leaders just like him. Quit trying to destroy our country with your socialist/communist B.S. and just get the hell out!!
I'm surprised that the "free education" is considered indoctrination. Do you have proof of this claim? Why is it that whenever someone tries to do something for the poor and destitute, they are the criminal but the man who helps the guy at the top is a good christian?
Thanks "A diplomat." Good post.
When I read the haters on this board (reminding me of the "Two Minutes Hate" from 1984), I realize how well the propaganda machine works. They hate Chavez because they're supposed to. And the people mourning his loss? Yeh, they're paid - fakes - can't be real. There's no way that people living in the country could know the man nearly as well as our corporate-funded presstitutes.
Dip,
Wait 'till the oil runs out.
LoL @ Rich and Victim...God damn, America is becoming boastfully ignorant.
Every dictator has the ability to fix major problems because they have unlimited power. Germans loved Hitler too and there were plenty of truly beneficial accomplishments to list to his name. Does that make it a net good for the people? At what cost? Chavez and his loyalists served their own interests first, used populist policies to distract the less educated and buy their votes, all while deflecting the problems that result from these ill fated moves on their opposition and of course the united states, the world's favorite scape goat. It would be truly one dimensional to simply say chavez's death is a welcome development in an impoverished country that has a ton of problems that will likely backslide, but please don't call the critics presstitutes or brain washed americans. You're just giving away your equally myopic view.
"Reduced poverty from 70 to 20%" quote from A diplomat.
He reduced the povertly level in Venezuela from 70 t0 20 percent did he? By whose measurement standards did he do that?
I can quote made up stuff too. "He was able increase overall happiness from 10 to 50%." Or how about "he bottled up sunshine production to spread around the world by 40%"!?
Go to Venezuela. Go into the barrios, pueblos, & distritos all over the country. Where most common people live. Don't just talk to them. Have them show you how much better their living conditions are compared to what they were 10 years ago. Do they all have indoor plumbing? Enough food? Access to fresh/clean water? Etc.
To the sensibilities of most North Americans, the living conditions of most Venezuelans would be appaling. We would compare them to those of us living in extreme poverty. How are their lives significantly better? And their "universal healthcare" is laughable. If any of you are ever in suburban Venezuela and are struck with a sudden illness, you'd have a better chance of surviving by going to a curandero to practice santeria than one of the local, rural "hospitals".
You know...when capitalists take advantage of a county's wealth and resources it is an awful thing for the local population. But when a communist dictator takes advantage of a country's wealth and natural resources and then talks about how much he is using the money to help his country's poor he is proclaimed a hero by the local populace. And Chavez did a lot of talking. But the fact is that he spent HUGE unnaccounted sums of largely untraceable oil money OUTSIDE the borders of his country. Venezuela's oil resources have enriched the Chavez family, Cuba, Chinese businessmen, and Iranian leaders.
And anyone in Venezuela who has ever called for an accounting of the tens of billions of dollars of oil revenues from taxes and contracts Chavez has collected over the years is labeled things like "traitor", "tool of the capitalists" or "anti-revolutionary" and reviled in the state run media outlets.
In my opinion, had Chavez indeed put a transparent system in place whereby all the oil royalties collected from the nation's natural resources were accounted for and where he could demonstrate that 80% of them were actually spent on benefitting his countrymen, then that would have been a remarkable accomplishment.
Then people like A diplomat could actually make the case that he reduced the poverty rate by 50%. That healthcare was more than just free to everyone. How great is free but really horrible healthcare? I mean so bad that it is just as likely to kill you as cure you? And the country already had a literacy rate of 92% before Chavez took office. After 15 years of Chavez the literacy rate now is marginally better at 95%.
Here are some other statistics about Venezuela following 15 years of Chavez in charge. Child malnutrition still hovers right around 20%. A third of the population still lacks access to adequate sanitation systems. And more than a tenth of the population still lacks access to safe drinking water.
In other words, Chavez talked a really good game publically. To the common people he was the guy looking out for them. But in reality, he squandered huge sums of public oil monies giving stuff away to the Chinese, the Cubans, the Iranians, and even in a small scale heating oil give away in the Eastern United States. All kinds of places around the world got Venezuelan oil money so Chavez could make some friends internationally...when really he should have been spending it on Venezuela.
Sorry, but I can't help but feel like Venezuela might actually be better off now that he is gone. Maybe...just maybe the people will get a leader who does half of what Chavez used to talk about and that would really make a difference in their lives.
@ Diplomat: Hey! Under Chavez things have become worse for the people of Venezuela which also has one of the highest ( if not the highest) murder rate in the world! Like all "worker's paradise" set ups.....Chavez failed, and only the presence of oil as conduit for money kept his nation afloat. The mindless fools that followed Chavez want to be led. They even are saying..."Who will take care of us now?" Why? Because they have little or no ability to know how to take care of themselves....a condition Chavez ( and Obama) strongly encourage. Caracas is mostly a slum. Chavez personally pocketed 2 billion dollars from the people yet a poor, ignorant population in search of hope.....are easily led like sheep and saw Chavez as their shepherd....who was quick to shear them.
Ghengis- you do realise that the statistics you put forth regarding child nutrition and literacy rates in Venezuala are better than the United States after the dismal Bush presidency. As for your assertion that the Ven. health care being as likely to kill as it is to cure, I've found nothing to substantiate that obvuiously politically charged claim. Corrupt? probably, but it's a non-issue for the US, we have plenty of problems here due to the corrupt practices that became the norm under GOP misleadership.
JXC, Ghengis and Dip,
Here's a stat I'd like one of you to find out for me.
How many illegals enter Venezuela each year seeking a better life?
Here's another stat: If Venezuela's free health care was so great why did this dictator go to Cuba for medical treatment???? Word is, he died on the table in Cuba a month ago....
JJD-561872
Largest know reserves on earth...It's gotta be killing you to know your masters will never get their hands on it.
LOL..tens of thousands paying respects. Venezuela has a population of 29 MILLION!
WE had a simple million man march here in the USA..and all were living!
ALL 'bad' dogs died and go to hell.
Dictators are evil people. Chavez amassed billions for himself & his family. He ripped off the citizens. He is dead & burning in HELL for his selfishness along with all the other evil things he did. The useless idiots in Venezuela are crying; the freedom lovers are rejoicing. Hopefully there are more of the latter.
It escapes no ones attention that the same crowd calling the "ELECTED" Prez Chavez a dictator are the same crowd that cheered when Bush Jr was "SELECTED" Prez by our USSC back in 2000.
Sad.
Best Regards
Lobato1
Ol Doc,
What a stupid comment. It is not relevant as to whether or not the US has any access to the oil in Venezuela.
As long as it is on the market the US benefits in lower oil prices and availability from other sources.
NBC loses another supporter.
.
And vice-versa.
Very true Steven, It seems to have broken NBCs heart and the rest of the bias news org.
What this POS did is of no relevance to anyone here in the USA. Why is this deemed newsworthy. May his entire family and those in his regime be struck by the plague
Know nothing about politics or international relations, do you mojo?
Too bad. So sad. BYE-BYE.
Paid cryers.
Forced criers. I see more soldiers than mourners!
Stockholm Syndrome
Hehehehehe.... Now that was a funny argument... Thank you Mr. Miller.
I needed a break from dumb...
You can tell that NBC is certainly mourning him. I guess since NBC is now a state-controlled media outlet they appreciate other dictators who control their media too.
Chavez did not reduce poverty as is the claim but reduced the wealth. He did not elevate the poor but lowered the wealthy. Of course he and his cronies became monstrously rich.
He was worth $2 billion dollars. Obama is using the Chavez redistribution system here!
Amazing how all of you understand Venezuela's politics better than the citizens. They just didn't know what was good for them, huh?
No they DIDN'T apparently. I have friend who is from Venezuela and according to him yesterday was a very good day indeed.
Most of the people was for Chavez so stop the crap. Yes your friend did not vote for him because your friend may be part of South America problem. Have you ever been to the country. You need to go see for yourself. Well the very poor did much better under Chavez. Have you been to one of the South America countries like Venezulela. If you are poor you maybe dirt poor. Like your house may have a dirt floor.
I've been to Caracas.
It's a poverty-stricken region. Shanty towns surround the main city; thousands live in squalor.
And Chavez' net worth is in the billions.
Chavez' net worth is billions? Wow. I never read that. Anywhere.
From that bastion of all things liberal:
I used Google.
.
Wasn't hard.
Burn!!
@Joesnopy
"Yes your friend did not vote for him because your friend may be part of South America problem."
The South American AND Latin American "problem" are dictators like Chaves who want to be president forever.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/venezuela/090216/hugo-chavez-scores-victory-extend-term
The people of Venezuela apparently have no problem having a king. I pity them.
You can't even SPELL Chavez, so if I were you I would return to my worm hole.
Well Yes he wanted to be President for ever because he became a protector of the people in his mind. Yes in America eyes it was wrong but OMG when you have the rich in a country that spit at the poor well yes the very poor wanted a King type President to help them have food, housing, etc. Most of the people he helped would still be dirt poor or dead because of the lack of food and healthcare. I have been to South America and poor in most South America countries are bad.
Good! They say that Dictators DIE in 3's, so could cuba's Castro be next? One can only hope!
Hollywood is morning thier hero today! May this slime bag NEVER rest in peace!
United States is next
Bama Gal -- "Next" what? Are you threatening the POTUS?
no she is not Threatening the POS but they do think alike
The unfolding Chavez story makes me think that maybe the reason Hispanics in our own country (USA) support Obama disproportionately is because Hispanic culture overall tends to be a bit more left-leaning than white culture. If true, this is very bad news for the Tea Party guys and the Republicans generally, because it means even if they come to some agreement about how to handle our immigration situation, it won't gain them parity with the Democratic Party among the Hispanic voters.
The 'Hispanic culture' is around 80% Catholic Steve. We all know the Democratic party is anti- Christian & baby killers! The Carpetbagger Party.
I think you're onto something, but which white culture? Scandinavians are about as white and left-leaning as they come.
Lots of Catholics are Democrats. You'd think they'd gravitate to the loudly anti-abortion party, but this just isn't the defining issue for all religious believers. Social and economic justice are important to many believers.
Socialized medicine is the norm in most of Latin America. Having lived in Latin America more than 25 years I can assure you that the average citizen thinks they are entitled to free medical care and anything else the government can dish out. Many do not contribute, but still benefit from the system. The Republican Party has no chance at courting the Hispanic population as a whole.
The Republican Party has little chance of courting anyone but white middle-aged males...and you're running out of them. What's next? You can change voting laws all you want but in the end...demographics is not your friend.
No people it is the news. Chavez was re-elected many times because he helped the poor in that nation. See all the clowns making fun of the man have not ever seen the level of poverty in a South American country. It is sad to see huge homes in one part of the country and then you go a few miles to see kids in the street on their own. How do you address an issue like that. This is still happening in many South American countries. All the hate filled right wing people what to take this country to that level by taking away the safety net in America. People in the GOP do not understand. Well Chavez was ok until the US tried to take the man out of power then he just lost it with the America. Do any of you know we almost removed the man from power. He did not act as wild before the CIA tried to remove him. Do you remember we had to help place the man back in power when we got caught. He liked loved America before we tried to remove him. Why do we go around removing people from power when they were elected by the people.
"Elected"? Yeah, of course. Guaranteed...when it's rigged how could he not win? And yeah he helped the poor, but basically screwed the middle class in the process.
There was no "middle class" in Venezuela before Chavez. Yes, he was a blowhard and a dictator. Venezuela, like much of Latin America only had a few filthy rich and millions of dirt poor. As a matter of fact. The US has interfered with and exploited Latin America by installing our own dictators for over a century. How do you think Castro came to power in Cuba? Why are we surprised when leaders emerge who hate us?
Because we like to do so?? and rest assured we won't do a damn thing to fix our own problem :)
Elected by using the Obama voter system, by voting for Chavez 5-10 times. I'm not sure if Obama or Stalin said "It's not who votes but who counts the vote that matters, Comrade
Chavez was legitimately elected and wildly popular. You may not agree with him (I don't), but just making stuff up does not help.
Yes when you give everything to people versus promoting hard work you tend to be able to get their vote.
Lee, I hope you carry around a roll of toilet paper to clean up leakage of all the shat you are so full of. How do you fit so much shat in there amongst all the hate, anyway?
eh.... so what
Joesnopy,The same thing happens right here in California The mansions and McMansions with the gang banging infested neighborhoods next door.Chavez was still a dictator and made himself wealthy by doing so.He is no saint.
Well Lady I know he was not a saint. He said he was not a saint just a man. Well you know he is not in another country having hundreds of thousands of people killed because of a lie. Like I said the man was ok with America before we removed him from power and them we turned around and placed him back in power after he recorded it on tape and had it sent to the media in America. WMD.
Another pos down.Nice to see that so called leader gone.
Rest in hell loser,,,
All these people should be in party mode,dam people are stupid
Nest ass wipe to go,,Castro,
'Anti American' If one is pro Humanity than one is anti American? If one is against Jewish Criminal Activities one is anti seamtactic? If HoChiMinh begged America to let them be independent and not French Slaves again-anti amercan? Modi of India is for Hindus not to be butchered and refuses Judea Christian Islam barbarism conversion and exploitation and slavery than he is anti American?
Words have no meaning and language has no sense and it is time USA of Americas drops Master Slave Mentality.
The Black Racism is as bad that of White or Chinese or Colored Racism. Exploitation in any form by Gangsters is bad for Humanity.
There are no chosen blessed low life trash as these all defecate micturate and pollute by removing oxygen and excreting CO2 in environment. The H2S effect.
So todays cheap sanctimonious self grandiose militarily powerful nations or religiously barbarized countries must stand down or face the wrath of GOD.
All humans are 5 senses and five energy perceptive defective machines and eating each other-cannibalism has different forms many ways-koshered or hallaed.
Lets control barbarism.
they are crying because they know they will be paying more for gas. when he was laying on his death bed im sure he was thinking man should have not pissed of the US could have had real cancer treatment there not Cuba. Wonder if he is smelling sulfur now.
Yeah right.. people in the US do not die. dumbass. actually i think God would be less angry witrh him because he didnt bifriend the US gov.
hessy-- careful your IQ is showing im suprised you can even type. God Bless the USA.
Hey a boy named Sue. I agree with Hessy, you are a dumbass. What a @!$%#!
Mourning a man who as president/dictator amassed a 2 billion dollar personal fortune? Sean Penn lost a personal friend? PT Barnum was right--there's one born every minute.
Chevez= Obama
Karma is awesome. He got what he deserved.
everyone dies. so did president Reagan, kennedy..etc did u call it karma too?
All those mourning in the streets are worried that they will have to work in order to eat.
Ever been to Venezuela Scott?
I can understand your hypocrisy of hating on Chavez while driving your truck (Which 17% of the fuel used is imported from Venezuela BTW.) but why take a cheap shot at the people?
I know why... It's the internet... Something about not being face to face with other makes you more... "Masculine"...
Pffffffffttt
Why NBC is putting these pictures on the front page is despicable.He was a dictator who became wealthy as his people lived in poverty.The people in the streets are crying because they know that his replacement is a nut job.Venezuela is not a nice country to live in which is proven as his people immigrate to the U.S. in hopes of freedom and democracy.
Yeah, how many countries did he invade? how many people did he improvrish? how many babies and women did he strike with drones while having dinner with his family? how many women did his soldiers rape in foreign ciountries? how man thousands of lives did he destyroy? how many contries, how many villages, and how many lives did he destroy with bombs, jets and warships?
the real tyrants are in the white house.
Hessy,If you believe that America is so evil you are free to leave anytime.Ask any of the regular people in Iraq or Afghanistan if the U.S. are tyrants?Look at the Vietnamese who were desperate to immigrate to the U.S. once their country fell to the communists.As we are pulling out of Afghanistan many of their people are trying to immigrate to the U.S.
How could anyone morn such a tyrant? I will never forget the time he spit on the President of Spain. Disgusting human being.
He never invaded any country, or killed people with bombs by the thousands, he didnt destroy countries..Nothing like that. The real tyrants are in the white house.
Maybe Venezuelans know more about the situation in Venezuela than you do. I'm not excusing Chavez; just proposing something for you to consider.
hessy-- does it hurt to have that low of IQ.
yeah- Its very easy to call people names instead of debating the subject at hand.
Kim1768585: Learn how to spell 'mourn' before you start airing to the world what you have heard from the 'refugees' in Florida. Chavez gave free medicine and education, fought against corruption and led an oil rich country without creating super-rich power greedy 'politicians' like we have here in the US of A. Those who say Chavez had billions for himself, sure have swallowed the bait that the refugees in Florida have laid.
In not many occassions would an outpouring of grief by citizens of a country over a leader's death be seen. This is not what you'd see in a country led by an accused "dictator". It is unfortunate that most people in the world are duped by fabricated tell-tales of Chavez spun by the 'refugees' enjoying a full paid-for life, courtesy the politicians in Florida. All these refugees want is to remain in the USA. Hounding the country of their birth, just for their gain, appear to be a norm among them. The media, in their haste to critizise Chaves, have gratefully accepted the stories.
Some people appear not to be able to handle the tributes that have been pouring in for Chavez.
Well put Vision 8...
I would like to add I don't like Chavez because I actually had the opportunity to go to Venezuela and see the living conditions of their people. (Granted I haven't been there is over 7 years), but none the less, compared to the US, Venezuela still has long ways to go.
But the Chavez haters in the US are a bunch of hypocrites and the only reason he's hated is because he could take away 17% of the US oil imports with the flip of a switch.
If it wasn't for the beloved oil, Chavez' death would be nothing but a footnote.
By reducing our oil consumption and developing alternative energies, we could stop financing the countries that hate the US and everything it stands for... BUT... Driving a Prius, or an Electric Car or riding a bicycle is just too UnAmerican.
So, to sum it up, Chavez' haters are like a woman that won't leave a violent husband, She could, but why take the risk if she could do just fine with a couple of punches a month... It;s like hating China while you tweet from your iphone (Or use any electronic for that matter)
Hypocrisy Rules this world.
I'm so glad that MSNBC continues to not focus on what's going on in THIS COUNTRY, rather than focus on what's going on in another. Typical smoke and mirror with this network. Shift focus away from what Obama and the administration are NOT DOING, (fiscal and domestic matters- both which he is FAILING), only to wait until the last minute to shift it back, only after MSNBC sees fit.
Maybe MSNBC should change reveal itself for what many see as the truth already, and change the colors to Communist Red and Sickle Bar/Hammer Yellow.....
Dave,I agree.Although they are reporting that Obama and the GOP are having dinner together.The media must think that we are all a bunch of uneducated dolts which I find insulting.
Huele azufre ! Hasta luego Indio Pata Rajada ! LMFAO
Eddie, are you saying that the indian with the cut foot is smelling sulfur in hell right now? LOL.
When a man makes a pact with satan and vows to attack the land founded by persecuted christians.
And when he gives the worldly power of say, oil and riches as to support that. Then that man fails to carry out his pre-defined plan because that man was only a man. Satan kills that man in the worst possible, horrible and painful death available and he knows that that man cannot be saved, will not be eligable for eternal life only eternal damnation. Now Satan gets to collect on that worldly debt.
No I didn't say catholics.... They were the persecutors of the Christians and well, the truth is out about their sodomistic ways and when they fail to destroy christianity just like Mr. Chavez they will recieve no less than he.