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Chavez Threatens Broadcasters
Comrade Chavez, one of my "favorite" people to write about is in the news again. He is now threatening to shutdown yet another broadcaster in Venezuela. From FoxNews:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez defended his decision not to renew the license of a popular opposition-aligned television network and warned Tuesday he might crack down on another TV station, accusing it of trying to incite attempts on his life.Chavez said his refusal to renew the license of Radio Caracas Television, which went off the air at midnight Sunday, is "a sovereign, legitimate decision."
He said another station Globovision - one of the few channels that is still harshly anti-government - had encouraged attempts on his life and could also face sanctions.
"I recommend (Globovision) take a tranquilizer, that they slow down, because if not, I'm going to slow them down," Chavez said in a speech.
The claim came about as a result of Globovision broadcasting a retrospective of its 53 year broadcast history in which they ran some footage of the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II.
Chavez has been ranting that opposition broadcasters have been attempting to incite violence by broadcasting "capitalistic poison." CAPITALISTIC POISON? Well, I suppose when you are communist dictator, anything that espouses liberty would be considered poisonous.
It is probable that Comrade Chavez is, by claiming that broadcasters are inciting violence, attempting to shutdown all opposition media within Venezuela. He can use these same claims to throw broadcasters and anchors into prison.
At one point on Tuesday, opposition supporters gathered at the offices of the Organization of American States where they chanted "this is a dictatorship."
I think they've got it right.
According to Comrade Chavez, the enemies of Venezuela has a name. From Reuters:
"Enemies of the homeland, particularly those behind the scenes, I will give you a name: Globovision. Greetings gentlemen of Globovision, you should watch where you are going," Chavez said in a broadcast all channels had to show.
Other broadcasters in Venezuela are very concerned over this trend and rightfully so. RCTV was the oldest and biggest broadcaster in Venezuela. If comrade shut them down with the wave of a pen, what is to prevent him from doing the same to the smaller broadcasters?
Let's face it, if you live in a country where you cannot freely express an opposing opinion without fear of retribution or incarceration, then you are not free.
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