Chavez Backers Rally To Alter Constitution

Reforms Would Do Away With Term Limits, Expand President's Powers To Remake Gov't

(AP)  Tens of thousands of President Hugo Chavez's supporters filled the streets Friday for a final rally ahead of a vote on constitutional changes that would let him seek re-election indefinitely. Opponents called for close monitoring of results in what they expect could be a tight contest.

Government supporters, who gathered waiting to hear Chavez speak, vowed to win approval of reforms that would do away with term limits and expand Chavez's powers to remake the government and economy.

"Chavez has become a father for us," said Xiomi Diaz, 34, a farmer. "He's a father of the poor." She and others traveled from across the country in hundreds of buses.

The pro-Chavez rally came a day after more than 100,000 opposition supporters filled the same avenue promising to defeat revisions that would also extend presidential terms from six to seven years and create new forms of communal property.

Chavez denies he is trying to amass power, saying the changes are necessary to give the people a greater voice in government and to move toward a socialist system.

Human Rights Watch warned the changes would threaten fundamental rights, citing one that would allow the president to declare indefinite states of emergency during which the government could detain citizens without charge and censor the media.

"These amendments would enable President Chavez to suspend basic rights indefinitely by maintaining a perpetual state of emergency," Jose Miguel Vivanco of the New York-based group said in a statement Thursday.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that the United States hopes that "the results of the referendum truly reflect the will of the Venezuelan people."

"It should be a free and fair contest in which the will and desire of the Venezuelan people is reflected," McCormack said.

Chavez's opponents have questioned the National Electoral Council's impartiality, especially after Chavez named its former chief, Jorge Rodriguez, as his own vice president in January. But in contrast to past elections, when the opposition has boycotted votes or been split on whether to participate, this time many opposition leaders are emboldened and urging voters to turn out in large numbers.

The government and the opposition both cite polls suggesting their side is ahead, raising tensions ahead of the referendum.

About 100 electoral observers from 39 countries in Latin America, Europe and the United States are on hand, plus hundreds of Venezuelan observers, the National Electoral Council said.

Yet absent this time are the Organization of American States and the European Union, which have closely monitored past votes. The short notice before the vote - on reforms approved by the solidly pro-Chavez National Assembly just one month before - has prevented both institutions from sending delegations that normally take six months to prepare.

The observers from the United States include delegations from the National Lawyers Guild and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Associated Press writer Fabiola Sanchez contributed to this report.

[lorinkundert]

It''s not that much different than what''s happening here in the US, the only difference being that we call the Socialist threat "Progressives" and they work quietly in the background engaging in the gradual destruction of our Constitution.

Like the people of Venezuela we need to fight.

[rushman71]

Uh, Naive_Nancy, this has nothing to do with this article. Oh, I forgot, your just another BushBasher with nothing better to do.

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 03:23 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


***********
do you know the meaning of those statementS?

[stevex47]

jh,
"I haven''''t been able to imagine what its like to have admiration for your leader since 2000..."

But Clinton had ***. (ha)

[random_radar]

Great quote, Nancy_naive! Just another illustration of how clueless Mr. Bush is.

I really like his justification for the United States to invade Iraq to install a puppet democracy: because democracies don''t attack other countries!

I guess he is tacitly admitting that we have a dictatorship after all.

[random_radar]

"I haven''''''''t been able to imagine what its like to have admiration for your leader since 2000..."

There hasn''t been a president I admire since 1900...

[sevenveils]

lorinkundert: it the "conservatives" that are currently in power (liberals in conservative suits) that have called the Constitution nothing but a piece of paper and have slowly, one bill at a time eroded privacy and basic human rights away.

While watching what is apparent, keep a careful on the magician, he''s the one drawing your attention away from what he really is doing.

[sevenveils]

Nancy_Naive, re: "I told him, "You can''''t be the president and the head of the military at the same time."" - George W. Bush,

I enjoyed the irony of this statement. About the only thing the president doesn''t have as commander in chief of the armed forces is a military uniform. What kind of uniform would GW Bush wear?

[sevenveils]

Chavez can become a dictator legally. That is exactly what Hitler did, everything legally, by the book. Of course that''s easy when your friends are writing the book. Am I right Putin?

[libsluvsuvs]

Looks like a mirror image of bush and cheney.


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Posted by rharrin1 at 05:45 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


***************

whatever lsd induced flash back you liberals would like to believe in..the fact is bush is not a dictator and he is not a facist..he is leaving 2008 that is why the DNC jackals are gnawing at each other''s carcas for the job..THE REALITY is..chavez IS openly grabbing power BUT YOU GUYS ARE SO HIGH ON YOUR HATRED for bush that you guys are REFUSING TO BELIEVE IT..TILL ITS REALLY TOO LATE

[sevenveils]

GW Bush and D Cheney would like to rewrite the Constitution, wouldn''t you boys.

Starting with the little things like water boarding and then working their way up their list titled "Things to Do Before Becoming Emperor"

[sevenveils]

libsluvsuvs: Thank goodness there is still enough sense in this world to prevent that from happening.

Just because someone HATES the current presidency doesn''t mean they hate Republicans or Conservatives and it doesn''t mean they love Democrats either.

The President has earned his respect like everyone should. And the degree of respect he has earned is glaringly visible by his poll ratings. If he were a president of a corporation, he''d of been given the boot long time ago.

I''m not faulting those who still wave the flag and give him undying support because I think they are waving the flag at the office and not the man.

[feelfree1]

This situation offers a hopefull possibility for what can happen when a greedy few elite pillage and hoard way more than their fair share of resources, for way too long.

President Chavez appears to be doing a good job of sharing the natural weath of Venezuela, with more of the people of Venezuela. It must be nice to have a fairly elected leader that actually seems to care about the people of their country.

###

For a great film on the failed 2002 U.S. backed coup against Chavez, showing how the courageous people of Venezula reclaimed control of their government from corporate powered pirates, don''t miss:


''THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED''

http://tinyurl.com/m8kkw

Viva Venezuela!

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by GOPACK443 at 01:43 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse
******

that is the most eloquently spoken crock of sh*t i ever heard.. by the way..if its a ''corporation'' it would not be allowed in valenzula. The topic here is chavez and a very obvious power grab but all you can do is pretty much derail the focus away from that...you are worse than that terrorist feelfree

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:16 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


***********

nobody agrees with you anymore aside from chavez and osama..

[libsluvsuvs]

GW Bush and D Cheney would like to rewrite the Constitution, wouldn''''t you boys.

Starting with the little things like water boarding and then working their way up their list titled "Things to Do Before Becoming Emperor"


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Posted by sevenveils at 06:09 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


**************

the liberals still holds the record..they are still working on trying to ''re-write'' the constitution and take away the 2nd amendment..and replace it with a law to tell you how to breath.

[feelfree1]

I have no problems at all with ammending a Constitution.

I do have a problem with ignoring and undermining a Constitution, such as we have witnessed from the unelected Bush cabal.

If we will continue to allow torture, lie-based mass murder, rape and plunder efforts, secret prisons, and unchecked spying on Americans, for example, I think that we should ammend our Constitution to reflect those values.

[feelfree1]

Sorry, "amend".

[one_american]

Chavez - a liberal socialist dictator in the making...

Of course, liberals here in America have no problem with a liberal dictator - because they advance the same ideology that they support.

The end justifies ANY means, to liberals...

[feelfree1]

The Bush regime boot/arse-lickers and goose-steppers really have their tights in a wad over the outcome of this democratic election.

###

Here is an article about a more recent CIA overthrow attempt of President Chavez:

www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18792.htm

Failed again. What a bunch of terrorist simps.

[libsluvsuvs]

have no problems at all with ammending a Constitution.

I do have a problem with ignoring and undermining a Constitution, such as we have witnessed from the unelected Bush cabal.

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Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:41 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse..

********

you are such an ignorant demented liberal..

humm what if we ''amend'' the contitution that morons like you should not be allowed free speech or expression????????

you lost the election. TWICE..TWICE....TWICE..TWICE..LIVE WITH REALITY..

to remind you...but from your terroristic standpoint that criminals..non american terrorists HAS MORE RIGHTS TO TEH CONTSITUTION..killing and dealing with the enemy of this country is a VIOLATION OF RIGHTS. if left to you to decide it would be UNCONSTITUTIONAL to show the insurgency in middle east..


************
obviously

[libsluvsuvs]

i mean it would VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF THESE TERRORISTS UNDER THE ''CONSTITUION OF THE UNITED STATES'' TO SHOOT AT THE INSURGENCY IN MIDDLE EAST.

[libsluvsuvs]

Here is an article about a more recent CIA overthrow attempt of President Chavez:

www.informationclearinghouse.
info/article18792.htm

Failed again. What a bunch of terrorist simps.



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Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:51 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse
**********************

overthrow??????????? hell they should just assasinate thier fu cker...of course for you chavez has the ''RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES''

[feelfree1]

For those who would prefer to watch a very exiting documentary about the failed 2002 U.S.-backed coup against Chavez, showing how the courageous people of Venezula reclaimed control of their government from corporate powered pirates, instead of enduring the inane sreechings of "LIBSLUVSUVS", don''t miss:

''THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED''

http://tinyurl.com/m8kkw

Viva Venezuela!

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:59 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


******

YOU ARE A SOCIALIST AND A TERRORIST..

[feelfree1]

Correction:

Should be "...inane screechings of "LIBSLUVSUVS"..."

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:59 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


**************

YOU ARE A TERRORIST PROPAGANDA MACHINE

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:59 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


**************

YOU ARE A TERRORIST PROPAGANDA MACHINE.....everybody knows the type of people you support..

[feelfree1]

"TheGateway1" wrote:

"To see why FeelFree1 is such a d1ck, reach back and remove that little dangler on your *****, that''s him."

Yikes! Another repressed homosexual with "familiy values".

[libsluvsuvs]

Yikes! Another repressed homosexual with "familiy values".



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Posted by FeelFree1 at 07:06 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


******

your logic is ..bush stole the election TWICE but in turn you support a man who wants to eventually rid of free elections????????????????????? YOU ARE A MORON...

family values??? yours pretty much went down the liberal drain by the abortion clinics..how is your effort to save a criminal''s life on death row??

[feelfree1]

Apparently there are some who are not comfortable with discussion the failed U.S. overthrow attempt of the democratically elected leader of Venezuela back in 2002, as portrayed in the exiting film:

''THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED''

http://tinyurl.com/m8kkw

Nor are they interested in dicussing the more recent CIA-backed effort to overthrow the democracy in Venezuela, as described here:

www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18792.htm

Viva Venezuela!

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 07:13 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse

*************

and you are uncomfortable that nobody gives a sh*t about you caring for hugo chavez..

[feelfree1]

TheGateway1,

Re: "Why don''t you go get a grant from your buddy Chavez, I''m sure he''''d be willing to bend you over and do you good."

Yet another clear example of the intensely repressed homosexual feelings that seem part and parcel with being an angry, spiteful, eunuch supporter of the Bush regime.

If these toe-tappers had the courage to simply come out of the closet, we might all be a whole lot better off...

[feelfree1]

LIBSLUVSUVS,

Re: "and you are uncomfortable that nobody gives a sh*t about you caring for hugo chavez.."

Really? Cause you seem on the brink of swallowing your tongue over this issue.

[libsluvsuvs]

Really? Cause you seem on the brink of swallowing your tongue over this issue.



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Posted by FeelFree1 at 07:23 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse


********************

is that what you tell people who disagree with you?...what is a good solution to that?? re-write the consitution?

[feelfree1]

The Bush regime dead-enders appear to be in their final throes. Check it out:

"YOU ARE A SOCIALIST AND A TERRORIST"

"YOU ARE A TERRORIST PROPAGANDA MACHINE"

"YOU ARE A MORON..."

"FeelFree1 eats little baby chihuahuas and sexes up his neighbors''s great dane every night."

It looks like their backs are broken.

[ontheleft]

Whatever one thinks of Chavez, technically he is not a dictator since he was democratically elected by the people of Venezuela. There''s a vocal minority in Venezuela that opposes him, but in a democracy the majority rules, so they are out of luck. Don''t forget that in our own country FDR ran for president and won four times. Would you call FDR a dictator?

Bush could try the same thing Chavez is doing to remain in power, but since 78% of voters can''t stand the guy, he would have a snowball''s chance in h3ll of getting re-elected to a 3rd term. That''s why Bush reserves the right to declare a national emergency and remain in office if he so chooses. This would be quite "democratic" according to the hypocritical neocons of course, who didn''t give a flying fig when Musharraf declared martial law.

[formrusmcsgt]

"It should be a free and fair contest in which the will and desire of the Venezuelan people is reflected," McCormack said.

He must mean like the presidential election of 2000 which was decided by the Supreme Court, not the US voters.......

[formrusmcsgt]

FeelFree1 eats little baby chihuahuas and sexes up his neighbors''''s great dane every night.

Posted by TheGateway1 at 07:16 PM : Nov 30, 2007

Obviously, you have nothing to contribute other than adolescent name-calling....

[feelfree1]

lorinkundert,

Re: "Like the people of Venezuela we need to fight."

Well put.

[formrusmcsgt]

You and MCVet and the Prophet are the worst hate-mongering, liberal, socialist ******* on these forums.
Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:47 PM : Nov 30, 2007

I assume by your post that you are a Christian....

[formrusmcsgt]

Part of his liberal pack of socialist buddies standing up for him, eh?

Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:49 PM : Nov 30, 2007

Actually, I am an Independent and a believer in the capitalist system.

As for feelfree1, I have never seen him call anyone a "***", which is more than I can say for you.

[formrusmcsgt]

I assume by your post you can''''t deny what I posted, and are trying to take the argument in a different direction.

Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:50 PM : Nov 30, 2007

To be honest, I''m not trying to take the argumanet in any particular direction, but rather, observed that your comment was typical of those who consider themselves to be Christians, ergo, morally superior to the rest of us while slandering and defaming the rest of us all the while....

[formrusmcsgt]

LMFAO, Chavez has BOUGHT the poor and dis-enfranchised vote with welfare, handouts, and bribes, and through intimidation threatens anyone who votes against him.

hmmm, sounds like the Clinton playbook, come to think of it.

Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:54 PM : Nov 30, 2007

Not that I''m any fan of Chavez, by any means, but do you think he would have found resonance for his arguments about the disenfranchised if the elites hadn''t ignored them for so long?

The same thing happened in Bolivia with Morales.

You can only neglect the poor in favor of the elites for so long and then the piper has to be paid.

[formrusmcsgt]

As for being a christian, what makes you think I follow western religions, or eastern ones for that matter?
I haven''''t stepped foot in any church for over 25 years. Happy now?

Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:57 PM : Nov 30, 2007

Frankly, I could care less whether you follow a dogma or not. You just sound a lot like those who do.

[formrusmcsgt]

Which proves that you label people without knowing ***, ya loser.

Posted by TheGateway1 at 09:59 PM : Nov 30, 2007

That''s rich. All you have in you quiver is third-grade namecalling and I''m the loser?

Get real.

[formrusmcsgt]

waaah, waaah, he ain''''t religious, so I can''''t wail on his butt.

Posted by TheGateway1 at 10:05 PM : Nov 30, 2007

No gateway, I deal in reality, not make believe.

[mh4cbs1]

Chavez "bribed" the poor!!

What a sleazy politician, trying to raise people out of poverty, just to get their votes. He actually wants to see the people of Venezuela benefit from their Oil - instead of US Oil Corporations and the super-wealthy. Such an opportunist, exploiting their Oil for the benefit of average citizens.

No wonder Bush hates Chavez. No wonder the US rulers supported his overthrow in 2002. No wonder Chanvez is far more popular in Venezuela than Bush is in America.
Yes, Chavez has got to go. Time to call in the CIA for another coup.

[formrusmcsgt]

Why don''''t you go live in Chavez''''s democracy, eh?

Posted by TheGateway1 at 10:06 PM : Nov 30, 2007

Because I''m a patriot and hope to see real democracy restored in my homeland, the US, for which I''ve fought.

Have you put your a$$ on the line for this country, "hero"?

[feelfree1]

Re: "God *** all you crazy liberals to hell."

Does this poster hope to persuade others here to consider their position with comments like this?

Re: "Part of his liberal pack of socialist buddies standing up for him, eh?"

The regime backers see liberals, traitors, and terrorists everywhere they look, unable to recognize this trend, as a result of their own quickly vanishing relevance.

Their frantic shrieks seem to grow fainter by the moment.