Hugo Chavez munches coca leaf at meeting

[Amishism]

Hugo Chavez in coca leaf shocker
January 27, 2008
video
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has surprised a summit of Latin American leaders. He accepted a handful of coca leaves from his Bolivian ally Evo Morales and chewed them in front of delegates.
 
Chavez went on to defend the use of the stimulant and admitted to using it every day. He said that coca was not cocaine and blamed the mafia for converting it into the addictive drug.

The US recently accused Chavez of aiding the flow of cocaine from Colombia, through Venezuela.

The president claims the drug issue is being used to taint his government.

[Biggs]

TOP MAN

VIVA CHAVEZ

[Rak HaEmet]

Venezuela is one of the places I would consider moving to if Dr. Freedom doesn't win, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

Kinda funny that all the folks who're standing up to the NWO are demonized (don't assume I'm asserting they're angels either). I like Chavez's "eggs" to stand up to the global tidal wave of the NWO.

btw, on the point of the coca leaves.... it's true, it's just like Amerikan baseball players use tobacco. A stimulant, yes; however, it hasn't been processed to the Amerikan market.

Hurray for Chavez!

[GUS]

The US recently accused Chavez of aiding the flow of cocaine from Colombia, through Venezuela.

If this is true, how dare Chavez compete with G.H.W. Bush and the "Company". Be sure your coke is smuggled by true blue Americans. Exporting war, and importing drugs is about all we have. Lets show some pride people.

[Rak HaEmet]

I'll have to post this somewhere else too, but goes to reflect Chavez's testicular fortitude-

Chavez Pushes for Withdrawl of International Reserves from US Banks

CARACAS: The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, urged his Latin American allies to begin withdrawing billions of dollars in international reserves from U.S. banks, warning of a looming U.S. economic crisis.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/27/america/venez.php

[jeronimous]

Of course he's right about coca leaves not being the same as cocaine. But...you people do know that he's a communist dictator right? If that's what you want, fine. It's not for me though. Most of Caracas is quite a sh*thole. Crime and corruption are rampant. It's only barely a livable place if you're one of the more well off and then it's dangerous. My wife is from there. Her entirely family has left the country except for her mother, who is too elderly to make such a huge life change. They feel it's only a matter of time until Chavez outlaws all private property. Some larger properties have already been confiscated and redistributed. After his election, he personally rewrote the constitution to extend his powers and length of stay in office. Honestly, I'm all for his standing up to the NWO; but the nature of his government has been extremely misrepresented by many here in the States. He will be "president" for the rest of his life by his own fiat. People there are afraid to speak out or to vote against him. Sorry if this bothers you. This truth will not be revealed in the North American media and knowing it as I do, I feel a responsibility to inform you all.

All that said, one does feel freer there than in this so-called land of the free.

[DCUBED]

Remember, Venezuela sits on top of huge oil fields. That might encourage Bush to do something. 

[wilson]

coca leaves are great. I don't believe they are harmful. I recall reading of a study that said they are  good for dental health.

[DCUBED]

Faux News response:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-CYQRKM09I

[jeronimous]

I've had coca leaves, chewed and as a tea. It's just a mild stimulant, nothing at all like cocaine. Oil is a good example of his gov't. My brother-in-law used to work there for one of the oil companies. Chavez nationalized the oil industry there, so my bil now works for the same company in Nigeria. Nationalizing private industry is not a good sign, not that I have any love for big oil. 

[hellcatjr]

If this is true, how dare Chavez compete with G.H.W. Bush and the "Company". Be sure your coke is smuggled by true blue Americans. Exporting war, and importing drugs is about all we have. Lets show some pride people.

As funny as that may be, god is it true though!!

WTF is wrong with people here, wake up SHEEP!

[Info_Trafficker]

Awesome.

[dogmadestroyer]

How is this an issue? The natives always chewed on coca leaves when they walked up in the mountains so they could keep going with thin air. When the Spanish arrived they picked it up too. Its nothing more than a "lower class" thing to do and thus Chavez the "man of the masses" is chewing a coca leaf.

[thrashbassist]

The funny thing is that they wouldn't have said a thing if he was having a drink or smoking a cigarette, and that's way more harmful.

[GUS]

Of course he's right about coca leaves not being the same as cocaine. But...you people do know that he's a communist dictator right? If that's what you want, fine. It's not for me though.

    Communist dictator? Yea I 'spose. From an American point of view isn't that a little like "the pot calling the kettle black". Since we seem to be quickly becoming a "fascist dictatorship". Maybe we should leave other country's to their own devices, and get ours back to being a democratic, constitutional republic?   

[jeronimous]

Chavez is not a man of the masses. He is a man out for his own enrichment and the enrichment of his cronies. He is no different from any other megalomaniac. The left wing propaganda you are fed about him is no different than the right wing propaganda. They are all lies designed to manipulate you. He is part of the Hegelian dialectic. Wake up!!!

Left to their own devices Venezuelans would not have a self appointed dictator for life. Gah!!! I still have family there, trust me people. I know the situation.

[GUS]

Chavez is not a man of the masses. He is a man out for his own enrichment and the enrichment of his cronies.

  Can you say; George Bush, Dick Cheney? I didn't spout any regurgitated propaganda that I've been fed by the left or right. I just suggest we look in our own backyard first.

I still have family there

  I still have family here.

[KiwiClare]

Chavez is not a man of the masses. He is a man out for his own enrichment and the enrichment of his cronies.

He's been brilliant on the world stage and he deserves more browney points than most other leaders. Remember he called Bush "the devil" and said the UN system was "worthless" in September 2006.  That must have emboldened a few people to see someone seeming to be so brave.

Chavez tells UN Bush is 'devil'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5365142.stm

Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez has called US President George W Bush "the devil" in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

"The devil came here yesterday," he said, referring to Mr Bush's speech on Tuesday. "It still smells of sulphur today," he added.

US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said it was disappointing to see a head of state speak in such a way.

Mr Chavez went on to criticise the UN system, which he said was "worthless".

The left-wing Venezuelan leader - allied to Cuba's Fidel Castro and with growing ties to fellow oil-producer Iran - has long had tense relations with the US.

UN 'worthless'

On Tuesday, Mr Bush had defended his policies on the Middle East and said democracy was gaining ground as terrorists were marginalised.

   
The UN system born after World War II collapsed. It's worthless
Hugo Chavez
Venezuelan President

UN session at a glance

Mr Chavez, who brandished a copy of American leftist writer Noam Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance, said Mr Bush promoted "a false democracy of the elite" and a "democracy of bombs".

"He came here talking as if he were the owner of the world," the Venezuelan leader said.

He called for drastic reform of the UN to reduce what he called US influence.

The UN in its current form "doesn't work", he said.

"I don't think anybody in this room could defend the system," the Venezuelan leader added.

UN General Assembly in session on 20 September
The UN General Assembly is holding its 61st session

"Let's be honest. The UN system born after World War II collapsed. It's worthless."

Mr Chavez's criticism of the UN echoed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech to the assembly late on Tuesday, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall reports from New York.

"As long as the UN Security Council is unable to act on behalf of the entire international community in a transparent, just and democratic manner, it will neither be legitimate nor effective," Mr Ahmadinejad said in a speech delivered a few hours after Mr Bush's appearance.

Afghan appeal

Wednesday's session opened with a speech by Afghan President Hamid Karzai who argued military action alone would not stop terrorism in his country.

   
They decapitate elderly women, blow up mosques full of worshipers and kill school-going children in indiscriminate bombings of civilian areas
Hamid Karzai
Afghan president

Karzai addresses UN

He called for the destruction of safe havens and elaborate networks operating in the region to recruit, train, finance, arm and deploy terrorists.

And he said the answer to defeating the drugs trade lay in international support for providing a "meaningful alternative livelihood to our farmers".



   

[jeronimous]

  Can you say; George Bush, Dick Cheney? I didn't spout any regurgitated propaganda that I've been fed by the left or right. I just suggest we look in our own backyard first.


  I still have family here.

Did I say anything positive about Bush or Cheney? WTF? Chavez is just the other side of the same coin. You all can be tools if you want. It's all a charade, bread and circus, a dog and pony show to precipitate the NWO. Stupid freakin' americans. *shakes head* I'm goin' to bed. Believe the lies you're fed. Meh.

[GUS]

Sweet dreams

[Lannister]

i enjoy seeing russia, china, iran, and venezuela throw wrenches into the NWO's plans.  even if the people running things there are as much dicks(well maybe not AS MUCH) as whos running thigns over here...  its nice to have large countries kicking sand in their faces too.

[whitelocust]

commies battling fascists over what they think is rightfully theirs. one wants to kill you, the other, to own you. screw them all. chavez is no freaking hero. thomas jefferson was a freaking hero. free and independent is what we are, and those rights are given by the creator, and in knowing that i feel truly free.

[DJ BALL]

As an outsider all i can say is that i love Chavez for standing up to the biggest evil on the face of the globe today.
What's the saying...
The enemy of your enemy is your friend....
We demonize Chavez for his "communist dictatorship" but i agree with the post above,  it's starting to feel like a "capitalist" dictatorship here.
Chavez and Citgo offered to sell heating oil below cost to the poor in the U.S from what i remember.
Better then  the assraping that Bush/Cheney are only capable off.

[life0repeats]

Like anyone else there are things that you can appreciate/like/respect concerning Chavez and things you will dislike about him.  I think most of the people within this forum will like that he calls Bush a devil, will like that he generally opposes 'The Empire" and those set on expanding it.  The left media likes him since he's socialist and has a lot of co-ops developing.  Then you got others who like him since he's trying to cut off Latin America's mentality of always looking to the US or England instead of looking to their neighbors within the hemisphere.  But those who are against Communism may see him negatively since they see his socialist ways as being a step to altogether communism in Velenzuela.  And others see the hypocrisy of him and his allies getting rich off their positions especially when he's supposed to be the man for the masses.  And see his desire for lifetime President status if re-elected as showing his true motives. 

I'll give my opinion.  I like that he's for more integration within the hemisphere.  I like him calling Bush the devil and talking about going against the Empire.  I like that he's traded Oil for doctors from Cuba.  I like that he's had an election and respected the decision of that election about unlimited Presidential terms.  And I that he's help pay off IMF debt for some of the neighboring countries.  These are all steps in the right direction for latin america - especially considering the raping of the continent over the last 100+ years by the big corporations (with our militaries assistance when needed).  In places like south america where so many countries have the elites with money and every one else is piss poor I don't see the redistribution of wealth as a bad thing when reforming things since I see it as getting to an even playing ground after the deck had been stacked for centuries.  Just the hope is that it evolves from the re-distribution stage on to a free enterprise stage.  As for communism and socialism and whatever else form of government.  Whatever the people of that country decide they want I'm okay with it.  I just don't like seeing our country forcing a form of government down another countries throat.  The corruption charges against Chavez i look at with a response of "is his corruption as bad for the people as the previous guy's corruption?"  a step in the right direction is better than the same old same old.

[dogmadestroyer]

Like anyone else there are things that you can appreciate/like/respect concerning Chavez and things you will dislike about him.  I think most of the people within this forum will like that he calls Bush a devil, will like that he generally opposes 'The Empire" and those set on expanding it.  The left media likes him since he's socialist and has a lot of co-ops developing.  Then you got others who like him since he's trying to cut off Latin America's mentality of always looking to the US or England instead of looking to their neighbors within the hemisphere.  But those who are against Communism may see him negatively since they see his socialist ways as being a step to altogether communism in Velenzuela.  And others see the hypocrisy of him and his allies getting rich off their positions especially when he's supposed to be the man for the masses.  And see his desire for lifetime President status if re-elected as showing his true motives. 

I'll give my opinion.  I like that he's for more integration within the hemisphere.  I like him calling Bush the devil and talking about going against the Empire.  I like that he's traded Oil for doctors from Cuba.  I like that he's had an election and respected the decision of that election about unlimited Presidential terms.  And I that he's help pay off IMF debt for some of the neighboring countries.  These are all steps in the right direction for latin america - especially considering the raping of the continent over the last 100+ years by the big corporations (with our militaries assistance when needed).  In places like south america where so many countries have the elites with money and every one else is piss poor I don't see the redistribution of wealth as a bad thing when reforming things since I see it as getting to an even playing ground after the deck had been stacked for centuries.  Just the hope is that it evolves from the re-distribution stage on to a free enterprise stage.  As for communism and socialism and whatever else form of government.  Whatever the people of that country decide they want I'm okay with it.  I just don't like seeing our country forcing a form of government down another countries throat.  The corruption charges against Chavez i look at with a response of "is his corruption as bad for the people as the previous guy's corruption?"  a step in the right direction is better than the same old same old.

Those are pretty much my thoughts on the guy. I have similar views on Vladimir Putin as well although not a fitting with the socialist part of the equation. Kicking out Rothschild backed oligarchs, nationalizing Russia's oil, and now getting a free market going in a more legit way rather than the wholesale mafia/banker rule is a good thing for all Russians. However his reaction to Rothschild backed opposition with arrests, putting more power into the executive, and backing youth groups to stifle dialog is definitely not good. But the end result is much better than the Soviet years and the Western rape years under Yelzhin.

[jeronimous]

In places like south america where so many countries have the elites with money and every one else is piss poor I don't see the redistribution of wealth as a bad thing when reforming things since I see it as getting to an even playing ground after the deck had been stacked for centuries. 

What you see as the elite of Latin America would qualify here as only middle class. Follow your own advice, sell all your shit and give the money to a poor family in one of our inner cities, or in the Appalachians, or in the rural South. IDEALISM, meh

cause redistribution of wealth has worked soooooo well historically   

[jeronimous]

Okay, here's the one simple thing that this community should be able to understand. Hell, I thought ya'll did already. The global elitists use a false left, right paradigm to enslave us. Chavez is effing working for the people you think he is opposing. Geeeez, it' so obvious. IT'S THE PLAN FOR GLOBAL ENSLAVEMENT!!!

[life0repeats]

no the Elite are not the equivalent to the middle class here.  Big rancheros who have enough money to pay for a armed guards for "protection" and to keep workers from organizing wouldn't fall into the Middle Class equivalent group.  That's the Elite.  Now are there people who are less poor than others, yeah.  But that doesn't make them part of the Elite.  The "less poor" would be the middle class equivalent.

oh and the failed Coup was a farce too right?

[Kregener]

Our tyrants are so much better than theirs...

[jeronimous]

no the Elite are not the equivalent to the middle class here.  Big rancheros who have enough money to pay for a armed guards for "protection" and to keep workers from organizing wouldn't fall into the Middle Class equivalent group.  That's the Elite.  Now are there people who are less poor than others, yeah.  But that doesn't make them part of the Elite.  The "less poor" would be the middle class equivalent.

oh and the failed Coup was a farce too right?

Go live there for ten years, then we can talk. Your ignorance is too thick to for the light of knowledge to pass into. Saying a failed coup attempt legitimizes Chavez is tantamount to saying that Reagan was a swell guy because John Hinckley Jr. shot him. It was merely symptomatic of an internal power struggle between two factions that are taking the country to the same place.  BTW cowboys in Venezuela are called llaneros, not rancheros. And ranchos are the equivalent of barrios. You're thinking of Mexico. Different country, different dialect. Huevon! You're a waste of my time. Bye.

[GUS]

Our tyrants are so much better than theirs...

  So true.

jeronimous take a breath, relax, I think we are all on the same side.

[Protean]

"Mr Chavez has urged them to draw up a joint defence policy and create a united military force against US imperialism.

"If the US threatens one of us, it threatens all of us," he said, "we will respond as one.""

From: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2008/280108Chavez.htm

I concur--sounds like good defense against a bully, and to think, we used to be the good guys.

[life0repeats]

Go live there for ten years, then we can talk. Your ignorance is too thick to for the light of knowledge to pass into. Saying a failed coup attempt legitimizes Chavez is tantamount to saying that Reagan was a swell guy because John Hinckley Jr. shot him. It was merely symptomatic of an internal power struggle between two factions that are taking the country to the same place.  BTW cowboys in Venezuela are called llaneros, not rancheros. And ranchos are the equivalent of barrios. You're thinking of Mexico. Different country, different dialect. Huevon! You're a waste of my time. Bye.

wow, i didn't think my ignorance was worth you going back to your post and editing it since I was already labeled a waste of time and given a "Bye".  You lived ten years in velenzuela and i have lived in another latin american country and visited for over 20 - different places, but with equivalents so llaneros or rancheros they're equivalents.  I probably over did the less poor being the middle class as an overeaction to your their Elites are americas middle class (a good bit more inaccurate than mine in my opinion).  And even if I looked at it the same way as you, "It was merely symptomatic of an internal power struggle between two factions that are taking the country to the same place.", I'd take the option that's less liked by the US since it would be the lesser of two evils.  You are greatly against Chavez, but is he worse/better for the people than previous leaders of Velenzuela?  Is he worse/better for the region than previous leaders?  And why? (remember those from school?)

my answer would obviously be i think he's better, although not ideal.  but i'm comparing him to who's been there and not ideally who would be there.

and if ultimately i think ur answer is some b.s. i'll just chalk it up to perspective.  since two people can have same environment and see it differently based on own values, priorities, etc.  like two cubans with one who thinks its way better than when bautista was there and the other who will party when Castro is dead.  and plus you know there will be a 3rd who think its way better than when bautista was there and will also party when Castro is dead.

[Bozer]

The real message there was how stupid the media thinks we are - that coca leaves are the same as cocaine.  It is the equivalent of chewing tea leaves - chewing tobacco would give ten times the buzz.

[Biggs]

I am still a Chavez fan, big time, the way he has told USa/ UK and the large banks to back off is great. The stuff he says about Bush and imperialism and the stacked  global economic game mislabelled as neo-liberalism is also great.

I agree his latest reforms were too much too soon, however, he is only taking the country to something like pre Thatcher Britain, it is still very much mostly an economy built on private property and capitalism.
\
For capitalism to work you have to undo some of the economic crimes first. This is the problem with the WTO/IMF/World Bank (apart from their plan to enslave the world of course) but they implement solutions without first righting previous injustices which were mostly won at the point of a gun or the assassination of a popular leader etc etc.

Nevertheless, I do hope he now slows down reform and allows the situation to settle for some time.

As for him being a bit of a dictator, sure but less so than fascista USA and let us face it, if he were not a bit tough the CIA would have the elites in Venezuela kick him out with force in about a month. He has no choice when standing up to such disgusting cold blooded hate.

His latest round of reforms also look like they could begin to tackle to Rothschilds owned central bank, he has certainly cut back their power although is some way from ending their influence on venezuala.

It will be interesting to see how his new "Bank of the South" develops, and how free it is from NWO control.

[jeronimous]

Just so everyone knows, I only edited to highlight life0repeats' ignorance of the situation by pointing out his language mistakes. My point is we're talking about Venezuela here, not some "equivalent" where he claims to have been. The population is mostly urban. There are no vast tracts of land devoted to raising livestock or vegetable foods. Their economy is centered, well, was centered around oil. In that way it is completely different from all other Latin American countries. Now their economy is more screwed than it ever was. Basic goods and services are in short supply, typical communist economy. I'd be shocked if the Bank of the South is allowed to happen. If it does, it will only amount to changing jefes with no substantial benefit to the nation's people, or it will be useless symbolism.

Is Venezuela better or worse under Chavez? That depends. If you're dirt poor, there is no difference. If you're middle class...well, they are leaving the country in droves. Does that tell you anything?

Ya'll can think whatever you want about Chavez; but you're wrong. I know. It's not a matter of opinion or perspective or some liberal, ever wavering truth. The bigger question is who among you has the eyes to see? And are there enough of us to make a difference? I fear the answer to the latter is no.

Life0repeats, you can't even write a coherent sentence and you are apparently completely unaware that there is a shift key on your keyboard. You are a waste of time and space. I'm posting for the benefit of those who are not. Don't flatter yourself.

[life0repeats]

oh brother.  my lack of capitals on a forum post?     yeah yeah, you're the only person who is able to see the truth and every one else is ignorant for disagreeing.  and explaining why you had to waste time on editing to add in a point that just proved you couldn't argue with real points?  get over yourself. 

[jeronimous]

Get an education.

[jeronimous]

Oh, and I did address your main point. If you could read and write above the third grade level, you would know that.

[dogmadestroyer]

Too much

going on here.