NationStates Jolt Archive

Which current world leader do you like the best? That is who's policies do you agree with most or who do you think does the best job leading his or her country.

Tony Blair:D :D :D

Abdul Kalam and Dr. Manmohan Singh for their work in developing and liberalizing the Indian economy and their work in advancing scientific freedom and access to information technology in India and abroad.

Tony Blair:D :D :D

I really hope those emoticons signify that you are joking.

I really hope those emoticons signify that you are joking.

Yes... but he has done a lot of good for Britain like.... erm well like oh i give up he was a pants PM and thank God he leaves soon.

Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama. *nod*

Perhaps Zapatero of Spain, for pulling out of Iraq.

Which current world leader do you like the best? That is who's policies do you agree with most or who do you think does the best job leading his or her country.

I don't need no steeking favorites.

none really, but i do respect chavez's overt and unapologetic efforts to break US hegemony in the americas.

none really, but i do respect chavez's overt and unapologetic efforts to break US hegemony in the americas.

I have to agree with this.

none really, but i do respect chavez's overt and unapologetic efforts to break US hegemony in the americas.

I do respect this, however, something about him bothers me... he seems to have very good ideals, but his methods for achieving them leave much to be desired.

And, as for the topic of the thread... The Dalai Lama. Great guy.

Hamid Karzai

Prince Phillip

Putin.

Putin.

may I ask why?

may I ask why?

I was being sarcastic.

Prince Albert II

The Swiss Federal Council.

While I strongly disagree with the way Chavez is going about his business, he has great ideals, so he is my favorite. I think he has to watch out for the Americans trying to bring his government down though, even if he relinquishes power and lets Democratic Socialism take effect.

Which current world leader do you like the best?

Hugo Chávez.

Not least because of the astonishing hatred, demonization, and vitriolic paranoia directed against him.

He fucking terrifies certain people. And it's exhilarating to watch.

My favorite world leader is a dead world leader; none of them are worth a shit.

may I ask why?

He was a trooper to play the part of "Dobby" in Harry Potter 2.

Probably Chavez. The problem is I can see myself looking very silly in fifteen years when Venezuela's a dictatorship... hopefully no shit like that goes down. Otherwise I would look a fool (some other people may get hurt also).

Probably Chavez. The problem is I can see myself looking very silly in fifteen years when Venezuela's a dictatorship... hopefully no shit like that goes down. Otherwise I would look a fool (some other people may get hurt also).

yeh i really hope he can keep himself in check, or someone can. the last thing the world needs is another power-drunk corrupted socialist. sometimes i wonder if he's not gone too far already but fingers crossed eh?

Queen Elizabeth II for keeping quite and having balls of steel (though politically I don’t like her)

Queen Elizabeth II for keeping quite and having balls of steel (though politically I don’t like her)

What are Lizzie's politics then? Do tell.

Queen Elizabeth II for keeping quite and having balls of steel (though politically I don’t like her)

i'd love it if queenie was a tranny, lol! especially a mechanical tranny - that'd be awesome, haha!

Queen Elizabeth II for keeping quite and having balls of steel (though politically I don’t like her)

Keeping quiet? You mean doing nothing and getting paid for it?

Keeping quiet? You mean doing nothing and getting paid for it?

i think that's the job description isn't it? there is the wave, you got to give her that, no one else can quite pull it off without looking like a complete tool. i guess you need a rolls and a funny hat to do it properly.

George W. Bush! :p

Yeah right! LOL

George W. Bush! :p

My ass! LOL
i would vote for your arse over gwb any day. and i don't even know you.

Which current world leader do you like the best? That is who's policies do you agree with most or who do you think does the best job leading his or her country.

None and what world leader do you like the best?

What are Lizzie's politics then? Do tell.

one nation apparently (though the fact that she didn’t recognise Charles and Camilla until they got married might also be a clue)

i'd love it if queenie was a tranny, lol! especially a mechanical tranny - that'd be awesome, haha!

a machine immune to all forms of tea spillage :eek:

Keeping quiet? You mean doing nothing and getting paid for it?

Considering she is technically the most powerful person on Earth I think that’s a good thing

Stephen Harper.

[QUOTE=Call to power;12474846
a machine immune to all forms of tea spillage :eek:[/QUOTE]

and gin, gin is hereditery, there's no way queenie escaped that one.

I do respect this, however, something about him bothers me... he seems to have very good ideals, but his methods for achieving them leave much to be desired.
My thoughts exactly... I want to like him, but something is off... my family is crazy about him but I'm just not sure.

Hugo Chavez...srsly? um...maybe Ariel Sharon until he...thingied.

Hugo Chavez...srsly? um...maybe Ariel Sharon until he...thingied.

got killed off by his very atoms rebelling against him? yeh nice guy.

King Mohammed VI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_VI_of_Morocco)

Hugo Chavez...srsly? um...maybe Ariel Sharon until he...thingied.

When the bloodiest, most murderous butcher of Israel got done in by blood?

Karma perhaps

The sexiest is Fidel Castro, that's for sure.

Why is everybody incredibly left wing on these boards, I bet all your favorite colors are red, and your favortie objects are the Hammer and Sickle. :mp5: By the way in case you don't know thats from Soviet Russia, and Chavez is acruel dictator. Also everybody who lives in america but hates it so much as to call it evil, move to france they will welcome you with open arms. Go Bush! This is not ajoke the smiley face was a mistake.

I don't keep track of world leaders.

I like Putin *Hides From Soon Approaching Attacks On Manhood And Intelligence*

This is for 5 reasons.
1. He is Prime Minister Of Russia.
2. Is willing to stand up to USA (Hopefully) about Iran.
3. His first name is Vladrmir (Unless Im horribly mistaken) and how can you not like the first name Vladimir?
4. I like to think he is an ex-KGB agent.
5. He is better than Bush.

Why is everybody incredibly left wing on these boards,

Not "everyone."

I bet all your favorite colors are red,

And black.

and your favortie objects are the Hammer and Sickle.

Raised fist, actually.

By the way in case you don't know thats from Soviet Russia,

Generally, a widely-recognized symbol of Leninist socialism.

As an anti-Leninist anarchist, it's not mine.

and Chavez is acruel dictator.

Chávez has been elected by large margins again and again and again - in internationally-supervised elections. And the electoral data matches the poll data.

Strange dictator.

He hasn't actually done anything exceptionally authoritarian, despite the immense, well-funded opposition to his government that has proven its willingness to commit illegal actions against him.

Also everybody who lives in america but hates it o much as to call it evil, move to france they will welcome you with open arms.

I'd rather stay here, and fight it out.

I despise all world leaders and dream of the day that mankind finally overthrows a system so warped that it puts the rests the lives of millions on the personal whims of a few dozen men who'd rather have contests about whose penis is longer than engage in civil discourse.

Although, I must admit that Ahmadinejad is quite teh sex.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/Fiddlebottoms/AM-WUV.jpg

You can fix elections, its called rigging. You can do it with threats, and fake votes. Ask the dead people in Chicago.

You can fix elections, its called rigging.

Yes, but generally it's pointless to do so when the polls continually rank you far above the opposition.

And, as I said before, the elections have repeatedly been supervised and approved by international observers.

Even the Bush Administration admits that Chávez was democratically-elected. (And unlike our president, he actually won a majority the first time around.)

I despise all world leaders and dream of the day that mankind finally overthrows a system so warped that it puts the rests the lives of millions on the personal whims of a few dozen men who'd rather have contests about whose penis is longer than engage in civil discourse.

Although, I must admit that Ahmadinejad is quite teh sex.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/Fiddlebottoms/AM-WUV.jpg

He looks inbred.

He looks inbred.
You dare mock my one true love (those girls meant nothing to me, Mahmoud!)?
Actually, that's not a very good picture of him, his eyes are all squinty and the hearts obscure his right hand so it looks more like a flipper of some sort, but even with a flipper and a soulless black gaze, he could still capture the hearts of millions.

Queen Elizabeth II, because she's nothing more than a head of state and can do nothing - neither harm nor good.

None of them. Oddly enough, I don't actually hold much enthusiasm for government in general. We have the market to render them obsolete. As such, I view all politicians for what they are; the leaders of a pack of bandits who assert a self-imposed claim to a monopoly of coercion over a defined demographic and area.

Nothing impressive, just men with guns and pointy sticks. It is immaterial how well they conduct their illegitimate business.

Which current world leader do you like the best? That is who's policies do you agree with most or who do you think does the best job leading his or her country.

I'd say Zapatero in Europe, Bachelet in America, Singh in Asia, Gheddafi in Africa (although he's a dictator).

Favorite, though not perfect:

Bush.

You dare mock my one true love (those girls meant nothing to me, Mahmoud!)?
Actually, that's not a very good picture of him, his eyes are all squinty and the hearts obscure his right hand so it looks more like a flipper of some sort, but even with a flipper and a soulless black gaze, he could still capture the hearts of millions.

We can spit roast him. Which end do you want?

Chávez has been elected by large margins again and again and again - in internationally-supervised elections. And the electoral data matches the poll data.

Strange dictator.

He hasn't actually done anything exceptionally authoritarian, despite the immense, well-funded opposition to his government that has proven its willingness to commit illegal actions against him.


"Exceptionally authoritarian", I wonder how exactly do you define that choice of words.

By the way, Do you know that there are several hard left wing venezuelan parties against Chávez?

Perhaps that could change a bit that vision of "I am a socialist and thus anyone who claims to defend said ideology is wonderful to me, no matter what, because I can't see beyond my nose. Even more if he hates Bush", so typical in the world today.

Yet you are right, and Chávez is not a dictator, he is a totally democratically elected president. And not every Chávez opposer is funded by the US, and not everyone commit illegal actions to get rid of the goverment. Reading Eva Gollinger's works?

He is RULING BY DECREE.

How much more authoritarian do you get?

Oh, and for the purpose of this thread, I would pick either Bachelet, Lula or Zapatero. I hope Royale wins in France to have an easier decision.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/.onix/images/imagebank/vote2004/bush_driving_cowboy_hat.jpg

More Bush!

http://goldengirls03.org/BushCowboyHat.jpg

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran!


mocked the Bush Administration
Denied the holocaust
continued to power his nuclear power in Iran even when the UN told him to stop
made fun of interviewers in interviews


This guy's got guts.

hugo chavez?
that asian guy, i forget his name, they've got as titular head of the u.n.?

the old royals of netherlands and sveedin?

can't really think of any at the moment currently in power i'd really rate above the 50% meridian, just a few like those, mentioned the least far below it.

i mean, for all i know there might well be one or two i'd actualy praise, but none that i know enough about really to feel confident enough in to do so.

=^^=
.../\...

I must confess, I fond most World Leaders, or politicians at all, for that matter, resoundingly disappointing at present. Democracy ensures that compromise and mediocrity are the order of the day. However, If I were to have to choose, I would either choose the Sultan of Dubai, simply for his having translated his vision into reality, or the Iranian President, for royally pissing Bush off.

"Exceptionally authoritarian", I wonder how exactly do you define that choice of words.

I think it speaks for itself, more or less. I meant "exceptionally" literally.

By the way, Do you know that there are several hard left wing venezuelan parties against Chávez?

Yes. There usually are several hard left-wing parties against any leftist politician who does anything anywhere.

I've read hard leftist critiques of Chávez. I even tend to agree with some of what they say. But I'm not about to abandon elections in the United States simply because none of the viable candidates are anarchist communists, and I'm not going to oppose Chávez simply because a real socialist would be better. And I'm certainly not going to oppose Chávez because he's not an orthodox hard-line Leninist (of which there are about thirty different flavors, all of which, of course, are the "real" version).

If there were an actively revolutionary situation in Venezuela (say, mass worker expropriation of businesses, independent of the state) my position would change substantially - but there isn't.

"I am a socialist

Yes.

and thus anyone who claims to defend said ideology is wonderful to me,

Actually, no.

Off the top of my head, the present regime of China is not "wonderful to me." Nor am I particularly fond of the Socialist International.

no matter what, because I can't see beyond my nose. Even more if he hates Bush",

I support his general opposition to US interference in Latin America, but his attacks on Bush are more amusing than anything else. They are tangential to my support for him.

He is RULING BY DECREE.

Yes, and the Parliament is pretty much entirely in his camp, making the distinction fairly superficial in terms of concentration of power.

There's a lesson in this. Don't boycott elections because you want to avoid the humiliation of losing. Again.

http://nigelparry.com/enginefiles/uploads/kin-jong-il.jpg

Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama. *nod*

And, as for the topic of the thread... The Dalai Lama. Great guy.
You guys do know that he ran Tibet as a feudal dictatorship, right? With a priesthood instead of nobility and insanely harsh punishments for petty crimes.

Tibet is better off under China.

You guys do know that he ran Tibet as a feudal dictatorship, right? With a priesthood instead of nobility and insanely harsh punishments for petty crimes.

Tibet is better off under China.

FREE TIBET! FREE TIBET! FREE TIBET!

FREE TIBET! FREE TIBET! FREE TIBET!

Mao! Mao! Mao Tse-Tung! Dare to struggle, dare to win!

It's hard to tell which leader is the best.

I like Chavez because he stands up against america and because i agree with his ideals.

I like Putin because he has stabilized Russia and made the economy work again. But I don't like him cuz of the undemocratic way in which he seems to run the country. But then again, maybe Russia would be better off under someone like him.

I don't know which leader woud be the best for me but I think it's easy to say which would be the worst.

I think it speaks for itself, more or less. I meant "exceptionally" literally.

If there were an actively revolutionary situation in Venezuela (say, mass worker expropriation of businesses, independent of the state) my position would change substantially - but there isn't.


I support his general opposition to US interference in Latin America, but his attacks on Bush are more amusing than anything else. They are tangential to my support for him.

Oh, who boycotted elections?

But in any case, apart from his opposition to the United States, Why exactly do you support Chávez?

Oh, who boycotted elections?

The major opposition parties in 2005.

But in any case, apart from his opposition to the United States, Why exactly do you support Chávez?

Broadly because of his advocacy and partial implementation of an economic policy that differs fundamentally from neoliberal capitalism - rather than a difference of a few tweaks and social programs.

But in any case, apart from his opposition to the United States, Why exactly do you support Chávez?

Why need any other reason, if you're one of the mindless, politically ignorant horde? :rolleyes:

The major opposition parties in 2005.

How exactly was it a boycott?, it allowed your presidente to grab the power of the parliament and have the ability to rule by decree. I'm not saying it is not legal or anything, but in the end it helped the greater good of the revolution.



Broadly because of his advocacy and partial implementation of an economic policy that differs fundamentally from neoliberal capitalism - rather than a difference of a few tweaks and social programs.

I live in a capitalist country that has just changed the elite ruling the top echelons of the society in the last 8 years. The economic policy here hardly is different from any capitalist country. The only difference are tips to the poor in the form of a few tweaks, treats and social programs, that lately have revealed to be (according to the last GOVERMENT investigations), a pot of corruption.

ME

you will all know who i am soon enough. ;)

How exactly was it a boycott?, it allowed your presidente to grab the power of the parliament and have the ability to rule by decree. I'm not saying it is not legal or anything, but in the end it helped the greater good of the revolution.

A boycott is a boycott whether the consequences are good or bad.

Edit: And whatever you might think, I don't mindlessly support anything that increases Chávez's power.

I live in a capitalist country

I'm aware that Venezuela is a capitalist country.

that has just changed the elite ruling the top echelons of the society in the last 8 years.

At the behest of the majority. That's the way representative democracies (are supposed to) work.

I'm an anarchist. I don't particularly like that way of doing things. But since the only politically viable "anti-statists" in Venezuela seem to simply prefer right-wing statism (or center-left statism) to left-wing statism....

The economic policy here hardly is different from any capitalist country.

That's hardly true.

Chávez has substantially expanded the role of the public sector in the economy through his social programs and nationalizations, and clearly, in both word and action, committed it to the pursuit of social goals.

He has also supported increased worker control and management, though admittedly the efforts in that regard remain limited.

that lately have revealed to be (according to the last GOVERMENT investigations), a pot of corruption.

Yeah, that tends to happen.

What are Lizzie's politics then? Do tell.

Anti-Devolution, anti-Irish, pro-war, a all round though head of state who DOES override parliament.

Nor am I particularly fond of the Socialist International.


Which one?

A boycott is a boycott whether the consequences are good or bad.

Edit: And whatever you might think, I don't mindlessly support anything that increases Chávez's power.

Good to know that

I'm aware that Venezuela is a capitalist country.


Not even a socialist oriented one.

At the behest of the majority. That's the way representative democracies (are supposed to) work.

At the behest of a new minority, actually.


That's hardly true.

Chávez has substantially expanded the role of the public sector in the economy through his social programs and nationalizations, and clearly, in both word and action, committed it to the pursuit of social goals.

He has also supported increased worker control and management, though admittedly the efforts in that regard remain limited.

Failed is more accurate than limited. Most enterprises funded by the so called "mixture management" have gone to bankrupcy or work with losses covered by the goverment. Today's workers are going more and more entering the lumpen proletariat class, that seems to be the only one growing in every account under this administration.

Failed is more accurate than limited. Most enterprises funded by the so called "mixture management" have gone to bankrupcy or work with losses covered by the goverment.

Provide a source for that, please.

And since most of the enterprises are attempts at reviving failed businesses anyway, they certainly have an uphill fight.

You guys do know that he ran Tibet as a feudal dictatorship, right? With a priesthood instead of nobility and insanely harsh punishments for petty crimes.

Tibet is better off under China.

QFT. The 'Free Tibet' supporters annoy me with their blind support of theocratic absolute monarchy.

Americas: Fidel Castro.
Europe: José Zapatero.
Africa: Muammar al-Qaddafi.
Asia: (Before he was ousted) Thaksin Shinawatra(?), now... let's go with Hamad ibn Isa al-Khaliffa.

You guys do know that he ran Tibet as a feudal dictatorship, right? With a priesthood instead of nobility and insanely harsh punishments for petty crimes.

Tibet is better off under China.

You do realize that he himself has dissed Tibet's old feudal system, right?

Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias for his wonderful use of his country wealth to improve of the life of the huge majority of his citizen and prepare the future, for his support of participative democracy and for his generosity with other countries.

yeh i really hope he can keep himself in check, or someone can. the last thing the world needs is another power-drunk corrupted socialist. sometimes i wonder if he's not gone too far already but fingers crossed eh?

Well, honestly, I doubt the people of Venezuela would let him become a dictator, even if he wanted to. The relationship between Chavez and his people is very complex, but they tend to consider him obeying to them more than the opposite. And the fact that they, the people, rescued him after the April 2002 coup attempt played a huge role in that.

Their attitude during the lock-out of the 2002-2003 winter is clear: they didn't say to Chavez that he should not give up, they told him that they don't _allow_ him to give up.

and Chavez is acruel dictator

A dictator, who is the only president of his country who never asked the army to open fire on opponents ? A dictator, who created one of the most democratic Constitution in the world, with recall referendum and everything ? A dictator, who is making sure the people knows about their rights ? A dictator, who suppressed analphabetism and cure people freely ? A dictator, who was rescued by millions when the top-ranking general tried to do a Coup, with the blessing of the CIA ? A dictator, who legalised and even granted money to local people controlled independant media ?

No mention of Nelson Mandela?

Provide a source for that, please.

And since most of the enterprises are attempts at reviving failed businesses anyway, they certainly have an uphill fight.

http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/03/26/eco_art_empresas-publicas-en_226560.shtml

Source provided. According to the numbers provided by the Ministry of Light Industries and Commerce, part of the administration of the Chávez goverment.

He is RULING BY DECREE.

How much more authoritarian do you get?

Which is something the previous presidents of Venezuela did too, and no one opposed them at that time... and well, I prefer a president who won 5 elections in 9 years, each time with a larger support, to be able to rule by decree for a limited time on selected topics, than presidents defeated in elections who stick to the power they have...

By the way, Do you know that there are several hard left wing venezuelan parties against Chávez?

Like ?

Perhaps that could change a bit that vision of "I am a socialist and thus anyone who claims to defend said ideology is wonderful to me, no matter what, because I can't see beyond my nose. Even more if he hates Bush", so typical in the world today.

Well, it's more or less the exact opposite; most leaders who claim (or claimed) to be "communist" or "socialist" did not really follow the values of those ideologies, and I, as a "true" "communist" oppose them. But Chavez is not like them...

And not every Chávez opposer is funded by the US, and not everyone commit illegal actions to get rid of the goverment.

That's true. But the point was not "all Chavez opponents are US-paid criminals", but that even with many US-paid criminals trying to remove Chavez using every mean possible, even murder, sabotage or coup attempt, Chavez still didn't take any strong authoritarian measure, unlike what most governments of the world would have done in a similar situation.

Chavez!
Castro!

Chavez called Bush a devil. That deserves credit.
Castro survived more than 600 assasination attempts! :sniper: :mp5:
He's been a dictator for 30 years and his people still love him.

Note:
When Raul Castro read a speech, the crowd only cheered when he said: Viva Fidel!

Prince Leonard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutt_River_Province_Principality) of Hutt.

Oh, who boycotted elections?

Sure to suffer another bitter defeat, the Chavez opponents boycotted the latest legislative elections.

But in any case, apart from his opposition to the United States, Why exactly do you support Chávez?

Because he suppressed illetteracy ? Because he granted free healthcare to his people ? Because he's using the oil money to prepare the "after oil" era, by building infrastructure and investing in education ? Because he's generous towards his neighbours and the poors of other countries ? Because he's actively driving his people to be more and more politically active and to organise themselves at grassroot level ? Because he's one of the few Latin America leader who respect the rights of the indigenous people and who really tries to preserve the rainforest ? Because he supervised the drafting of one of the most progressive Constitution of the world ?

Like ?

Like Bandera Roja and Moviemiento al Socialismo, (Red Banner and Movement for Socialism)



Well, it's more or less the exact opposite; most leaders who claim (or claimed) to be "communist" or "socialist" did not really follow the values of those ideologies, and I, as a "true" "communist" oppose them. But Chavez is not like them...

Hardly, in my humble and uniformed opinion. for me, he's exactly like them.

That's true. But the point was not "all Chavez opponents are US-paid criminals", but that even with many US-paid criminals trying to remove Chavez using every mean possible, even murder, sabotage or coup attempt, Chavez still didn't take any strong authoritarian measure, unlike what most governments of the world would have done in a similar situation.

Like imprisoning people and forbidding them to talk to the public? Chávez already done that, if you refer to that. Merciless massed murders on the street? He's not that dumb. Chávez is a fairly intelligent man, at least regarding politics. However, some of his followers decided tio go down that path, and sadly he and the rest of his yes-men failed to condemn the act properly.

Because he suppressed illetteracy ? Because he granted free healthcare to his people ? Because he's using the oil money to prepare the "after oil" era, by building infrastructure and investing in education ? Because he's generous towards his neighbours and the poors of other countries ? Because he's actively driving his people to be more and more politically active and to organise themselves at grassroot level ? Because he's one of the few Latin America leader who respect the rights of the indigenous people and who really tries to preserve the rainforest ? Because he supervised the drafting of one of the most progressive Constitution of the world ?

1.-Yesterday a man in the supermarket asked me if I could write something down for him, regarding the prices of the different meat cuts. He seemed to be illiterate. He hasn't been supressed or improved.

2.- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLe4j8NnLw

A Norwegian TV report about the improvements of our free healthcare system.

3.-I actually support his initiative of integration for South America. I even donated money for the people of Bolivia who were suffering due to heavy floods, but I think the goverment of Venezuela should take care of our own poors first, then the ones of Argentina, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. After all, the goverments of Argentina, Nicaragua and Bolivia haven't done anything for the poors of Venezuela.

4.- I'll speak about the Consejos Comunales, the actual goverment initiative about people's rule, when I see it implemented. In paper, looks like a good idea, and I hope it works, but I fear that in practice, it won't be viable.

5.- Last week we had some "indigenous" people rallying a protest because they felt their rights were being raped by miners in the south of our country. Thus, several ecological organizations have placed complains about several goverment projects, specially gas ducts and electrical lines, that threatens the rainforest's integrity.

6.- A constitution that, although very good in several aspects, like human rights, as you have just pointed out, was approved rashly and in a forced and hurried way because the head of the goverment demanded so, and that it is still creating problems regarding several inaccuracies over jurisdictions?

Right now, TODAY NEWS, the parliament is fighting with the Supreme Court over a jurisdiction not clarified in your perfect constitution.

I placed the wrong link in the other post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?search=&mode=related&v=tv4HyMeIVLU

That's the one regarding the situation of the public hospitals in Venezuela, sorry about that mistake.

Like Bandera Roja and Moviemiento al Socialismo, (Red Banner and Movement for Socialism)

So, what, some very small left groups oppose him ? That's the case everywhere in the world. Hey, we have 5 candidates from the "radical left" at elections here, on 12 on total... it's like that everywhere, and it's one of main problems of the left: it's not united, whatever you do, some of your side will oppose you and disagree.

Like imprisoning people and forbidding them to talk to the public? Chávez already done that, if you refer to that.

He didn't even move a finger when the private TV channels spend their days to call him insane, ask for his removal, openly call for a coup, support a coup attempt, call for his murder, and such. If he has a problem on the free speech issue it's that he's too soft, in any other country of the world, they wouldn't have let the private media become so aggressive !

However, some of his followers decided tio go down that path, and sadly he and the rest of his yes-men failed to condemn the act properly.

Well, considering the amount of political violence from Chavez' opponents (coup attempt, constant lies, hundreds of peasants murdered by big land owners, ... it's not surprising that some of Chavez supporters react violently. I disapprove it, but I don't blame Chavez for that. And yes, they condemn the act, several national guards had troubles with the justice because they mistreated opponents. That's something you would never see in France... when policemen beat portesters, they never have any trouble at all.

He didn't even move a finger when the private TV channels spend their days to call him insane, ask for his removal, openly call for a coup, support a coup attempt, call for his murder, and such. If he has a problem on the free speech issue it's that he's too soft, in any other country of the world, they wouldn't have let the private media become so aggressive !

He is closing one of the private TV channels right now, and plans to close the rest in the near future. Seems like you haven't been updated regarding the situation of Venezuela lately.

Well, considering the amount of political violence from Chavez' opponents (coup attempt, constant lies, hundreds of peasants murdered by big land owners, ... it's not surprising that some of Chavez supporters react violently. I disapprove it, but I don't blame Chavez for that. And yes, they condemn the act, several national guards had troubles with the justice because they mistreated opponents. That's something you would never see in France... when policemen beat portesters, they never have any trouble at all.

"Hundreds of peasants murdered by big land owners", I would need the source of that. None have claimed that lately. The only "muder" of "rural workers" lately was the killing of several miners by some Army choppers in the Guayana some months ago.

No national guard or soldier or police man has faced charges or problems with the justice because they mistreated opponents yet, I don't know where did you find that information, but it is not public.

1.-Yesterday a man in the supermarket asked me if I could write something down for him, regarding the prices of the different meat cuts. He seemed to be illiterate. He hasn't been supressed or improved.

Well, there are always exceptions. In no country you have a 100% litteracy rate. The fact is that UNESCO, which is hardly socialist, recognised that Venezuela is "free of analphabetism". I don't know their exact cirteria, it probably involves a threshold like 99%, but I think they are thrustworthy.

3.-I actually support his initiative of integration for South America. I even donated money for the people of Bolivia who were suffering due to heavy floods, but I think the goverment of Venezuela should take care of our own poors first, then the ones of Argentina, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. After all, the goverments of Argentina, Nicaragua and Bolivia haven't done anything for the poors of Venezuela.

But they do not have oil, or least, not as much as Venezuela. So I can only approve this generosity.

4.- I'll speak about the Consejos Comunales, the actual goverment initiative about people's rule, when I see it implemented. In paper, looks like a good idea, and I hope it works, but I fear that in practice, it won't be viable.

I was somewhere in 23 de Enero while they were setting up their own Consejo, and it seems very promising. But it's too early to know. What is sure is that at least he's trying. And there are other attempts, like the Minep, the bolivarian circles, the community media, ... and all the way they organise the "missions" and the reforms like the "law on urban land", in which they ask people to organise themselves at local level, too.

5.- Last week we had some "indigenous" people rallying a protest because they felt their rights were being raped by miners in the south of our country. Thus, several ecological organizations have placed complains about several government projects, specially gas ducts and electrical lines, that threatens the rainforest's integrity.

One difference between Chavez and the other presidents is that he does listen to such complaints, he already cancelled several coal mining program after protest from indigenous people. To run a country, especially one with a high level of poverty, you've to find a compromise between environment protection and industrial development. Some will always find you do too much of one and too few of the other. I would say that Chavez does a bit too much development and a bit too few ecological protection. But he does much more ecological protection than nearly all leaders of the world. And I hope his friend Morales will help him to improve in this aspect ;)

6.- A constitution that, although very good in several aspects, like human rights, as you have just pointed out, was approved rashly and in a forced and hurried way because the head of the goverment demanded so, and that it is still creating problems regarding several inaccuracies over jurisdictions?

Nothing is perfect, of course. But, another good point of Chavez, he's aware of the faults of his own work, and his ready to fix them. Having good intents and being able to see your own flaws and trying to fix them are wonderful qualities, which are very rare among leaders...

But of course, it's not perfect. They try to do something totally new, in a difficult environment, and they do mistakes. And I sometimes strongly disagree with Chavez, like on his attitude towards Iran (I don't think USA attitude over Iran in good either, and I know that Iran and Venezuela, being two of the biggest oil producers, need to work together, but Chavez is doing far too much IMO). But that doesn't change my overall opinion of him.

He is closing one of the private TV channels right now, and plans to close the rest in the near future. Seems like you haven't been updated regarding the situation of Venezuela lately.

I was in Caracas end of Jen/beginning of Fev, I'm perfectly of this fact. But he is not "closing" it. He's not renewing the license on the frequency which expires soon. RCTV will still be free to transmit on cable, satellite, Internet, whatever. With only one public TV channel nation-wide (Vive is nearly nation-wide, but not totally, AFAIK), I think it's sane anyway to move to a stronger equilibrium between private and public channels.

And of course, RCTV attitude during the coup was not acceptable. Just not renewing the frequency is a very, very low penalty.

In France, just for showing, in an humoristic show, which a clear "this is not real" writing on it, the murder of Chirac, a satiric TV show was suspended for 3 weeks, and with a clear warning that the next time would be the last.

"Hundreds of peasants murdered by big land owners", I would need the source of that. None have claimed that lately. The only "muder" of "rural workers" lately was the killing of several miners by some Army choppers in the Guayana some months ago.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1501 And this is just one of the many reports on this topic. I spoke to a french journalist, specialist of South America, and all his investigations confirmed that at least one hundred, probably much more, were murdered.

No national guard or soldier or police man has faced charges or problems with the justice because they mistreated opponents yet, I don't know where did you find that information, but it is not public.

I don't have the reference at hand right now, but I saw this news from several sources a few months ago. I guess of course the gov doesn't do too much advertising on that... and the opposition neither.

Chavez!
Castro!

Chavez called Bush a devil. That deserves credit.
Castro survived more than 600 assasination attempts! :sniper: :mp5:
He's been a dictator for 30 years and his people still love him.

Note:
When Raul Castro read a speech, the crowd only cheered when he said: Viva Fidel!

LMAO are you a 14 year old "rebel"?

Well, there are always exceptions. In no country you have a 100% litteracy rate. The fact is that UNESCO, which is hardly socialist, recognised that Venezuela is "free of analphabetism". I don't know their exact cirteria, it probably involves a threshold like 99%, but I think they are thrustworthy.

Not a separate case, really. I haven't dig that "free of analphabetism" policy. Although I do acknowledge there have been several improvements regarding the area, I think that with the resources placed into it, it could have been much better. We still suffer from heavy problems in the education department, check the school desertion figures, for example.

Regarding UNESCO, well, you should know that, although they are pretty much trustworthy, they work on the figures provided by the goverment, that are extremely "optimistic", to say something.

But they do not have oil, or least, not as much as Venezuela. So I can only approve this generosity.

But they have other products, products we do need as they need oil. Did someone told you when you came here that we cannot find beef meat at any supermarket, not even Mercal?, that if we found it, we had to pay a ridiculous price for it, or make long waiting lines?

Argentina is one of the greatest and best cow meat producers of the world...If they are our friends, and they care about us, and we are giving them money and oil, Couldn't they help us there? Give us some meat in exchange for all that oil and money we are giving to them?

Sugar is equally scarce in the venezuelan markets. Why? If our best friends the cubans have lots and lots of sugar? They get lots and lots of our oil, Couldn't they give us some sugar so I can take at least my coffee with nice, south american sweet sugar and not with evil imperialistic Splenda as I am forced to, because I cannot find sugar in any store?

I was somewhere in 23 de Enero while they were setting up their own Consejo, and it seems very promising. But it's too early to know. What is sure is that at least he's trying. And there are other attempts, like the Minep, the bolivarian circles, the community media, ... and all the way they organise the "missions" and the reforms like the "law on urban land", in which they ask people to organise themselves at local level, too.

Consejos Comunales: Seems promising. Too early to know. As far as I know, this goverment is pretty good at writing wonderful things down in paper and screwing them entirely when it comes to implementing them.

Bolivarian circles: They are not an initiative to open power to the people, the bolivarian circles are manifestations of a particular political party. If to participate in a certain democracy I need to belong to a certain political party, something is wrong with this democracy, then.

Community Media: I form part of one of the few ones, (few as in...three), that are not just repeaters of goverment's propaganda. Take the political aspect of the community media out of the equation, and then we can speak about the free speech of the people. Again, they are controlled by bolivarian circles, and see above. You are not part of the MVR or another party sympathetihic to the goverment (soon just one unified party), and you cannot hope to express yourself on the radio, TV, or anything else. That's not free speech, that is a political manouver.

Law of Urban Land: The land in which most of those barrios stands, is property of the goverment, noone else. The goverment can give it to them, I don't know why the fuss stands for. Actually, the soil that supports my building is also property of the goverment, and I have no problem with that.

One difference between Chavez and the other presidents is that he does listen to such complaints, he already cancelled several coal mining program after protest from indigenous people. To run a country, especially one with a high level of poverty, you've to find a compromise between environment protection and industrial development. Some will always find you do too much of one and too few of the other. I would say that Chavez does a bit too much development and a bit too few ecological protection. But he does much more ecological protection than nearly all leaders of the world. And I hope his friend Morales will help him to improve in this aspect ;)

He listens for one day, then he delegates on another inept minister or bureocrat that changes everything overnight and keeps for himself the money given for the project. Once Chávez starts to actually designate subordinates of at least minimum value and capacity, then I'll start to like him.

We don't even have a green party, and we have a rotten lake, a city infested with rats due to poor garbage disposal, and wonderful beaches slowly filling with pepsi cans. I cannot see exactly what development comes out of that, but well, I guess the goverment knows exactly what they are doing.

Nothing is perfect, of course. But, another good point of Chavez, he's aware of the faults of his own work, and his ready to fix them. Having good intents and being able to see your own flaws and trying to fix them are wonderful qualities, which are very rare among leaders...

No, sorry but no. His main flaw in my opinion is that he doesn't take criticism. Not at all, he even gets mad if you criticize him in any way. I asked him something once about a goverment program regarding a sugar facility, that wasn't starting at all after years of having a rather large budget, and he didn't took it well. Of course the goverment announced the project had failed several months later, and the one in charge of it ran with a lot of money. It wasn't even his fault, but of his subordinates, and he didn't take it.

He doesn't accept criticism, he doesn't like to be pointed at flaws, and he doesn't like to fix things that others say are broken. No way.

I was in Caracas end of Jen/beginning of Fev, I'm perfectly of this fact. But he is not "closing" it. He's not renewing the license on the frequency which expires soon. RCTV will still be free to transmit on cable, satellite, Internet, whatever. With only one public TV channel nation-wide (Vive is nearly nation-wide, but not totally, AFAIK), I think it's sane anyway to move to a stronger equilibrium between private and public channels.

And of course, RCTV attitude during the coup was not acceptable. Just not renewing the frequency is a very, very low penalty.

In France, just for showing, in an humoristic show, which a clear "this is not real" writing on it, the murder of Chirac, a satiric TV show was suspended for 3 weeks, and with a clear warning that the next time would be the last.

Let's clarify something. Every time someone asks me about RCTV, I always say the same phrase, (that gets me in an uncomfortable position regarding my own journalism comrades), "The goverment is doing the right thing, for all the wrong reasons". I don't defend RCTV because I like them, actually, I think most of their programs are crap. That simple, crap, and that they deserve some measures against them so they improve that.

Not renewing the license is rather equal to close it. They can also posts their shows on Youtube, I guess, or sell the channel to an american corporation to transmit through cable. Way to go, what an improvement.

Televen, channel 10, is half private, half owned by the goverment. That leaves us with Venevision, that already have an agreement with the goverment to not make public statements against the current administration, and a rather bland Globovision as the only private TV channels with national coverage. I think the goverment, with Telesur, VTV, Vive and others, had already a heavy weight regarding goverment's (or public), coverage nationwide, without closing RCTV, or "not renewing their license".

Sadly, the goverment hasn't improved the quality of the TV shows enough so they can get a decent rating. They should.

Oh, and we have a law regarding that actions, that specifies special measures and penalties for certain behaviors. The "Ley Resorte", rather famous. Instead of doing what the goverment is doing, they should follow the law they created, I would prefer that, yes.

They are not renewing the license because they think that channel goes against the goverment's interests. That is, indeed, a censorship against free speech. And I am, entirely, against that.

Venevision did the same during the coup, they get no penalties, because they reached a political agreement with the goverment. Political is the key word there.

In Venezuela, just for saying a rather naive joke about Chávez's daughter, a newspaper got sanctions. Bad for France, bad for Venezuela.

In France, just for showing, in an humoristic show, which a clear "this is not real" writing on it, the murder of Chirac, a satiric TV show was suspended for 3 weeks, and with a clear warning that the next time would be the last.

You're joking, right?

And of course, RCTV attitude during the coup was not acceptable. Just not renewing the frequency is a very, very low penalty.

What do you mean 'an unacceptable attitude'?

What do you mean 'an unacceptable attitude'?

Not saying what the goverment tells you to say, my personal guess.

Are you saying Kilobuqya approves closing down stations over that?

I hope this is some misunderstanding.:fluffle:

I've got to copy the guy on the first page, I'm afraid...

The leader of the Tibetan Government in Exile. The Dalai Lama.

The Simbul. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simbul)

You didn't say WHICH world. :D

Chaotic Neutral, powerful, sexy, and with high Charisma... :D

The Simbul. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simbul)

You didn't say WHICH world. :D

Chaotic Neutral, powerful, sexy, and with high Charisma... :D

Someone once said that if I ever get obscene magic powers, I would become the Simbul, and dye my hair white :D

Anti-Devolution, anti-Irish, pro-war, a all round though head of state who DOES override parliament.

:rolleyes: You do know that no British monarch has refused Royal Assent to an act of parliament since 1707. I don't really call that overriding parliament.

You do realize that he himself has dissed Tibet's old feudal system, right?

He didn't seem to care when he was in charge. Actions speak much, much louder than words.

Someone once said that if I ever get obscene magic powers, I would become the Simbul, and dye my hair white :D

Okay, if you're as sexy as she is, I'm voting you in for president of Brazil and will get on the "obscene magical powers" part ASAP. ;)

Dubya.

And I'm actually not joking.

Dubya.

And I'm actually not joking.

You're a bellend.

And I'm actually not joking.

Tarja Halonen is the best world leader ever in the history of man.

And this is the reason why. (http://www.shanatinglipton.com/blog/uploads/separated.jpg)

You're a bellend.

And I'm actually not joking.

What the fuck is a bellend?

Looks like this drifted a lil off-topic. I say:

Angela Merkel!

Just kidding... the world currently lacks real leaders (in my opionion, they only pop up here and there every few decades), but going for the government as such, i'd say China.

What the fuck is a bellend?

Part of the male genitalia.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran!


mocked the Bush Administration
Denied the holocaust
continued to power his nuclear power in Iran even when the UN told him to stop
made fun of interviewers in interviews


This guy's got guts.

He's got balls bigger than Iran. The left one is called the Earth. He has testicular cancer, so his right nut is a tad smaller. It's called Mars



My personal favorite is Shinzo Abe.

Dubya.

And I'm actually not joking.

Your honesty and courage are commendable. I hope NSG doesn't eat you alive...