I guess its only Democratic if America suport it ?? He has now won his third election by a vast majority but I guess he still is undemocratic. While I disagree with News media being closed down by anyone as opposed to merely being controlled by the wealthy this particular TV station supported an american backed coup against Chavez. Of course America have many a years experience doing this in South america as the recently passed Pinoche could have vouched. what a democrat he was....
Nobody here disputes that Chavez has popular support. Winning elections does not a democratic leader make, however. Elections are paramount to democratic governance, of course. But so too are concepts like indiscriminate rights of free speech, equality of opportunity and rights of property. It's finding a balance between the latter two that is so often problematic - in theory and in practice. Free speech, however, is a no brainer.
Also MacDara do you not think that the media is free to back anyone they like? Should George Bush who was also elected be allowed to shut down the New York Times because it supported Kerry
Simon, Kevin, while I support free speech and freedom of the press how far does it go, should a private enterprise be allowed to overthrow a democratically elected government. Of course the US has merely tried to use this private enterprise to facilitate the overthrow of the Government in 2002 but why let that get involved in a real story. Yes press freedom is sacrament but how many US papers are controlled by the money supporting Bush , where is the freedom. Of course this is the government about to sanction the Execution of a human so where is the freedom in that?
Macdara, "this particular TV station supported an american backed coup against Chavez". Just like, say, the 1992 coup when a certain General Hugo Chavez tried to oust the government of the day? And, by the way, maybe Western Leftists such as yourself should stop trying to change the subject by bringing up Bush, America, the rich etc... whenever Chavez or his like do anything wrong.
Simon I agree and if that happens it will be totally wrong of Chavez and a major step away from the Democratic path. I guess we will wait and see if he actually does it. I hope he doesn’t and that press freedom is allowed to continue. The question I always ask myself is why Chavez seems to get Americas back up more than others in the political world. Putin for example has done as much if not more than Chavez in killing free speech. Saudi Arabia and other countries in this region have similar policies of keeping a lid on opposition and yet are not condemned as much by the pro democratic Government by which most of the world takes its lead.
We all support free speech and personally we I believe we need more of it in the world along with reasoned debate. We are all too quick to jump on one side or the other with out trying to understand the others opinion. I am at fault as much as anyone. Anyway happy new year to all at the dossing times and I Look forward to reading you next year.
PS: Strauss labeling me a western US republican. But regardless name calling is just that. For the Record I am a Fianna Fail supporter and as open minded as my prejudices allow.
Sorry that last bit should have read"a western Leftist while funny is belittling your argument. I am no more a western leftist than I am US republican. "
9 comments:
Wait and see!
I guess its only Democratic if America suport it ?? He has now won his third election by a vast majority but I guess he still is undemocratic. While I disagree with News media being closed down by anyone as opposed to merely being controlled by the wealthy this particular TV station supported an american backed coup against Chavez. Of course America have many a years experience doing this in South america as the recently passed Pinoche could have vouched. what a democrat he was....
MacDara,
Nobody here disputes that Chavez has popular support. Winning elections does not a democratic leader make, however. Elections are paramount to democratic governance, of course. But so too are concepts like indiscriminate rights of free speech, equality of opportunity and rights of property. It's finding a balance between the latter two that is so often problematic - in theory and in practice. Free speech, however, is a no brainer.
As kevin said.
Also MacDara do you not think that the media is free to back anyone they like? Should George Bush who was also elected be allowed to shut down the New York Times because it supported Kerry
Simon, Kevin, while I support free speech and freedom of the press how far does it go, should a private enterprise be allowed to overthrow a democratically elected government. Of course the US has merely tried to use this private enterprise to facilitate the overthrow of the Government in 2002 but why let that get involved in a real story. Yes press freedom is sacrament but how many US papers are controlled by the money supporting Bush , where is the freedom. Of course this is the government about to sanction the Execution of a human so where is the freedom in that?
Yes press freedom is sacrament but how many US papers are controlled by the money supporting Bush , where is the freedom.
Yes and if Chavez gets his way he will control all the newspapers. Bush might get support from some but there is plenty that oppose him.
Of course this is the government about to sanction the Execution of a human so where is the freedom in that?
That point is neither here nor there and something I don't support
Macdara,
"this particular TV station supported an american backed coup against Chavez".
Just like, say, the 1992 coup when a certain General Hugo Chavez tried to oust the government of the day?
And, by the way, maybe Western Leftists such as yourself should stop trying to change the subject by bringing up Bush, America, the rich etc... whenever Chavez or his like do anything wrong.
Simon I agree and if that happens it will be totally wrong of Chavez and a major step away from the Democratic path. I guess we will wait and see if he actually does it. I hope he doesn’t and that press freedom is allowed to continue.
The question I always ask myself is why Chavez seems to get Americas back up more than others in the political world. Putin for example has done as much if not more than Chavez in killing free speech. Saudi Arabia and other countries in this region have similar policies of keeping a lid on opposition and yet are not condemned as much by the pro democratic Government by which most of the world takes its lead.
We all support free speech and personally we I believe we need more of it in the world along with reasoned debate. We are all too quick to jump on one side or the other with out trying to understand the others opinion. I am at fault as much as anyone. Anyway happy new year to all at the dossing times and I Look forward to reading you next year.
PS: Strauss labeling me a western US republican. But regardless name calling is just that. For the Record I am a Fianna Fail supporter and as open minded as my prejudices allow.
Sorry that last bit should have read"a western Leftist while funny is belittling your argument. I am no more a western leftist than I am US republican. "
Damn Technology deleting words.
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