Venezuela opposition congresswoman's mandate revoked

[Zorro]

Source: BBC

Venezuela has stripped a leading opposition congresswoman of her mandate after she spoke before the Organisation of American States (OAS) last week.

Maria Corina Machado had been invited by Panama to give her account of the recent wave of unrest in Venezuela.

But Venezuela's authorities say she "acted as a Panamanian official" by accepting the invitation.

The decision means Ms Machado will lose her parliamentary immunity and could be prosecuted for "inciting violence".

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26726282

[hrmjustin]

1. Damn her for not towing the government line. Damn her!

[MADem]

2. Maduro has lost his ever-loving mind. nt

[joshcryer]

6. Mistake after mistake.

Dude is asking to resign or be taken out by the military which really runs things. Still think it'll be the Diosdado Cabello though, not the opposition. Cabello was the one behind this, most likely, as he made the announcement. That makes the students fight even harder if MCM gets arrested by Maduro. It's all a mess.

[MADem]

7. I think so too.

It'll be like trading Bozo the Clown for Mussolini....at least the trains will run on time.

Odds are Cabello will put food on the supermarket shelves, too, and distance VZ from Cuba a bit. Right now it looks like Raul is running the show. He won't do much in the censorship/media suppression arena, though.

[joshcryer]

8. And he won't just go after the opposition.

Chavistas will be in his sights too. It'll be interesting to see how it goes. Will Eva Golinger or Tamara Pierson still support the coup? Their paychecks will stop getting paid if they don't.

[MADem]

9. I think they'll jump from Maduro to Cabello like a tick from one dawg to the next.

After all, "God Given" can claim a greater closeness to Chavez now that he's dead.

Here are the talking points:

--They were in the Army together. Maduro never served, he wasn't part of that whole revolutionary fervor.

--Chavez only picked Maduro because he was drugged by the opportunistic Cubans, who killed him with their lousy medical care, and who want way too much oil for the medical support they give to VZ. Cabello will suggest to people who can't do the math that not having to shell out so much to Cuba will solve many of their problems.

--And speaking of those Cubans, friendship only goes so far--it's not for Raul to be telling the President of VZ what to say or do, and that is what is happening all too often. That's why there's no food, there's ration cards, there's long lines, etc., and VZ is ...starting to look like...CUBA. There are too many Cuban accents speckled amongst the National Guard, too--those clowns need to go home. VZ for Venezuelans!!

He'd better move soon, though, before the GNB gets too used to being "deployed" on the streets of the nation.

[dlwickham]

10. you're assuming he had one to begin with

I'm not sure any of the true believers in Venezuela are all there

[MADem]

11. Not sure if it's incompetence or a tactic, but there have been power outages

in a number of VZ locations tonight.

They used to do that in Iran in the run up to the revolution. They'd turn the lights out at eight or so, so people without batteries could not listen to BBC world service (which they jammed like hell). People would say to hell with it and go to bed so they could be out and about after the curfew was lifted at sunrise.

[dlwickham]

30. my money is on tactic

[7962]

3. Well, I guess I know how to become an official of another country now. nt

[dotymed]

4. IDK if anyone here is aware of the

way that Panamanian officials tend to be....water carriers for the American and universal corporate elite.
Maduro has been attacked as much as Hugo had w/out the the tempered steel that Chavez developed.

The R.W. elitists who make-up this coup attempt are counting on his inability to articulate...Greed.....

[joshcryer]

5. MCM going to Panama was definitely inciting.

But her popularity in Venezuela is massive. She's a good a speaker as Chavez and in fact is the only speaker to have ever called Chavez out to his face during a parliamentary session.

To strip her immunity because she went to Panama is extremely risky. She will continue to incite.

[EX500rider]

12. What coup attempt?

[uncommonlink]

16. Coup attempt?

What coup attempt?

[Adrahil]

23. Even if that were true, why would it be a crime to express a political opinion....

... I do NOT like the idea that one's political opponents are dealt with by simply making them illegal, It smacks of the crime of "counter-revolutionary activities."

[bitchkitty]

24. How dare you offer context!

This is a wankfest, you're not supposed to offer the truth. You're supposed to copy, paste and make lots of insults as to Maduro's sanity. Get with the program!

</sarcasm> as if I need it...

[iandhr]

28. So opposing the government polices is a coup attempt.

Logic you can only find here.

[Yo_Mama]

74. And crossword puzzles are a coup attempt

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-27/venezuela-says-subliminal-crosswords-stoke-deadly-protest.html

Crossword puzzles in a local Venezuelan newspaper are calling readers to violent protests with conspiratorial messages, the country’s information minister said today.

Delcy Rodriguez called for an investigation of El Aragueno daily from the industrial town of Maracay, 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Caracas for putting “encrypted messages” in its puzzles, she said in a post on her Twitter account.

[Tarheel_Dem]

76. If true, that's really frightening. Paranoia doesn't even begin to describe what I just read.

[FrodosPet]

33. Is this an admission that Maduro is inarticulate?

Isn't the primary job of a national leader to be able to communicate with not only those he leads, but the rest of the world on their behalf?

If that is the case, Maduro is a poor choice for the job, if he does not have the ability to clearly articulate what he is trying to say.

[Common Sense Party]

78. And he said that Simon de Bolivar became an "orphan" again when

his wife died.

Inarticulate and...just a bit goofy.

[Judi Lynn]

13. Venezuela: National Assembly Expels Opposition Deputy

Venezuela: National Assembly Expels Opposition Deputy

CARACAS, March 25 (BERNAMA-NNN-XINHUA) -- Venezuela's National Assembly has stripped a prominent opposition member of her seat, after she accepted Panama's invitation to discuss her country's political crisis at a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Maria Machado was dismissed for violating the Venezuelan Constitution by serving as a Panamanian envoy, National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello told reporters at a press conference.

Cabello was citing Articles 191 and 149 which state that "no representative can accept a public post without first resigning as a deputy," and "no public officer can accept jobs, honors or rewards from a foreign government without the prior authorization of the National Assembly."

After she accepted Panama's invitation to take its ambassador's seat at the OAS, Machado was in Washington DC, Friday to detail the opposition accusations of Venezuelan government repression against violent protests.

More:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/wn/newsworld.php?id=1024624

[joshcryer]

14. She'll be arrested next.

Like Afuni she'll be raped and tortured in her imprisonment.

[fasttense]

15. She knew the law and decided to break it.

Civil disobedience has consequences, especially when you are uber rich fighting to regain your power and control.

It's not like she has to worry since her rich elite background ensures she will never in her life suffer a hardship.

Here she is enjoying the company of other rich elites.

[uncommonlink]

17. There's a law in Venezuela against speaking out against the govt?

[happyslug]

21. In a public forum, holding yourself out as a representative of a Foreign country. Yes.

Just like the Logan Act in the US prohibits similar conduct. Most countries have similar laws, prohibiting people acting for their Government without their Government's permission.

If she had acted as a private Citizen, not a problem, the problem is she took the seat of the Ambassador to the OAS from Panama. Thus she was either acting as a Panamanian Ambassador OR she was speaking as from the GOVERNMENT of Venezuela (from which she did NOT have permission to do so). That is the problem and what the Congress of Venezuela kicked her out of the Congress of Venezuela.

[uncommonlink]

26. How many times has the Logan Act been invoked?

When was the last time the Logan Act was used against a someone?
It would seem that the Venezuelan govt is becoming desperate to silence it's detractors by any means necessary.

[MADem]

31. In fact, there's a public law that PROTECTS demonstrators!

But I guess it's only "OK" if you are demonstrating in favor of the incompetent Maduro!

[fasttense]

35. Yeah, because those rich elites really should be back in control of everyone and everything.

Their wealth alone should have been enough to make Venezuelans vote them back in (but it wasn't).

[uncommonlink]

39. It's only rich elites out in the streets?

That's not what's being reported by those on the ground there.

I wouldn't count on Maduro being re-elected come next elections if things don't get better soon.

[MADem]

45. You don't have a clue what's going on in VZ, do you?

This isn't about the "rich elites."

These demonstrations started because a woman was almost raped on a college campus, and the police--who do not solve ninety percent of MURDERS, never mind other crimes of violence--didn't give a shit.

The students are leading this effort. You actually think that the 'rich elites' are these people?


Waiting in line for rationed items


"Rich elites" spending a few hours on line for vegetable oil.


Trying to work in an emergency room with no anesthesia, gloves, rubbing alcohol, medicines...and no LIGHTS.


One of the latest victims of the violence. She's not wearing designer duds, is she? She never will either, and neither will her unborn child, shot dead by Maduro's thugs.


Here's one of your "rich elites" in the mess that is her apartment after Maduro's strongmen shot teargas and shotgun pellets into her home.

Give me a break. Do your homework, and stop being childish.

[fasttense]

63. You are easily fooled aren't you? Buy into any and all propaganda around don't you?

The leaders of the protest are very, very rich. They meet with the bushes and Koch brothers and they are suppose to understand the poor and middle class?????

They will let the poor and middle class continue to suffer once they gain control of Venezuela again, just like they did in the first place.

Why do you think Venezuela turned to socialism? Because the uber rich capitalist had done such a wonderful job? I don't think so. The rich capitalist created this mess over centuries and expected the socialist to fix it overnight.

Don't buy into all the propaganda.

[MADem]

64. I am not the one relying on "Venezuelanalysis" -- the arm of the Maduro regime --

for my information.

I think fifteen years was enough time to make a go of it. It's not "socialism" that has failed, it's giving away too much to other countries --Cuba especially--to "buy their love" that has failed. That's NOT socialism, that's just a dumbass business model. It's allowing people who call themselves "Chavistas" to rob the country blind; to skim off the top, to steal, to work sleazy deals where payment is made and value is not received.

Have you even checked the value of a bolivar lately? Do you even know what one is? No need to buy toilet paper anymore--the bolivar is more economical.

For someone having the brass to tell me that I'm "easily fooled," (personal attacks are the last resort of a failed argument, by the way--that's a "tell" as the kids who watch a lot of TV and movies say), you might want to do a little introspection. I think the one who has bought "catapulted propaganda" here isn't me.

Here are some of the "very, very rich" protest leaders you're squawking about--look real hard at these high living muthas:



He's still alive. May God protect him, as the old ladies in the streets say.

Here's another of the "wealthy"--according to you:


And here's his last fb message before he was shot dead in February:



Just the sort of thing a wealthy "friend of Bushes and Koches" would say.



Here's another:



Read about what happened to this "extremely wealthy" person who "met with Bushes" (NOT) "and Koches" (NOT) here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/03/11/prominent-venezuelan-student-leader-daniel-tinoco-shot-dead/

This is not about politics. People who think that are poorly informed. Or USERS. The "politicos" from right and left are trying to cash in on the dissatisfaction, but this is about THE PEOPLE. The politicians are the last ones to grab a clue.

You might want to do some homework. Your lack of knowledge about what is happening on the ground embarrasses you.

[Judi Lynn]

68. You get so wildly excited during your posting time to your "enemies." My!

Found the first one you sarcastically refer to as a "high living mutha", apparently believing you are designating him a man of the people. From his Wikipedia:

Juan Requesens is a student leader at the Central University of Venezuela and a leader for student opposition protesters during the 2014 Venezuelan protests. He has led peaceful marches opposing the Government of Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro hoping to start a larger movement of Venezuelans.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Juan Requesens' father is a doctor and his mother is an English teacher. His political idol is former president Rómulo Betancourt, who was the "father of Venezuelan democracy," and a close ally of United States President John F. Kennedy.[1]

Campus politician[edit]

Requesens began his political endeavors while he was attending Central University of Venezuela (UCV). He attends UCV as a political science major and became the student council president in 2011.[2][3][4] During his time as a UCV student leader, he used Twitter as a way to have student debates.[5] He began demonstrations against the Venezuelan government in January 2013 when he helped organize a joint protest of students from Central University of Venezuela and Universidad Católica Andrés Bello.[6]

2014 Venezuelan protests[edit]

The main demands of Requesens' movement was for the release of protesters who had been jailed, justice for protesters killed and allegedly tortured, and that if a meeting were to be held with President Maduro, that it would be broadcast live on television so they can speak directly to the people of Venezuela. He believes asking for the removal of President Nicolás Maduro is a "dead end" and that the “strategy of escalating confrontation will just give the government the chance to discredit us and continue with more repression”. Requesens' movement has been called more a more moderate approach than that of Leopoldo López Mendoza.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Requesens

Please try to calm yourself. It would be a real shame if you gave yourself a heart attack trying to rip the DU posters here to shreds for not supporting the oligarchs in their war to regain power over the population.

[MADem]

73. Look at you, viciously attacking me with invented personal characterizations!

"Please try to calm yourself" is a tactic that people without an argument use. And you don't have one. "Heart attack?" "Enemies?" These are YOUR characterizations. I will not speculate as to what caused you to think in that fashion. All I can tell you--and I really don't care, one way or another, how you receive this--is that your perceptions are laughably false.

You might want to spend a little more time actually MAKING YOUR CASE, and less time trying to come up with foolish little personal insults to throw at people. Deal with the issues--don't get personal. That's what adults do, you see.

If you think doctors make a bundle in VZ, you're clueless. They don't even have latex GLOVES or antibiotics in the hospitals, never mind surgical equipment. Why do you think they import doctors from Cuba? It's a cheap, basic commodity there--not a high-falutin' enterprise. And teachers? Please. Teachers aren't "wealthy."

You're showing us how much you know by telling us that you think a kid with two working middle class parents, busting ass to send their child--who still lives at home--to university, is an elite.

I appreciate your doing that, though--it helps to know how much--or, to be accurate in my remarks, how LITTLE-- attention to give your comments in future, and it's evident that you haven't a grasp of the situation on the ground in VZ.

I suggest you might want to take the advice you like to dispense so freely. Projection is sometimes a mirror into one's own issues. And have one of those nice days, now!

[Lars28]

70. Your pics don't really prove anything.

Of course there are regular middle class people in this movement. Fascist movements in general are financed by the rich, but they rely on the middle class for a mass base. That's how it was in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Chile, and that's how it is in Venezuela.

[MADem]

71. Welcome to DU,and I'll give your observations the attention I feel they merit. nt

[Lars28]

72. Thanks for your kind reply!

[Tarheel_Dem]

80. How 'bout The Guardian? Are they part of the propaganda machine as well?

Venezuela's poor join protests as turmoil grips Chávez's revolution

Government claims protests bear the hallmarks of US-backed coup plot led by jailed opposition leader Leopoldo López

Virginia López in Caracas and Jonathan Watts
The Guardian, Thursday 20 February 2014 14.42 EST

The poor neighbourhood of Petare in western Caracas is not an obvious hotbed of anti-government sentiment. In the past, its residents have been among the major beneficiaries of Venezuela's public health and education campaigns, and an economic policy that resulted in one of the sharpest falls in inequality in the world.

But as demonstrations sweep several major cities, even the people of Petare have taken to the streets to protest again surging inflation, alarming murder rates and shortages of essential commodities.

Jorge Farias, a self-employed motorcycle taxi driver, once voted for the late president Hugo Chávez, but this week he joined opposition rallies. "This country can't stay like this for much longer. If it's not lack of food, it is the fear of being killed when you step out of your house to go to work", he said. "I would like to wake up without this fear," he added. "I have never seen this country in this state of total collapse. We are going from bad to worse, and we are losing faith".

"Ya esta bueno ya", is phrase which Venezuelans are hearing with increasing frequency. Roughly translated as "Enough already", the slogan captures a wide-spread sense of discontent and growing uncertainty over the country's future.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/venezuelas-poor-protests-chavez-revolution

[Yo_Mama]

75. Yeah, that's starting to look like it.

When I saw this story I thought it was a bad move.

[fasttense]

34. No but there should be a law against being soooo stupid

that you support the most hated president in history.

[uncommonlink]

38. I never supported GW Bush.

And what does he have to do with this thread?

[snooper2]

19. The revolution moves Forward!

We will worry about wiping our asses later!

[sufrommich]

20. It's hard not to break a law that your

government is making up on the spot. I'm amazed that anyone on DU is actually still defending this crap.

[iandhr]

29. Everyone who opposes the government of Venezuela is a CIA operative don't you know

A view of a small loud radical minority of the people who post here.

[Judi Lynn]

48. Two creepy people representing the same lack of values. Ugly moment for a US Pres. n/t

[happyslug]

18. If she had been a US Citizen and done what she did to the US, she could be charged with a Felony

People forget about the Logan Act. The Logan Act, first passed in 1799, makes its a FELONY to do the following:

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Act

Thus what she did, sat in the chair of the Ambassador of Panama to the OAS (Organization of American States) and spoke in place of that Ambassador, "with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States" she would be subject to the Logan Act and could be sentence to include " to be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.".

Thus the law she violated is very similar to US Law and all she has "suffered" for her crime is the lost of her seat in the Venezuelan Congress and with it the lost of immunity from prosecution that goes with having a seat in the Venezuelan Congress. No one has threatened to jail her. No Charges have been brought against her. Beside the lost of her seat, her only lost so far has been her immunity i.e. she could NOT be arrested or even charged with a crime as long as she was a member of the Venezuelan Congress (A broader exemption from arrest and prosecution then provided in the US Constitution to Member of the US Congress).

[hack89]

22. The first and only Logan Act indictment was in 1803

it remains on the books only because it is never used. It would never withstand constitutional muster.

[happyslug]

36. Do you know only three people have been charged with treason since WWII??

And only EIGHT Americans have been CONVICTED of Treason. The main reason is people do NOT commit treason. Look at the last two convictions for Treason:

Last American convicted of treason, in 1952 for actions done during WWII:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakita_v._United_States

Second to the last, Toyko Rose, convicted in 1949:

Now, in 2006 a US Grand Jury made the first indictment for Treason since 1952, but no conviction at the present time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Yahiye_Gadahn

Another factor is Politics. Politics is a issue is treason as well as Logan Cases. For example NO one was convicted for Treason after the Civil War, for President Andrew Johnson issued a pardon that prevented any convictions. That Pardon also included violations of the Logan Act.

The last person to openly violate the Logan Act, was Richard Nixon in 1968, when he called the President of South Vietnam and told the President of South Vietnam NOT to work with President Lyndon Johnson and his efforts at peace, thus frustrating the peace talks. That was clearly a violation of the Logan Act, but President Johnson decided NOT to prosecute (the official claim is he did not want to reveal what could be intercepted by the NSC, but I suspect the real reason is Johnson liked to blackmail people, and that phone call was to tempting for Johnson to waste on a mere election, instead Johnson used it to make sure Nixon continued his programs as much as possible. I am one of those people who think the Watergate break-in was an attempt to recover those recording, for Nixon feared them anything else).

Anyway, like Treason, most people do NOT violate the Logan Act, thus you have a low rate of conviction in both categories. Given the nature of both crimes that reflect more a tendency for people to OBEY the law then anything else. Remember the poor really can NOT violate this act and thus the Government is NOT geared for regular enforcement of this act. On the other hand, like treason, it is on the books and can be used.

[hack89]

42. No - prosecutors do not prosecute because of two reasons

one, the "illegal" acts are overtly political and prosecutors/judges avoid purely political issues.

Two, the act, unlike treason, has serious constitutional issues attached.

Go look at the history of the Logan Act. Its very passing was a partisan political act by one political party aimed at another.

But I can see the attraction of the act for those who want to stifle political dissent. Fortunately in America, everyone sees the Logan Act for what it really is and have ignored it for over 200 years.

[hack89]

25. You know she will be arrested because she will not be silenced

the path VZ is on is very clear.

[MADem]

32. So, when will McCain be frog-marched?

As noted elsewhere, that law hasn't been used in over TWO HUNDRED years.

But good effort...!

[happyslug]

41. McCain has NEVER said he stood for the US Government

McCain has said he supported other governments, but as a SENATOR not anything else. Thus McCain has NOT tried to pass himself off as a representative of the Government and thus NOT violated the Logan Act.

McCain has also never stood in the place of a AMBASSADOR of A Foreign country and acted like he was that Ambassador. That is what this woman did, she sat in the place of the Ambassador from Panama. That is the act she was stripped of her seat for, not what she said.

No Country tolerate treason, and no country will tolerate its Citizens working against their own government WITH FOREIGN POWERS. You can work against the Government internally, you can go outside and seek assistance, but you can NOT work with foreign powers and you can not act as their representatives against your own country.

[MADem]

43. I think you need to actually read the BBC report.

Notice how the BBC doesn't come right out and say "she did this." They say "God Given Hair" said she did this:

The president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, said the congresswoman had contravened the constitution.

He said she was introduced at the OAS meeting in Washington DC as an "alternate ambassador" for Panama.

McCain has pranced all over the world shooting his mouth off. IOKIYAR, I guess.

Samples: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mccain-blames-obamas-feckless-foreign-policy-for-ukraine-crisis/

http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/02/26/sassounian-mccain-offends-visiting-syrian-church-leaders/

Again, I don't see him being frog-marched.


The politicians aren't the story, anyway. The student leaders, like Juan Requesens, are. It's only the external media that doesn't realize that.

[Judi Lynn]

49. Thanks for the suggestion we check our own country's laws. Outstanding. n/t

[LTX]

67. So you think the principles underlying the Logan act are a good thing? n/t

[Yo_Mama]

77. This is completely off-base.

No one has ever been brought to trial under the Logan Act. No one. One person was indicted but never tried.

It's probably unconstitutional, which is why no one has ever been brought to trial. The one indictment was clearly unconstitutional.

It could NEVER be used against a US Representative or Senator. The judiciary enforces the "no interference" rule absolutely with regard to legislative members. First the legislator would have to be impeached, and then the judicial system could swing into play, but no US person is ever going to be arrested for something like this.

And US legislators do talk to representatives of foreign governments all the time!

[iandhr]

27. Here comes the people who will call here a CIA operative

IN 5,4,3,2,1

[hughee99]

37. You can't believe this slanted news! She's a tool of Venezuela's %1 seeking to regain power!

She works for the CIA! I'm sure Maduro will present evidence of her crime in time! This has NOTHING to do with her being a voice of the opposition, its about the safety of the people!

Did I hit all the reasons why this is okay when it happens in Venezuela?

[hrmjustin]

40. Seems petty to do this to her.

[nyabingi]

44. Wow

There are people actually defending this woman? She is one of wealthiest in Venezuela, a personal friend of W, and was involved in the 2002 coup which removed Chavez briefly so I'm trying to understand why people here at DU are actually pretending as if she's some fighter for justice being unfairly targeted by Maduro? Based on her past actions, she should've already been in jail...

[reddread]

46. yes.

if you want to call them "people".
so many other words come to mind faster.

[dotymed]

50. Thank you and welcome to the remnants of DU.

Aristocracy now rules...

[hack89]

51. Drama much? nt

[dotymed]

55. Ever think freely?

[uncommonlink]

56. Criticizing the Venezuelan govt for it's actions against protesters and such

is not thinking freely?
Are we to walk in lockstep with the defenders of this increasingly brutal govt.? Is that your definition of "thinking freely"?

[hack89]

57. All the damn time

I have lived through enough to know any politician of any ideology can disappoint. I have also lived long enough to know that taking the side of more speech and dissent is always the smart thing in the long run - governments are not to be trusted.

[Psephos]

66. eloquently said, and completely true

The hive mind is the engine of hatred and brutality. Its genius is that it makes people feel righteous about doing violence to the rights, and eventually the bodies, of those outside the hive.

[MADem]

58. Oh yeah, sure...like these aristocrats in VZ...

Waiting on line for sugar, the snobby elitists!



Get a load of these "aristocrats," getting shot at by the GNB in their own country. Ah, what a luxurious life these "elites" lead:

&feature=youtu.be

Here's an "aristocrat" being held down and beaten with a GNB helmet:

You do not have a clue what is happening in VZ. Not a hint of an idea. Open your eyes.

[Psephos]

69. eye-opening vids indeed n/t

[Judi Lynn]

52. She would have been in the slammer long ago had she worked against a right-wing gov't.

She's been on the U.S. taxpayers' gravy train for years and years by now, raking it in, hand over fist, for her work against her country's elected leaders.

[Yo_Mama]

79. She is also an elected official

As is Maduro. His legitimacy (and it's real) rests upon that election. Simply saying that someone isn't "our kind" and thereby arresting an elected person undermines Maduro's own legitimacy, which is why this isn't the brightest move.

[Bacchus4.0]

47. I do believe she was elected to her seat by her constituents. Funny how easy it is

for the administration to simply declare she is no longer a representative.

[Judi Lynn]

53. Elected officials are expected to appear to obey the country's laws. n/t

[MADem]

59. It's perfectly ok for Maduro's minions to carry his politicized water, though.

Yeah, we get how that works.

You're not even subtle, you know.

[brooklynite]

62. ...and at least in our system the Legislature is responsible for the enforcement of its rules...

I guess the Venezuelans have decided letting the President make all the decisions is more efficient? Sort of like George Bush's "Unitary Executive".

[Zorra]

60. Co-leading a RW coup attempt, "No Exit", was bound to have consequences for her. nt

[ripcord]

54. She should have known better

This is what happens when you speak out against a totalitarian government.

[Pterodactyl]

61. Maduro is an ass.

[MADem]

65. If there is a coup, and not a resignation/transfer of power to Rangel preparatory to new elections

(with Diosdado Cabello taking the lead)--then that coup will most likely come from the LEFT. They have all the concentrated power in the police, armed forces, national guard...and of course, those murdering "colectivos" who go out on their motorbikes with guns and shoot kids. They are the only ones with the ability to execute a coup.

That would rather discombobulate the CIA-shriekers here.

Of course, the GNB--which is out on the streets in force--is riddled with Cubans, now. I think even more came over during that last visit that Raul made, when the Cuban flag fell of the halyard--and quite unceremoniously too. There are Cubans-by-the-dozen wearing Venezuelan uniforms, beating and shooting students in the street. But hey, it's all good because "socialism" and "Chavista" and "el pueblo!"

No one is more tone deaf to the needs of el pueblo than "Maburro" (as even some Chavistas have taken to calling him).

But hey, raise that flag high! At least this time, Maduro got it right and slapped up a Cuban flag....last time he was in proximity of a bunch of flags, he mistakenly fondled the PUERTO RICAN flag, and waxed rhapsodically about what wonders it represented! Maybe he was referencing the cuisine, he's a very well fed fellow--I like arroz con gandules and coconut rice pudding as much as the next person, but that seems a bit off to me! And speaking of well fed fellows, that well fed fellow, in response to complaints about shortages in the markets, told his fellow Venezuelans to EAT LESS. He and Diosdado and anyone in his ken doesn't look like they've missed many, if any, meals.

Accident, sabotage by someone in Maduro's circle (who else could get close enough?), or fate? All to the tune of easily one of the worst bands in Venezuelan history:

[Zorra]

81. Public officials in Venezuela are forbidden by law to accept special honors,

employment, or reimbursement from foreign governments without authorization from parliament.

That's why she was removed from her position.

If you think this is no big deal, try to imagine US Congressman Michelle Bachman accepting an invitation from the Russian government to act under their authority so that she could criticize Obama and the US government at a G8 meeting.

(And yes, I know that Russia has been kicked out of G8)

[Judi Lynn]

82. It's an ugly thought, isn't it? Really, really ugly. Thanks for posting the comparison. n/t