Socialism for the people in Venezuela

[iconocrastic]

Militias ready to defend the revolution:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ineO86qjg0ALoP2esPQbJjn1J5tgD9IKGJUO0

Chavez: Civilian militia should be armed full-time

By IAN JAMES (AP) – 3 hours ago

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that members of the country's civilian militia should be issued weapons to be armed and ready at all times.


British food family loses land:

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9IKFV480.htm

Chavez announces seizure of farming supply company

CARACAS, Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government plans to seize a leading farming supply company.

Chavez says Agroislena CA has been expropriated and its owners should contact government officials.

[davidinalameda]

1. I want my own private army

and what good is it going to do for that company's owners to contact anyone

the government already stole the company from them

[Warren Stupidity]

2. please clue up about the history of land ownership in latin america, nt

[niceypoo]

4. Chavez uses that history to stay in power

[Warren Stupidity]

7. yeah, by doing what leftwing populists do: break up the huge land holdings

and restart again the process of redistributing the land to the poor. This struggle has been going on in latin america for centuries. I support it. It's the right thing to do.

[niceypoo]

9. He plays the peasants off against the landinos for personal gain

He is no Castro or Che, not by a long shot, and yes I know all about Latin America and 'Open veins' and all that.

[iconocrastic]

3. Fortunately, the U.S. is also starting to crack down on corporations.

But where is the promise of the civilian National Security Force here?

20-page PDF: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/140410p.pdf

[COLGATE4]

5. Chavez continues to expropriate (or nationalize, if you prefer)

because that's the only thing he has left to sell to the masses. The economy is in the toilet, there is scarcity in certain foodstuffs and crime is absolutely rampant in Caracas. He is a two-trick pony: rattling sabers predicting invasion by the dreaded Colombians backed by their gringo masters, and nationalizing anything that catches his attention. His recent losses in the parliamentary elections may indicate that people are tiring of him. One has to wonder if his latest 'idea' about arming the civilian militias may not be a precursor to resisting any more democratic encroachment on his power.

[iconocrastic]

6. We're going to have to nationalize healthcare here for it to work.

They are only taking baby steps now.

[Mike Marble]

8. Hmmm, leaders who arm civilian militias are usually worried about...

...the loyalty of their militaries. The militias become a potential counter-force in the even of a coup attempt.

[COLGATE4]

10. Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown. Chavez knows

full well that he has to keep the Army content or his time is limited. Having his own armed street gangs (i.e. civilian militias) is another bulwark against the Army turning on him.