Here Goes Another "Important" Hugo Chavez Puff Piece

To the relief of many and the consternation of others, the referendum of December 1st held in Venezuela that would have ended term limits, thus enabling President Hugo Chavez to run in perpetuity, failed by a margin of 51-49 percent. Chavez, who previously stated that any who voted against the measure would be a traitor, has now conceded defeat-“for now”.

To any who might be hopeful or overly sentimental in regards to this outwardly gracious appearing concession, I might remind you that Venezuela has been the scene of troubling unrest in regards the referendum, with opponents and protestors amassing in the streets in daily displays of opposition to the measure.

Had this not been the case, the chances are more than fair that the election could have easily been manipulated, with the results ending up vastly different. However, Chavez may have come to realize that he overplayed his hand in what many came to see as an unprecedented attempt at a power grab. He also knew that the eyes of the world were watching, and waiting. He wanted power, but not at the expense of riots, bloodshed, and outright carnage. I have a feeling he was sternly warned by his security forces that such a scenario might result in a loss of control that might not be so easily restored.

Remember that as well he has implied there will be another referendum at some unspecified date. Look for him to do so within the next few months to a year, two years at the most. When he tries it again, I look for there to be more emphasis placed on other aspects of the referendum that might not have even been a part of the last one. Chavez might well take a more moderate stance, guaranteeing civil, religious, and political liberties, while possibly guaranteeing limited though well defined property rights.

Hopefuly, though, this slap in the face has been a wake up call to him. He might come to realize that rhetoric and empty promises might make for pleasant dreams, but a morning without hope, for way too many of his citizens, could turn those dreams into nightmares for all concerned.

In the way of a disclaimer, I am not an avowed foe of Hugo Chavez, nor am I a fan of his. I personally do not give a shit what type of government a foreign, sovereign nation elects to have. In most cases, any problem they might give us can easily be solved in measurements of megatons. That fact, if exercised judiciously, would lead to as hearty and sincere a handshake with a communist leader as with a democratically elected one. Otherwise, it is really none of our business. If they elect not to trade with us, in the meantime, I look at it this way-their fucking loss, and in most cases, American workers gain. Who the fuck needs their cheap ass slave labor products?

Incidentally, as far as I’m concerned, this is the only thing our corporate executives and politicians really want with Latin American to begin with. To them, it’s just another cheap-ass trade zone for the manufacture and importation of cheap goods and cheaper workers, a path for whom would quickly be cleared to here. Politicians like Chavez, for all their rhetoric and all their flaws, stand in the way of potentially billions of dollars quarterly. Frankly, I hope they keep the guy. I think he could be reasoned with, provided we approach him from a reasonable position. As it is, while we are engaged in this cold war extension with this paper tiger, there is the further consequence that it is a further inducement for the price of oil to incline upwards, which is another reason for the current policy.

Understanding this simple fact, I never have or never will be a proponent of such idle and ill-advised foolishness as, for example, boycotts of Citgo. I will even go so far as to say that a lot of the current rhetoric can easily be considered to originate from the inside the beltway pundit and political classes who take their cue (and a great deal more from under the table) from the corporate executives of Shell and Halliburton, etc.

At the same time, I can read the writing on the wall, or in this case, the engraving on both sides of the coin. Somebody needs to rein in both sides, and that includes Chavez. Hopefully, this latest development will let a lot of the hot air out of both parties.