Silencing Dissent

By David Aikman
Townhall.com

"Ever since he came to power in 1998, Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, has put himself forward as a champion of the poor and a friend of all who like to tweak the U.S. Chavez led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the Venezuelan government in 1992, and now counts Fidel Castro as his best friend in the region.

Chavez can be almost hysterical in his public statements at the U.N., calling President Bush "the devil," saying that Jesus Christ was the first socialist, and comparing the Israeli war with Hezbollah in Lebanon last year with the Holocaust.

Now Chavez is cracking down on the opposition media, withholding broadcast licenses and threatening to close down uncooperative news organizations. It's the action of a typical demagogue and bully. The consequences will not be good for South America, for Venezuela, or ultimately, for Chavez."

Yes, yes. The beloved Hugo. Loved by the Left. Even the Left in America. He wants to shut down discourse. Control "free speech." Gee. Just like the left in America.