Posted on 05/30/2014 6:53:55 PM PDT by dignitasnews
In a reprehensible slap in the face to the oppressed people of Venezuela, far-left members of the Democratic Party are urging President Obama to resist bipartisan efforts to level sanctions against the authoritarian government of Nicholas Maduro. Based on comments by the Administration, apparently their sympathy for the Marxist regime is shared by the White House in a startling reversal of national doctrine of supporting freedom and liberty that has endured since the US was founded in 1776.
John Conyers, Democratic Congressman from Michigan, penned a letter to Obama signed by he and 13 of his colleagues urging them to reject overwhelming House and Senate calls to sanction the Nicholas Maduro regime for its repression of human rights and the dubious imprisonment of opposition leaders consistent with the actions of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
While they have expressed "sympathy" for the oppressed opposition in Venezuela, the Obama Administration is opposed to sanctions, claiming the "timing isn't right." Secretary of State John Kerry, while acknowledging that the Venezuelan government has failed to demonstrate good faith in upholding human rights of its citizens, he is calling on more time to encourage dialogue between the government and opposition leaders, represented by the Voluntad Popular Party whose leader Leopoldo Lopez has been rotting in a Caracas jail cell along with many others whose sole goal is the freedom to express their self-evident rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Democratic Party opposition to Venezuelan sanctions have of course been hailed by the totalitarian regime as Nicholas Maduro giddily commented upon hearing of his ideological comrades letter, "There is a bit of wisdom in Washington. Thank you for taking this initiative to try to raise awareness." He went on to defiantly add, "Any law approved in the US Congress is spurious."
In his letter to Obama, John Conyers also urged a resumption in ambassador exchange that was ended four years ago. Conyers himself is no stranger to utilizing his power to circumvent law. The 85-year-old Democrat failed to obtain the legally mandated number of valid signatures to qualify for re-election, but in tactics that Maduro would certainly appreciate utilizes his Party leverage to obtain a stay as US District Court Judge Matthew Leitman ruled that invalid or forged signatures were "obtained in good faith."
It is reprehensible that the United Stated, founded on the principles of liberty, justice and human rights to turn its back on Voluntad Popular and the millions of Venezuelans who desire nothing more than democracy and the freedom of expression. Many conservative voices in the United States have accused Maduro and his henchmen of taking action against Leopoldo Lopez in retaliation for his strong showing in the most recent, and possibly last, national elections. Lopez came close to defeating Maduro in what many consider a fraudulent election, although lack of proper US leadership has prevented an international inquiry into suspected Maduro skullduggery.
Voluntad Popular-Our Ideological Brethren
Members of the Republican Party have been the most vocal critics of the Maduro regime, in particular Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Rubio, considered a strong contender for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2016, went on record this week in a press release, "We are now approaching the four month mark since Venezuelan students took to the streets to demand a better future and their fundamental rights, only to be met with violent and even deadly force by the Maduro regime. Sanctions on the individuals responsible are long overdue."
At the beginning of the crisis, Rubio gave two very impassioned speeches, in response the situation and in response to Democratic Senator Tom Harkin's glowing report of his trip to the "Caribbean Paradise" of Cuba. He tied the two Latin nations together, noting Cuba's participation and cooperation in Venezuelan tyranny and condemned Western leadership for its "shameful" inaction. The speeches have been hailed by conservatives in the United States as the most forceful and eloquent foreign policy addresses of the decade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wKhXurFyI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Uz-9HvRgw
Other Republicans have led the charge to take action against the tyrannical actions of the Maduro regime as well, notably Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lethinen (R-FL) who recently stated, "I hope that the Senate can act swiftly to pass the House version of the bill," which in fairness did include support of some moderate Democrats, "so that we can send it to the President's desk as soon as possible to ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable."
On the subject of accountability, we would also like to share with you the contact information for Mr. Conyers, should you want to voice your opinion to his stance and urge him to reconsider his position on the matter.
Congressman John Conyers' Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CongressmanConyers
Further Contact Info:
Opinion by Paul M Winters, Editor in Chief Dignitas News Service
Sources:
ElUniversal DetroitFreePress FoxNewsLatino PeopleDailyMorningStar SenatorMarcoRubio (via YouTube) SenatorMarcoRubio (via YouTube) VoluntadPopular
Sorry, but to a Democrat “honor” is weakness to be exploited. They have no “honor”, and I’ll add “period”.
It is not too late for President Obama and the Democratic Party to regain their honor and do what is right and take a stand for freedom loving people here in our own hemisphere.
The author has some difficulty interfacing with reality?
Psst! Say that you’re oppressed Muslims!
I don’t see the point of sanctions anymore. The state department and UN both hand out waivers like candy to cronies. We imposed sanctions on Russia and within days Hunter Biden was named director of the biggest Ukrainian gas company.
Short of a physical blockade of the country, I just don’t see the point.
Zactly...
Conyers is a Communist and possible Soviet/KGB (old Empire) asset through he work with their “peace front” the World Peace Council and its US affiliate chapter, the US Peace Council, created in 1979 by the Communist Party USA and John Conyers as a founding member.
His list of CPUSA, SWP and WWP fronts that he had supported would fill a book and has (”The Enemies Within: Communists, Marxists, and Progressives in the US Congress”, Trevor Loudon, 2013, www.pacificfreedomfoundation.org).
That is why he and the other signers oppose supporting the forces of freedom in Venezuela.
Like to see who the other signers were.
I do get that. But trying to appeal to the “better nature” and move moderate elements (those few that still exist) on this to press for action on this one issue alone. I recognize that salvation of their souls is long past doable. That said, my ultimate goal in this article is do my part to help get Leopoldo Lopez out of Maduro’s jail and to defeat Marxism.
To TexasFossil:
Cant reply directly to mail yet (my account still too new apparently). I hear you loud and clear brother. I recognize the progressive-left is a completely lost cause. But as we saw at the Oscars with Jared Leto’s speech, there are some who (albeit misguidedly)consider themselves “liberals” who do support Voluntad Popular and the people of Venezuela and my “stab at moderation” at the end was aimed at them.
Trust me, I recognize exactly why Obama & Conyers fight sanctions against Maduro. Birds of a feather (and hammer & sickle) flock together.
They are simply doing what Marxists do and ours are no different.
Pray America wakes up
“Like to see who the other signers were.”
Let’s ask the one who should be able to answer that question.
Why would the ‘rats not support their fellow Marxists?
John Conyers, Henry “Hank” Johnson, Karen Bass, Barbara Lee, Raul Grijalva, James McGovern, Sam Farr, Chellie Pingree, Keith Ellison, Jan Schakowsky, Emmanuerl Cleaver, Jose Serrano, Michael Capuano, and Peter Welch.
No surprises there.
Trivia: What was the name of that book Mia Farrow was reading in “Rosemary’s Baby?”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.