Rumsfeld Likens Chavez's Rise to Hitler

LAS VEGAS SUN ^ | February 03, 2006 at 5:26:3 PST

[xzins]

Rumsfeld Likens Chavez's Rise to Hitler

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) -

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld likened Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to Adolf Hitler, reflecting continuing tension in relations between the United States and the Latin American government.

Rumsfeld, asked during a National Press Club appearance Thursday about indications of a deteriorating general relationship between Washington and parts of Latin America, said he believes such a characterization "misses the mark."

"We saw dictatorships there. And then we saw most of those countries, with the exception of Cuba, for the most part move towards democracies," he said. "We also saw corruption in that part of the world. And corruption is something that is corrosive of democracy."

The secretary acknowledged that "we've seen some populist leadership appealing to masses of people in those countries. And elections like Evo Morales in Bolivia take place that clearly are worrisome."

"I mean, we've got Chavez in Venezuela with a lot of oil money," Rumsfeld added. "He's a person who was elected legally - just as Adolf Hitler was elected legally - and then consolidated power and now is, of course, working closely with Fidel Castro and Mr. Morales and others."

There have been increasing signs of hostility between Washington and Caracas, and on Monday Chavez said Venezuela's intelligence agencies have "infiltrated" a group of military officials from the U.S. Embassy who were allegedly involved in espionage.

Venezuelan authorities, including the vice president, have accused officials at the U.S. Embassy of involvement in a spying case in which Venezuelan naval officers allegedly passed sensitive information to the Pentagon.

It was not the first such charge by Chavez.

He has accused President Bush of backing efforts to overthrow his leftist government, and specifically has charged that the United States supported a short-lived coup in 2002, fomented a devastating strike in 2004 and expelled some American missionaries from Venezuela for alleged links to the CIA.

Washington has repeatedly rejected the allegations.

[xzins]

I have recently read that Citgo Gasoline is owned by Venezuela. Anyone know if that's true.

[gondramB]

Hitler/Nazi comparisons are rarely profitable. unless you are talking about Mao or Stalin the comparison usually fails and makes the speaker look insincere or misguided.

[gondramB]

"I have recently read that Citgo Gasoline is owned by Venezuela. Anyone know if that's true. "

It's true, although it wasn't always true.

[Brilliant]

This won't go over well with Chris Dodd and Jimmuh Carter.

[Gay State Conservative]

I have recently read that Citgo Gasoline is owned by Venezuela.Anyone know if that's true.

I believe it is.

[ConsentofGoverned]

Yes it is true CITgo is owned by Chavez..I do not buy gas at citgo stations..but others must choose for themselves I am told Kennedy family has connections with Citgo.

[Brilliant]

I don't remember Jimmy Carter certifying Hitler's election, but I could be wrong.

[xzins]

In debate, there's whasits rule that claims the first to bring up hitler or nazism loses the point.

This, though, is a bit different. There is no debate, and this is our SecDef making a comparison.

Hitler demonized Jews; apparently, Chavez demonizes Americans.

Is there state control of the economy in Venezuela or is there still private ownership of business?

[gondramB]

"I don't remember Jimmy Carter certifying Hitler's election, but I could be wrong."

Good point. It fair to attack Chavez for undermining democracy and moving toward autocratic government and cozying up to Fidel. But it takes a lot more than that to be a Hitler.

[xzins]

Chavez & Kennedy .... Moveon's dream ticket... :>)

Makes me want to forego Citgo.

[gondramB]

"
Hitler demonized Jews; apparently, Chavez demonizes Americans. "

That's true. But Hitler did a lot more than that.

[CORedneck]

True.

What I will say would probably be an extraditable offense according to Chavez. He needs to be removed from office and thrown in jail with the key to be thrown away.

I have recently read that Citgo Gasoline is owned by Venezuela. Anyone know if that's true.

[SJSAMPLE]

Agreed.
And then we get offended when the NAACP or somebody else likens Conservatives to Nazis.

There was only one Hitler.

[jer33 3]

Snip.....

Venezuela has substantial investments in the United States as well. These investments include PDVSA’s ownership of CITGO which is the third largest refiner in the United States. Investments also include joint ventures that PDVSA has with Amerada Hess and ExxonMobil. These joint ventures own and operate major refineries in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Chalmette, Louisiana, respectively.

The United States is Venezuela’s primary energy export market; we deeply value the energy relationship between our two countries. Venezuela’s Successful and Rapid Recovery in 2003 In late 2002 and early 2003, the reliability and dependability of the Venezuelan energy sector was, unfortunately, threatened. Restoring PDVSA to its earlier production levels in a sustainable – and safe – manner presented enormous challenges. We have successfully met those challenges. In 2003 alone, PDVSA hired 6,000 new employees.

We restored our production and our refining operations quickly and fully. In fact, we did it in record time, without damaging any of our oil reservoirs. We are extremely proud that our exports of crude oil to the United States reached their highest level in December 2003. With 1.44 million barrels per day exported to the United States, Venezuelan oil now accounts for more than 15 percent of all oil imports to the United States.

Statement of the Embassy of Venezuela Before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

[BadAndy]

"Rumsfeld Likens Chavez's Rise to Hitler"

I'll worry about it when he invades Poland.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

From the Citgo corporate website:

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

[dmz]

Let me know when Chavez starts rounding up Americans, putting them into cattle cars, and sending them to death camps.

Hitler wasn't known for demonizing the Jews, he was known for exterminating them, to the tune of 6 million.

Frankly, it (IMHO) makes Rumsfeld look ignorant of 20th century history.

[xzins]

Hitler did a lot more than that

True, and all Rumsfeld has compared (so far) is Hitler's RISE to that of Chavez.

Government control of business, demonization/scapegoating of an "enemy," and elevation of an elite were some of the hallmarks of national socialism/fascism. Chavez probably learned from his ba'athist mid-east friends in the oil cartel.

[Nextrush]

Its a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company.