Posted on 02/03/2006 5:40:36 AM PST by 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.
Nixon knew that democratically-elected demagogues who want to subvert the democratic process must be stopped. Therefore, Nixon supported the coup against Allende.
Unlike Nixon, President Bush missed a golden opportunity by refusing to support the coup against Chavez in 2002. We will pay dearly for years to come for this political misjudgment.
Imagine if Hillary gets elected, packs the US Supreme Court with 10 Justices loyal to her, and starts acting like a dictator. Every time she's taken to court, the US Supreme Court sides with her. There is nothing to be done to stop her under the political landscape created by her machinations.
Concerned about the destruction of our Republic, a group of military officers put Hillary in prison and create a national unity government until elections can be held. Nevertheless, all our foreign allies side with Hillary, and she's restored to power.
How pathetic that would be. That's the way I see the Bush administration's failure to support the anti-Chavez coup.
Now there is little hope of ever getting rid of Chavez, since he has 'amended' the Venezuelan constitution to guarantee his power until his death, the Venezuelan Supreme Court is full of Chavez' appointees, and the military leadership has been cleansed of any anti-Chavez leaders.
He gave money to Bin Laden.
After all, Chavez is a communist who is always rambling-ranting-raving about the bourgeoisie and the evils of capitalism.
hmmm, how do you say "Power To The Proletariat!" in Spanish?
¡Energía Al Proletariado!
In the not-too-distant future everyone on earth will have been characterized as Hitler. The avant-garde should start looking for a fresh metaphor any day now.
I am disappointed in Rumsfeld. Hitler was not elected. He was appointed because Von Papen wanted to get back at Kurt Von Schleicher. Von Papen thought Hitler could be controlled. But in the election before Hitler's ascendency to the Chancellorship, the Nazis actually lost votes, and they were never close to a majority.
I bet there are lots that have given money to Bin Laden, that we are not reacting this way to.
Can you ping me to the thread where Chavez has his unhinged response? It's a-comin'.
Guess that means Mother Sheeham is cavorting with Hitler. AND yet she wants to meet with the WH Hitler - I am confused. /sarcasm
Well isn't that special - a Keenedy connected with the new Hitler.
No Rumsfeld just like to evoke Godwin's Law :-)
I have ties with Citgo too, it's called a credit card, and I use it all the time, and I don't even know any Kennedys!!
Don't care too much for Hitler comparisons from, to, with anyone, anytime.
Rummy is right!
The only reason that Chavez is in power is Russia and China.
The difference in this case is that Chavez has Daniel Ortega, Bolivia, Cuba, Russia/"Former" USSR, and China to back him up.
I agree. The comparison should not be made.
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