Elecciones Por Hugo

We interrupt the death of Michael Jackson to bring you some slightly more important information.

Need to win an election by hook or by crook? Call Hugo Chavez.

Honduras Defends Its Democracy

That Mr. Zelaya acted as if he were above the law, there is no doubt. While Honduran law allows for a constitutional rewrite, the power to open that door does not lie with the president. A constituent assembly can only be called through a national referendum approved by its Congress [...]

Honduras is fighting back by strictly following the constitution. The Honduran Congress met in emergency session yesterday and designated its president as the interim executive as stipulated in Honduran law. It also said that presidential elections set for November will go forward. The Supreme Court later said that the military acted on its orders. It also said that when Mr. Zelaya realized that he was going to be prosecuted for his illegal behavior, he agreed to an offer to resign in exchange for safe passage out of the country. Mr. Zelaya denies it.

Many Hondurans are going to be celebrating Mr. Zelaya's foreign excursion. Street protests against his heavy-handed tactics had already begun last week. On Friday a large number of military reservists took their turn. "We won't go backwards," one sign said. "We want to live in peace, freedom and development." [...]

For Hondurans who still remember military dictatorship, Mr. Zelaya also has another strike against him: He keeps rotten company. Earlier this month he hosted an OAS general assembly and led the effort, along side OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, to bring Cuba back into the supposedly democratic organization. [...]

The struggle against chavismo has never been about left-right politics. It is about defending the independence of institutions that keep presidents from becoming dictators. This crisis clearly delineates the problem. In failing to come to the aid of checks and balances, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Insulza expose their true colors.

This was not a coup against Zelaya. It was the prevention of a coup by Zelaya. The military refused to help him improperly change the constitution. The Congress, Attorney General, and the Supreme Court all said the President was acting illegally. Now Congress has constitutionally appointed the next President according to the line of succession, and the next elections will not be disrupted. If anyone was attempting a "coup" it was Mr. Zelaya and his "Ballots by Hugo." Just look at who's supporting him: Chavez, Ortega, Castro, and the Obama administration.

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And The Winner Is....

Kim Jong Il Re-Elected as Leader of North Korea

This was a REAL cliffhanger of an election wasn't it? I bet you were on the edge of your seat all day waiting for the returns to come in. Maybe we should send him a present, like a booby-trapped iPod with some of Obama's speeches on it? But since he won't want to listen to those we put an innocuous file on it like "Madeline Albright - Topless!" and when he chooses that - kaboom! It goes Taepodong on his axis-of-evil.

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Venezuela Is Now Officially A Dictatorship

Chavez Wins Referendum to Eliminate Term Limits

President Hugo Chavez won a referendum to eliminate term limits Sunday, paving the way for him to run again in 2012 — and beyond — and push through his vision of a socialist Venezuela.

I certainly hope the Venezuelan people enjoyed this election because it's probably the last legitimate one they'll have for a long, long time. The country is now the personal fiefdom of a communist thug.

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Liberal Blind Spot

It occurs to me that liberals have a blind spot when it comes to those who threaten the United States or other freedom loving nations. If Hugo Chavez spews venom he's called "colorful," if Ahmadinejad rants against Israel like he's hosting a Holocaust Denial conference (oh wait...) we're reminded that Iran is just a "tiny" non-threatening country. In short, their vitriol is pooh-poohed by the left; BUT, let Ann Coulter sneeze and they scream like banshees at the "hatred" she represents. Talk about disproportionate responses...

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Too Simple Or Just Crazy Enough To Work?

Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan Refused Entry To Zimbabwe

Carter and two other members of The Elders group — former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and rights advocate Graca Machel, who is married to Nelson Mandela — had planned to assess the country's humanitarian needs as Zimbabweans are stalked by disease and hunger while political crisis occupies its politicians.

But they were told Friday night by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating the political crisis, that efforts to secure travel visas for the group had failed, Carter told reporters at a news conference in Johannesburg.

"We are very disappointed that the government of Zimbabwe would not permit us to come in, would not cooperate," Carter said.

It was the first time the 2002 Nobel Peace laureate has been denied permission to carry out a mission in any country, he said.

Do you think we could get away with refusing entry to Jimmy the Dhimmi when he tries to come home? Nah, it couldn't be that easy...

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Premature Congratulations

Not only does China cheat, they lie. What's worse is they keep getting caught at both.

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Kick Him Out! Kick Him Out! Waaaaay Out!

U.S. Lashes Back After Chavez Forces Envoy From Venezuela

The United States plans to expel Venezuela's ambassador in Washington to retaliate for President Hugo Chavez's decision to expel the U.S. envoy in Caracas, FOX News confirmed Friday.

The U.S. has also imposed sanctions on aides to Chavez in retaliation for his expulsion of the U.S. ambassador.

Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves outside the Middle East and, despite Chavez's clashes with the Bush administration, he has maintained oil supplies and never before expelled a U.S. ambassador, Reuters reported.

Chavez said he will not restore relations with the U.S. until Bush leaves the White House in January, Reuters reported. [...]

Chavez made the move in solidarity with Bolivia after his Andean ally expelled the U.S. diplomat there, accusing him of aiding violent protests. He said a new American ambassador will not be welcome in Caracas "until there's a U.S. government that respects the people of Latin America," suggesting that diplomatic relations will be scaled back until President Bush leaves the White House.

Restore relations? I think not. We really should use more discretion on where we send ambassadors anyway.

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Don't Let The Enhanced Fireworks Fool You...

Remember who's hosting the Olympics: Chinese Officials Seize Bibles from American Christians

Chinese customs officials confiscated more than 300 Bibles on Sunday from four American Christians who arrived in a southwestern city with plans to distribute them, the group's leader said.

The Bibles were taken from the group's checked luggage after they landed at the airport in the city of Kunming, said Pat Klein, head of Vision Beyond Borders. The group, based in Sheridan, Wyoming, distributes Bibles and Christian teaching materials around the world to "strengthen the persecuted church," according to its Web site.

The group arrived in China on Sunday and had intended to distribute the Bibles to people in the city, Klein told the AP in a telephone interview while still at the airport.

"I heard that there's freedom of religion in China, so why is there a problem for us to bring Bibles?" Klein said. "We had over 300 copies and customs took all of them from us." [...]

China faces routine criticism for its human rights violations and its repression of religious freedom. Religious practice is heavily regulated by the Communist Party, with worship allowed only in party-controlled churches, temples and mosques, while those gathering outside face harassment, arrest and terms in labor camps or prison.

A Chinese Christian activist was detained Aug. 10, the opening weekend of the Olympics, on his way to a church service attended by U.S. President George W. Bush in Beijing. A rights group said later that the activist, Hua Huiqi, a leader of the unofficial Protestant church in Beijing, had escaped from police and was in hiding.

China's a totalitarian state... nothing more, nothing less.

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The President Shouldn't Go To The Olympics

IOC Agrees To Internet Blocking At The Games

The Chinese government confirmed Wednesday what journalists arriving at the lavishly outfitted media center here had suspected: Contrary to previous assurances by Olympic and government officials, the Internet would be censored during the upcoming games. [...]

On Wednesday - two weeks after its most recent proclamation of an uncensored Internet during the Summer Games - the International Olympic Committee quietly agreed to some of the limitations, according to Kevan Gosper, chairman of the IOC press commission, Reuters reported.

No surprises here. Lord knows the IOC doesn't haven't the balls to stand up to them, but one could have hoped the United States would at least mention the active censorship and lack of freedom in China. I've never been in favor a full boycott of the 2008 Games, however I have always been of the opinion that we should only send low level representatives to the Beijing. Having the President of the United States, or the leader of any nation in the free world, at the games sends a message to China that their conduct is acceptable. Mr. President, stay home.

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Vote Or Die... No, Really! VOTE OR DIE!

Voters Led To Polls In Zimbabwe's One-Man Election

Paramilitary police and bands of ruling party militants patrolled Zimbabwe's capital and marshals led voters to polling stations Friday for an internationally discredited presidential runoff held in an atmosphere of intimidation. [...]

Mugabe, the country's ruler since independence in 1980, was expected to use violence and intimidation to get people to vote for him in the hope that a massive turnout could demonstrate he still has support and to make his inevitable victory appear credible. [...]

About 20 paramilitary police in riot gear were stationed in a central Harare park then began patrolling the city in a truck. Militant Mugabe supporters roamed the streets, singing revolutionary songs, heckling people and asking why they were not voting.

"I've got no option but to go and vote so that I can be safe," explained a young woman selling tomatoes.

So you see Mr. Combs, why some of us think you're slogan Vote or Die is stupid?

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Tensions Over Olympics In Bejing Still Ratcheting Up

Athletes Who Take Tibet Stand "Face Olympic Cut"

Athletes who display Tibetan flags at Olympic venues — including in their own rooms — could be expelled from this summer’s Games in Beijing under anti-propaganda rules.

Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said that competitors were free to express their political views but faced sanctions if they indulged in propaganda.

He accompanied those comments with an admission that the Games were in “crisis” after pro-Tibet protests engulfed the Olympic torch relay.

Mr Rogge’s call for Beijing to abide by its promise to address human rights was given short shrift by Beijing, which bluntly told him to keep politics out of the Games.

The Red Chinese and the IOC using similar tactics. It looks like authoritarian birds of a feather will flock together. I've lived in an Olympic city and let me tell you, the IOC is nothing but a bunch of bastards. This Olympiad is going to be a complete cluster-fuck. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present this year.

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China, Olympics, Tibet

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing.

Perhaps this is the right way to handle China and the Olympics. A little carrot, a little stick. They get the Olympics, but no major leaders attend. Instead of Presidents, Chancellors, and Prime Ministers, send lower level officials. No full out boycott, but a little nudge to say: You're doing some good things, but there's still room for improvement.

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Is Chavez About To Start Settling Old Scores?

Chavez Sends Tanks To Colombia Border In Dispute

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez ordered tank battalions to the Colombian border on Sunday after Colombian troops struck inside another of its neighbors, Ecuador, in an attack on rebels.

He also ordered the shutting of Venezuela's embassy in Colombia and the withdrawal of all diplomatic staff in the dispute, warning Colombia's actions could spark a war in South America.

Could Thuggo Chavez be planning to start settling Venezuela's old boundary disputes by using incidents like this as an excuse? Watch out Guyana...

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I Take It Back! I Take It Back! Squwak!

Okay, so I may have been wrong yesterday. There might be some pet birds who do need anti-depressants. This one for instance...

I mean, who wouldn't need a little chemical comfort if they had to listen to Thuggo Chavez everyday? Even Chavez apparently needs something to keep his idiocy from getting him down.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has admitted to chewing coca leaves, from which cocaine is produced.

The outspoken Chavez said he received the coca leaves from fellow leftist Latin American leader Bolivian President Evo Morales.

"I chew coca every day in the morning ... AND LOOK HOW I AM," said Chavez, flexing his bicep in a recent speech, The Miami Herald reported Sunday. [emphasis mine - QC]

Hugo Chavez...the anti-drug...

via Michelle Malkin

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Hiding Behind Words

Something is making me gag, and it's not the air pollution in Beijing. Have you heard the latest buzz words that the communist dictators of China are hiding behind? Olympic Spirit; get used to it, it's all you're going to hear between now and the close of the games.

"Linking the Darfur issue to the Olympic Games will not help to resolve this issue and is not in line with the Olympic Spirit that separates sports from politics," BOCOG said.

China is on the defensive against critics using the Games to spotlight the communist regime's curbs on human rights, press freedoms, and religion.

"It is understandable if some people do not understand the Chinese government policy on Darfur," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. "But I am afraid that some people may have ulterior motives, and this we cannot accept."

Now, I don't necessarily expect the Chinese to solve the crisis in Darfur on their own. After all the United States has been woefully absent on the issue as well. But everyone, including Beijing, could put a lot more pressure on the Islamic government in Khartoum. For me it's more a matter of the barbaric offenses against human rights in the People's Republic. The Olympics should be above politics, okay I can accept that; but above human rights? No.

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Now This Muslim Protest I Like!

Iran Students Break Campus Gate In Protest

Iranian students staged a new demonstration at Tehran University on Sunday, damaging the main gate to allow outsiders into the campus and denouncing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, news agencies reported.

The protesters chanted slogans against the president and carried banners calling for the release of three fellow students who have been held since May in a high-profile case, the Fars news agency and state-run IRNA reported.

The reports did not disclose the number of students involved. Both news agencies said that the demonstration had been called by the radical wing of the Office to Foster Unity, a reformist student group. "The students marched on the gate and damaged it, and this allowed several non-students to enter the campus. The students chanted slogans and carried protesting placards," IRNA reported.

"Ahmadi-Pinochet, Iran will not become Chile!" chanted the protesters, playing on the names of the Iranian president and late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, Fars reported.

The students also burned a copy of Kayhan newspaper, the mouthpiece of the clerical establishment that is bitterly critical of the Iranian reformist movement, it said.

Is there any way the West can help them? Hopefully we already are.

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Yeah? What's Your Point?

Iran Accuses US Of Nuclear Espionage

Iran has sent a formal protest note to Washington for "spying" on Iran's nuclear activities, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday in the wake of the latest US report on the alleged Iranian weapons program.

Mottaki said the American report earlier this week concluding that Teheran halted atomic weapons development in 2003 and hasn't resumed it since indicated US intelligence agencies based their findings on "satellite and espionage activities," according to official IRNA news agency.

I hope to God we have our nose all up in their business so we'll know just how to shut it down when the time comes.

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It's A Draw For Freedom

One dictator wins: Putin's Party Wins Russian Election; Kasparov Calls Russian Elections 'Dirtiest' In Nation's History

One dictator loses: Chavez - Plan May Have Been Too Ambitious; Chavez Defeated In Bid For Indefinite Re-Election

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¡Viva Juan Carlos!

Spanish King Tells Chavez to "Shut Up"

Chavez, who called President Bush the "devil" on the floor of the United Nations last year, triggered the exchange by repeatedly referring to former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar as a "fascist."

Aznar, a conservative who was an ally of Bush as prime minister, "is a fascist," Chavez said in a speech at the Ibero-American summit in Santiago, Chile. "Fascists are not human. A snake is more human."

Spain's current socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, responded during his own allotted time by urging Chavez to be more diplomatic in his words and respect other leaders despite political differences.

"Former President Aznar was democratically elected by the Spanish people and was a legitimate representative of the Spanish people," he said, eliciting applause from the gathered heads of state.

Chavez repeatedly tried to interrupt, but his microphone was off.

Spanish King Juan Carlos, seated next to Zapatero, angrily turned to Chavez and said, "Why don't you shut up?"

Spain just moved up a notch again in my book...

UPDATE: More on Chavez's smack down...

Venezuela News & Views

and Video courtesy of the BBC...

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Suspect Syrian Site Before & After

Photos Show Cleansing Of Suspect Syrian Site

New commercial satellite photos show that a Syrian site believed to have been attacked by Israel last month no longer bears any obvious traces of what some analysts said appeared to have been a partly built nuclear reactor.

Two photos, taken Wednesday from space by rival companies, show the site near the Euphrates River to have been wiped clean since August, when imagery showed a tall square building there measuring about 150 feet on a side.

The Syrians reported an attack by Israel in early September; the Israelis have not confirmed that. Senior Syrian officials continue to deny that a nuclear reactor was under construction, insisting that Israel hit a largely empty military warehouse.

But the images, federal and private analysts say, suggest that the Syrian authorities rushed to dismantle the facility after the strike, calling it a tacit admission of guilt.

Awesome! Seriously, how do we get them to do the same thing in Iran?

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