Forget Chavez's oppression of freedom of speech, Bush invaded Iraq!

[Myroria]

Chavez shuts down dissentist TV network

I noticed many liberals recently, perhaps some here, perhaps not, have a knack for prefering Chavez to Bush. Well, Chavez just restricted the tenet of freedom of speech. The Venezuelan government claims that RCTV supported the 2002 coup attempt, but no trial has occured, and no trial will occur. I agree Bush is an idiot, but he doesn't shut down cable networks at will. I surely hope no liberal can get even more hypocritical and still support Chavez.

EDIT: Chávez says TVes will better reflect his socialist revolution, calling RCTV "a threat to the country".

"Socialist revolution". Isn't that what Stalin called it?

[Solnath]

Too bad Chavez just happens to be cooler than all of the US.

Go Venezuela! Viva la revolucion socialista!

[Cartwrightia]

Are we talking actual liberals here or is this the usual American right-wing thing of saying "anyone who is stupid will be labelled 'liberal'"?  Because liberals support individual rights, and socialism supports collective rights.  Diametric opposition.  Any person who claims himself to be a liberal and who supports Chavez, a self-proclaimed socialist, is quite simply an idiot. 

However, what I suspect is that these are people Myroria has classified as "liberal" himself, and is using this to knock both them and liberals at the same time.

[Romanar]

It seems to me that many people who claim to be "liberal" are, in fact, socialist.  It's not just the "right-wing" that blurs the distinction.

[Cartwrightia]

Any person who claims himself to be a liberal and who supports Chavez, a self-proclaimed socialist, is quite simply an idiot.

This quote covers those people perfectly! 

[The Empire]

Well, Chaves was very promising when he came to power int the first place, now, with this restriction on free press, I am having second thoughts...

But that doesn not change the fact that I am of the rock-solid oppinion that G. W. Bush. is to this era what Attila the hun was for the middle ages....

[Myroria]

I'm talking about modern American liberalism, most of which is socialism/neoliberalism, Cartwrightia. When an American says "liberal", they refer to the neoliberalism present here. Some left-wingers even call themselves liberal, knowing the meaning. Maybe in Britain it means something different, but you need to keep in mind that when I call supporters of the socialist Chavez liberal, I'm not using the wrong term. I'm not refering to classical liberalism, which is slightly different than libertarianism, but neoliberalism, which is indeed, socialist/Keynesian.

And again, I don't support Bush in the slightest, but it annoys me when people get after him for the slightest things, then other nation's leaders completely deny natural rights and they get a little "Well, that's not so good. *continues ranting about Bush/Nixon/global warming*"

[Solnath]

"Socialist/Keynesian?" Damn, I must've been asleep in economics.

[Myroria]

When I slashed it I was comparing their similarity/strongness, not their being identical.

[Algerianbania]

Liberal is left as socialism is, but there is still a large gap in between the two. I agree, I don't like Bush, but only because he makes awful decisions and has probably made some lies to the American people. I hate the people with "Impeach Bush" bumper stickers. I always ask them, "For what?" The man hasn't done anything wrong, he's just been an idiot. Maybe it did bend the truth a little, but if you can show me proof, I will lick my own balls. Bush may have problems, but he is still my president and I respect him none-the-less, and I would definitely prefer him to a fascist, which is what Chavez is close to becoming.

[The Empire]

And the "patriot act" isn't the least fascistic?

[Myroria]

It simply eased regulations on searching. They still need a warrant to do so. Chavez just plain out said "No, you cannot renew your broadcasting permit.". He also was responsible for a massacre during the demonstrations.

[Algerianbania]

And the "patriot act" isn't the least fascistic?

America is farther from fascism than Venezuela. I do hate the patriot act. I believe that it demeans the morals and principles that this country is built upon, and when I say morals and principles I do not be liberating the world. But what is a 13 year old boy to do?

[TGSII]

There is a saying that I like.  It goes:

"Words have the power to heal and to destroy.  When words are both true and kind, they can change the world." (Confucius)

Basically, if you can't speak your mind, then there is not much you can do.

I think that in both countries, freedom of speech is fairly limited.  In Venezuela it is a leagle ban, in the US, it self censorship.

Both countries have their faults, just like everywhere else.

Just my 

[Algerianbania]

Oh be aware that I have constant arguments with the only republican in my class, who is probably more educated on such issues. I do speak my mind, almost everyday. What I meant was that I am only 13. Even if I do somehow organize a committee of people to try and abolish the patriot act, Congress will just look at me, laugh, and say that I am not educated in these matters, and that I should return to playing spin the bottle. There is nothing that I can do at this point in my life. Give it a few years.