Hugo Chavez ~ A Despotic Dumbass

In the latest chapter of Hugo-Naughtiness, Chavez has now accused the highest Cardinal in Venezuela of conspiring against him - this after the clergyman chided El Presidente for the erosion of democracy, and his path to dictatorship.

On the heels of recent headlines, in which has-been celebrity Harry Belefonte visited Chavez and called President Bush "the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world," Cardinal Rosario Castillo made his remarks during a Mass to mark the end of a holy procession attended by thousands in a cathedral in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

"A government democratically elected seven years ago has lost its democratic path and shows signs of dictatorship, where all powers are in the hands of one person who exercises them in an arbitrary and despotic way."

Of course, Chavez was none too happy with that, as he pointed out in his weekly Sunday broadcast:

"This is part of a provocation, part of a conspiracy, there is nothing innocent about this. It is a plot to destabilize the country. I demand the Catholic hierarchy distance themselves from this - the least we can expect is for you to reject this man's comments."

He seems to have a real problem with any kind of criticism. In fact, it turns out that his democratic government has taken to writing some very undemocratic rules- to the point of criminalizing free speech that suggests dissent. Take Article 147:

"Anyone who offends with his words or in writing or in any other way disrespects the President of the Republic or whomever is fulfilling his duties will be punished with prison of 6 to 30 months if the offense is serious and half of that if it is light."

Gee, I wonder if Dumbass Belefonte knew that little detail of his new buddy?

Last week, an Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops released a report challenging Chavez's claims to have bettered the lives of the poor and expressing concerns over the fragility of the country's democracy.

Why is this shithead so popular with so many in Venezuela? Chavez has spent billions of dollars in oil revenues on social, education and health programs. But his critics say his seven years in power have failed to tackle poverty and chromic crime. They say Chavez has extended his control over independent institutions such as the courts and the electoral authority as he tightens his grip on power.

Quite the little master of the game, right? He even contrived to send oil to some of the poorest, Katrina-smacked sections of the Gulf Coast. Do you suppose he did this to help? His hatred for President Bush is only eclipsed by his arrogance, greed and deception. He is a NATURAL member of Liberal Hollywood society - a veritable pock-marked Ricki Ricardo wannabe kissing that Fidel ass, while dreaming of the day he can hold a truly great country like the United States hostage for oil.

As big a Dumbass as Pat Robertson is (as shown last week), I don't deny that his call for putting this evil bastard down is not necessarily a bad one.