Venezuela will always have a special place in my heart. I hope the situation gets better soon!

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-left-has-a-blind-spot-on-venezuela-when-will-it-acknowledge-that-chavezs-socialist-dream-has-turned-into-a-nightmare-9138930.html

I'm not engaging you in this discussion so you can "prove me you're right" and that you are so acutely aware of how the world works and "politics" and all the "realistic" conspiracy theories. This isn't the place for it.

These people need help, whether from the US or from whomever. I, for one, know that neither the Portuguese nor the Spanish governments are giving this the attention it deserves, because our governments acknowledged Maduro and Chávez before him as rightful presidents, and we have a stupid tendency to only point our fingers at right-wing fascist totalitarian regimes, whereas what Venezuela is experiencing is dictatorship under an extreme-left faux-democracy -- which is, for all intents and purposes, a communist totalitarian regime. So, if most European countries condone leftist regimes, Venezuela isn't obviously counting on us, and they turn to the US for a multitude of reasons.

Then tell us what "help" you want? I mean besides "praying".

And I am pretty sure you just insulted alot of people who really suffered under totalitarian regimes.

You can help by growing awareness, spreading the word around, not staying indifferent to it. It helps a lot more than questioning the why and how they need help.

[EDIT] And, please, point in my post where, exactly, did I offend people who suffered under totalitarian regimes... saying ones are bad doesn't apologize the others, I didn't say "these are bad, so therefore those others are good". If that's the whole extent of your logic and interpretation power, then you have a serious issue, there, and I can't help you with that.

But spread the word about what? That your government is abusing its powers to quell protests? Just like in about 100 other countries. Our government already isnt very friendly with this guy, so what would be the point of spreading this awareness? Do you want sanctions and war?
It makes much more sense to spread awareness about dictatorships that my government loves, like Saudi,Bahrain,Yemen,Columbia,etc so they can use their good dialogue with them for democracy, which they arent doing. They are doing the opposite.

Not to mention that about 48% of your country will tell me the exact opposite of what you are saying even IF your accusations of voting fraud are true.


And edit: By calling your democracy a totalitarian dictatorship you have belittled all the real ones.

You are aware that I'm not a citizen of Venezuela, right?! 48% of my country doesn't even care about them, or Ukraine, or Germany, or Greece. Way more than 48% of my country only care about themselves. That's why I think these kinds of situations should be made known. That is all I'm saying. Let's focus on the matter being discussed here and stop with the bickering, please.

Awareness is one thing, but you want us to pick sides. If you want me to stop bickering then address my concerns and stop distracting further with new issues.

Thanks for sharing Carlos, I'm really sorry for all the people suffering in your country.

Democracy means rule of the active voting majority. A "real democracy" would basically be a small step above mob rule and doesn't mean freedom, justice, or security. There were technically better freedoms and opportunities to earn a better living in Chile under General Augusto Pinochet, a man who overthrew a Marxist regime, than there are in today's United States under Obama, an asshole who weaseled his way through the elections.

Also, just because about 100 other countries have totalitarian or simply absolutely corrupt governments, doesn't mean that we have to turn a blind eye to the one in Venezuela. Hopefully the communist tyrant in power will receive a bullet in his head, heart, or neck.

Yep, you most certainly had the freedom to agree completely with Augusto Pinochet under his regime, and the freedom to get a bullet in your head, heart or neck if you disagreed. I think I'd take the Obama version, any day, and I certainly don't like him in the slightest.

On occasion I'm reminded that while politics in general are absolute crap there are always people would would glory in them getting even worse- so long as it gets worse for the other side, of course.

(otoh would lol if quoted post was actually parody, but Poe's Law)

Thanks for the link man, but it doesnt clarify anything - none of the clips are really put into context and could be anything. I see the same shit on the streets of the UK, and I'm sure many also do in the US / rest of the world.
I'm not saying nothing is happening there (as you and I have talked at some length on these kind of issues), just that it was a damned bad link that says nothing. You give me the equal amount of footage with a single (and obvious) context and you have a news story - mainstream or underground. As well you know I have friends and clients here from Venezuela, and have an amount of understanding and preloaded sympathy to the country and its people, but you need to be fighting it with some decent stuff - this video is as twisted and open to interpretation as any propaganda, mainstream media, extremist view or internet crap out there.
Find that ONE video! :)

hold true dude change will come to this world

Bringing an end to an artificial food shortage that was created by lousy price control policies and improving commerce did better for the Chilean people than any of Obama's policies for the American people. I'll admit Pinochet did things that were a bit too militant even for my taste but I give him credit for actually improving the Chilean economy and reversing much of damages done by Allende.

I'm definitely hoping for a coup against Maduro and his Marxist subordinates.

The mere existence of socialism is a human rights violation.