Venezuela's Chavez Defies Strike; Troops Take Ship. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Soldiers carrying rifles boarded a striking oil tanker and brought in a new crew Sunday in President Hugo Chavez's latest effort to quash a two-week-old national strike aimed at ousting him. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]

The president asked his commanders to violate the constitution he is asking foreigners to read... Is he joking? On other news, the tankers aren't moving. There is no crew. Guns do not win every battle. What now?

9:30:06 PM  What do you think? ( Thoughts) Who linked? []   

Chávez Rejects Call by U.S. for Early Vote in Venezuela. President Hugo Chávez's government, whipsawed by a 13-day strike that is paralyzing the economy, has rejected a Bush administration call for early elections. By Juan Forero. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]

Two comments: First, it is curious how much this country cares what the US says. Second, the argument that the constitution does not allow to early elections is really void. I've said it elsewhere, the previous constitution (1961) provided no means to change it or supplant it, nevertheless, it was supplanted, and the argument was that the original power resides in the people. If the people can decide to vote a new constitution, they can decide they want a new government, because a new government is a lesser change. That's the problem when you supplant logic and solid arguments with political expediency... It always comes backs and bytes you in the ass. Elections now, it's the only way to avoid violence and dead.

11:40:58 AM  What do you think? ( Thoughts) Who linked? []   

Huge march Saturday afternoon/evening.

[From The Devil's Excrement]

9:36:46 AM  What do you think? ( Thoughts) Who linked? []