| He could get the constitution changed to make him an | | | | gates of the future," proclaimed Chavez, who has |
| official dictator to years ago. So Hugo Chavez | | | | governed for a decade and vowed to rule for at least |
| changed his strategy and decided to take his massive | | | | a decade more. "In 2012 there will be presidential |
| dictatorial program in pieces. The first piece would be | | | | elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless |
| to allow him to run for office eternally, or at least again | | | | the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a |
| in 2012 and so Sunday he got that corner stone in | | | | candidate." |
| place. Now, on to the other dictatorial matters with the | | | | At their campaign headquarters, Chavez opponents |
| face of a democratic leader. | | | | who say the amendment pushes Venezuela closer to |
| President Hugo Chavez won a referendum to | | | | dictatorship hugged one another, and some cried. |
| eliminate term limits Sunday, enabling him to run again in | | | | Several opposition leaders left without speaking, but |
| 2012 and beyond in what critics fear is an attempt to | | | | several who remained said they wouldn't contest the |
| become president-for-life. | | | | vote. "We accept this result," said student leader David |
| Fireworks exploded in the sky and caravans of | | | | Smolansky, 23. "We're still standing. We're committed |
| supporters celebrated in the streets, waving red flags | | | | to Venezuela." |
| and honking horns. Thousands of people gathered | | | | Opponents say Chavez already has far too much |
| outside Miraflores Palace, where the former paratroop | | | | power, with the courts, the legislature and the election |
| commander appeared on a balcony to sing the | | | | council all under his influence. Removing the current |
| national anthem and address the crowd. But while he | | | | 12-year presidential term limit, they say, makes him |
| has his opportunity to run in 2012, the road from here | | | | unstoppable. "Effectively this will become a |
| to there is not going to be easy if the price of oil stays | | | | dictatorship," opposition leader Omar Barboza told The |
| below $50 a barrel. | | | | Associated Press. "It's control of all the powers, lack of |
| Can you say $35 a barrel? :-) | | | | separation of powers, unscrupulous use of state |
| The people of Venezuela are in dire poverty and it's | | | | resources, persecution of adversaries." |
| not going to get anything but worse under Hugo's | | | | Hugo is an elected democratic dictator. The lines are |
| massive egoic plans to expand the military on the | | | | becoming blurred. much like in America where |
| backs of the populace. "Today we opened wide the | | | | capitalism bails out all ailing industries. |