[NYTr] Venez: Dictators Don't Accept Defeat
 
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:45:55 -0600 (CST)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Progreso Weekly - Dec 6, 2007
http://progreso-weekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=264&Itemid=1

Albs Loupe 

Dictators donbt accept defeat

By Alvaro F. Fernandez

Early Monday morning, December 3, President Hugo Chavez conceded defeat
after learning of the loss at the polls for the proposed Venezuelan
constitution overhaul he had offered voters. It was the first major
defeat of his presidency, a loss so close he called it a bphoto
finish.b To the victors he said, bI congratulate my adversaries for
this victory.b

Dictators donbt admit or accept defeat.

This past weekend Chavez showed class (not often attributed to him) and
a belief in democracy hard to find in leaders from many bdemocraticb
states around the globe -- the U.S. first among them.

For years Venezuelabs democratically elected president has been
referred to as a dictator, tyrant and worse by U.S. politicians and
leaders, media, and a majority of Chavezb Venezuelan opponents -- many
who now live outside the country. In 2002, in an attempt to oust him,
there was a successful coup against Chavez which lasted all of two days.

The corporate media, inside and outside the country, for years have
staged an offensive against Chavez that few political leaders anywhere
would outlive or put up with. And it must be noted that even with the
government closing of Venezuelabs RCTV, the majority of Venezuelabs
media is against Chavez oftentimes portraying him as the bad guy. It
also lies and manipulates information to hurt the Venezuelan leader.

The loss this Sunday reminded me of that fateful coup of April 2002. I
was leaving for Havana the following day. Following the news, I dreaded
the consequences that would result. I also remember how the events of
those days were celebrated by many who I would not call trustworthy.
But suddenly an unbeatable poker hand turned bad two days later when
Chavez returned triumphantly to the presidential palace. Too late for
so many who had played their hand. It was a gift from the heavens
allowing the Venezuelan leader to get a better reading of who he could
count on.

Hugo Chavez became a better and stronger leader after those horrible
events of 2002. Fast forwarding to 2007, strangely enough, I believe
the loss at the polls this past Sunday will ultimately help the
Venezuelan leader.

The loss, though heart-wrenching, was a lesson in democracy. The people
spoke with their vote; their leader listened and felt at peace with
their decision.

Today who can argue against democratic elections in Venezuela; or, was
this election fair but all the other eight Chavez victories stolen?

Chavez has five more years left as president. I know some will continue
to degrade him. After Sunday, those people who once labeled him
un-democratic have little to stand on. 

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