Musharraf Imposes Emergency Measures

Its not surprising Musharraf did this. Because he could. He had the power and people with power eventually use it.

The power of the US idiot is different, but no less effective. The FCC can shut down any media outlets Bush orders shut down. The phone companies can cut off all phones if ordered to by Bush. Signing statements negate Congress and Bush can just ignore the SCOTUS and has. The AG is in Bush's pocket and there's always the "enemy combatant" card, with renditions and disappearances. He also can declare marshal law at the drop of a hat.

As for controlling oil supplies and other energy sources...he doesn't have to. He's in their hip pockets.

He has the whole fucking package at his fingertips.

The only question is how many of these powers will Bush use in the next 13 months.

I've been kind to Hugo Chávez in Venezuela only because he hasn't as yet abused his power. But even Chávez has too much authority in my opinion and within time he'll abuse it.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution and deployed troops in the capital Saturday, declaring that rising Islamic extremism had forced him to take emergency measures. He also replaced the nation's chief justice and blacked out the independent media that refused to support him.

Authorities began rounding up opposition politicians, cut phone lines in the capital and took all but the state television station off air despite calls from Washington and other Western allies not to take authoritarian measures.

The U.S. called for Musharraf to restore democracy. However, the Pentagon said the emergency declaration does not affect U.S. military support for Pakistan and its efforts in the war on terrorism. Britain said it was deeply concerned. [emphasis mine]

It is nice to know the Pentagon won't let this little dust up affect US military support. Gotta keep them munitions flowing.

You may get from that last paragraph I still don't buy into the ol' war on terrorism meme.

Via AP.

US and Venezuela in spat over RCTV

OMG!!!1!! I'm Venezuelan.

Rice says forcing station off air undemocratic but Venezuela accuses US of hypocrisy. [emphasis mine].

And don't forget many Venezuelans support Hugo Chávez.

Jesus H Christ with herpes. This post is so self-referential I should be shot.

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Thousands march to support Chavez's refusal to renew RCTV license

Just so you don't miss something very few are reporting. Yes huge groups turned out to protest the license non-renewal of the independent RCTV by Hugo Chávez, but hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in his support.

Supporters of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, have marched in support of his refusal to grant a licence to a opposition-aligned television station, a day after a rally demanding freedom of expression.

Hundreds of thousands gathered on Saturday dressed in red shirts and caps showing Chavez's slogan "democratising television and radio".

"Starting today, the [pro-government] counter-attack must be maintained across the country," Chavez told the crowd in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.

For some reason I can't put my finger on, it seems Hugo Chávez knows more about what the majority of his people want than do Americans. Its just a feeling I have. Maybe its because he's there?

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OK, he's officially out of control

Is Bush far behind? Inquiring minds want to know.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday called opposition news channel Globovision an enemy of the state and said he would do what was needed to stop it from inciting violence, only days after he shut another opposition broadcaster.

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans marched in Caracas in a fourth consecutive day of protests over Chavez's closure of the RCTV network - a move which has sparked international criticism that the leftist leader's reforms are undermining democracy.

State television showed hundreds of government supporters marching in downtown Caracas celebrating Chavez's decision.

"Enemies of the homeland, particularly those behind the scenes, I will give you a name: Globovision. Greetings gentlemen of Globovision, you should watch where you are going," Chavez said in a broadcast all channels had to show.

"I recommend you take a tranquilizer and get into gear, because if not, I am am going to do what is necessary."

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