quote:

ORIGINAL: Marc2b

Careful. You’re in danger of falling into the same trap Thompsonx has fallen into. Assuming that if I say "A" then I am implying "B" and therefore probably believe "C," "D," and "E," as well (and, of course, anyone who believes "E" must be an argumentative, rhetorical spouting jerk). This kind of closed minded, automatic "thinking" is a result of the first rule of the Ideology (any ideology) which is: the ideology is never wrong.
If you will go back and check what I have actually said you will find that I have simply asked you to clarify and verify what you have posted.
 
Thompsonx’s ideology is socialism.
This is an unwarranted assumption on your part.  You have no clue what my ideology is.  I have simply pointed out that the people of Venezuela are better off under Chavez than under his predecessor.

Therefore Hugo Chavez, being a socialist, is good. Therefore, any criticism (real or perceived – and there is a lot of false perceptions in ideologies) of Chavez must be put down. Someone stating a simple fact, that a man who rules a nation by decree is dictator, cannot be countenanced. Notice how no source that criticizes Chavez is credible
This is a miss-characterization of my post.  I pointed out that your source was not credible.

(notice also how the official Cuban Government web site is credible).
You had asked for the official Cuban Government position I cited it for you.

Notice how anyone harmed by his regime or who criticizes it is a "right wing thug" or a "fleeing felon."
The only right wing thugs or fleeing felons I mentioned were the ones who were.

You sound like you’ve got a streak of libertarianism in you. If so I can relate. You won’t get any arguments from me about stupid laws regarding pasteurized milk (which is actually a form of protectionism) or the Patriot Act. I am opposed to the concentration of power and favor the diffusion of power. I would be delighted if we could just start with actually obeying the Constitution. That, of course, would be intolerable to those who put their faith in central planning schemes.
You might want to read "The Federalist Papers"  by Jay,Madison and Hamilton.  This is the bassis for the acceptance of the constitution as the law of the land.  Further reading on this subject might include "An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution" by Beard.  It traces who made money as a result of the ratification of the constitution.


You can’t remake society into your vision – read: trample over people’s rights (it’s for their own good, of course) if you don’t have the power. I guess what baffles me is that people actually believe that the solution to abuse of power is to hand power to someone else to abuse it.

As for visiting Venezuela, I think I’ll pass. I like to avoid places where mass emotion rules. People who show a glimmer of independent thought tend to get the shit kicked out of them by mobs.
ROFLMAO
The facts are that when the fascist thugs tried to overthrow Chavez the mobs tossed them out.  Then the coup leaders fled to the U.S.
The U.S. refuses to extradite them.


I particularly avoid places where I’ll become a scapegoat for other people’s problems because of my nationality. As for acting like a Canadian... well, I’m not going to pretend I’m something I’m not... but if I was going to pretend to be a Canadian, I don’t need lessons for that. All you have to do is put a subtle "eh," at the end of your sentences and keep asking people where the nearest Tim Hortons is.