Venezuelan police block opposition lawmaker's return

[Zorro]

Source: AFP

Venezuelan police blocked an opposition lawmaker from returning to the legislature to retake her seat and fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of her supporters.

In a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduro, Maria Corina Machado had vowed to attend the National Assembly, despite her removal from office being confirmed Monday by the Supreme Court.

"You will not break us! You will make us stronger! You will give us more reasons to fight," Machado shouted at police who blocked her on the street a block away from the building.

With Venezuela's red, blue and gold flag around her neck and a white rose in her hand to symbolize peace, 46-year-old Machado waved her lawmaker's identity card but made no headway.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/venezuelan-showdown-over-opposition-lawmakers-ouster-183717732.html

[fasttense]

1. I thought she forfeited her seat when she took a speaking tour

On March 26th "Machado spoke on behalf of Panama in a meeting with the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (a US organized and funded group) and expressed her views."

Not to worry, she is so freaking rich she can buy her own private island and make herself president to get her free market capitalist fix.

Here she is meeting with some of her favorite rich elites:

[IMG][/IMG]

[dotymed]

3. That IS what this is about.

With just the public knowledge of "our" history to put South America (too) in the hands of the elite, it is disturbing that
so many on D.U. believe that the latest developments are indicative of either:

1.) Maduro's ineptness as a leader

2.) The absurdity of Democratic Socialism

Only the elite are capable of "leadership." Especially of a country so rich in natural resources and unlike France, Switzerland, etc. have a history of "successful" U.S. oppression.

[hack89]

4. There is no question that most of their economic problems are self inflicted

so yes, Maduro is an inept leader.

Democratic Socialism works fine - look at Sweden or Norway. But they have competent leaders.

[Adrahil]

5. THis. Democratic Socialism isn't at fault. Fuckwit leaders are. NT

[dotymed]

6. Yes, IMO Democratic Socialism is an ideal form of government.

Probably there is a better choice than Maduro as the Venezuelan President.

IDK how anyone could counter the chaos that the elite capitalists have caused (are causing) in Venezuela, with the full support of "The best government that money can buy" and the corporate MSM selling and intensifying the propaganda and the situation.

Personally, I do not believe that Maduro policies are the cause of the economic problems, the homicide rate (maybe indirectly) or the shortage of commodities. Of course by attempting to continue the policies of Chavez, Maduro is indirectly responsible for all these.

The huge combined wealth of the Venezuelans who profited obscenely under an American placed puppet governance and the full weight of the American corporate government aligned to discredit one man and a humanitarian form of government has, IMO, a 99.9%
of toppling Democratic Venezuela and destroying its leaders. It is doing so now.

[hack89]

7. Here is a good article on how VZ's currency laws have wreaked havoc on their economy

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-law-of-unintended-consequences-sitme-and-venezuelas-currency-market/

The shortage of commodities and declining domestic economic activity can be directly attributed to the shortages of foreign reserves - the government does not have enough dollars to allow companies to import critical goods.

[bitchkitty]

11. To be fair

some on DU who don't pay that much attention to Latin American politics see these threads posted by our resident group of right wingers. Some people take the lazy way out and form their opinions based on those thread titles - the posters of these threads count on this.

[ChangoLoa]

15. She didn't forfeit. The Venezuelan Constitution says...

Article 191: Deputies of the National Assembly shall not be permitted to accept or hold public employment positions without giving up their investiture, except in teaching, academic, temporary and caregiving positions, and provided the employment is not intended to be full-time.

http://fr.scribd.com/doc/213025724/Venezuelan-Constitution-in-English

[The Magistrate]

2. She Is No Longer An Opposition Lawmaker, Sir: She Is No Longer A Member Of The Assembly

So the headline cited is incorrect, and probably intentionally so, so as to give a misleading impression of the event.

[ChangoLoa]

14. Dear Magistrate, are you interested in what the Venezuelan law says?

Article 191: Deputies of the National Assembly shall not be permitted to accept or hold public employment positions without giving up their investiture, except in teaching, academic, temporary and caregiving positions, and provided the employment is not intended to be full-time.

http://fr.scribd.com/doc/213025724/Venezuelan-Constitution-in-English

[The Magistrate]

16. She Accepted Accreditation From A Foreign Power As Its Representative, Ma'am

And a foreign power deemed so hostile diplomatic relations with it were broken off.

I expect that would suffice for expulsion from just about any governing body anywhere.

[ChangoLoa]

17. So? There must be a law for that in our Constitution, right?

Funny to see that the Supreme Court used that same article 191.

[MyNameGoesHere]

8. It is my understanding she has violated the constitution

and is no longer a "lawmaker". Trouble maker? Yeah I will give her that.

[Lars28]

9. But she is kinda cute.

Just saying.

[fasttense]

10. She is cute in a Sarah Palin and

Michele Bachmann kind of way. Pretty to look at but crazy to listen to.

[Zorra]

12. Good. Machado is Venezuelas's version of Michelle Bachmann, except that Machado

is way to the right of Bachmann.

Machado did the people of Venezuela a great favor by enlisting a hostile foreign nation to help her and her fascist friends in their coup attempt.

I wish Bachmann would go to Russia and use Russia as a vehicle for condemning Obama, so we could get rid of her in the same way.

[EX500rider]

13. "enlisting a hostile foreign nation to help"

Panama? lol