Reply #30: Again, I have to ask for evidence. What evidence is there that Chavez is a

[Peace Patriot]

megalomaniac or sees himself as a Messiah? And how do you know how he sees himself?

"Castro's heir"? Hm-m. He's never said anything like that, but he has said something to the effect that he is Simon Bolivar's heir, or rather admires him, is inspired by him, keeps his portrait around. If we're going to guess how Chavez sees himself, I would guess that he sees himself more like that--an 18th century "knight," sword in hand, championing the people. But I also think he sees himself as part of a group, a brotherhood of good guys--him, and Evo Morales, and Rafael Correa, and Nester Kirchner, and maybe Lula da Silva. There's a photo of the first three, at Correa's inauguration, where they are all wearing colorful indigenous serapes, and obviously enjoying each other's company. It's a very telling photo, because it gives the lie to this image created by our corporate news monopolies that Chavez is some kind of unique phenomenon, alone on the world's stage. He is by no means alone. When the Bush Junta sent word down to South American leaders that they must "isolate" Chavez and Venezuela, Nestor Kirchner responded, "But he is my brother." And when Rafael Correa was asked about Chavez's remark at the UN that "Bush is the devil"--when Correa was running for president of Ecuador, in the midst of the campaign--Correa replied that it was "an insult to the Devil." Correa had been running neck and neck with Ecuador's biggest banana magnate, at the time; his numbers soared after this comment, and he won with 60% of the vote. I don't know how much this backing of Chavez had to do with Correa's win, but obviously the people of Ecuador didn't punish him for it, and it possibly gained him support. Also, just after this UN remark, when Chavez was running for re-election, two weeks before the vote, Lula da Silva made a point of visiting Chavez for a big ceremonial opening of the new Orinoco Bridge. It was an implied endorsement of Chavez, at a time when the Bushites were particularly angry at Chavez, and trying their best to "divide and conquer."

There is a difference between thinking that you are a hero, and thinking that you are the Messiah. And I see no evidence that Chavez has any sort of insanity complex, and much evidence to the contrary--including the tempering factor of a brotherhood of leaders, leading South America to a better future, the fact that the people of Venezuela rescued Chavez from the rightwing military coup and he owes them his life as well as any power that he has, and some remarks that Chavez has made about the Stalinist dictatorships in Eastern Europe. He seems to be well aware of the temptations of power--on both the left and the right--and said something to the effect that you need power to do good as well as evil. You can't do any good without power. And there is a difference between strength and powermongering. And he's right. FDR has vast political power, but he was no more a "dictator" than Chavez is. Chavez is also a reader--loves to read, reads voraciously--and this points to a open mind, to someone seeking to understand himself and others. I have also seen remarks by people who have met him that he not only talks but also listens, and is very curious about other people. This is borne out also by his early life--he had many friends in the military, and they would often have lively philosophical and political discussions, and he still has such friends.

What do you have, as evidence, that he is a megalomaniac? I don't see it. But I know that that sickness could possibly afflict anyone as popular as Chavez is, and even if it is not a sickness, power can be tempting and can lead to wrong action. But, what wrongful actions has Chavez committed? None that I can see. He has scrupulously adhered to the rule of law, and seems devoted to Constitutional government and democracy, in very provable and demonstrable ways.