Venezuelan [2002 coup] plotters sentenced to jail

[Alpharetta]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3744994.stm

Venezuelan plotters sent to jail

By Iain Bruce
BBC News, Caracas

The eight were convicted of plotting against Hugo Chavez
A Venezuelan court has handed out the first prison sentences for some of those involved in a failed coup against President Hugo Chavez in April 2002.

Three civilians in the western state of Tachira were sentenced to six years for aiding and inciting rebellion.

Five others were sentenced to three years but granted conditional liberty, while one defendant was acquitted.

President Chavez has repeatedly alleged that the coup was encouraged by the US government in Washington.

more at link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3744994.stm

[Alpharetta]

1. I met a well-to-do Venezuelan today

and of course he is vehemently anti-Chavez.

He seems oblivious to the danger Venezuela is in because of its oil riches.

[htuttle]

2. Wow, what a tyrant!

"Five others were sentenced to three years but granted conditional liberty, while one defendant was acquitted. "

Probation? Man, that's HARSH...:eyes:

</sarcasm if it's not obvious>

[goforit]

4. Next to Santa Claus .........who's the lesser evil?

LOL!!!!

Those guys faired better than Bush's death row!!!

[Robbien]

5. Well, they were only the paid foot soldiers of our NED

This sentence should be so much harsher in order to make future mercenaries hesitate before accepting National Endowment for Democracy money.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. President Chavez has repeatedly alleged<<

Why should today be any different???? It's just a continuation of a policy that was made in hell. If the dollar don't rule.. no one rules.

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Ronald_Reagan/ReaganDoctrine_TWRollback.html
>>... 1) The Reagan Doctrine affirms that Third World rollback is justified as the American contribution to a world-wide democratic revolution; but in fact, the major groups supported by the Reagan Doctrine are anything but democratic. 2) Third World rollback plus Third World containment are being carried out through a total program of political, economic, military and psychological warfare called "low intensity" conflict. 3) The right wing was unable to pressure the Reagan administration into pursuing comprehensive Third World rollback on every possible front because such a policy is not realistic.<<

[arwalden]

6. Ari Fleischer Didn't Believe They Were Criminals

... he even went as far to suggest that the Venezuelan government should "take heed" (or words to that effect) of the coup plotters.

Does anyone else remember this?

-- Allen

[The Magistrate]

8. Yes, My Friend

He did say that, suggesting that even after the coup had failed, Col. Chavez ought to truckle to its authors, to demonstrate he was a "democratic" ruler....

The news of these sentences is a pleasure to hear, and it is to be hoped they will be followed by many more. Col. Chavez has been, and continues to be, extraordinarily and admirably lenient with his foes.

"Mad or sane, Excellency, rebels hang."

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[coreystone]

7. So, how the guys that told the CIA to engage in the ....

"coup d'tat" haven't been brought up on International caharges???

Sorry! DUMB Question!:kick:

[TankLV]

9. Where are all those posters who used to regale all of us with incredible

tales of this "horrible dictator"?

It's "geek" to me.

And a "tragedy".

I don't understand how we could possibly "seabeyond" all of the evidence!

[bvar22]

10. If Chavez was 1/2 the tyrant the ....

...Corporate media claims he is, ALL those guys would have been disappeared.


My favorite memory from the failed 2002 weekend coup:

Sunday morning, the coup attempt still appeared to be successful.Condo Rice appeared on MTP gloating and preening. She stated,
" Well, Tim, it takes more than just winning a majority of the votes to be a legitimate president."

BTW: Someone needs to tell Kerry that Hugo is one of the good guys.

[The Magistrate]

11. That Was A Beautiful Line, Sir

These people do not listen to themselves. It sometimes seems like inside each of them is some remnant of an honest humanity that seeks moments of innattention to slip out and overthrow the creatures that contain it....

"Elvis is in Joan Rivers...but he's trying to get OUT!"

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"