Voice of Venezuela's RCTV to fall silent

MIAMI - It's perhaps the most audacious move yet by Venezuela's increasingly autocratic president, Hugo Chavez.

At midnight tonight Venezuela's oldest, largest and most popular television station will vanish from screens across the nation - by government order. Audiences won't just be losing a bit of variety, including their cherished soaps, or telenovelas.

A dash of democracy will be gone, too.

The government's decision not to renew the broadcasting license of Radio Caracas Television, known as RCTV, has nothing to do with broadcasting standards or media diversification. Chavez is simply taking revenge against opposition to his rule.

In recent years Chavez has won almost total control of every major public institution in the country, including the Supreme Court, the federal elections authority, the state oil company, as well as every seat in Congress.
Worldandnation: Voice of Venezuela's RCTV to fall silent

Ya want to talk about "big brother" and "loss of freedoms"? Feel fortunate you live where you do.

Have a good one!:s4:

Well said. Unfortunately, you can't explain this to so many people who think it's "cool" to talk shit about the States just for shit-talking's sake.

You do know that many people would tell you with a straight face that the United States is no different, right? That Bush is just as bad as Chavez, if not worse.

If the Venezuelan people want to continue saying "Hugo, girl!" without any opposition, then they... Okay, I really haven't got anything else for this sentence, I just wanted to get that joke in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gigliozzi

Well said. Unfortunately, you can't explain this to so many people who think it's "cool" to talk shit about the States just for shit-talking's sake.

You do know that many people would tell you with a straight face that the United States is no different, right? That Bush is just as bad as Chavez, if not worse.

If the Venezuelan people want to continue saying "Hugo, girl!" without any opposition, then they... Okay, I really haven't got anything else for this sentence, I just wanted to get that joke in.

---

You're so right, Bush is as bad, only we have had 220+ years of almost freedoms, years of communication freedom etc. The Bush regime and his rich cronies, Rupert Murdoch, Disney corp etc have been fast at work trying to take over the media. I guess thats why Chavez is shutting down that station. Those who control the media, control the country, and that is exactly what the Neo-cons are up to. The only really free speech venue left is the net and they are trying to go after that. So enjoy the internet while you can, the news stations are becoming soaps, with Britney, Anna Nicole, and all those idiots taking over the real news. Disinformation is rampant on news channels, talking points promoted by neo-cons, things like, "We're making progress in Iraq", "The economy is doing well" Etc.

I'm from Venezuela, and situation here is very sad, this RCTV issue got us all very unhappy, all polls tell 80% is against that decision, yet our president doesn't care what the people wants, he's there just to fulfill his own greed for power (just like most of the politicians out there)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zsouj

I'm from Venezuela, and situation here is very sad, this RCTV issue got us all very unhappy, all polls tell 80% is against that decision, yet our president doesn't care what the people wants, he's there just to fulfill his own greed for power (just like most of the politicians out there)

---

I'll start off with a big welcome to the forums! Sorry to hear of your homeland....not cool whats going on down there.

Medicinal........Your a good man but there is alot of hate there. Now really, if you were to post something like that in another country you'd be swinging by your balls. Gotta respect your consistancy though.....lol

Have a good one!:s4:

Come on, Medicinal... Not a word as to whether "Hugo, girl!" made you laugh or not?:sadcrying

"Hugo, girl!" Get it? It's a play on the popular "You go, girl!" but directed at Chavez! It's funny! Hahaha!:dance:

You know you love it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gigliozzi

Not a word as to whether "Hugo, girl!" made you laugh or not?:sadcrying

---

it would have been much better if he had a reputation for wearing women's clothes. let's start the rumor that he's a cross dresser here and give it a couple of months. you can give the joke another try in august.

It's funny now. Period.

When I talk of conspiracies and loss of rights in the USA it is not because I hate the USA. It is because I love the USA.

In my own life I have watched things change and I do not like where it is headed.

I feel for the people of Venezuela. They are living under a tyrants rule. It is my hope that they one day can live in a democracy.

I also hope their mad ruler will have a end worthy of all tyrants.

Even long after Chavez is deposed, "Hugo, girl!" will continue to be funny.