Venezuela Bans Private Gun Ownership: Let the murders begin!

[NHL Fever]

You, sir, are fooling yourself if you actually believe any of that.

Venezuela is a constitutional democracy, and Chavez became president through the open electoral process. I won't hold my breath waiting for you to demonstrate how that was "ruthless".

Edit: I'd be willing to suspend judgment until the elections this year, but I sincerely doubt these elections are fair.

[keck553]

And who died, exactly, from Chavez being elected?

Who died, exactly, In 1932 when Hitler was elected?

[Free Indeed]

Who died, exactly, In 1932 when Hitler was elected?

Ok, so you agree that no one died when Chavez was legally elected president in a landslide election. So we must assume your comparison of that electoral process to Hitler's being appointed Chancellor by Hindenberg in 1932 is nothing but hot air.

[Free Indeed]

Edit: I'd be willing to suspend judgment until the elections this year, but I sincerely doubt these elections are fair.

The elections held since 1958, as a whole, have been noteworthy not only for their high voter turnout, but also for the increasing sense of legitimacy they have conferred upon the winners. Domestic and foreign observers alike have praised Venezuelan elections as fair and highly competitive. Over the years, as AD and COPEI have become the dominant political parties, a return to the traditional fragmentation of the Venezuelan political system has become increasingly unlikely. The fact that on four occasions before the 1990s a president from one party handed over the mantle to the president-elect of another party seemed to augur well for a general acceptance of the democratic system. Increased legitimacy at home has also provided Venezuelan presidents with an international clout they would otherwise lack.

http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/44.htm

Chavez is extremely popular among the working poor and lower middle class. Thus, his election was no surprise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VreInxEnpQ

[NHL Fever]

The elections held since 1958, as a whole, have been noteworthy not only for their high voter turnout, but also for the increasing sense of legitimacy they have conferred upon the winners. Domestic and foreign observers alike have praised Venezuelan elections as fair and highly competitive. Over the years, as AD and COPEI have become the dominant political parties, a return to the traditional fragmentation of the Venezuelan political system has become increasingly unlikely. The fact that on four occasions before the 1990s a president from one party handed over the mantle to the president-elect of another party seemed to augur well for a general acceptance of the democratic system. Increased legitimacy at home has also provided Venezuelan presidents with an international clout they would otherwise lack.

http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/44.htm

Chavez is extremely popular among the working poor and lower middle class. Thus, his election was no surprise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VreInxEnpQ

He also tried to overthrow the government with a military coup, prior to being elected. So when I ask myself the question, would Chavez use violence or extra-legal means to get his way?, the answer is yes. If he was willing to do it when it was risky and he was the minority, there's no reason to assume he would not do it with the power of the state. However, lets wait and see, elections are this year.

[teddyv]

My boss married a Venezuelan woman, who still has family there so I hear a bit from time to time. That country is sliding down the tubes with Chavez in power. He may not truly have the mantle of dictator, but it's pretty close. He has the military's support still. He's definitely a bit of a nut, but very streetwise and cagey. I have heard through this that the elections were rife with problems - very anecdotal I know.

[keck553]

Ok, so you agree that no one died when Chavez was legally elected president in a landslide election. So we must assume your comparison of that electoral process to Hitler's being appointed Chancellor by Hindenberg in 1932 is nothing but hot air.

stay on topic.
I don't agree with you. I asked you a question. The typical response is to answer the question.

Hitler won the majority of popular votes, and his appointment was perfetly legal.

[student of the Lamb]

Hitler sold a bill of goods that many people in Germany really bit on. He was basically telling the people of Germany that he was going to completely turn around all of the results of WWI. You might even classify his campaign as a campaign of hope and change. I doubt seriously that Chavez did anything different. Tell the people what they want to hear and get control AND THEN do what you plan to do in taking control. IT was said today that it is always the second term that Presidents try to really get done what they want to get done. If Obama is re-elected to a second term and there is a Democratic Senate, watch out!

[RevLogos]

You, sir, are fooling yourself if you actually believe any of that.

Venezuela is a constitutional democracy, and Chavez became president through the open electoral process. I won't hold my breath waiting for you to demonstrate how that was "ruthless".

Are you suggesting that someone who was elected cannot be a dictator or a tyrant?

[bdh]

Wasn't this thread about the banning of guns in Venezuela.

In any event, disarming the general population usually does not decrease violence but increases it. Since gangs and syndicates will always find a way to get weapons [illegally], disarming the man in the street simply allows lawless elements to flourish unimpeded.

[Faithful 1]

Wasn't this thread about the banning of guns in Venezuela.

In any event, disarming the general population usually does not decrease violence but increases it. Since gangs and syndicates will always find a way to get weapons [illegally], disarming the man in the street simply allows lawless elements to flourish unimpeded.

Yes; if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

P.S. bdh, I think it is appropriate to discuss the real reasons WHY Chavez wants guns eliminated.

Faithful