Posted by
Tom "Papa" Bryant on Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:21:31 AM
NewsMax.com has a story about Venezuelans getting ready to flee their country once the sweeping anti-democratic reforms instituted by President Hugo Chavez are implemented. One man sums up the problem:
"What we're seeing happen here is not good," Jose Manuel Rodriguez, 42, an
accountant seeking travel documents at the Spanish Consulate, told the
Washington Post.
"What we see here is the coming of totalitarianism, fewer guarantees, fewer
civil rights. I want to have everything ready to leave."
Chavez's ties to Iran and North Korea are well documented (see Here and Here), including forming a monetary fund aimed at deliberately countering US interests (see Here). History shows us this is very similar to the pledges , pacts and promises that the old Soviet Union made to Cuba when Fidel Castro first came to power (see Here).
The Monroe Doctrine specifically states that the interference of foreign powers in the internal workings of nations of the Western Hemisphere would bring about action on the part of the American Government.
Of events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse
and from which we derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested
spectators. The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most
friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellowmen on that side
of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to
themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so
to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we
resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this
hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which
must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political system
of the allied powers is essentially different in this respect from that of
America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective
Governments; and to the defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss
of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most
enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this
whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable
relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we
should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion
of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.
Iran, by its own admission, seeks to destroy the US. The question I put forth to Townhall is "Does not Iranian-Venezuelan ties warrant a restatement of the Monroe Doctrine?"