Hugo Chavez has died

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http://bigstory.ap.org/article/venezuelan-vice-president-nicolas-maduro-says-president-hugo-chavez-has-died

Rest in peace to a man who ultimately did more good than bad to his country.

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Was this unexpected?  I just heard about this.  He was only 58.

Have you been living under a rock for the past two years and the past two months or something?

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If you can't say anything nice in the minutes after someone's death, stfu. Seriously trashy. I'm not a Chavez fanboy by any strecth, but have some basic respect for human dignity.

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Back on topic.

The man was a dictator. He had people killed, he restricted human rights, and while yes, living conditions improved under him, one has to ask at what cost. I know comparing him to Hitler is hyberpole, but did Hitler not improve Germany's roads? It is the same basic argument.

Like most Americans, you would do well to read a (non-biased) account of Venezuelan history prior to Chavismo. It would help you develop a more critical appreciation of his presidency, and the good and bad aspects of it; as well as place it in much needed historical context. Until you do, please restrain from repeating the typical right-wing lies and blabber on the topic.

And don't even get me started on the irony and double standards in the American right's attitude towards Chavez and other leaders of his genre.

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LOL. I've never heard of people killed by Chavez regime. It seems that the propaganda machine works well.

He is not sending in tanks to Tiananmen Square, but the man was no hero. He funded FARC, the terrorist group that has lead to thousands of deaths in its war against Columbia.

You know that the FARC was active, alive and kicking in Colombia decades prior to Chavez. Do you want to make the man who has died guilty of all the dead in the neighbouring country? Do you know something about narcos, paracas and other lovely Colombian gentlemen? Come on, it's not the moment for the "Chavez is Evil" time. Watch Fox News if you want that kind of primary and biased stuff. By the way, I'll never claim that the man was a hero, but certainly he was democratically elected, like it or not. And, as some people is trying to tell you, not all his record is so bad.

FARC has been around since the 1950s. That is common knowledge. Quit talking down to me; I am not another Palin-Beck rightwinger.

If you're not, you really should quit acting like one (and show basic human dignity).

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This is the most excessive hyperbole-filled place on Atlas right now.

You haven't read the comments on most American news sites then. It feels like Adolf Hitler just died.

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Apparently one of the only world leaders who acted like a dick and a douche was our Dear Leader. Dear God.

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It's quite telling that everybody in here (even those on the right/anti-Chavez) is generally respectful, nice, decent and recognizes that Chavez did at least a few good things; everybody besides ChairmanSanchez, who insists on being a douche.