Hugo Chavez is still dead

[King]

I don't think Hugo is great, but if he were as bad as tyrannical leads went the world would be a lot better.

True tyranny exists in most African nations but it rarely gets proper scrutiny because there's no economic interest.

South America is doing just fine if we leave it alone and accept that politically it's a lot more liberal than any other continent and it elects leaders we would find scary if in charge of the US.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Ok, this whole country can burn in hell with Hugo for all I care

[angus]

I don't think Hugo is great, but if he were as bad as tyrannical leads went the world would be a lot better.

True tyranny exists in most African nations but it rarely gets proper scrutiny because there's no economic interest.

South America is doing just fine if we leave it alone and accept that politically it's a lot more liberal than any other continent and it elects leaders we would find scary if in charge of the US.

Agree with all except the notion that South America is more liberal.  I find that Hispanics in general, and Hispano-Amerindians in particular, want a much greater role for government than do Lockeans and most gringos.  True, we Yankees like our huge illiberal industrial bailouts at taxpayer expense, but that is a side-effect of crony capitalism.  Overall, I'd say that anglophones are among the most liberal populations, while Asians and South Americans are among the most collectivist, and I think that this probably pre-dates Spanish colonialization.  Look into the organization of the Tahuantinsuyu, for example.  

[angus]

Ok, this whole country can burn in hell with Hugo for all I care

perfect example of the sort of illiberal, collectivist social policy to which I referred above

[Velasco]

Ok, this whole country can burn in hell with Hugo for all I care

Banning alcohol during election days or events like the death of a president is usual in Latin American countries. I don't think there's a point here.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Fidel Castro is going to live forever, isn't he?

It's scientifically proved Fidel Castro is immortal.

[RogueBeaver]

He'll get the Lenin treatment: embalmed and publicly displayed.

http://news.sky.com/story/1061318/hugo-chavez-to-be-embalmed-like-lenin

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

He'll get the Lenin treatment: embalmed and publicly displayed.

http://news.sky.com/story/1061318/hugo-chavez-to-be-embalmed-like-lenin

His detractors will hope the display will be like Stalin's instead.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

He'll get the Lenin treatment: embalmed and publicly displayed.

http://news.sky.com/story/1061318/hugo-chavez-to-be-embalmed-like-lenin

This is surprising. I think Castro will go the same route.

[Velasco]

I've read a really interesting analysis on Chavez's legacy. Regardless the article is not kind with Chavez, the author avoids the typical biased ranting and gives some clues and insight, if you are really interested in what's going on.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/03/07/inenglish/1362688264_798804.html

Also, it could be fascinating the debate about the survival of Chavismo after Chavez or the similarities and differences with other so-called populist movements in Latin America, such as Peronismo (Argentina) or Velasquismo (Perú). Chavez was an admirer of Velasco Alvarado, which ruled Perú some decades ago, and met him back in the 70's.

I don't care too much about corpses and burial rituals, on the other hand.

[RogueBeaver]

Maduro will take the oath Friday.

[Franknburger]

I've read a really interesting analysis on Chavez's legacy. Regardless the article is not kind with Chavez, the author avoids the typical biased ranting and gives some clues and insight, if you are really interested in what's going on.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/03/07/inenglish/1362688264_798804.html

Very interesting article, thanks for the link.

I don't care too much about corpses and burial rituals, on the other hand.

[RogueBeaver]

He didn't exactly die peacefully.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/09/the-last-days-of-hugo-chavez-unable-to-speak-dying-dictator-kept-seriousness-of-cancer-a-secret/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

He didn't exactly die peacefully.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/09/the-last-days-of-hugo-chavez-unable-to-speak-dying-dictator-kept-seriousness-of-cancer-a-secret/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

That story made me cringe. I thought he died in his sleep.