posted
I have despised Chavez for a very long time, the recent vote that gives him "temporary" absolute power just makes me even more sick. I am waiting for him to abolish limits on numbers of presidential terms that can be served, I fully expect to see it happen.
People say constantly that meetings of the legislature in Venezuela look more like political rallies, complete with slogan shouting and hoisting banners.
But back on topic. The Chinese do not need F-16s, its old technology and I am sure the Chinese already have it. They've already got planes that are the equivalent of an F-16. My guess is Chavez is making the same noise that keeps him popular with the people and will hopefully endear him to the Chinese, a huge source of trade. The leaders of China probably are not fooled, but they will keep buying Venezuelan oil.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
The F-16 is probably the most sold US plane to foreign countries in the world, if not the most flown multi-role combat fighter in the world. Big deal. I'm sure China is either getting state of the art Migs and Sukhois from Russia, or they're in the process of stealing Raptor or Lightning technology from the US anyways. A lead researcher for the F-22 Raptor was just arrested a month ago I think for selling secrets to China.
If it's the latest version, it's possible some of the avionics could be helpful, but China has a TRILLION dollar surplus at the moment, and Russia is hungry for cash. They've already sold out their most recent tank designs to Russia and India, and their shipyards are turning out more ships for China than for themselves. I see no reason why they wouldn't sell their most recent fighters, which happen to be pretty damned good (though not as good as ours) to China, which are a generation or two ahead of the Falcon.
He's grandstanding.
Edit - Just did some checking, the Falcon is a generation (at least) behind the F-18 Super Hornet. The Chinese at least in the last year have bought SU-30s (The SU-30MKK) from Russia, which is about on the order with a F-18. It's not an F-35, but it's a hell of a lot better than a Falcon. Buying it from the Venezuelans would be like us announcing we're scrapping all our ships to go back to a F-86 Sabre instead of replacing our Eagles with Raptors, it's not exactly threatening.
posted
Well, a trillion dollars in reserves, which is far from all spendable, and definitely not a surplus.
It is a good bit of change they could use some of, but its nowhere near as good a deal as it sounds. Also, spending too much of it would almost certainly send the Chinese economy into a recession.
But they can definitely afford some planes.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
CNN's not about to pay attention, they're some of the worst abusers of economic gibberish . They employ Lou Dobbs, who does the best job at ignoring economics in his writing of almost any pundit out there.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote: Venezuelan folk music, a Cuban documentary and heavy doses of government propaganda glorifying "21st century socialism" highlighted the first day of a new television channel that on Monday took over airspace of this nation's oldest and most popular station, a frequent critic of leftist President Hugo Chavez.
At midnight Sunday, Radio Caracas Television, or RCTV, went dark for the first time in 53 years after the Chavez government refused to renew its broadcast license, alleging violations of telecommunications law. That decision, announced in December, has been slammed by international press freedom groups, several governments and even some Chavez supporters.
The whole situation is fascinating from an outsider's perspective. I don't know if there's a textbook example for communist takeover, but it almost feels like Chavez is following one.
I liked the quote:
quote: "This could be a mistake for Chavez because it breaks the appearance of democracy that Chavez has succeeded in having, especially with the Europeans," said Datanalisis President Luis Vicente Leon.
People up until this point have still thought Chavez was running a democracy?
Edit: Added first two paragraphs from the article in case people can't follow link.
posted
Only a fool from any country would think that Chavez runs a democracy. I'm telling you, abolishment of presidential limits on terms, its only a matter of time.
I hope I am wrong.
quote: RCTV, a powerhouse news and prime-time programmer, was replaced on the airwaves by Televisora Venezolana Social, or TVes, after the Supreme Court over the weekend gave the new broadcaster the right to use RCTV's towers and microwave transmitters.
This putrid smell stinks like totalitarian regimes that pretend to use democratic avenues to enact their agendas.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
You're not wrong, but you are behind the times. Six months ago, Chavez formally stated that he would seek abolishment of term limits.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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quote:Originally posted by BaoQingTian: You're not wrong, but you are behind the times. Six months ago, Chavez formally stated that he would seek abolishment of term limits.
That's news to me, do you have any links that discuss this possibility?
6 months ago I was up in arms about his move to gain something along the lines of "temporary powers of expediency" where he does what he wants without any oversight so that he can make the radical neccesary changes that will make Venezuela a good socialist nation. I doubt he will ever relinquish those "temporary" powers.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he will push for a constitutional amendment next year that would allow him to hold office indefinitely as a first step toward making Venezuela a socialist nation.
Chavez, 52, speaking in his first news conference since winning re-election last weekend to his second six-year term, said other, unspecified amendments to the constitution will also be sought.
Oh brother, using the British Parliamentary model, that's a laugh. Its only the model that most readily allows for the emergence of a dictator. *sigh*
I really hope people just get sick of him and oust him before he starts programs where his critics start disappearing and appearing in special reeducation camps.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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. They employ Lou Dobbs, who does the best job at ignoring economics in his writing of almost any pundit out there.
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