The Real Hugo Chavez
PBS's The Hugo Chavez Show can't hide the fact that Venezuela's leader is a fraud.
Frontline details Chavez’s early years, his flirtation with professional baseball, and his steady rise up the political ladder. He learned the power of television after an early defeat, and it soon became his most potent ideological weapon.
He had other allies, at least in the beginning. His ascension to his country’s presidency was helped, in part, by a media which gave him massive support.
Hmmm … good thing the United States is immune to that kind of partisan cheerleading during election cycles.
Venezuela was a mess when Chavez took over. The country boasted the largest conventional oil reserves in the western hemisphere, but millions lived in abject poverty. But Chavez had a plan, a mission to create a socialist utopia that would spread the wealth around.
He had more money to spread following a 2002 decree which doubled the amount of oil revenues that ended up in the government coffers. The people rebelled, and Chavez nearly lost power.
From then on, Chavez viewed any opposition — from the press, his own cabinet, even his countrymen — as something that would not stand.
Radio Caracas Television, which often broadcasts dissenting views of the regime, isn’t granted a license extension.
A normally pro-Chavez newspaper attacks the country’s health care status, incurring a quick and furious reply. Chavez rants for 50 minutes about the story on his show, scolding the editor and deploring the fact-free findings. When Frontline asked the editor about the situation, he shakily defends Chavez. Such is the trance, or fear, Venezuelans operate under.
In one breath the special details how Chavez effectively shut down his opposition, then stands back to marvel as his high re-election rates.
All the while, the Frontline narrator tells us, “as for the president, he never stops looking for solutions.” Later, it asks the obvious question, “with all the country’s wealth, why does it seem so difficult to make things work?”
Those pesky results keep telling us why. Chavez’s government set up textile cooperatives which quickly sputter, the workers completely at a loss regarding basic business practices. A housing development hailed by Chavez is an even bigger disaster.
No one epitomizes his support better than community activist Francina Urbina, who worships at the altar of Chavez and insists if not for her dear leader conditions would be much worse.
But viewers will have to wait until the final 10 minutes of the show to find the fruits of Chavez’s labor. Bikel bookends her program with a kindred spirit, someone who simply can’t believe that socialism has failed — again.
“It’s shocking to come nearly a decade on and see that most of what Hugo Chavez was railing in anger about being left with — a failed society, misery, insecurity, unequal distribution of wealth — is still here,” John Lee Anderson, a New Yorker scribe, tells Frontline.
Who could have seen that coming?
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Christian Toto is a freelance writer and film critic for The Washington Times. His work has appeared in People magazine, MovieMaker Magazine, The Denver Post, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Scripps Howard News Service. He also contributes movie radio commentary to three stations as well as the nationally syndicated Dennis Miller Show and runs the blog What Would Toto Watch?
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24 Comments
1. vivo:“But the poor love him anyway, and we’re told history will remember him for bringing the issues of the downtrodden to the table. Isn’t that a blessing?”
And he’s a fraud?
“Venezuela was a mess when Chavez took over. The country boasted the largest conventional oil reserves in the western hemisphere, but millions lived in abject poverty. But Chavez had a plan, a mission to create a socialist utopia that would spread the wealth around.”
And he’s a fraud?
“All the while, the Frontline narrator tells us, “as for the president, he never stops looking for solutions.” Later, it asks the obvious question, “with all the country’s wealth, why does it seem so difficult to make things work?””
Wealth is not enough. You need educated, honest, capable people to get things done. Where are the Venezuelans that will help improve their country?
Nov 25, 2008 - 3:14 am 2. Ricardo:Mr Toto left out a very important point, made by Tal Cual Editor Teodoro Petkoff. He said that everybody in the opposition can come out and say anything about Chavez. They’ll be intimidated, threatened or sued, true, but they can say it. The people that cannot have freedom of expression are, ironically, Chavez supporters. They’ll be immediately humiliated on live tv (as shown on the PBS’ Hugo Show) and thrown under the bus in such a way that it would make Reverend Wright feel a little bit better about his under-the-bus status.
Nov 25, 2008 - 4:21 am 3. Douglas Bogle:Never fear Obama is here.
Chavez = Obama. Oh yea i said it.
The “o”’s promises, the dems control of the congress, ( Chavez dissolved the congress in Vzla)fraud in voting (Accorn, Minn. ) stealing from the rich to help who, oh yea himself ( credit card scam and intl donations)Armed neighborhood watch groups, nationalize industries.
One thing I will say good about Chavez, at least he is doing all of his socialist programs from oil revenues not taxes. The “o” will do all of his socialists programs off the backs of the middle class. ( Oh I forgot, the middle class will get a $500.00 tax break)
Selling your vote for $500.00.
All this and the O is not even sworn in yet.
Never fear Obama is here.
Nov 25, 2008 - 5:54 am 4. newton:“Wealth is not enough. You need educated, honest, capable people to get things done. Where are the Venezuelans that will help improve their country?”
Either dead, in jail, or gone to Miami.
Nov 25, 2008 - 8:03 am 5. Craig:“It’s a meandering program in which Chavez sings…”
Huh? What has he been doing…watching reruns of I Love Lucy?
Now he’s a Caracas’ Desi Arnaz with an extra 100 lbs.
Nov 25, 2008 - 8:16 am 6. seven:If you control the media, you can control and limit exposure of excuses. Obama will do 4 years of blamestorming and he already has conveniently say it will take 5 years to clean up the mess. The mess left by the last 2 years of a democratic pork spending epidemic in congress.
Nov 25, 2008 - 8:38 am 7. Joe Cool:Venezuela is a disaster! There were 13,000 murders in 2007 and 2008 doesn’t look any better. Unfortunately most Venezuelans are lazy and love getting something for nothing. It is incredible that no one is comparing that sh*thole Havana to Caracas. In the past ten years Hugo has done nothing to enrich the lives of the poor. Are the poor better off now than they were ten years ago? As long as they have rice and beans to eat and free medical care from the “Cuban Doctors” they are content. Education? what is that? Obviously the bloggers have never been to Venezuela to really see what is going on. Unless the Venezuelans wake up, Hugo is going to be around for a long, long time!
Nov 25, 2008 - 10:20 am 8. myth buster:But he won’t get 5 years.
Nov 25, 2008 - 10:24 am 9. Douglas Bogle:Never fear Obama is here.
Joe cool, Your observation about vzla is keen.
Do you see the US heading down the same road?
With the “o” the same promises have been made to his supporters as Chavez made to his supporters 10 years ago.
The”O” will use similar tactics as Chavez to remain in power and guide the country to his dream, not that of our citizens.
The people of vzla fight the best they can w/o violence, however at the end of the day it is all about survival.
With the “O” we will need to learn those same skills.
Never fear Obama is here.
Nov 25, 2008 - 10:47 am 10. Paul_Unalaska:Hugo Chavez. Reading and studying the man, I see a person whose over-indulged the 7 deadly sins. Granted, the same can be said for most of our politicians..
Gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath envy and pride. His lust for the aforementioned moreso.
Nov 25, 2008 - 11:41 am 11. Dr. Lumplevin:Oh I can hear all the hatred, the gloating, the undisguised racism in your voices, at Chavez’s failure.
So what is socialism has failed in the past? So what if it fails a 1,000 times? Maybe Change will happen on the 1,001st time. Hope we can believe in.
Nov 25, 2008 - 2:24 pm 12. The Haimster:“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”
Churchill said all that needs to be said about where Venezuela is and where America is headed.
Sad days indeed.
Nov 25, 2008 - 3:34 pm 13. Ster:Why do people keep trying socialism/communism. It’s never worked and never will.
I’m taking bets on the next rich, Hollywood star to give Chavez a hug.
Funny how it’s always the rich fools who love these guys, but never move to their “utopia”?
That is ignorance on a level that cannot be comprehended by a rational person. Period.
Nov 25, 2008 - 4:55 pm 14. vivo:4. newton:
” “Wealth is not enough. You need educated, honest, capable people to get things done. Where are the Venezuelans that will help improve their country?”
Either dead, in jail, or gone to Miami.”
And per 7. Joe Cool:
” Unfortunately most Venezuelans are lazy and love getting something for nothing.”
Have you been to Venezuela? Sounds about right . . .
Nov 25, 2008 - 10:58 pm 15. Alan Greenspan:As the far left or far right have difficulty understanding, people find it easy to see a fraud if you do not overload your argument.
This documentary is perhaps the best way for people to see what a fraud he is (the image is unmistakable) if you strip away political philosophy,
Fortunately, most people, left or right, are open to a pragmatic presentation rather than wrapping themselves in pure dogma to prove you are super pure.
Nov 26, 2008 - 3:37 am 16. WestGuard:What a slimy little toad chavez is. He’s berift of class and manners and more akin to an ignorant street thug than a leader of decent people. A parents worse nightmare. He should have gotten a clue when the king of Spain verbally slapped him and told him to shut up. My heart goes out to the intelligent classy venezuelans who are stuck with this lowly cretin representing their country.
Nov 27, 2008 - 7:56 am 17. Listen up:The poor people of Venezuela…he makes such fools of them and they smile lovingly at dear President Chavez.
Nov 27, 2008 - 1:30 pm 18. Cindy D:You consider yourself a journalist? What kind of article is this? The “Real Hugo Chavez.” What in god’s name are you talking about? There isn’t any content. It’s all just criticisms with nothing to back it up.
This sounds like a piece by someone who has an opinion he wants to express, despite not having any facts.
Good luck with your “pretend news” site people. LOL
Nov 28, 2008 - 6:51 pm 19. Robin Dicken:I like Hugo. At least he’s an honest dictator, unlike Bush.
Nov 30, 2008 - 12:54 am 20. Julia1984:Joe Cool:
” Unfortunately most Venezuelans are lazy and love getting something for nothing.”
Well I think most people are like that, not just the Venezuelans. But for fighting and surviving against the system the Venezuelans like me live under you need a little more than a personal will and hard work. Just thought you should know.
WestGuard:
“My heart goes out to the intelligent classy venezuelans who are stuck with this lowly cretin representing their country.
Nov 30, 2008 - 7:07 am 21. Tom Paine:Well I’m not intelligent or classy but I’m Venezuelan and I do feel stuck under the rule of this commander we have… so thanks
Cindy D,
On your best day you’re only a moron. The rest of the time you post content-free, brain-dead drivel like comment #18.
Nov 30, 2008 - 8:13 am 22. Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » The first Monday in December Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean:[...] The Real Hugo Chavez [...]
Dec 1, 2008 - 6:03 am 23. Stone hearts dictators — WHAT WOULD TOTO WATCH?:[...] long walks on Communist beaches, seeks Dictator for LTR, maybe more. Must think poorly of freedom, dissent and fair elections. Extra points if you love [...]
Dec 11, 2008 - 7:11 am 24. BJG:“So what is socialism has failed in the past? So what if it fails a 1,000 times? Maybe Change will happen on the 1,001st time. Hope we can believe in.”
So what if slamming my hand in the car door has hurt in the past? So what if it hurts the first 1000 times. Maybe it will stop hurting the 1001st time. Hope we can believe in.
I can think of a very good reason not to hope for the 1001st socialist experiment to ever be tried. Copious amounts of empirical evidence tells us that it’s gonna hurt! That it is destructive and that it ultimately causes immeasurable pain and suffering and is incapable of achieving anything beyond equally shared misery.
The more I read comments like the one above, the more I am convinced that socialist thought is a synonym for insanity.
Dec 15, 2008 - 3:26 pm