There's 'Populism' for You

It appears that Chavez isn't as people-friendly as he claims to be:

Tens of thousands of Venezuelan protesters marched on Saturday to the Caracas headquarters of an anti-government television station, which is being forced off the air after President Hugo Chavez's administration refused to renew its broadcasting license.

"What is happening here is simply the silencing of a television station," shouted soap opera actress Gledys Ibarra.

Critics condemned the closure for silencing an influential opposition voice and called the move evidence that Chavez's self-styled socialist revolution is concentrating power and muzzling the opposition.

The closure of RCTV drew heavy international criticism including a U.S. Senate resolution last week unanimously condemning "transgression of freedom of thought and expression" in Venezuela.

Those on the left who think that Hugo Chavez's regime is a friend to the "common man" have been drinking the same Kool-Aid served by Mssrs. Peron, Castro, and Guevara. It's an ideological trap, practiced by the most sinister politicians on the left and right: "i'll pay lip-service to your pet issues so long as you cede total control to me". It's a line which has been used by fascists, despots, theocrats, totalitarians, and monarchs all down the line. Venezuela is in trouble... and i wonder how long it will take the American left to recognize it.