Oh, For Heaven's Sake
By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Foreign Affairs | Hugo Chavez | Paranoia Will Destroy Ya — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Another day, another bizarre pronouncement from Hugo Chavez:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday CNN may have been instigating his murder when the U.S. TV network showed a photograph of him with a label underneath that read "Who killed him?"
The caption appeared to be a production mistake -- confusing a Chavez news item with one on the death of a football star. The anchor said "take the image down" when he realized.
But Chavez called for a probe in an interview on state television, where he repeatedly reviewed a tape of the broadcast, questioning why the unconnected photograph and wording were left on screen for several seconds.
"I want the state prosecutor to look into bringing a suit against CNN for instigating murder in Venezuela," he said. "... undoubtedly it is part of the psychological warfare."
Would that CNN--and for that matter, actual agencies of the national security apparatus of the United States--were that good at psychological warfare. Chavez cannot, of course, be considered a viable case study in the effects of American psy-op campaigns. He is too susceptible to even the merest hint of insult or even the slightest error concerning any report about him.
However, for those who might argue that this story is unworthy of mention, I would posit that Chavez's extreme overreaction concerning the mistaken CNN story can give rise to an immensely fun parlor game to be played in newsrooms across America. Various media outlets can broadcast or print "erroneous" reports concerning the Venezuelan dictator and then pop popcorn, sit back and wait for the inevitable blowup. They can spice things up by placing bets as to what the general or specific nature of the blowup can be. My interested-in-economics self would even advocate the creation of an online futures market to track Chavezista emotional meltdowns. Fun could be had by all!
Mr. Yousefzadeh, thanks for this post. Your posts on Chavez don't get many comments -- he is not among the primary issues of the day, for good reason -- but I appreciate them nonetheless. They should be continued, lest complacency lead us to disregard a man who would be much ill, given half a chance (and brain).
Still, if I may be bold: The RedState could use a champion for free trade and capitalism at the moment -- and particularly a champion not beholden to special interests (a la the Club for Growth, which is inconsistent at best in its advocacy). You'd make a fine advocate.
(Not that I'd agree with everything you write; yet, IMHO, it would make a better mix for another fiscal conservative to take the front page more often on domestic issues.) (Particularly since Blackhedd focuses on investment issues and Adama C. on political analysis. Not to say that each has not had some fine posts of late; but still.)
My two cents -- self interested, of course.
For we have a peculiar power of thinking before we act, and of acting, too, whereas other men are courageous from ignorance but hesitate upon reflection.