Dictators don

Al’s
Loupe                                                                                  Read Spanish Version

Dictators
don’t accept defeat

By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
alfernandez@the-beach.net

Early
Monday morning, December 3, President Hugo Chavez conceded defeat
after learning of the loss at the polls for the proposed Venezuelan
constitution overhaul he had offered voters. It was the first major
defeat of his presidency, a loss so close he called it a “photo
finish.” To the victors he said, “I congratulate my adversaries
for this victory.”

Dictators
don’t admit or accept defeat.

This
past weekend Chavez showed class (not often attributed to him) and a
belief in democracy hard to find in leaders from many “democratic”
states around the globe — the U.S. first among them.

For
years Venezuela’s democratically elected president has been
referred to as a dictator, tyrant and worse by U.S. politicians and
leaders, media, and a majority of Chavez’ Venezuelan opponents —
many who now live outside the country. In 2002, in an attempt to oust
him, there was a successful coup against Chavez which lasted all of
two days.

The
corporate media, inside and outside the country, for years have
staged an offensive against Chavez that few political leaders
anywhere would outlive or put up with. And it must be noted that even
with the government closing of Venezuela’s RCTV, the majority of
Venezuela’s media is against Chavez oftentimes portraying him as
the bad guy. It also lies and manipulates information to hurt the
Venezuelan leader.

The
loss this Sunday reminded me of that fateful coup of April 2002. I
was leaving for Havana the following day. Following the news, I
dreaded the consequences that would result. I also remember how the
events of those days were celebrated by many who I would not call
trustworthy. But suddenly an unbeatable poker hand turned bad two
days later when Chavez returned triumphantly to the presidential
palace. Too late for so many who had played their hand. It was a gift
from the heavens allowing the Venezuelan leader to get a better
reading of who he could count on.

Hugo
Chavez became a better and stronger leader after those horrible
events of 2002. Fast forwarding to 2007, strangely enough, I believe
the loss at the polls this past Sunday will ultimately help the
Venezuelan leader.

The
loss, though heart-wrenching, was a lesson in democracy. The people
spoke with their vote; their leader listened and felt at peace with
their decision.

Today
who can argue against democratic elections in Venezuela; or, was this
election fair but all the other eight Chavez victories stolen?

Chavez
has five more years left as president. I know some will continue to
degrade him. After Sunday, those people who once labeled him
un-democratic have little to stand on.