The "Land of Freedom" known as Venezuela

[rebound]

Officials in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, are taking to the air in an attempt to make the city safer.

The 15 metre (49 foot) long air ships are emblazoned with government slogans. Written in bright red are the words: "We watch over you for your security."

Some might worry that this will be intrusive - a big brother in the skies, spying on people the government wants to watch.

BBC Link

Riiiight. This is about crime-fighting. Whatever you say, Mr. Chavez.

What would be the outcry if President Bush suggested this? But when Chavez does it, it's about security.

[vinuneuro]

Yea..I'm sure the people will be 'safer'.

[Eric5273]

If you've ever been to Los Angeles, there are constantly police helicopters flying overhead patrolling. This is not a new idea. Caracas has one of the highest crime rates of any city in the world. There is a huge organized crime problem there, larger than perhaps any city in the United States.

[Meiac09]

hate to say it, but it may just take something as drastic as that (if that) to make it even on par with a place like... Compton

[rebound]

Originally Posted by Eric5273

If you've ever been to Los Angeles, there are constantly police helicopters flying overhead patrolling. This is not a new idea. Caracas has one of the highest crime rates of any city in the world. There is a huge organized crime problem there, larger than perhaps any city in the United States.

Helicopters flying by and blimps with cameras are two completely different things.

This ain't "Blue Thunder," after all.

It figures you'd attempt to compare it to the U.S.

How about this?

Guardian Link

Venezuelans marched Saturday amid heavy security in the opposition's largest show of support yet for a television station targeted by President Hugo Chavez, whom they accuse of suppressing freedom of speech and democratic rights.

Thousands of people turned out for the protest against Chavez's decision to remove Radio Caracas Television, or RCTV, the country's oldest private TV station, from the airwaves.

Chavez and his supporters, however, say the measure is justified. They accuse RCTV and the country's opposition-aligned private media of supporting the 2002 coup against Chavez by broadcasting cartoons and movies instead of street protests that aided his return to power.

Seems justified. I hear that President Bush will shut down MSNBC next week for similar reasons.

[Wagner]

I still love the fact that when Chavez retained power there were riots but he shut down all the public media so that they would not be shown in Venezuela.

[rebound]

What are you talking about? They have more freedom of assembly and speech than we do!

Are you spouting right-wing talking points?!?

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

I still love the fact that when Chavez retained power there were riots but he shut down all the public media so that they would not be shown in Venezuela.

90% of the media in Venezuela is private, not public.

[Wagner]

Eric, thanks for adding more weight to my point. Venezuela, what place. Maybe Chavez should spend less time focusing on the US and more time on his own country.

[rebound]

Originally Posted by Eric5273

90% of the media in Venezuela is private, not public.

I'm pretty sure he wasn't referring to who owns the company.

Nice red herring.