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polly7

(20,582 posts)
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 11:39 AM Mar 2013

In Loving Memory: Hugo Chavez Frias 1954-2013 - by Cindy Sheehan

Source: Albany Tribune

Friday, March 22, 2013

Today, I write from a great well of sadness, but not just for me, for the world. My dear friend in peace and justice, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, just lost his fierce and valiant battle with cancer.

Many people know about Hugo Chavez, the president, and constant thorn in the side to El Imperio the meddlesome and harmful Empire to the north. But I want to eulogize Chavez the man I knew.
........

As we sorrowfully say, “vaya con la paz” to our Brother, Hugo Chavez, let’s also say, “long live the revolution.”


Full Article: http://www.zcommunications.org/in-loving-memory-hugo-chavez-frias-1954-2013-by-cindy-sheehan



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mother earth

(6,002 posts)
2. I know there were many sides to Chavez, but there was a good side. He dared to call Bush a
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 12:02 PM
Mar 2013

devil...one of the more comical things I will remember.

polly7

(20,582 posts)
3. I know ........
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 12:05 PM
Mar 2013

I laughed so hard!

Here's something else from Cindy's article:

The first time I met him in Caracas was in early 2006 at the World Social Forum. I had been invited to sit on the stage while he gave a speech to those gathered there from around the world. He introduced me as, “Señora Esperanza,” “Mrs. Hope,” in contrast to his nickname for George Bush: “Señor Peligro,” “Mr. Danger.” However, our brother, Hugo Chavez, was the one who gave us much hope.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
6. I never met Chavez, but I have met several of our own politicians and I agree with this:
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 12:09 PM
Mar 2013
but whenever I had the privilege to be with him, warmth radiated from his heart and I was able to connect with him in very real and human ways. Compared to the palpable realness of Chavez, most of the US politicians I have met with are walking and talking ice sculptures.


I met many of them through my job mostly in a private setting. The only one who came close to her description of Chavez, was Charlie Rangel. He was genuinely interested in the ordinary people he met and often spent his time talking to them, the catering staff, the waiters etc than he did the other wealthy officials who were usually present. He remembered people's names also and was very warm and friendly. The rest, while polite, never gave me the impression they were there to worry about ordinary people, but more to get funding from the wealthy in attendance for their next elections.

Cindy remains consistent in her quest for peace. I am sure she does feel a great sense of loss with Chavez's death.

mother earth

(6,002 posts)
7. Being middle class or poor should be a prerequisite for holding office. Otherwise, there is no
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 12:41 PM
Mar 2013

empathy or understanding of the 99%. It's bad enough our political system has been hijacked by the oligarchy, every common decency has been thrown under the bus, a sad commentary on our "democracy".

I know Rangle understands there'd be no war if there was a draft, or if every son/daughter of politicians had to serve. There's an uncommon ability to empathize with the average citizen, it seems to be a skill lacking in gov't these days. Everything's being hijacked from SCOTUS to "safety net".

Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
9. I've only met the "walking and talking ice sculpture" type, myself. Good god!
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 01:30 PM
Mar 2013

I was thinking it was me! So glad to see her use those terms.

Some of them are EXACTLY the way Cindy describes them. What the hell ARE they? Very Twilight Zonish.

Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
8. Really good seeing Cindy Sheehan meeting Hugo Chavez during the Bush administration.
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 01:27 PM
Mar 2013

Hope it showed him Cindy is far closer to representing the face of U.S. citizens than he could have expected, after seeing the underhanded, utterly dishonest way George W. Bush behaved toward him.

Very happy to see she took the opportunity to share her thoughts about the human world's unfortunate loss.

Thank you, Polly.

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