Hugo Chavez: Gravedigger
MichaelW on Dec 18 2007 at 4:30 pm | Filed under: Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page
Apparently Hugo Chavez takes the resurrection of historical idols quite seriously. And much too literally [HT: Dave In Texas]:
President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela should open the coffin of independence hero Simon Bolivar to examine the bones, saying there are sufficient doubts about his death in 1830 to warrant a full investigation.
Although history books maintain Bolivar died of tuberculosis, Chavez said doubts exist because some writings suggest it is possible the South American “Liberator” might have been murdered.
Chavez has raised this theory before, but went further during a speech on the anniversary of Bolivar’s death.
“Who knows if they even made Bolivar’s bones disappear? We have to determine it now,” Chavez said. “We have the moral obligation to dispel this mystery, to open … this sacred coffin and check the remains.”
I’m not exactly sure what Chavez’s goal is here other than to create a controversy that will eventually be laid at the feet, somehow, of President Bush and “imperialism.” Or perhaps he means to overshadow his referendum defeat, and to redirect attention away from his attempts to change the constitution by other means.
One thing you can bank on, however, is that the Chavez’s gravedigging escapade will be little more than a show trial of his perceived enemies, and will be used to foster popular support of the erstwhile dictator. IOW, it’s simply propaganda.
Technorati Tags: Simon Bolivar, Hugo Chavez, Venezuela, death by tuberculosis, grave digging, exhumation, propaganda
3 Responses to “Hugo Chavez: Gravedigger”
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I suspect his desire lies in the word sacred. Most totalitarian socialists, which is what Hugo desires to be, have found a way to construct secular gods to base their rule upon. They then make themselves the prophet. Lenin and Marx, with Stalin his prophet, and so on.
Wonder if Geraldo will be there for the opening of the coffin…
Things such as this happen in this country from time to time. If it were anyone but Chavez, we probably wouldn’t think twice about it.
For instance, I just read about this in the Farmers Almanac this morning:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_Taylor#Death
and…
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-111590258.html
and…
http://www.livescience.com/health/070324_ap_houdini_exhume.html
That’s my best guess as well. Chavez sets himself up to be the the great Liberator’s defender and torch bearer. If he can successfully lump Bolivar’s enemies in with his own, he can then make the case that they are one and the same (”See!?! We the imperialists killed him and they have tried to topple me. I must be just like Bolivar!“).
Heh. He may have to settle for Sean Penn.
If it were anyone but Chavez there would be little to think about. The fact of the matter is that the man does not seem to take any public action that is not politically motivated and calculated.