Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez Frias proposed for the 2005 Nobel Peace

[bemildred]

VHeadline.com commentarist Carlos Herrera writes: Thursday evening 9:00 p.m. on Venezuelan National Radio (RNV) I learned that there are moves afoot to propose President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias as a leading candidate for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

For many people throughout the world whose information about Chavez is conditioned by mainstream news media, the immediate reaction to this news could be: ”How could a “firebrand” like Chavez ever be considered for such an internationally prestigious award?”

* I can already imagine the radical opposition thinking this and cannot believe that such a thing could conceivably happen. The next stage will be gnashing of teeth and frothing at the mouth!

Readers will recall that, two years ago Chavez won the “Man of the Year Award” in an internet vote run by bbcmundo.com against all comers ... including George W. Bush.

Axis Of Logic

[jrtruth1]

1. President Hugo Chavez Frias - Peace Prize?

First, of course, people such as Arafat and Kissenger have won the "Peace Prize", so what is it worth.

But second, what has President Hugo Chavez Frias really done to merit any international Peace Prize? I looked at the linked page and the argument for this award seem pretty thin.

[althecat]

2. He allowed the fascist opposition to mount a recall...

election, fraudulently most probably. He enabled it to take place peacefully.

Plus when he faced an April 2002 coup he peacefully undid it and did not respond with a crackdown on his opponents. As no doubt an American backed dictator in the same position would have done....

Plus he - as you see on the linked page - has done lots of stuff for the poor people of Venezeula.

And all along he has, to the extent that he can, stood up to North American bullying.

I think he is a fine recipient and the comparison to Henry Kissinger is rather offensive and ignorant.

al

[jrtruth1]

3. No comparison

Just a fact that the so-called "Peace Prize" seems to have a terrible legacy.


The fact that people such as Kissenger and Arafat have "won" the prize makes it a dubious distinction.

[Spazito]

4. Chavez deserves accolades to be sure but I am not at all sure...

he would deserve the Nobel Prize for Peace. I would say, however, if it came down to a choice between baby 'warmonger' bush and Chavez, Chavez should win hands down.

He did defeat the bush admin attempt to foster revolt in his country and that must bite bush's ass every time he sees Chavez's name and I love it!