The Washington Post joins us in our deep concern over Venezuela today, in an editoral. However, the WaPo swallows whole the line that Chavez's electoral victories in his recall referendum and various local elections are a "triumph" rather than an outrageeous fraud. And the editorial board just can't help itself:

while the Bush administration has been ignoring the region over the past four years, political conditions have seriously deteriorated in several key countries —— and the prospect is of still worse developments, especially if U.S. neglect continues

What does the WaPo wish that the US had done in Venezuela? Intervene militarily? The fact is that we are in a very difficult box, with relatively few options for direct action. There are other topics the Post could have covered, in place of the blame game.

Hugo Chavez's path to dictatorship, along the lines of his idol Fidel Castro, faces severe opposition among the Venezualan people. Were it not for the likes of Jimmy Carter, their electoral will might have expressed itself visibly to the rst of the world, instead of being muffled by massive fraud. Strangely enough, his name never arises in the Post's consideration of "neglect."

Still, we are glad to see that major press organs are paying attention to the most serious issue for Americans.

Thomas Lifson  11 20 04