That is how (T)Hugo Chavez described the referendum on his plan to seize all power in Venezuela via a mask of democracy.
CARACAS, Venezuela – Rallies for and against constitutional changes proposed by President Hugo Chavez surged Tuesday as the Venezuelan leader declared that a weekend referendum on the proposed charter "cannot fail."
Such gatherings have increased tensions ahead of Sunday's referendum on reforms that would allow Chavez indefinite re-election, increase presidential terms from six to seven years and help the Venezuelan leader establish socialism in Venezuela.
While Chavez appeared before supporters to urge Venezuelans to approve the referendum and "open the path to a new nation," opponents held at least two protests and one of his ex-wives even held a press conference to urge voters to reject the slate of changes.
In Caracas, about 300 placard-waving students gathered outside the Catholic University Andres Bello, occupying a highway for four hours and causing rush-hour traffic jams, to urge Venezuelans to vote "no" on Sunday. The students contend the new constitution would give Chavez authoritarian powers.
"We students will keep coming out onto the street to demand freedom and democracy," said Roberto Diaz, a 21-year old law student at the university. Dozens of police and national guard monitored the demonstration that ended Tuesday evening without incident.
Gateway Pundit has more pictures and links to the violence today – and there was violence. Most of it appears to have been directed at anti-Chavez demonstrators, but neither side is blameless, according to the pictures. The use of the particular rhetoric that Chavez used here will arouse suspicions if the referendum passes his power grab, of course.
"On Saturday, the final attack begins, and Sunday … it's written: the people will vote and will say 'yes' to the call we're giving to open the path to a new nation," Chavez said, alluding to the referendum that aims to modify 69 of the 530 articles in the constitution.
"We can't go backward, we cannot fail! We're obliged to win, to continue triumphing. This is a battle of world proportions," Chavez said.
That sounds an awful lot like he's saying that the fix is in and the actual voting does not matter whatsoever.
Where’s Jimmah? You can’t throw a fixed election without him, can you?
Of course they cannot fail – it’s impossible to fail when you’ve already engineered the result (unless you’re really, really incompetent).