How about our Buddy Sean Penn hooking up with Hugo Chavez?

Sean Penn is entitled to his opinion. This is just another example of why we should not pay any attention to the political views of movie stars.

As for Chavez not being a dictator, and calling him a dictator being "irresponsible" --- you might do well to look him up and remember that in 1992, he attempted a military coup of his country's government (so much for being a proponent of "democratic" elections). He has blocked private enterprises in his country from running key businesses like oil and raw metals.

So far, he has done what all dictators do. Give away lots of free social welfare money and services to win the will of the people, while at the same time, quietly removing their personal freedoms. His assembly passed the "Enabling Act". Know what that is? It means Chavez can rule

"by decree", which essentially means what he says goes.

Still don't think he's a dictator? In Jan, 2007, he got a new "Enabling Act" passed that gives him another 18 mos to "rule by decree."

Dictatorships can often make things run "easier". They can often appear to make things "better" --- for a time. If you want to like like a Hamster in a cage, fine.

Mussolini - he made the trains run on time.

How many Americans has Chavez gotten killed? How many have been maimed for life because of him? How many lost their jobs because of him? Zero. Now, how about celebrities like Britney Spears, half of country music and most of the NASCAR morons hooking up with George W. Bush?

And I don't even like Sean Penn. Or Alec Baldwin, for that matter. But that's based on their personalities, not their politics.

President Hugo Chavez was democratically elected. Twice. Confirmed a third time by referendum. Sure he's a Socialist. But calling him a dictator is nothing but irresponsible Right-wing propaganda--and just plain inaccurate.

Take a practice very typical of autocratic dictators--wire tapping without a warrant. Chavez doesn't engage in that...but can you think of someone who does? Hmm.. makes one think.

As for Sean Penn, he is just following his curiosity. He probably thinks that he cannot trust the US corporate media machine to give an objective portrayal of Venezuela and he wanted to see for himself. I applaud that kind of intellectual independence. And your calling Chavez a dictator just proves the point.

Mr. Bush wants to demonize any and all criticsism and wants Americans to live in contant fear. That is the only reason why the "National Terror Alert" level has been in amber CONTINUALLY for six years...in the complete absence of a major terrorist attack here.

I can believe it, and he should only renounce his citizenship if he wants to.

There is no law against being a horse's rear-end.

Once Venezuela collapses under their socialist dictator's iron fist, Penn will have to deal with his conscience and/or rationalize his support for the man.

To claim that he is not working to become a dictator is foolhardy. He has already seized control of the media. So far, he has followed the script as all implementations of true socialism (France is not truly socialist...spare me) have in the past.

Sean Penn is a worthless piece of garbage and understands nothing of the implications of his misguided actions. Mr. Chavez is a staunch supporter of the terrorist Islamic Jihad on us infidels. The only reason Mr. Chavez is anti- Iraq is because we are fighting and eliminating more garbage like him. He cares nothing for the real citizens of ANY country and is a deranged and delusional fool. Enough said?

You are silly. This is what free speech is all about. Sean Penn has the right to be an a**hole and say and go where he wants. That is what the constitution is all about. GW supports petty dictators in the middle east (what do you think Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are?)

If Sean Penn is such a great thinker and mediator, why is his personal past littered with violence and poor judgment. Yes our country protects free speech, but we don't have to glamorize someones views just because they are actors.

It's called freedom of speech for one. So, since you are obviously against that why don't you leave the country. Second, Chavez is not a dictator. He was elected.

Those 2 can have each other for all I care. It really is pathetic to watch Penn brown nosing the dictator/ pimp.

So he's being a jerk and, as demonstrated by your question and these replies, he's getting press about his jerkiness. That's what free speech is all about.