Housewives, bankers battle in Chavez militia

[naaman fletcher]

(AP) — CHARALLAVE, Venezuela - A 54-year-old housewife fires the machine gun for the first time, lets loose a thunderous burst of gunfire and beams with satisfaction. A boot camp instructor shouts, "Kill those gringos!"

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The militia "is a personal army, a Praetorian Guard," said retired Rear Adm. Elias Buchszer, a Chavez opponent. He said despite Chavez's talk about repelling a U.S. invasion, the militia is really aimed at maintaining control, keeping him in power, and "making the country fear that if anything is done the militiamen are going to come out."

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http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/international-30/1272560408150880.xml&storylist=international

Imagine what people here would be saying if Bush had armed Republican activists and trained them.

[protocol rv]

1. I believe the nazis called them "Brown shirts"

And the Duvaliers in Haiti called them "ton ton macoutes".