AND NOW VENEZUELA – AT 10:16 A.M. ET:  Thousands have demonstrated against Hugo Chavez in the streets of Caracas.  From Fox News:

CARACAS, Venezuela — Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chavez took to the streets Saturday, blaming him for rolling blackouts, water rationing, widespread crime and other problems they say are making daily life increasingly difficult.

Chavez backers flooded the capital's avenues with an equally impressive demonstration as the socialist leader confronts mounting criticism and an emboldened opposition ahead of upcoming congressional elections.

Waving Venezuelan flags, protesters accused Chavez of dragging the politically divided South American country into a severe crisis as he accelerates his drive to transform it into a socialist state.

"Chavez is leading the country to ruin," said 79-year-old Olga Damjanovich at the opposition protest. "He's controlled all the country's institutions for more than a decade, so how could it be possible that he's not responsible for the problems weighing down on us?"

Many wore T-shirts that read: "3 Strikes: Blackouts, Water Rationing and Crime. Chavez, You've Struck Out!"

COMMENT:  As usual, the White House has not yet commented.  When Iranians demonstrated for democracy, it took Obama three or four days finally to trot out to a microphone and give a lukewarm expression of support.  I wonder whether he'll even notice the Venezuelans. 

January 24,  2010