Opinion

‘El Loco’ bids farewell: Loss felt only on the left

The Issue: The death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, and the legacy he left at home and abroad.

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Regarding the death of Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, I say “Good riddance” (“Glad To See Hugo,” Editorial, March 6).

It would be doubly helpful if his bankrupt, corrupt and immoral ideology died with him.

However, as long as there are “useful idiots” like Oliver Stone and Sean Penn around, I am afraid that will never happen.Mark Friedmann

Manhattan

The Post’s front-page headline “Off Hugo!” (March 6) and its characterization of Chavez as a bully were vile. The ordinary people of Venezuela and Latin America have lost a champion.

Mary Jamison

Bayside

As a Christian, I pray that God blesses Chavez and that he rests in peace, but I do not have to be so charitable in my analysis of his regime.

His picture should appear in the dictionary next to the word “demagogue.” He was incompetent and self-serving.

The economy of Venezuela has been gutted, and if it weren’t for oil, it would have collapsed by now.

In the process of playing Robin Hood, he managed to rob from the productive and give some to the poor, but he gave much more to himself and his friends.

This charlatan had the unthoughtful support of so many voters who have more interest in achieving retribution against those they perceived as “having too much.”

A little bread and circus seems to be all that is needed to win an election in Venezuela.

In the end, all that is achieved is the diminishing of his country. It isn’t the first time that the “medicine of reform” turned out to be poison.

Michael R. Zboray

Montvale, NJ

Dear Venezuela,

We are sorry for your loss. You are welcome to have our dictator.

With love, the United States of America.

Lilianna DiGesu

Pompton Lakes, NJ

My mother taught me to always speak good of the dead. Chavez is dead — good. Lee Johnston

Astoria

I was heartbroken to learn that free-heating-oil Kennedy lost his best friend, Chavez.

Kennedy knew the monstrously oppressive dictator for the cuddly fellow he really was.

Michael Maurer

Long Branch, NJ

Listening to the media’s praise for their Latin American hero, “El Loco,” one has to wonder what part of the America-bashing and anti-Semitic rants they will miss. But what else should we expect from the left-wing media?

Still, it’s strange that people could eulogize with such warmth someone who hated everything this country believes in. Seems it’s not only Chavez who was loco. Michael Sara

Scranton, Pa.