Letter to the Editor

A letter in today's San Francisco Chronicle:

In your Dec. 4 editorial ("Rein on his reign") regarding Venezuela's recent vote on constitutional reforms, you expressed gratitude for Venezuelans' not giving up their voices in voting down reform measures. You did give President Hugo Chavez credit for conceding defeat, although you somehow felt the need to insult him at the same time. And you either failed to see or failed to concede what is most significant about the election: that this election proves democracy is alive and well in Venezuela.

It is time for the corporate media and the United States government to start acknowledging that Venezuela has a vibrant democracy, that freedom of speech and assembly are both alive and well and that the electoral process is free and fair. Above all, it's time for the United States government to stop interfering in Venezuela's democracy.

GEORGE FRIEMOTH

Inverness

When is the last time the United States has conducted a nationwide referendum on anything? Can you imagine George Bush subjecting himself to a recall election like Chavez did a few years ago? With Bush's 30% approval ratings, I don't think he'd win such a vote, as Chavez did. Maybe the United States is not always the best qualified to judge how democratic other governments are.