Well Peter K ... while I am quite aware that Chavez was elected, I am also aware that his continued 'elections' were pretty well manipulated. A dictator is usually identified and defined by how thoroughly he controls the machinery of his country, not by whether he pleases a certain % while doing it. Chavez ...whatever YOU wish to call him, was smarter than many who get continued control of a country, and realized that superficial benevolence would get him further than the outright iron fist of those like Pinochet. Dictators are not a simple definition... they come in many forms along a continuum...and we can differ as to the point where the appropriate noun changes from "clever politician" to "strong man" to "dictator".

As to my "prejudice". I always thought prejudice was a blind adherence to one point of view based on personal attitudes, with resistance to any other point of view. I can read those accounts of folks who praise him...(see various links above) and I can also find accounts of those who can see beyond his 'oil charity'. If he had stayed healthy, I would not have been surprised to see him become another Castro: in power for many years, but with oil billions to soothe complaints.

I have an opinion, after watching him for several years. Why should I not just characterize YOUR opinion as prejudice?