Scanning the online news sources today, one would think that Hugo Chavez’s being sworn in for a third term as president of Venezuela was a declaration of war. The headlines are alarmist. Hugo is “tightning his grip” according to one news source, forgetting apparently that he was freely elected to his office. What really seems to be making people afraid is Chavez’s choice of words at his swearing in.

His right hand raised, Chavez declared: “Fatherland, socialism or death – I swear it,” invoking the Cuban leader’s famous call to arms.

Chavez also alluded to Jesus, saying: “I swear by Christ – the greatest socialist in history.”

That Cuban leader is of course none other than Fidel Castro.

Chavez’s current term is set to last till 2013 and some moves that he has made already have people questioning his Bolivarian revolution. Of concern include recent changes to his cabinet, proposals to change the constitution that would allow Chavez to reelected indefinately, his denial of licensing to opposition media, and pledges to nationalize telecom and power companies.

Via / Yahoo! News, Fox News, & The New York Post