Oliver Stone speaks about Venezuela

Oliver Stone:

To those of you who have written so many vile and ugly comments, especially on Twitter, about my opinions and film efforts on Venezuela, I have to say that in all the social media I’ve been involved with over the years on film issues, history, and discussions of other counties—such as Japan, China, Russia, NATO, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.—I have never seen such verbal violence. You sound more like thugs than people who are participating in an argument. 

Can’t you imagine the U.S can be involved in organizing violent protests against the government? Do you not realize that Maduro did win the municipal elections in December by more than 10%? (You say “fixed elections” after every election since 2000, but there is no honorable evidence.) The majority rules in sensible countries. You act like a bunch of crazed U.S. Tea Party Republicans in your comments. Remember the ‘Brooks Brothers riot’ in Miami during the 2000 election debacle? You don’t read anything that’s different from what you think. You write to me calling me all kinds of horrible names. You don’t entertain any opposing ideas. I’ve heard your arguments against Chavez/Maduro/etc. on Fox News and so many other outlets. In the prior links (also included below), if you read them, you will see substantial criticism of the Government.

Mark Weisbrot – Does Venezuelan Television Provide Coverage That Opposes the Government?
http://bit.ly/1eco2jy

Democracy Now – Another Attempt by U.S.-Backed Right-Wing Groups to Oust Elected Government?
http://bit.ly/1gm10EQ

David Smilde – Who Was Responsible for Yesterday’s Violence in Venezuela?
http://bit.ly/1bZNMkr

VenezuelanAnalysis.com – Unlike What the Media Says or Implies, the Violence in Venezuela Is Being Perpetrated by the Opposition
http://bit.ly/1jTFE7t

Dan Beeton – Violent Protests in Venezuela Fit a Pattern
http://bit.ly/1gLqOg1

The view on Venezuela from Dr. Greg Wilpert
http://on.fb.me/1ffceZi

Mark Weisbrot – US support for regime change in Venezuela is a mistake
http://bit.ly/N6Aoz8

At least I had the guts to go down there and see it with my own eyes. Now I may not have seen everything, but I have a feeling that many of you who are writing to me are an embittered exile class, similar to the right-wing Florida Cuban exiles who’ve helped keep the US in a dungeon of ignorance rather than allowing oxygen to flow between two countries with differing points of view.

Invective is not reason. You might watch my newest film, coming up in a week on Venezuelan television, a 52-minute documentary commemorating the first anniversary of Chavez’s death. That will, I’m sure, incentivize some of you to write me even more debased and horrible stuff. But some of you might watch the film at least. And keep your arguments and your invective non-violent, non-threatening, and non-absolutist. Let’s elevate the debate. Would much appreciate it. 

Thank you.