Foul: Rep. Serrano tweets rest in peace; Praises Chavez as 'empowering the powerless'; Update: Doubles down, photo with Chavez

Appalling.

As Twitchy reported, the Venezuelan tyrant Hugo Chavez has died. Rep. Serrano (D-N.Y.) grossly tweeted the above, upon learning of the news that had most freedom-lovers relieved. Now, finally, may the people of Venezuela achieve democracy. Rep. Serrano, however, mourns the loss of a dictatorial tyrant. But, hey, what else is to be expected from a man who wants no presidential term limits here?

Disgusted Twitter users give the representative the business.

@RepJoseSerrano He was a dictatorial, anti-American thug who to the death blamed America for all the world's ills.

— Thankful Muppet Energy (Sunny) (@sunnyright) March 5, 2013

@alexis_levinson @RepJoseSerrano Rep Jose Serrano is officially inducted into the Moron Hall of Fame.

— Bill Powers (@BillPowers9) March 5, 2013

https://twitter.com/PopuleteKiller/status/309069250318974977

Kennedyesque "@RepJoseSerrano: Chavez was a leader that understood needs of the poor. He was committed to empowering the powerless. R.I.P."

— Pundit Review (@PunditReview) March 5, 2013

https://twitter.com/BestSocialPrgrm/status/309071223797731328

.@repjoecrowley, will you condemn this ridiculous remark from your colleague, @RepJoseSerrano? https://t.co/WhSTZD3g4X

— Mike (@ThePantau) March 5, 2013

@senatorshoshana @RepJoseSerrano Is this guy freaking delusional?

— Carlos Vazquez (@CJ_Vazquez) March 5, 2013

Sick! "@RepJoseSerrano: Chavez was a leader that (sic) understood the needs of the poor… empowering the powerless. R.I.P.”

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 5, 2013

https://twitter.com/CrYsTaLyNn52/status/309071323785744384

Sadly, he is.

https://twitter.com/NickMarcelli/status/309070437680304128

And sadly, some probably do. Will any denounce his repugnant statement?

Shame on you, Rep. Serrano.

Update: Serrano’s office issues statement.

“I met President Chavez in 2005 when he came to my district at my invitation,” said Congressman Serrano. “His focus on the issues faced by the poor and disenfranchised in his country made him a truly revolutionary leader in the history of Latin America. He understood that after 400 years on the outside of the established power structure looking in, it was time that the poor had a chance at seeing their problems and issues addressed. His core belief was in the dignity and common humanity of all people in Venezuela and in the world.

“When he visited, President Chavez offered a new type of program to the people of the Bronx. He had harnessed the power of his nation’s oil resources and was using their profits—through Citgo—to enact social spending programs. Now he offered people in the Bronx that were struggling economically the same deal. He would provide home heating oil at a huge discount, provided the savings were reinvested in programs that benefited the underserved and underprivileged. I am proud to report that we have benefited from that program ever since, with millions invested in our community through this program and through a grant program he set up.

“Though President Chavez was accused of many things, it is important to remember that he was democratically-elected many times in elections that were declared free and fair by international monitors. Even today, people in North America seem unable to accept that Venezuelans had taken our admonitions to have democracy to heart and elected the leader of their choice. President Chavez carried out the programs that his constituents wanted enacted, and won reelection. This too was revolutionary in the history of Latin America, where coup d’etat have been historically a way of power changing hands—especially during the times of controversial leaders.

“President Chavez was a controversial leader. But at his core he was a man who came from very little and used his unique talents and gifts to try to lift up the people and the communities that reflected his impoverished roots. He believed that the government of the country should be used to empower the masses, not the few. He understood democracy and basic human desires for a dignified life. His legacy in his nation, and in the hemisphere, will be assured as the people he inspired continue to strive for a better life for the poor and downtrodden.”

Update: The RNC rightly condemns Serrano’s statement:

MT RNC's @franceschi_alex on Serrano: It’s simply insulting that a Democrat Congressman would praise the authoritarian ruler Hugo #Chavez

— Katrina Bishop (@katvbishop) March 5, 2013

RNC condemns Democratic Congressman who praised Chavez in statement after his death: http://t.co/X9VkVQgZQj

— BuzzFeed Politics (@BuzzFeedPol) March 5, 2013

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