Why don't you shut up!--King Juan Carlos to Hugo Chavez

[Dingfod]

King Juan Carlos of Spain brought the Ibero-American Summit, attended by mostly leftist leaders of Spanish-speaking countries, to a controversial close wagging a finger at and admonishing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, "Why don't you shut up." in regard to Chavez interrupting Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero's speech, calling the previous Spanish Prime Minister Aznar a fascist.

I want to express to you President Hugo Chavez that in a forum where there are democratic governments ... one of the essential principles is respect. You can disagree radically, without being disrespectful.

Hugo Chavez, winning friends and influencing people worldwide. If he keeps this up, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be almost his only friend.

[Uthgar the Brazen]

He's obviously well on his way to becoming the Next Great Global Tyrant, and we should invade.

[ChuckF]

Agreed. We don't want to wait for another 9/11 from Venezuela.

[Dingfod]

He's obviously well on his way to becoming the Next Great Global Tyrant, and we should invade.Who, King Juan Carlos? That arrogant monarchist.

[Freddy]

I always admired this man, who could have been a ruling monarch but chose to give up power and help create a constitutional monarchy/democracy in Spain. From wikipedia:

"Under the new 1978 Constitution Juan Carlos relinquished absolute power and became a reigning but non-ruling monarch."

[California Tanker]

I don't mind the idea of monarchs losing most of their power, though I do like the idea of someone outside of the political system who does have some ultimate say. Just once, I'd like the Queen of England to publicly say "This is the worst government I've ever had. (It is Her Majesty's Government, after all). You're all fired. Re-elections, right now."

King of Thailand kindof fits that mould. He stays out of the running of the country, but if he has something to say, people listen. Or blesses the odd coup.

NTM

[Dingfod]

King Juan Carlos' comments to Venezuela's ruler have become a very popular cellular phone ringtone (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5315754.html) in Spain.