Venezuela's Chavez offers cure for kids' insomnia

Related Topics

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds up children during a meeting with members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) ahead of Sunday's elections in Caracas November 18,2008. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds up children during a meeting with members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) ahead of Sunday's elections in Caracas November 18,2008.

Credit: Reuters/Jorge Silva

CARACAS | Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:22pm EDT

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is offering parents a cure for children who don't want to go to sleep. Have them watch his televised speeches.

In a television appearance on Thursday to extol the virtues of a portable computer his socialist government plans to introduce at public schools, Chavez said youngsters had stopped him in the street to tell him they saw him on television.

"It seems that there are mothers here who, instead of putting their kids to sleep with cartoons, put them to sleep with Chavez," he said.

"And the child dozes off and dozes off, and Chavez speaks and speaks and speaks. And the child falls asleep," said the loquacious leader, well known for speeches that can last for hours.

Venezuelan TV stations are interrupted regularly for Chavez's speeches, which can range from global politics to the nationalizing of businesses.

Every Sunday, he hosts his "Hello President" program, which starts at 11 a.m. and often lasts most of the day.

(Reporting by Esteban Israel; Writing by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Peter Cooney)
Oddly Enough
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
Comments (11)
786daktari wrote:
Um… what’s odd?

Jun 11, 2010 1:07pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
geo5734036 wrote:
ok – we all know he’s a serious windbag. So, with that in mind, why hasn’t anyone figured out how to replace his microphone with a miniature wind generator? Make it look like a mic and BAM!!! there goes the electricity shortage for V and nobody has to endure his insufferably pointless speeches lol!!!!

Jun 11, 2010 1:21pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
JoePublic wrote:
When everyone watched network, U.S. presidents inspired me to turn off the T.V. and go outside. I couldn’t possibly sleep through their B.S.

Jun 12, 2010 1:04am EDT  --  Report as abuse
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.
See All Comments »