Chavez wants his supporters to step up and show some leadership. "The unity of the People with diverse revolutionary currents ... dogmatism, sectarianism and infantilism are the enemies that must be fought on a daily basis," he said in inaugurating the third "Gathering of Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution" - a conclave of socialists seeking to forward their views.

The Castro clone then spouted this little pearl: The CIA is drawing up a plan to stop him from being elected in 2006, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard Myers is part of the scheme.

Chavez said General Myers' visit to Colombia was part of the plan, and cracked that Myers' declaration that the U.S. has no plans to invade Venezuela is more dangerous than if he had admitted that it does.

Editor's note: