And I posted those quotes on a thread which asked what good people could do politically/socially. I just used those quotes as an example that even a fuck-wit like me can [appear to] make a difference.
Anyway, thanks for taking such a personal interest in everything I say and do. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or worried.
Appear to being the active words there. Not actually. A bunch of people stroking each other off online about how right they all are doesn't equate to making a difference. The fact that Commy already believes everything you believe doesn't mean that him admiring your argument is somehow making a difference.
Be worried. The only people that get such interest from me are the most delusional and blindly ideologically partisan people I see. It's like a sore tooth I can't resist poking.
And I posted those quotes on a thread which asked what good people could do politically/socially. I just used those quotes as an example that even a fuck-wit like me can [appear to] make a difference.
Anyway, thanks for taking such a personal interest in everything I say and do. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or worried.
Appear to being the active words there. Not actually. A bunch of people stroking each other off online about how right they all are doesn't equate to making a difference. The fact that Commy already believes everything you believe doesn't mean that him admiring your argument is somehow making a difference.
Be worried. The only people that get such interest from me are the most delusional and blindly ideologically partisan people I see. It's like a sore tooth I can't resist poking.
So you compare me to George Dubya, and I'm delusional and blindly ideologically partisan? Righteo.
So you compare me to George Dubya, and I'm delusional and blindly ideologically partisan? Righteo.
Yes. "Courage of your convictions" to you seems to mean that you're either with Byrnzie, or with the evil people. You use the same tactics as Dubya. You disregard anything that contradicts you, make everything a moral issue with only one black and white possible answer, and whatever you believe first after cursory research is what you will believe to the end, irrationally defending it against all evidence to the contrary rather than admit that maybe you didn't know as much as you should have before you made your decision.
So you compare me to George Dubya, and I'm delusional and blindly ideologically partisan? Righteo.
You disregard anything that contradicts you, make everything a moral issue with only one black and white possible answer, and whatever you believe first after cursory research is what you will believe to the end, irrationally defending it against all evidence to the contrary rather than admit that maybe you didn't know as much as you should have before you made your decision.
So you compare me to George Dubya, and I'm delusional and blindly ideologically partisan? Righteo.
You disregard anything that contradicts you, make everything a moral issue with only one black and white possible answer, and whatever you believe first after cursory research is what you will believe to the end, irrationally defending it against all evidence to the contrary rather than admit that maybe you didn't know as much as you should have before you made your decision.
Care to provide an example?
No. I'm too tired for a pissing match. But the shortcut is you go find a thread you posted in, and there you have it. Esp any thread dealing with America, China, Israel, or Palestine.
You disregard anything that contradicts you, make everything a moral issue with only one black and white possible answer, and whatever you believe first after cursory research is what you will believe to the end, irrationally defending it against all evidence to the contrary rather than admit that maybe you didn't know as much as you should have before you made your decision.
But the shortcut is you go find a thread you posted in, and there you have it. Esp any thread dealing with America, China, Israel, or Palestine.
Why don't you go find a thread I posted in? There's plenty to choose from. Knock yourself out. Far be it for me to stand in the way of your personal attack on me.
You instantly casted me as a "rich americanized Venezuela", which invalidated everything I had to say (I'm not any of those, btw)
My mistake for presuming that people who hire maids and nannies, can speak a number of different languages, and have lived in various parts of the world, are wealthy. An easy mistake to make. I'll try not to jump to conclusions next time.
Edit: Just because someone happens to live in the country being discussed doesn't mean they have the final word on it.
Why do I bother in explaining this? Beats me, but I'm doing it anyways...
I said that I had an occasional babysitter. See, we had no family in Venezuela, it was just me, my parents and my younger sister. So, if my parents wanted you know, to do opulent stuff -like go out to the movies- guess what!!! They had to hire someone to take care of their two little girls... I never said that my family was poor. However, we were far from being rich. I lived a comfortable life with my parents, but nothing extravagant.
I moved to Venezuela when I was 3 years old, because my father was hired to work over there in 1976, it was a good opportunity and he took it. We stayed 17 years in Venezuela because we liked living there; but my parents' plan was always to return to Chile. Hence in 1993 we did that. I moved to BA in 1999 because I won an IADB scholarship to get a masters degree in Economics and Public Policy, and afterwards I got a job here... see, it's not like I'm George Soros heiress.
I speak English and Italian, besides Spanish. So what? Does that make me rich?
[I did give her 'views' [vague allegations] some weight. I gave them so much weight that I went to the trouble to research them to see if there was any supporting evidence for them. I didn't come up with much. But I took her word for it that there's documentary evidence available on the internet in Spanish.
OK,this discussion is with Soulsinging (great Black Crowes song, BTW), but I have to chip in.
So, Byrnzie, you say my views are "vague allegations". I guess you're views are academic papers refuting Nash's Prisoners Dillema, right? I'm sorry but this is a forum thread, it's not the National Council of Economic Research, so I don't have to provide a bibliograhy for my "views". Nevertheless, I don't talk out of my behind and I've not made up a single thing.
So far you've given me links to wikipedia and some blogs. I did the same, so no difference. I told you what happened to Antonio Ledezma, Mayor of Libertador District in Caracas. He's from the opposition, so since Chavez did not like that he won, he goes and appoints, by decree, Jacqueline Farias, as "super major", stripping the elected major of all his constitutional attributions. Democracy at its best. If this story has not been available in English, it's definitely not my fault, but it has happened. The same goes for the continuous harrasment of Enrique Capriles Radonski, Governor of Miranda State.
I told you that José Manuel Vivanco, Director of Human Rights Watch, was raided out of the country by Venezuela's National Guard and put on plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Why? Because HRW latest report was critical. Is this a vague allegation too? This was on newspapers everywhere.
What about General Baduel, who was one of Chavez closest allies up to 2007. Actually, Gral. Baduel was the one who saved Chavez's ass during the 2002 coup. However, since he opposed indefinite re-election was imprisoned on october 2008, for alleged corruption charges, which were found, how convinient, when he stopped supporting Chavez. Yet, Diosdado Cabello and Jesse Chacón have never been even investigated?
I'd love to know how Jesse Chacón -one of Chavez closest collaborators- made his fortune...or how Chavez's parents, who've been school teachers their whole lives, became wealthy enough to buy farms in their homestate, Barinas. Former Chavista Wilmer Azuaje, member of the National Assembly representing Barinas, tried to investigate those farm purchases. Well, Azuaje's brother was assasinated this past February.
The mere fact that you think I'm making vague allegations proves that you know much less about Venezuela than you claim to. Because I've written about well known cases and stories, not about obscure characters. These are all well known people, major players in Venezuela´s politics.
But hey, you´re right and I am wrong...everything good and dandy in Venezuela. Especially with the economy, which is more reliant on oil than ever. Venezuela's importing almost all the food it consumes.
You know what really saddens me, that Chavez flushed down the toilet a great opportunity for Venezuela. There shouldn't be a single poor in Venezuela with all the money that entered the country for the past five years. It's unbelievable that PDVSA had to reduce workers' salaries in Maracaibo. Where did all the oil money go? Why is PDVSA issuing bonds to pay its contractors?
I guess you're views are academic papers refuting Nash's Prisoners Dillema, right?
Nah, I never said that. It's just that lot's of allegations were made and yet nothing was presented to support them. Call me old fashioned, but that equates to 'vague' in my book.
I'm sorry but this is a forum thread, it's not the National Council of Economic Research, so I don't have to provide a bibliograhy for my "views". Nevertheless, I don't talk out of my behind and I've not made up a single thing.
I didn't say that you had, but that doesn't mean your allegations/opinions shouldn't be questioned. As I said above, living in a particular country doesn't imbue your words with the gold standard of truth.
I told you what happened to Antonio Ledezma, Mayor of Libertador District in Caracas. He's from the opposition, so since Chavez did not like that he won, he goes and appoints, by decree, Jacqueline Farias, as "super major", stripping the elected major of all his constitutional attributions. Democracy at its best. If this story has not been available in English, it's definitely not my fault, but it has happened. The same goes for the continuous harrasment of Enrique Capriles Radonski, Governor of Miranda State.
I told you that José Manuel Vivanco, Director of Human Rights Watch, was raided out of the country by Venezuela's National Guard and put on plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Why? Because HRW latest report was critical. Is this a vague allegation too? This was on newspapers everywhere.
What about General Baduel, who was one of Chavez closest allies up to 2007. Actually, Gral. Baduel was the one who saved Chavez's ass during the 2002 coup. However, since he opposed indefinite re-election was imprisoned on october 2008, for alleged corruption charges, which were found, how convinient, when he stopped supporting Chavez. Yet, Diosdado Cabello and Jesse Chacón have never been even investigated?
I'd love to know how Jesse Chacón -one of Chavez closest collaborators- made his fortune...or how Chavez's parents, who've been school teachers their whole lives, became wealthy enough to buy farms in their homestate, Barinas. Former Chavista Wilmer Azuaje, member of the National Assembly representing Barinas, tried to investigate those farm purchases. Well, Azuaje's brother was assasinated this past February.
The mere fact that you think I'm making vague allegations proves that you know much less about Venezuela than you claim to.
I never claimed to be an expert on Venezuela. I asked for some evidence of corruption. Somebody posted 6 links on here which didn't explain anything. Then you came along and threw out a bunch of names and accusations and everyone was expected to prostrate themselves before you.
You began your first post with an air of arrogance, stating in as many words that you couldn't be bothered to discuss this issue because as far as you were concerned you'd already discussed it before and so, therefore, why should you have to bother explaining your point again for us ignorant types who live north of the Rio Grande?
I then questioned your allegations - asking for some supporting evidence - and you pointed to my 'ignorance' and 'bigotry'.
Though I never once said you were wrong. I merely asked for some elaboration/clarification, evidence e.t.c. Seems like you think it's enough to simply throw a few allegations and Venezuelan names into the mix and everyone should automatically bow graciously and accept your every word as the final word on the matter. Sorry, but I don't play that way.
It just makes me wonder that, considering the U.S hates Chavez so much, why is none of this stuff readily available in English?
I told you what happened to Antonio Ledezma, Mayor of Libertador District in Caracas. He's from the opposition, so since Chavez did not like that he won, he goes and appoints, by decree, Jacqueline Farias, as "super major", stripping the elected major of all his constitutional attributions. Democracy at its best. If this story has not been available in English, it's definitely not my fault, but it has happened. The same goes for the continuous harrasment of Enrique Capriles Radonski, Governor of Miranda State.
I told you that José Manuel Vivanco, Director of Human Rights Watch, was raided out of the country by Venezuela's National Guard and put on plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Why? Because HRW latest report was critical. Is this a vague allegation too? This was on newspapers everywhere.
What about General Baduel, who was one of Chavez closest allies up to 2007. Actually, Gral. Baduel was the one who saved Chavez's ass during the 2002 coup. However, since he opposed indefinite re-election was imprisoned on october 2008, for alleged corruption charges, which were found, how convinient, when he stopped supporting Chavez. Yet, Diosdado Cabello and Jesse Chacón have never been even investigated?
I'd love to know how Jesse Chacón -one of Chavez closest collaborators- made his fortune...or how Chavez's parents, who've been school teachers their whole lives, became wealthy enough to buy farms in their homestate, Barinas. Former Chavista Wilmer Azuaje, member of the National Assembly representing Barinas, tried to investigate those farm purchases. Well, Azuaje's brother was assasinated this past February.
The mere fact that you think I'm making vague allegations proves that you know much less about Venezuela than you claim to.
I never claimed to be an expert on Venezuela. I asked for some evidence of corruption. Somebody posted 6 links on here which didn't explain anything. Then you came along and threw out a bunch of names and accusations and everyone was expected to prostrate themselves before you.
You began your first post with an air of arrogance, stating in as many words that you couldn't be bothered to discuss this issue because as far as you were concerned you'd already discussed it before and so, therefore, why should you have to bother explaining your point again for us ignorant types who live north of the Rio Grande?
I then questioned your allegations - asking for some supporting evidence - and you pointed to my 'ignorance' and 'bigotry'.
Though I never once said you were wrong. I merely asked for some elaboration/clarification, evidence e.t.c. Seems like you think it's enough to simply throw a few allegations and Venezuelan names into the mix and everyone should automatically bow graciously and accept your every word as the final word on the matter. Sorry, but I don't play that way.
Where did all the oil money go? Why is PDVSA issuing bonds to pay its contractors?
I thought you had all the answers?
I'm going to make a mess with the quotes, so apologies in advance.
You think US news outlets cover everything that happens in Venezuela? This may surprise you, but besides the usual right-wing nuts like Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly, I think your expression "the US hates Venezuela so much" is inaccurate (before you lecture me, I know about the 2002 coup d'etat). US imports less than 20% of its oil from Venezuela. In reality, Venezuela has much more to loose from severing its ties to the US that the other way around. Miami newspapers pay more attention to Venezuela because there's a growing Venezuelan community over there. News about Venezuela are usually in Spanish, because it is Spanish speaking countries where Chavez policies have the biggest impact.
Nevertheless, there are links in English for everything a wrote about:
I never said you are a bigot, if my sentence construction made you feel like that, I'm sorry, I did not mean to insult you
The questions about the oil money were rethorical, I don't know for sure what happened to all those gazillions, but I can assure you they have not been well spent. Infrastructure in Venezuela is crumbling down, there's still poverty and extreme poverty, rampant inflation, fiscal deficit, PDVSA workers salaries are being cut down; yet there are lot of chavistas that have become extremely wealthy in a short period of time...
Why do I bother in explaining this? Beats me, but I'm doing it anyways...
Word of advice...don't begin every post this way.
You are probably right.
The thing is, it gets tiring for me. Every time I make a post about Chavez, I have to prove that I'm not Ann Coulter's daughter, that I'm not a Republican, that I'm not from the US, that I'm not a spoiled rich brat upset about losing privileges, that I'm not making stuff up, etc, etc. Which, BTW, I shouldn't because -as far as I'm concerned- I still should be entitled to an opinion, I do it because for me it is important, because I care deeply about Venezuela and its people, and it makes me sad to see all that's going on over there. So, yes I'm passionate about the issue and sometimes I fail to be as rational as I should when making an argument...
I'm none of those things, specially not Ann Coulter's daughter
The thing is, it gets tiring for me. Every time I make a post about Chavez, I have to prove that I'm not Ann Coulter's daughter, that I'm not a Republican, that I'm not from the US, that I'm not a spoiled rich brat upset about losing privileges, that I'm not making stuff up, etc, etc. Which, BTW, I shouldn't because -as far as I'm concerned- I still should be entitled to an opinion, I do it because for me it is important, because I care deeply about Venezuela and its people, and it makes me sad to see all that's going on over there. So, yes I'm passionate about the issue and sometimes I fail to be as rational as I should when making an argument...
I'm none of those things, specially not Ann Coulter's daughter
That's the thing...when presenting alternative/unfamiliar viewpoints, or unpopular views, you have to be clear, otherwise it's easy for people [such as me, in this instance] to dismiss them. I've learned the hard way when discussing Israel/Palestine that unless you slam the facts down loud and clear for everyone to see then people won't pay attention, or will continue re-hashing the standard media-fed bullshit.
Anyway, as far as Chavez and Venezuela go, I admit I'm no expert, but he seems like he's been trying to do the right thing with the majority of people in that country - especially the underprivileged. I wasn't aware of any human rights abuses or such like, and so I'll read through those links you posted tomorrow and tell you what I think.
There's no doubt here that Chavez's party has abused it's power. On the other hand, you have to give it to him...he sure has balls [and a sense of humour]:
'...It also remained unclear how the money would be distributed afterwards. Doubts were sparked by a remark from National Assembly Deputy Germán Ferrer, a member of the finance committee, to the effect that the budget legislation represented an “act of justice” for Libertador, the only municipality in Caracas still controlled by the Chávez camp in the wake of the elections.
Until the new law, claimed Ferrer, resources allotted to the capital had been “distributed to the five municipalities” that made up the old Metropolitan District of Caracas.
Libertador in west Caracas is by far the biggest of the capital’s municipalities – and arguably, quite easily the most problematic as well. It includes large swathes of inadequate housing, water supply and sewage systems, as well as the highest per capita crime rate of any of the five municipalities, plus mountains of uncollected garbage and other shortcomings.'
This expulsion was certainly a bit harsh, and it seems also to have been a bit counter-productive. It'd be interesting to know what, if any, problems the other international human rights organizations have encountered in Venezuela.
So the people [I.e, Wilmer Azuaje] investigating Chavez's brothers also happens to be jockeying for a position as 'candidate for governor of Barinas'.
'...Argenis Chávez claimed he sold the only farm he ever owned 5 years ago. He insisted that not only Azuaje, but also the two other possible candidates for governor, Frenchy Díaz and Julio Cesar Reyes, should be investigated for campaign finance irregularities.'
Sounds like the usual kind of bickering and cross-accusations we find in all pre-election periods. How did it turn out in the end?
Comments
Sounds like something George Dubya would say.
Appear to being the active words there. Not actually. A bunch of people stroking each other off online about how right they all are doesn't equate to making a difference. The fact that Commy already believes everything you believe doesn't mean that him admiring your argument is somehow making a difference.
Be worried. The only people that get such interest from me are the most delusional and blindly ideologically partisan people I see. It's like a sore tooth I can't resist poking.
So you compare me to George Dubya, and I'm delusional and blindly ideologically partisan? Righteo.
Yes. "Courage of your convictions" to you seems to mean that you're either with Byrnzie, or with the evil people. You use the same tactics as Dubya. You disregard anything that contradicts you, make everything a moral issue with only one black and white possible answer, and whatever you believe first after cursory research is what you will believe to the end, irrationally defending it against all evidence to the contrary rather than admit that maybe you didn't know as much as you should have before you made your decision.
Care to provide an example?
No. I'm too tired for a pissing match. But the shortcut is you go find a thread you posted in, and there you have it. Esp any thread dealing with America, China, Israel, or Palestine.
I didn't ask for a pissing match, I asked for an example.
Why don't you go find a thread I posted in? There's plenty to choose from. Knock yourself out. Far be it for me to stand in the way of your personal attack on me.
Why do I bother in explaining this? Beats me, but I'm doing it anyways...
I said that I had an occasional babysitter. See, we had no family in Venezuela, it was just me, my parents and my younger sister. So, if my parents wanted you know, to do opulent stuff -like go out to the movies- guess what!!! They had to hire someone to take care of their two little girls... I never said that my family was poor. However, we were far from being rich. I lived a comfortable life with my parents, but nothing extravagant.
I moved to Venezuela when I was 3 years old, because my father was hired to work over there in 1976, it was a good opportunity and he took it. We stayed 17 years in Venezuela because we liked living there; but my parents' plan was always to return to Chile. Hence in 1993 we did that. I moved to BA in 1999 because I won an IADB scholarship to get a masters degree in Economics and Public Policy, and afterwards I got a job here... see, it's not like I'm George Soros heiress.
I speak English and Italian, besides Spanish. So what? Does that make me rich?
OK,this discussion is with Soulsinging (great Black Crowes song, BTW), but I have to chip in.
So, Byrnzie, you say my views are "vague allegations". I guess you're views are academic papers refuting Nash's Prisoners Dillema, right? I'm sorry but this is a forum thread, it's not the National Council of Economic Research, so I don't have to provide a bibliograhy for my "views". Nevertheless, I don't talk out of my behind and I've not made up a single thing.
So far you've given me links to wikipedia and some blogs. I did the same, so no difference. I told you what happened to Antonio Ledezma, Mayor of Libertador District in Caracas. He's from the opposition, so since Chavez did not like that he won, he goes and appoints, by decree, Jacqueline Farias, as "super major", stripping the elected major of all his constitutional attributions. Democracy at its best. If this story has not been available in English, it's definitely not my fault, but it has happened. The same goes for the continuous harrasment of Enrique Capriles Radonski, Governor of Miranda State.
I told you that José Manuel Vivanco, Director of Human Rights Watch, was raided out of the country by Venezuela's National Guard and put on plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Why? Because HRW latest report was critical. Is this a vague allegation too? This was on newspapers everywhere.
What about General Baduel, who was one of Chavez closest allies up to 2007. Actually, Gral. Baduel was the one who saved Chavez's ass during the 2002 coup. However, since he opposed indefinite re-election was imprisoned on october 2008, for alleged corruption charges, which were found, how convinient, when he stopped supporting Chavez. Yet, Diosdado Cabello and Jesse Chacón have never been even investigated?
I'd love to know how Jesse Chacón -one of Chavez closest collaborators- made his fortune...or how Chavez's parents, who've been school teachers their whole lives, became wealthy enough to buy farms in their homestate, Barinas. Former Chavista Wilmer Azuaje, member of the National Assembly representing Barinas, tried to investigate those farm purchases. Well, Azuaje's brother was assasinated this past February.
The mere fact that you think I'm making vague allegations proves that you know much less about Venezuela than you claim to. Because I've written about well known cases and stories, not about obscure characters. These are all well known people, major players in Venezuela´s politics.
But hey, you´re right and I am wrong...everything good and dandy in Venezuela. Especially with the economy, which is more reliant on oil than ever. Venezuela's importing almost all the food it consumes.
You know what really saddens me, that Chavez flushed down the toilet a great opportunity for Venezuela. There shouldn't be a single poor in Venezuela with all the money that entered the country for the past five years. It's unbelievable that PDVSA had to reduce workers' salaries in Maracaibo. Where did all the oil money go? Why is PDVSA issuing bonds to pay its contractors?
Nah, I never said that. It's just that lot's of allegations were made and yet nothing was presented to support them. Call me old fashioned, but that equates to 'vague' in my book.
I didn't say that you had, but that doesn't mean your allegations/opinions shouldn't be questioned. As I said above, living in a particular country doesn't imbue your words with the gold standard of truth.
The difference being that the sources you posted are all in Spanish.
It just makes me wonder that, considering the U.S hates Chavez so much, why is none of this stuff readily available in English?
I never claimed to be an expert on Venezuela. I asked for some evidence of corruption. Somebody posted 6 links on here which didn't explain anything. Then you came along and threw out a bunch of names and accusations and everyone was expected to prostrate themselves before you.
You began your first post with an air of arrogance, stating in as many words that you couldn't be bothered to discuss this issue because as far as you were concerned you'd already discussed it before and so, therefore, why should you have to bother explaining your point again for us ignorant types who live north of the Rio Grande?
I then questioned your allegations - asking for some supporting evidence - and you pointed to my 'ignorance' and 'bigotry'.
So you keep saying.
Though I never once said you were wrong. I merely asked for some elaboration/clarification, evidence e.t.c. Seems like you think it's enough to simply throw a few allegations and Venezuelan names into the mix and everyone should automatically bow graciously and accept your every word as the final word on the matter. Sorry, but I don't play that way.
I thought you had all the answers?
Word of advice...don't begin every post this way.
I never claimed to be an expert on Venezuela. I asked for some evidence of corruption. Somebody posted 6 links on here which didn't explain anything. Then you came along and threw out a bunch of names and accusations and everyone was expected to prostrate themselves before you.
You began your first post with an air of arrogance, stating in as many words that you couldn't be bothered to discuss this issue because as far as you were concerned you'd already discussed it before and so, therefore, why should you have to bother explaining your point again for us ignorant types who live north of the Rio Grande?
I then questioned your allegations - asking for some supporting evidence - and you pointed to my 'ignorance' and 'bigotry'.
So you keep saying.
Though I never once said you were wrong. I merely asked for some elaboration/clarification, evidence e.t.c. Seems like you think it's enough to simply throw a few allegations and Venezuelan names into the mix and everyone should automatically bow graciously and accept your every word as the final word on the matter. Sorry, but I don't play that way.
I'm going to make a mess with the quotes, so apologies in advance.
You think US news outlets cover everything that happens in Venezuela? This may surprise you, but besides the usual right-wing nuts like Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly, I think your expression "the US hates Venezuela so much" is inaccurate (before you lecture me, I know about the 2002 coup d'etat). US imports less than 20% of its oil from Venezuela. In reality, Venezuela has much more to loose from severing its ties to the US that the other way around. Miami newspapers pay more attention to Venezuela because there's a growing Venezuelan community over there. News about Venezuela are usually in Spanish, because it is Spanish speaking countries where Chavez policies have the biggest impact.
Nevertheless, there are links in English for everything a wrote about:
1) Major Ledezma-Jacqueline Farias: http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=79654, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Ledezma, http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... id=7337919
2) José Manuel Vivanco: http://www.humanrightsfoundation.org/media/091908.html, http://www.emol.com/noticias/ingles/det ... cia=322913, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26792610/
3) General Baduel: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... OxzWmF6N1g, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/opini ... ntributors (an editorial by Baduel himself)
4) Wilmer Azuaje: http://www.eluniversal.com/2009/02/19/e ... 2231.shtml, http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/3309
I never said you are a bigot, if my sentence construction made you feel like that, I'm sorry, I did not mean to insult you
The questions about the oil money were rethorical, I don't know for sure what happened to all those gazillions, but I can assure you they have not been well spent. Infrastructure in Venezuela is crumbling down, there's still poverty and extreme poverty, rampant inflation, fiscal deficit, PDVSA workers salaries are being cut down; yet there are lot of chavistas that have become extremely wealthy in a short period of time...
You are probably right.
The thing is, it gets tiring for me. Every time I make a post about Chavez, I have to prove that I'm not Ann Coulter's daughter, that I'm not a Republican, that I'm not from the US, that I'm not a spoiled rich brat upset about losing privileges, that I'm not making stuff up, etc, etc. Which, BTW, I shouldn't because -as far as I'm concerned- I still should be entitled to an opinion, I do it because for me it is important, because I care deeply about Venezuela and its people, and it makes me sad to see all that's going on over there. So, yes I'm passionate about the issue and sometimes I fail to be as rational as I should when making an argument...
I'm none of those things, specially not Ann Coulter's daughter
Thanks, I'll check these out tomorrow when I have more time.
That's the thing...when presenting alternative/unfamiliar viewpoints, or unpopular views, you have to be clear, otherwise it's easy for people [such as me, in this instance] to dismiss them. I've learned the hard way when discussing Israel/Palestine that unless you slam the facts down loud and clear for everyone to see then people won't pay attention, or will continue re-hashing the standard media-fed bullshit.
Anyway, as far as Chavez and Venezuela go, I admit I'm no expert, but he seems like he's been trying to do the right thing with the majority of people in that country - especially the underprivileged. I wasn't aware of any human rights abuses or such like, and so I'll read through those links you posted tomorrow and tell you what I think.
There's no doubt here that Chavez's party has abused it's power. On the other hand, you have to give it to him...he sure has balls [and a sense of humour]:
'...It also remained unclear how the money would be distributed afterwards. Doubts were sparked by a remark from National Assembly Deputy Germán Ferrer, a member of the finance committee, to the effect that the budget legislation represented an “act of justice” for Libertador, the only municipality in Caracas still controlled by the Chávez camp in the wake of the elections.
Until the new law, claimed Ferrer, resources allotted to the capital had been “distributed to the five municipalities” that made up the old Metropolitan District of Caracas.
Libertador in west Caracas is by far the biggest of the capital’s municipalities – and arguably, quite easily the most problematic as well. It includes large swathes of inadequate housing, water supply and sewage systems, as well as the highest per capita crime rate of any of the five municipalities, plus mountains of uncollected garbage and other shortcomings.'
This expulsion was certainly a bit harsh, and it seems also to have been a bit counter-productive. It'd be interesting to know what, if any, problems the other international human rights organizations have encountered in Venezuela.
Any news on the outcome of these corruption charges?
So the people [I.e, Wilmer Azuaje] investigating Chavez's brothers also happens to be jockeying for a position as 'candidate for governor of Barinas'.
'...Argenis Chávez claimed he sold the only farm he ever owned 5 years ago. He insisted that not only Azuaje, but also the two other possible candidates for governor, Frenchy Díaz and Julio Cesar Reyes, should be investigated for campaign finance irregularities.'
Sounds like the usual kind of bickering and cross-accusations we find in all pre-election periods. How did it turn out in the end?