Satan's Poop Inc. Paila Master: VenezuelaFor those that just want to know about the bizarre, wonderful country of Venezuela and its even more bizarre current GovernmentTo bash or not to bash the opposition: That is not the question- May 30, 2008 In the last two days, I made two posts in which I expressed my concerns about what I perceive are problems going forward for the so called opposition in Venezuela. The first one is the fact that everywhere I go, it seems like a given that somehow, the opposition will win some 10-14 Governorships independent of what Chavez may or not do, the second is that so far, the opposition has raised only extremely parochial issues which are clearly not grabbing the imagination of the people and despite...http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/29.html#a3956 The Enabling Bill: Students raise awareness of its dangers- May 29, 2008 While everyone seems to think that it will be clear sailing from here until the November elections, I have been worried by the fact that the Enabling Bill, giving Chavez extraordinary powers in all matters, expires around mid-July. (I am not sure precisely on what day it was enacted)While opposition candidates have been going around talking about local issues and jockeying for position so that they can show up prominently in the polls that will select the candidates, I have worried about this...http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/29.html#a3955 New Datanalisis poll: Despite opposition optimism, people are still looking for leadership- May 29, 2008 I am still trying to make sense of the most recent poll by Datanalisis. All I have seen is what El Universal published yesterday, but the message as far as the data available there seems to be that the Venezuelan electorate is looking for someone and has yet to find it.It certainly does not give much comfort to see that when people are asked whether they are pro-Government, opposition or neither, 27.6% still say they are pro-Chavez, only 18.7% say they are pro-opposition and a huge 46% of the...http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/28.html#a3954 An article about those adorable Venezuelans- May 26, 2008 Businessweek has an article about us adorable Venezuelans and our cheap gas. The article contradicts itself by first saying it is not easy to increase the price of gas, but then tells us how a very unpopular President, Rafael Caldera, did it in 1996. The article relates it to ending the monopoly on gas distribution, but the price increases actually came later.The article also says that it was public criticism that stopped Chavez from increasing the price of gas. As far as I know, Chavez...http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/26.html#a3953 On its first year anniversay of the RCTV shutdown, we will not forget those that deny us our rights- May 26, 2008 Today is the one year Anniversary of the illegal and arbitrary shutdown of TV station RCTV by the Chavez Government. The act was very costly for Chavez as it not only showed his true colors to the world, but it also upset his own supporters when he removed one of the few sources of entertainment they had. While foolish and imbecile pro-Chavez supporters still attempt to defend the decision, the truth is that Chavez trampled all over the country&146;s laws with that despicable act. Not only did.http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/25.html#a3952 Active General goes to Court to strike "Patria, Socialismo o Muerte" from military facilities- May 26, 2008 Last week, General Angel Vivas Perdomo, went to the Venezuelan Supreme Court and introduced an injunction against the use of the slogan &147;Patria, Socialismo o Muerte&148; (Fatherland, Socialism or Death) within the military. Venezuelan forts and facilities now have this slogan on their fronts and soldiers are being forced to say this out loud daily. The General&146;s arguments go from the fact that this is a violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, which says the military is a...http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/categories/venezuela/2008/05/25.html#a3951 |