Academic Friday!
I'm posting for three reasons:
3. It's academic Friday (meaning I have no class on Fridays, hence Thursday becomes Friday)
2. I haven't posted in too long.
1. I don't want to do the dishes.
What should I talk about? Well, I just talked for a few minutes with a guy from Colombia. He encouraged me to visit South America, which I have wanted to do for a long time. The goal has faded in recent years, as my highest international travel priorties are Africa and a return to Europe. ("Why?" you ask--Because I want to see where the Church has been and where it's going--horribly oversimplified, but there it is).
Anyway, I thought about Special K's stay in Venezuela (I almost called it a "trip," and I always hated when people referred to my study abroad like that). Then I thought about Venezuela, Chavez, the oil, the elections, the whole deal. So I put it to you to inform me, Special K, and invite all readers (what the heck, let's let the illiterate in on this one too) to comment:
3. It's academic Friday (meaning I have no class on Fridays, hence Thursday becomes Friday)
2. I haven't posted in too long.
1. I don't want to do the dishes.
What should I talk about? Well, I just talked for a few minutes with a guy from Colombia. He encouraged me to visit South America, which I have wanted to do for a long time. The goal has faded in recent years, as my highest international travel priorties are Africa and a return to Europe. ("Why?" you ask--Because I want to see where the Church has been and where it's going--horribly oversimplified, but there it is).
Anyway, I thought about Special K's stay in Venezuela (I almost called it a "trip," and I always hated when people referred to my study abroad like that). Then I thought about Venezuela, Chavez, the oil, the elections, the whole deal. So I put it to you to inform me, Special K, and invite all readers (what the heck, let's let the illiterate in on this one too) to comment:
Is Hugo Chavez a despot? An enlightened despot? Is he building a people's paradise or a personal portfolio? Is he trying to revive Bolivar's dream of a Gran Colombia? Does he really care what Pat Robertson says?
posted by Chaka at 1:42 PM
6 Comments:
Chacka - do your dishes !
I'm honored that you would seek my perspective on this matter, and I'm sorry for the delay. Sorry also for the myriad examples or details I will leave out in this brief commentary. I also can't claim to be right in any of this, like all matters of life, but here are my opinions:
First, Chavez is not a despot in part because he is the elected president of a democratic country and is supported in power with numerous branches of government similar to our U.S. system, and in part because he has repeatedly attempted to give power back to the citizens of Venezuela rather than hoarding it.
Though one may claim he falls under the benevolent despot or enlightened despot category based on his social and economic reforms, I truly think he represents the people of his country better than many or all other leaders. I have seen him to be nothing but an effective, courageous, and well-guided leader who I would be honored to call my own.
He has broken from much of the corruption that has plagued Latin America for centuries, and has dared to break from traditional roles in the global economy as well. He has rightly shifted the focus of resources and priviledges from the wealthy to the poor who have suffered from centuries of oppression. I encourage his socialist leanings because I long for a more balanced society in which social injustices are not condoned or ignored. Though his means of reform may not be the best in many critic's opinions, he is at the very least taking some sort of action to bring about change, for which he deserves much credit. His repeated actions prove his lofty ideals in the same way that works prove faith. Too many political (and religious) leaders today talk a good talk, but are hypocritical or apathetic at best.
While I believe that Chavez is building a reputation and a network of allies, everyone can agree that these are necessary for more widespread change. He is taking on himself the great responsibility of using wisely the only real resource Venezuela has, oil, to build up his country.
While he may be criticized for befriending Cuba, he has sent out more doctors and dentists into the rural and impoverished areas than anyone else. Talking with anyone who has received these merciful benefits would affect your opinion for the positive. The people who are opposed to Chavez are the wealthy who recognize that their lifelong priviledges and excesses may soon be removed and given to others who are in need.
I truly believe Chavez admires and aspires to Simon Bolivar. I don't know about uniting other countries as one country, but surely the region needs more economic unity and stability.
Realizing the extreme power and the serious misuse of power that the U.S. is fully capable of, I do believe that Chavez cares what threats are made against him. A great movie is Venezuela Bolivariana, a documentary about the media coup that unsuccessfully tried to oust him from power. The threats against him are very real and threaten the great progress he has made and continues to make.
None of these are terribly specific examples, but I never met the man. I did watch his t.v. shows many Sundays, Alo Presidente, which can be found streaming online. Instead of a scripted and brief appearance telling the bare minimum of details, Chavez talks for anywhere from 4-8 hours, each time in a different state's hospital, school, or arena. He visits the people and addresses their concerns in a very real, if not longwinded, way that evidences his compassion. Sorry to all you non-Spanish speakers, but you can at least get a feel for his easy-going mannerisms and interactions with the audience. Another great resource for updates, research, and opinions (though biased in his favor) is www.venezuelanalysis.com which is a news source in English. Make it your homepage and see what you can learn.
All in all, I'm in full support of Chavez, his goals, and his means. Viva Venezuela!
The only thing I know about a democracy is that the majority is always right.
That was a very informative read, thanks for the input.
So as to not copy and paste the whole article that can be found at http://venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1779
I will just echo the author's sentiments that are much more eloquently expressed than mine:
"I will readily admit that I did say that I would rather have President Chavez than President Bush, but I didn't say that I would rather live in Venezuela. I am an American and I love my country which I believe is on a distinctly disordered course right now. I also believe that my country can do better and I am willing to fight to realize a vision for America where the rich share with the poor and we achieve 100% literacy and schools, day care centers, parks and clinics are built instead of prisons and the already bloated military industrial war complex."
p.s. in case you're not aware, Citgo is an entirely Venezuelan company, and is also often the cheapest, so I would encourage you all to purchase from Citgo if you have a choice, not only for your bank account but also for my friends and host family in Venezuela! If you decide not to/can't buy from Citgo, BP has the best environmental policies/attitudes of the existing companies, so I'd recommend them, too.
Okay, so I'm playing catch-up on the website I recommended and it's a goldmine! The article entitled "Go to Venezuela, You Idiot!" might be my favorite yet. It provides specific examples, it highlights the hope lifting the poor, it is balanced in it's presentation of attitudes toward Chavez, and at no point does the author become angry or aggressive. You must read this one!
http://venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1774
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