Banana Republic Newsflash

[FZR1KG]

ditto.

So WTF is all this about Sigma. I haven't been in a position to follow the whole thing.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Thanks swift, Morrolan

Zee, you claim to be omnipotent. How come, YOU of all people don't know squat of it? Just because you're playing with your toy bathtub rubber duckie?

Actually this started on Feb 12. A female student was raped and police response was probably a bit more incompetent than usual, and since this happened after all the high minded bullshit the government spouted due to the recent high profile murder of a popular soap opera artist (and SURPRISE! FORMER Beauty Queen) and her sort-of-husband (both of whom lived in Miami and were visiting her family for Christmas) A whole bunch of students started to hold marches. The government's response was of course heavy handed and it has escalated ever since.

[Sigma_Orionis]

And now the government is holding a "conference", The opposition refused to go, calling it a "fake dialog". The ass that heads the Ministry of Foreign Relations is on TV spouting nosense live on CNN Latin America.

[FZR1KG]

Thanks.
I normally don't pay any attention to the ass end of the world.
But seeing as you're in the shit, I figured I'd catch up.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Thanks.
I normally don't pay any attention to the ass end of the world.
But seeing as you're in the shit, I figured I'd catch up.

Why? Duck Dynasty is getting too repetitive?

[FZR1KG]

What's that?

[Sigma_Orionis]

Zee being coy, imagine that......

[Sigma_Orionis]

OK, things are getting nastier in Caracas

[Sigma_Orionis]

You gringos sure like to be abused....

John Kerry urges mediation in Venezuela crisis

Nicky has already accused the US and Colombia (particularly they hate ex-president Uribe for beating the shit out of the FARC) of colluding with the "facist opposition" SEVERAL TIMES

Nicky has already been trying as hard as he can to avoid having the subject being touched at the OAS which they say is controlled by the US and want to have it brought up by UNASUR which of course is controlled by countries seen as allies of the damned "Bolivarian Revolution".

And yet:

US Secretary of State John Kerry says he is working with Colombia and other countries to form a mediation strategy for Venezuela's political crisis.

Gluttons for Punishment, I tell you.

[geonuc]

We have to act like we care. Appearances, you know.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Let me guess, your evil government wants the Venezuelan expatriates to vote Republican


Edited for spelling

[Sigma_Orionis]

this looks like a repeat of 2002

[FZR1KG]

This is really very interesting Sigma, so what's going to happen if...oooh, wtf is Russia up to.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Location, Location, Location......

[Sigma_Orionis]

The protests are still underway despite the holidays

And regarding Zee's last comment.........

As a foreign correspondent was heard saying around these parts: “it is too bad, my friend, this happened at the same time as Ukraine.”

[Sigma_Orionis]

The UN is obviously a puppet of the US.

UN's Ban Ki-moon urges Venezuela to hear protesters' demands

[FZR1KG]

The UN is obviously a puppet of the US.

UN's Ban Ki-moon urges Venezuela to hear protesters' demands

It's a three way glove. Russia and China play the less important roles.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Looks like Nicky is pissed off at Panama....

Venezuela's Maduro breaks diplomatic links with Panama

Turns out that Panama was trying to raise the issue of Venezuela at the OAS and Nicky wasn't amused...... And of course, SURPRISE!:

"There are moves by the United States government in accord with a lackey government of a right-wing president which has been creating the conditions for the OAS and other bodies to step towards an intervention in our country," Mr Maduro said.

[code monkey]

the reports on the news are very frightening, sigma. food shortages, barricades and fires in the streets. is it exaggerated or is it time for you to climb into that packing case and mail yourself out?

[Sigma_Orionis]

And go where? most civilized countries require Visas, and believe it or not, the situation is not bad enough for any country to grant anybody from here refugee status.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Let me clarify this a bit, I was not exactly in a good mood when I last posted.

Is the situation as bad as it looks on the international media? I don't think so, YET.

Yes, there are barricades and the police are quelling riots, but so far, the government hasn't declared any curfews or a state of emergency, even in San Cristobal. If I were to measure how bad it is, i'd say it is still far from the level of the 1988 riots.

On TV there is virtually no news about the riots, newspapers tend to have more news about it though, so the media blackout is partial.

Nicky & Co threw a remembrance event yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the death of Chavez and plenty of his allies were there with him: The Presidents of Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay among others.

Here in Caracas I've seen plenty of barricades, counted the remains of 4 on my way to work yesterday, a coworker said he counted 20 (but I suspect he might be exaggerating).

Not that I have any particular interest in staying here, of course. The economy is in shambles and I don't think it will get any better. But we are not at the level of Somalia, YET

[FZR1KG]

Just stay safe and keep us informed Sigma.
One fucked up situation.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I made it through the '88 riots, I think I'll make it through these as well.

[code monkey]

And go where? most civilized countries require Visas, and believe it or not, the situation is not bad enough for any country to grant anybody from here refugee status.

must i work out all of the details?

go someplace uncivilized. apply to a degree program and get a student visa.

if you'll cast your mind back, both brite and i offered to put you up. she has a sofa, dogs and now a small child. there's an idea! brite - would you like to hire sigma as a nanny? or perhaps as an au pair. with the house hunting and then moving you'll need help. there, sigma. problem solved.

seriously, sigma, the reporting is frightening. the analysts point out that what is unique about the situation is that it's the middle class protesting.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Mr Mono,

Please see the post right after the one you quoted.

The situation is not bad enough for me to leave the country in a panic. While I am single, I have to support my parents. I can't simply leave them. I simply can't afford to get a student visa, pay for a degree and support my parents at the same time. I NEED a steady job, and one that allows me to support myself and support my parents. In uncivilized places they do NOT PAY for my skills, period.

Get a student visa? I can't work unless it's an under the table job, which will NOT pay the bills, and on top of that pay for a degree? IN THE US? where college tuition forces anybody middle class and lower to go on student loans? I won't last a year. Not to mention that with my luck I'll probably get deported for working illegally.

Yes, the middle class is protesting, that's why the government is basically ignoring the issue, the middle class in countries like mine is small, and has little political power. So the government is basically betting it will tire of protesting, just like in 2002.

The only way the protests will get to the level you think they are will be WHEN (notice I say WHEN, not IF) the working class notices that the subsidies that keep it happy and quiet disappear, THEN it will be frightening. WHEN will it happen? I don't know. but currently I have no way to leave. I can NOT leave my parents to their luck. At least if the shit hits the fan I can play the refugee card.

Edited for Clarity