Banana Republic Newsflash

[Sigma_Orionis]

No Dice Meh.

[geonuc]

Democracy has spoken, clearly.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Democracy has spoken, clearly.

Oh yeah.

[FZR1KG]

But he wants to tackle corruption!

[Sigma_Orionis]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and you're a closet Republican Jesus

[cid]

[pedant query mode ON]
Was that "You're a closet Republican Jesus."
or
"You're a closet Republican...Jesus..."?

There's a difference...

[FZR1KG]

Not sure but the wife says I'm better than Jesus because she doesn't have to wait for the second coming.

[Sigma_Orionis]

[pedant query mode ON]
Was that "You're a closet Republican Jesus."
or
"You're a closet Republican...Jesus..."?

There's a difference...

You tell me

[Sigma_Orionis]

Not sure but the wife says I'm better than Jesus because she doesn't have to wait for the second coming.

And in the second coming you wear a Suit, a tie and a US Flag Pin?

[Sigma_Orionis]

I just got into an argument with one of those European "Liberals" that love Chavez so much.....at the Economist

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh man, this is sad.

A "Chavista True Believer" (quotes because, despite that leans favorably towards Chavismo, he is actually doing his job as an economist and not spouting ideological nonsense) just wrote a guest article at the FInancial TImes (sorry, if you want to read it you'll have to register) On what to do, guess what? LIBERALIZE the Economy, what he doesn't say is that it will be a "shock treatment" just like we had in the late 80s when the IMF and our Creditors demanded something similar to give us interim loans to keep our economy afloat.

As a matter of fact, this guy says in essence: Yes, it's what we have to do, but keep in mind that it will be the end Chavismo (and not exactly with a whimper, but with a bang).

So again, where does that leave Chavismo? or "21st Century Socialism".

The sad part is that sooner rather than later it will happen.

Chavez and his lot claimed that they were going to do things differently to avoid another disaster like that of 1988. Guess what? we're heading to that hole again. I never believed him of course (otherwise I would have voted for him and wouldn't spend my time bitching about his economic policies), but the millions of people who voted for him and temporarily benefited from his ill conceived social programs (ill conceived because they are NOT sustainable, not because they weren't needed), are going to pay the price (and that includes me, despite that I never believed him, but I live here).

[FZR1KG]

Welcome to democracy.
The biggest problem is not that the people are dumb, it's that they are easily led because they want to believe the best in people. Sociopaths love to exploit this aspect of society.
That same thing also makes democracy a manipulable system.
It can be manipulated by false promises, propaganda called news (think FOX and some others) and by big money to name a few.
With time even that is not going to matter in terms of what the public wants because all parties will be bought out and be corrupted. The promises and propaganda are then merely to give the illusion of choice and freedom...oh shit, we're already there in some countries.

Oh well.
It'll follow the same path as the Roman Empire till it deteriorates to the point where we'll get a modern version of the Sacking of Rome. Though it might just be the populace instead of an invader. It's coming. Not long now. Mwahahahaha

[Sigma_Orionis]

As usual yer TOO LATE

We already went through that in 1988 And guess who we ended up with? CHAVEZ.

This will be the second time.

[FZR1KG]

You know it's a cycle.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh yeah.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Honestly, there isn't much to add to this:

Why They Mattered: Hugo Chávez

[Sigma_Orionis]

Oh yeah, the people have spoken.

And this is the sad and unpalatable truth:

There are some big challenges ahead for Mr Maduro, especially when it comes to the economy.

But at least, for now, he has proven that there is a chavismo after Chavez and that it is stronger than what the opposition is currently offering.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Well folks, we got what we voted for:

Just one word: PATHETIC

[Sigma_Orionis]

And just keeps getting better and better

[geonuc]

And just keeps getting better and better

So, the Venezuelan version of 911 is the minister's cellphone number?

[Sigma_Orionis]

Supposedly, our version of 911 is 171. The Minister's cellphone is the hotline to report police corruption, which is just as unbelievable.

[Sigma_Orionis]

On FWIS 2, GJ posted something about Noam Chomsky and I recall saying something vaguely similar to "dunno much about the guy, but since Chavez likes him I don't pay much attention".

Well someone decided to go talk with him about Chavez and Venezuela and this was the result.

I don't care what kind of a genius Chomsky is or about his contributions to linguistics. He's full of shit. IMHO he should stick to linguistics and STFU.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Ah the Third Rail

A Rise in Gas Prices May Shatter an Old Venezuelan Illusion

[FZR1KG]

You pay 6 cents per gallon for fuel?
That is obscene. How do people survive the fuel bill?

[Sigma_Orionis]

Yeah, really. Everyone in politics is scared shitless about touching that one. Because, you see, the last major riots we had, back in '88 (and that was the death knell of the "Ancien Régime") were caused by a hefty raise in public transportation fees, which in turn was triggered by a raise in gasoline prices.