One of this year’s Nobel Prize winner in Physics Masatoshi Koshiba descibed how he was at the bottom of his class and said that academic records are not necessarily a determining factor in setting the course of one’s life. While such statements sound romantic, as one of his former classmates says later in the article, Dr. Koshiba was extremely bright, so that his poor performance might have had more to do with attitudes than with the true value of grades. In my opinion, Dr. Koshiba is probably the exception rather than the rule. Moreover, I bet he did quite well in Graduate School or he would have never received the resources required to do the high quality research that led to the prize. I always remember a friend of mine who worked for a very famous physicist who told me that the scary thing was not that his adviser was brilliant, but that he also worked 18 hour days.
Archive for October, 2002
What’s going on at Human Rights Watch?
October 10, 2002I continue to puzzle at the behavior of Human Rights Watch. On a day that the opposition organized a perfectly peaceful, legal and beautiful march. On a day when Chavez asked the Cabinet and the Chiefs of Staff to allow him to establish a state of emergency to stop the march. On a day when there were six people injured and one killed by Government supporters due to the non-intervention of the National Guard, this is what Jose Maria Vivancos of HRW had to say to the New York Times:
“Our main concern really is not the demonstrations or civil disobedience,” said José Miguel Vivanco, director of the Latin America division of Human Rights Watch. “The problem are those members of the opposition who have no patience, no tolerance anymore for the government, and are looking for extra-constitutional ways to get rid of the government.”
Patience, tolerance? For three years the Constitution has been stepped on by Chavez and his supporters. Crimes against humanity were committed by Hugo Chavez in April. For the last three months arrests are made illegally and military officers have been tried and arrested illegally. Chavez has armed civilian groups and yesterday called (again!!) on his supporters to be ready to give their blood to fight for “his” revolution. Where is the Constitution in those cases? Who will preside over any possible elections? Chavez’ Electoral Council? To impeach Chavez the Supreme Court has to allow it. Does HRW know how the current Supreme Court was elected? It did not even follow the Constitution!!!! Chavez and his Governmet violate the Constitution daily and we can do absolutely nothing about it. Did HRW listen to what Chavez’ Armed Forces Chief of Staff said?. He presented a litany of illegalities and violations of due process by Chavez and the Chiefs of Staff. He even charged Chavez with supporting guerrillas. Patience? Tolerance? We have to ask for Chavez’ resignation, he does not have the moral, ethics or rights to oversee his own Constitution. What HRW thinks is the problem is not the problem. It is the totalitarian mind of Hugo Chavez which is the problem. HRW shame on you again, for the second time in two days!!!
Venezuela: Awesome march today, we will see what’s next
October 10, 2002Absolutely awesome march today. Estimates range from one million in the Associated Press, to 1.2 million by a local expert, to 1 milion in Spain’s El Pais.The eigth Km. march was incredible. I began marching a little past 11 AM after arriving at the starting point at 10 AM. I reached the end of the march at 2:15 PM and one hour after when I came back there were people still marching. (I took some pictures which I dont know why I cant post them, but they are in my brother’s weblog). During the march the Head of the Chiefs Staff resigned his position accusing the President of violating the law and corruption. He also suggested Chavez supports guerrilla groups in Colombia. He also asked Chavez to resign.
The success of the march adds to Chavez’ problem, His Government has little credibility and to have over a million people march in a city of over four million is simply a sign of how bad his popularity is. For a man who only a year ago was saying that he would be President until 2021 and that he would bring participative democracy to Venezuela, this is a severe blow. Given the state of the economy and his low popularity, whether he leaves or not is a matter of when, not how. To top it all off, it was revealed today that Chavez asked the Cabinet and Chiefs of Staff to authorize him to implement a state of emergency to stop the march, but they both said no. More high ranking military are reportedly going to split from Chavez in the next few days. The Federation of Workers Union has called for a strike on October 21st. if President Chavez has not resigned by then.
Quaoar: Mike Trujillo’s website is excellent!
October 9, 2002Before leaving for the march wanted to make sure I Posted the website for one of the discoverers of Quaoar Mike Trujillo. The page has lots of interesting information including a comparison of Quaoar to Pluto, the Earth and the Earths’ moon. It has a discussion of why they dont think it is a planet, its orbit and even a picture of the planet (or some pixels indicating there is an 800 mile in diameter planet there!). Very cool stuff!!
Critique of the Human Rights Watch report on Venezuela
October 9, 2002Human Rights Watch has just issued a report on Venezuela which I find extremely disappointing. Somehow, the call in April to defend the rights of Chavez and his supporters by HRW is not being applied to the defense of the opposition::
“the police detained several Chávez supporters and searched numerous homes without complying with basic standards of due process “
The Chavez Government has been overstepping due process and the Constitution with illegal arrests for weeks, this time around HRW says nothing about this. Why? The same can be said of the earlier call by HRW:
“The Venezuelan authorities should immediately conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine who is responsible for the killings and other serious human rights abuses committed during the recent political unrest”
No such an investigation has been carried out due to the fact that Chavez’ MVR has blocked any efforts in the National Assembly (They have the majority to approve it!!!!) to establish an independent committee to determine the truth of what happened in April. In fact, all people jailed for the deaths in April were Government employees, including a City Council member. They were freed by a pro-Chavez Judge, an order that was rescinded by the Supreme Court which fired the judge that day. The judge was hired a week later by a pro-Chavez Mayor.
In its current report HRW says:
“We call on the international community, and the U.S. government in particular, to support efforts underway in Venezuela to promote a negotiated and peaceful settlement to the present political impasse within the framework of the Venezuelan constitution and the rule of law, including strict adherence to human rights principles”
But it fails to note that the Constitution has been violated repeatedly by the Chavez administration which controls the judicial and Congressional powers. The Chavez administration has been searching homes, detaining people and arresting people without following the law and the Constitution and nobody protects Venezuelans from that. Not a single home search or arrest has been witnessed by a representative of the Attorney General’s office, as required by law and military police has been used against civilians, which is illegal. Civil Disobedience within article 350 of the Constitution is our only mechanism for a way out unless Chavez resigns.
“Both utilize tactics of inflammatory rhetoric and confrontation, creating conditions that are likely to lead to more violence”
The only group that has generated or encouraged violence is Hugo Chavez and his Government. There is no declaration or act by the opposition calling for violence. Frequently and as recent as today Hugo Chavez has called for people to defend his revolution with their blood and weapons. It is Hugo Chavez that has called for people to take over private property, which led to the death of two inspectors that were prospecting property for confiscation. All opposition marches have been extremely peaceful, the same can not be said of the bolivarian circles which have taken over violently roads in the city and staged violent demonstrations in which only once has the Government used force to stop them. But two weeks ago a peaceful march made up mostly of middle aged women was gassed by the National Guard which also used plastic bullets. Chavez had threatened us for two years with the weapons of the military. Here they are for the first time. Will there be more?
“Sectors of the opposition continue to seek President Chávez’s removal prior to the end of his term, with little regard for the legality or constitutionality of how that goal is achieved”
Yes, the people want Chavez to leave because with his regular violations of the Constitution and violations of human rights in April his Government is no longer legitimate. The only way legally to get rid of Chavez is for him to resign or be tried. To be tried the Supreme Court has to allow a trial. Since he controls the Supreme Court, all suits against the President, including the one for crimes against humanity have been set aside or dismissed by the Venezuelan Supreme Court. So what are people to do? Wait until the Armed Forces are cleansed by Hugo Chavez? Or until the 12 year term of Supreme Court justices expire? How can we even have an election with a submissive electoral council?
“Far from providing fair and accurate reporting, the media by and large seek to provoke popular discontent and outrage in support of the hard-line opposition”
Where was HRW when Hugo Chavez forced the media regularly to show his four-five hour speeches under the threat of shutting them down?. Where was HRW when Hugo Chavez shut off the media on April 11th.? Where was HRW when Hugo Chavez addressed the nation on April 11th. while the peaceful demonstration was being shot at? Did they watch the Government channel during their stay in Venezuela? The Government channel reports daily the wonderful state of and economy that has shrunk by over 10% so far this year and with unemployment running at the highest level in 20 years, but yet HRW does not criticize them?Please!!!!!
“We also urge the Venezuelan opposition and government to accept an OAS “facilitator” as soon as possible to promote dialogue and a democratic solution to the present political crisis”
Up to now only the opposition has committed to signing the agreement. Hugo Chavez has not said once that he will sign it. Why is this? Who is against dialogue? The opposition which was selectively excluded from the dialogue commission in May, or the Government who picked who it wanted to have a dialogue with?
“Finally, we wish to underscore the crucial work being carried out by Venezuelan human rights organizations such as PROVEA, the Red de Apoyo, COFAVIC and the Vicaría Episcopal de Derechos Humanos. They are performing an important and difficult role in defending human rights in a polarized and complicated situation, and in promoting dialogue at the local level. The Venezuelan human rights community deserves the full support of the OAS’s Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the international community more broadly”
The only part of the report we can fully agree with!!!!!! Does HRW point out how the Chavez administration regularly seeks to discredit most of these institutions? Why not? Why so gentle on Chavez and so harsh on the opposition? Being elected does not give the right to a President of violating the Constitution, the law and human rights almost daily!!!! Hitler was elected too!!!
Bad job HRW, shame on you!!!!!
Venezuela: Military and Intelligence police attempt to detain a General, people stop them
October 9, 2002Military and Intelligence Police attempted to detain General Rosendo in a suburb of Caracas without an order from a judge or the presence of someone from the Attorney General’s office. Hundreds of neighbors surrounded the General and the police thwarting the arrest. Half an hour later (now) the event has turned into a demonstration. Genral Rosendo is an active General who has been without assignement since April and this afternoon held a press conference calling the Chiefs of Staff “weak” and asking Hugo Chavez to resign and leave. 7:43 PM EST
Venezuela: Coup rumors as I write this at 6 PM EST
October 9, 2002Many rumors in Caracas at 6 PM EST as I write this. The march is tomorrow, but programming in TV stations is strange to say the least. Lots of reruns of the same news and only one true bulletin reporting the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces were at an emergency meeting. A second rumor is that President Chavez had asked the military to establish a state of emergency and they had refused to do it. Stay tuned…….
October 8, 2002
This article appeared in page 9 of today’s TalCual newspaper and was written by Fernando Luis Egaña. To me it describes quite well the cinicism of the Carter Center with regards to Venezuela. Translated liberally by me:
Three months ago, on July 10th. to be exact, Jimmy Carter issued in Caracas a declaration about the 12 types of compromises that Chavez and his Government had formalized with the mission from the Carter Center. Let’s look at the fullfillment of the most important promises:
1.-“The President said that he would call on all citizens to avoid violence”.Nevertheless the official sector, including the Bolivarian Circles, has never been as aggressive as they are today.
2.-“The leaders (of the Government) assure us that the permits for the transmission through radioelectric media will not be revoked”. But Conatel sanctions against legal media continue and so do the “permits” under the “community” figure.
3.-“Leaders of the Government say that the CTV is recognized as the legitimate representative of the workers” Nevertheless Chavez just proclaimed in a public act that the (imaginary) “bolivarian central of workers” is legitimate.
4.-“All 49 bills approved under the enabling bill would subject to revision and amendment” Since Carter’s declaration only two legal changes to these bills have been sanctioned by the National Assembly and none have been published in the official gazette.
5.-“The President said that he has decided not to repeat the confrontational or incendiary statements”. No comment as they would say in Atlanta, Georgia.
6.-“Any member of the Bolivarian Circles that were armed illegally will be arrested and tried” The Courts and jails are still waiting.
7.-“Both the leaders of the Government and the National Assembly assure us that they will designate rapidly the new members of the National Electoral Council” No way, No way, as they say in Sabaneta, Barinas State.
8.-“The President expressed that he would accept what is contemplated in the Constitution for an amendment to shorten the Presidential period” If I told you so I don’t remember.
9.-“The Government said that the Attorney General, the Comptroller and the People’s Defender were legitimatelly elected and would end their term” At last a promise fulfilled!
10.-“Chavez denied any attempt to politicize the Armed Forces” A promised that died at birth.
11.-“The Government and the opposition back that the National Assembly establish an effective and impartial commission abouth April 11th.” Thanks to the Government and its supporters the “Truth Commission” shines by its absence.
12.- The President reiterated his compromise to accept the decisons of the Supreme Court”. “Resounding” respect for that of the accused military officers. At least he did not have the strength to ignore it.
To live is to remember. Specially when Chavez has just reiterated the same promises to Cesar Gaviria the Secretary General of the OAS.
My comments: I wonder where Jimmy Carter and his Center are today? What do they think? Were they so innocent to be taken in by this snake charmer named Hugo Chavez? Do they even care? Did the Carter Center receive a donation from the Venezuelan Government? In a carefully worded statement they said they had not received it in connection with the visit to Venezuela. This opens the possibility that they received it for something else. It will come out inevitably as Venezuela gets out of this nightmare named Hugo Chavez. Jimmy Carter has only a few days to try to save his reputation by publicly denouncing the lies of Hugo Chavez. Will he do it?
Venezuela: Tension increases as Oct. 10th. march approaches
October 8, 2002Tension continued to increase as the date for the “takeover” of Caracas approached. The Government seemed to be intimidating people to stop them from going to Thursday’s march as rumors spread around Caracas (and the US) of an imminent coup agaisnt President Chavez. Stratfor said it might be a matter of even hours in a report today. Meanwhile, Enrique Tejera Paris testified at the intelligence police yesterday and basically laughed at the charges against him. Separately the homes of two other active military were visited by military and intelligence police. Meanwhile a former military officer, who exiled himself in April, returned today to Venezuela to participate in the march calling for Chavez’ overthrow. Meanwhile in teh National Assembly opposition leaders told Chavez’ MVR party that yes, they were conspiring to get rid of the “thief”, “dictator”, “clown” , “failure”, “coupster”, “liar” that was President Chavez. Another slow day in paradise…..
New pseudo-planet “Quaoar” found, is Pluto’s status in trouble?
October 7, 2002A new object was found in the fringes of the solar system which brings into question whether Pluto is even a planet and not just another object in the Kuiper belt. The object named Quaoar is 800 miles in diameter and about four billon miles from earth. Pluto is about three billion miles away and about 1400 miles in diameter. Cool stuff, hope Pluto is not demoted, hate when knowledge from teh time I was young is changed.!!!
By the way Quaoar is the name for a creation force in Southern Californian Indian mythology. It will make a nice word for studying Google, there are only five references to it tonight in Google.
The Devil's Excrement 