One explanation given by some for the cancellation of the petition drive for Governors and Deputies is that it is the result of the realization by the Chavistas of the impossibility of their task in gathering the signatures of the 20% of registered voters in each regional jurisdiction. From this, Chavista strategists concluded that it would be equally impossible for the opposition to obtain sufficient signatures in four days to ask for Chávez’ recall. While the rules are indeed tough, the opposition has one basic advantage: a lot of practice. This will be the third petition drive by the opposition, one for the consultative referendum and a second one for the signatures rejected in September asking to recall Chávez’ term. However, it would still seem too much of a risk for Chávez to even allow the possibility for the opposition to succeed at its task. While the Chavistas could have taken many measures to block people from signing, the presence of so many international observers will now make it difficult, which is why I think that this was such an important decision. Reportedly former President Jimmy Carter had a lot to do with the decision by the CNE to allow international observers. The strategy by the opposition is to ask people to go out and sign the recall petition early on the first day (Friday the 28th. of November, a work day), in this way, if locally they run out of petition forms, there will be sufficient time to correct the deficiency. People are also being told to hang around after signing to send a signal to those that are afraid that the process is massive and no one will bother them if they go sign. Additionally, people are being told to take advantage of the fact that the first day is a working day and those that live in the barrios have the excuse to go out of the barrio without anyone bothering them for going to sign the petition.
Archive for November 1st, 2003
More on the recall drive
November 1, 2003Orchids in their artifical habitat
November 1, 2003
Cattleya Gaskelliana Blue Dragon x self Other flowers on same plant. This plant is very generous, I bought a seedling a few years ago and now I have four or five huge plants that grow like weeds.
Cattleya Gaskelliana Blue Dragoin x self C. Percivaliana near the roof of the orchid room
Old faithful Oncidium Gower Ramsey always provides bright colors
Phals, Phals, everywhere
Another Phal Guava collored Vanda
Sometimes, I like to take pictures of my flowers in the orchid room, just as they flower. It is not the best way to take pictures, the lighting is wrong, you get shadows, the contrasts are not very good. But despite all this problems, they look “right”, this is the way I see them daily. Above a variety of “natural but artificial” shots.
Orchids in their artifical habitat
November 1, 2003
Cattleya Gaskelliana Blue Dragon x self Other flowers on same plant. This plant is very generous, I bought a seedling a few years ago and now I have four or five huge plants that grow like weeds.
Cattleya Gaskelliana Blue Dragoin x self C. Percivaliana near the roof of the orchid room
Old faithful Oncidium Gower Ramsey always provides bright colors
Phals, Phals, everywhere
Another Phal Guava collored Vanda
Sometimes, I like to take pictures of my flowers in the orchid room, just as they flower. It is not the best way to take pictures, the lighting is wrong, you get shadows, the contrasts are not very good. But despite all this problems, they look “right”, this is the way I see them daily. Above a variety of “natural but artificial” shots.
To be Marxist and Leninist
November 1, 2003The new left-wing Mayor of Bogota Luis Garzon defines himself as Marxist-Leninist. Marxist for Groucho Marx and Leninist for John Lennon. I wish we had somebody with a sense of humor like that in Venezuelan politics…..
The Devil's Excrement 