The Devil's Excrement

Yesterday, the Venezuelan National Assembly approved the changes to the new penal code. These changes criminalize dissent, criticism and any activity against Government officials by individuals. In the case of criticism of President Chavez, it is a criminal offense to “offend” the President either publicly or in private.

What it means, once it gets published in the next few days and becomes law, is that the Government may go after anyone that tries to express any form of criticism against the Government or Government officials. This is in effect, a limitation of freedom of speech which will be diminished significantly going forward.

One possible way to counter this, is to write blogs like this one. One, two or three voices may be silenced but not dozens. If any of you out there is inclined to express and write opinions, whatever they may be, start a blog, tell the world how you see it. It is cheap and it is simple. The Internet could be a very powerful and important medium for all of us in the years to come, it can not be stopped or controlled.

I use a software from Userland called Radio Userland which including the hosting for one year of my blog, has a very low cost of US$39.95. You can even try it for free for one month to see if you like it. The rest is however much time you want, or have, to put into it.

There is also software that is free, such as Google’s Blogger, which is Web-based and you can be blogging in minutes when you set it up. There is typepad and many others. If anyone needs some help, write to me via private e-mail. I can help, particular with Userland, which I know fairly well.

 Don’t let them squash our freedoms!

Yesterday, the Venezuelan National Assembly approved the changes to the new penal code. These changes criminalize dissent, criticism and any activity against Government officials by individuals. In the case of criticism of President Chavez, it is a criminal offense to “offend” the President either publicly or in private.

What it means, once it gets published in the next few days and becomes law, is that the Government may go after anyone that tries to express any form of criticism against the Government or Government officials. This is in effect, a limitation of freedom of speech which will be diminished significantly going forward.

One possible way to counter this, is to write blogs like this one. One, two or three voices may be silenced but not dozens. If any of you out there is inclined to express and write opinions, whatever they may be, start a blog, tell the world how you see it. It is cheap and it is simple. The Internet could be a very powerful and important medium for all of us in the years to come, it can not be stopped or controlled.

I use a software from Userland called Radio Userland which including the hosting for one year of my blog, has a very low cost of US$39.95. You can even try it for free for one month to see if you like it. The rest is however much time you want, or have, to put into it.

There is also software that is free, such as Google’s Blogger, which is Web-based and you can be blogging in minutes when you set it up. There is typepad and many others. If anyone needs some help, write to me via private e-mail. I can help, particular with Userland, which I know fairly well.

 Don’t let them squash our freedoms!

Maruja Tarre, who probably does not remember that we met too many years ago in Boston and who I understand is a stealth reader of this blog, wrote this very funny article in today’s El Universal which I thought had to be translated. Life may get tough, but one needs to keep a positive attitude at all times, humor, especially intelligent humor helps in this goal.

Good Ideas for 2005 by Maruja Tarre

I have been told that, as resolution for the New Year, many people have decided to “collaborate” in enthusiastic fashion with the revolution. Behind are left the marches, whistles, and shouts, they have now decided to take advantage of the oil bubble and benefit of the very elusive bonanza. There even seems to exist a combo, promoted by highly entrepreneurial facilitators, that by the lowly sum of a million and a half bolivars, eliminates names form the recall petitions and gets Bolivarian passports.

Impressed by the sensibility and wisdom of these new and convinced Bolivarian, I have been thinking ways to deepen the revolution and contribute, me too! with the success of the process.

I remained absolutely convinced by the Minister that is in charge of large farm states and I allow myself to suggest that in Cojedes state he does not forget Hato Piñero. As Otaiza expressed it very clearly, there are yuppie values that do not agree with revolutionary ideology. The use of land is fundamental and in Piñero, they have allowed the proliferation of a large amount of animal species which are absolutely useless and savage. In particular, there is a birdie called chechena that attracts supposed scientists from all over the world. We all know that most of them are CIA or Mossad agents, thus, the best thing that can be done with the chechenias is to use them to feed the people.

One can take advantage of the successful reinstruction of Parque Central to decide, once and for all, the destiny of the Contemporary Art Museum Sofia Imber. There were too many strange paintings there, which do not correspond to revolutionary esthetics. We should begin a new collection, with national values appreciated by the Chavista people. I ask myself: where is that famous painting that Commander Chavez painted when he was jailed in yare? Jose Vicente (the VP) showed it in the famous video he taped in clandestine fashion in jail and we were all in awe in front of that masterful trace and the beauty of colors of that small masterpiece. If the VP incorporated it to his collection he should donate it to the nation to initiate with shine the new era of the Contemporary Art Museum Sofia Imber. (We still have pending the change in name!)

As for oil, let’s follow Russia! It has been demonstrated at the international level, the transparency and lack of corruption in that old nation which turn it into the ideal partner for any important business. Putin and company will bring us the security that the oil money will be well managed and invested. These are only three modest ideas, but I will continue thinking other recommendations with real revolutionary value that will allow me to join daring 2005 the group of winners. Happy New Year!