Chavez imposes medal on Benavides for “terrorizing Venezuelans”
The Devil's Excrement
Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.
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The Devil's Excrement 
August 25, 2009 at 10:15 am
Karl,
A bit off topic, but I think homeschooling is often better.Here in USA, many people are opting for this choice, due to a deterioration in our public schools, and due to the fact that most folks cannot afford a good private school.Home school here is organized well, and teachers are often more prepared and more creative than in the Government system.My daughter has not opted for it for my grandson because she wants her son to hobnob with all types of people in the public system, and that is valid as well.
Most home schooled in my State are doing well.Of course there are still some excellent Private schools out there, but homeschooling tends to be a good option.
More on topic, I also think( and my opinion is coming from the many family and friends I have living in the barrios) that Chavismo has taken a huge beating in the popular zones.For this reasons I also think that most likely many will be participating.These are the people who when they come into a true understanding of their dismal future with Chavez, they will be the most courageous because they have the least to loose and the most to gain.
August 25, 2009 at 10:07 am
Karl, I think sacrifices are necessary, but I don’t think that is one that is going to be effective… This is again one of those “feel good, shake hands in Sambil” actions/meet in Plaza Altamira.
Most of my relatives actually have their children in public schools but for my sister. Almost all are oppo. Still: they will be a minority and what you will show is how little connection there is between the oppo leaders and the rest of the population.
Do you want a sacrifice? Go to public schools and give them an alternative message, one that goes beyond “libertad, libertad”, distribute flyers explaining your position (actually I have seen better arguments from The Economist about why this law is bad than from the opposition in Venezuela)
One of the things that I liked from Ledezma (of all people!) recently was that he went to the little towns in the Llanos to talk to the rest of the people. The oppo should do that.
August 25, 2009 at 9:58 am
Firepigette
I agree 100% with your appreciation.
Robert and Kepler, I understand that a “classroom” boycott is difficult with most kids attending public school but that also assumes that all od those in public schools are chavistas that will not join us. Change demands some type of sacrifice. Do you really think that it can be accomplished without any effort on our part? And if, we can not rally the people on this specific issue, then I am afraid that we already lost the war.
By the way, I was home schooled for a couple years as a kid in Margarita.
August 25, 2009 at 9:10 am
Robert
A Boycott on the schools would be excellent propaganda and a pain in the arse for Chavez …. and unless the boycott lasts for years, no danger of creating little ignorants.Postponing is not terminating
The timing is all important.It has to last long enough( which boycotts in the past did not) and yet not too long ( longer than necessary)
The whole country should be boycotted at the expense of the citizens comfort, long enough to bring things down and show the world and themselves that people are truly determined.
Anything done at this point requires sacrifice and loss and will be hard, but ‘refusing to participate in the work of the country’ is the only non violent method that is left.
The alternative will be Chavez ” forever”…… but of course some folks prefer that, than they would an opposition that is not of ‘their’ choice.
August 25, 2009 at 8:49 am
Four exchange rates? This reminds me of Cuban currency. One for the people and one for the elite.
August 25, 2009 at 6:04 am
Karl, I agree with Robert.
Look at these stats, specially private-versus-state:
http://venezuela-europa.blogspot.com/2009/08/venezuelans-on-crossroad.html
The vast majority of children are going to state schools and most of those you will reach go to private schools (if not all, see daughter of Hugo on one side, but also poor people I know who are very anti-chavistas)
We need to get the interest of all Venezuelans.
August 25, 2009 at 4:35 am
Miguel- this is OT but can you help explain the “four” exchange rates! jajajaja
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aOCvRjHJL66c
August 25, 2009 at 4:32 am
Somehow the idea of boycotting school reminds me of boycotting national assembly elections a few years back. Who got what they wanted out of that event?
Maybe Chavez would love a boycott. If he were given a choice between having little bolivarians or little ignorants, maybe he prefers the second!
August 24, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I agree Karl
August 24, 2009 at 9:08 pm
There should not be a school year until the law is repelled. Concern parents should not send their children to school indefinitely. The government can not force Venezuelans to have their children schooled with “afro- Caribbean” bolivarian values, whatever that means.
August 24, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Potentially silly question for Miguel Octavio or anyone else who knows about the Venezuelan economy: what would happen if venezuelans decide to double their consumption of gasoline?
Gasoline is subsidized to the point of being virtually free, eating a huge hole in the government’s budget, specially since “the new PDVSA” cannot produce enough of it and needs to import it. So if the consumption of gasoline is doubled, how big would it be the strain put on the government? How about if it’s tripled? The government would certainly be forced to act by rationing the gasoline (which would cause greater chaos than a million marches and a nationwide strike) and/or by raising the price (another Caracazo?).
August 24, 2009 at 1:13 pm
And did you see the way he strutted back & forth.
What a clown.
We have a serious problem.
The idea of “peaceful” marches has been eliminated by the fascist goons who scream that we are the ones who are violent in contradiction to all evidence.
They will use this oppo “violence” to justify all future attacks on “peaceful” demonstrations.
There has to be a better way.
The private sector controls most of the production & services in the country.
I know no one wants to hear it but it’s time for another national strike in keeping with article 350 of the constitution.
For the future of your sons & daughters this is the route to success not marches.
August 24, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Was is just me, or when the guy picked up the mike and started delivering his harangue, it seemed that he thought he was hosting a bizarre version of “Alo National Guard”? Fellinesque, if you ask me.