Hugo looking as bright as he is
Esteban Batting
Like a good oligarch, Hugo Chavez wasted electricity tonight showing again his complete disdain for the people he claims to love. While all Venezuelans have to undergo rationing daily and are forced to reduce their usage of electricity, Hugo decided to have fun tonight, turning all the lights on at the Fuerte Tiuna stadium and broadcasting on VTV how he played with his Ministers and some Major League players. Egomaniac, oligarch and total scorn and disrespect for the people of Venezuela. It never even occurred to him he could do it during the day.
How insensitive can he be?
(thanks @humbertolozada for pictures)
Scoreboard
The Devil's Excrement 
February 16, 2010 at 7:47 am
LVS, well said. Government employees are often referred to as “public servants” for a damn good reason. Of course, no one will ever think of Hugo as a public servant, or any kind of servant for that matter.
Juancho, I applaud the first two sentences of your last paragraph. Spot on. That’s why your first question about what Arturo is defending was so – well, defensible. It’s one thing to have ideals. It’s another to blindly push on (or support those who are pushing on) when those ideals are unachievable, and when continuing to push will, ironically, leave those ideals further out of reach than trying a new path. Does that make the ideals wrong? Not at all. But it does raise questions either about whether someone truly believes in them, or their intelligence.
Off-topic, I do have to take issue with your characterization of pharmaceutical firms. Yes, the price mark-up on any given pill (or at least ones with patent protection) is indeed enormous. But you have to look not at any single product, but the business as a whole. The sunk costs that go into putting a pill on the market are also enormous. And the capital risk involved is also enormous, given that they may spend those sunk costs and realize a minimal or even no return. Considering that risk, I’m pretty sure that the ROI is rather proportional to other endeavors with similar risks. Otherwise you’d have some new entries in the market. That’s how competition works. Plus, the companies need huge amounts of cash to fund new breakthroughs in drugs. Or do you not want a cure for cancer? Your supermarket example applies – if they don’t raise the prices, how will they keep putting new products on the shelves?
Arturo’s Law of Inflation: Inflation is always and everywhere a supermarketary phenomenon.
February 14, 2010 at 10:07 am
The truth is that the Chavez Government does not “approve” the prices of pharmaceutical products. When he came to power the structure at the Minister of Health that was in charge of that was simply destroyed. Today, you submit a request for a price increase and simply wait until the period for administrative silence goes by and increase it. So, what our distinguished friend’s epic story was was simply the typical abuse of Indepabis, the Government probably does not even keep track of of who submitted what and when, you as the manufacturer or distributor (I work for one) have to prove you submitted it. Another destruction by the Government. Oh, BTW, this Government also reduced the number of products under regulation by 60% or so.
February 14, 2010 at 6:48 am
One of the most important grievances put forth by the American colonists in the late 18th century was that taxation without representation equated to tyranny. What is Venezuela now but a Cuban colony, where a huge part of the benefits produced by this country are for consumption by Castro’s communist régime, which Hugo Chávez shamelessly kowtows to, in exchange for the support he needs to stay in power ad infinitum. The solution in 18th century America was a colonial war. What will the solution be in 21st century Venezuela when its population finally wakes up and realize this situation for what it is.
February 14, 2010 at 3:48 am
Arturo –
One comment that stuck out is that a government does not have to justify what it does to those who oppose it !! WOW
I thought a government was for Venezuelans not just for Chavistas – I thought that the hardest thing about governng a county is that you have to take everyone into account – specially when the opposition is 50% (or so) of the country –
The government HAS to justify it’s actions to EVERY Venezuelan ! As long as we pay taxes, vote, and the government is financed with the resources of the country – and we suffer from the governments inefficency of powe, water, security, etc yes they have to respond to everyone
What Chavez forgets is that he is an emloyee working for everyone and honestly any workplace (even Chavsta) would have fired him by now for complete incompetence.
February 14, 2010 at 2:25 am
Arturo wrote: “Juancho – I could defend the whole thing but not in your terms or here when intolerant Ocatvio accuses me of not being on topic, trolling and not contributing anything.”
For starters, I don’t feel you should be banned here, Arturo. You tend to condense people’s thoughts and that’s a good thing.
I think the thing that shocks many people is that there seems to be a significant percentage of the population that are intelligent, educated (Arturo) and yet will still try and “defend the whole thing.” Mind you, I’m not talking about Chavez’ rhetoric, or his seeming desire to elevate the poor and empower the previously disenfranchised, which probably accounts for about half the popuation here in Venezuela.
I am specifically talking about what the Chavez revolution has done to the country in terms of its institutions and services. That is, how can a sane person “defend the whole thing” about the banking sector, the runaway crime rate, the hyperinflation, the energy and water debacle? And are we to continue with Chavistas blaming everyone else but themselves? What Chavista have you heard of lately that has the courage and integrity to take responsibility for screwing up anything? Chavistas run on the “alcoholic model,” which is to blame everyone else for all wrongs.
Let’s briefly look at Atruro’s example of the skyrocketing prices in the supermarkets, and his claim that “it is the managment of these supermarkets which increases prices,” and that he hopes “that the government expropiates (better confiscates) supermarket chains which push up prices.”
I’m curious about how these markets are going to operate. Who is going to supply the goods on the shelves? Who will actually make the goods, when it’s a known fact that any industry run by Chavistas is certain to fail since he hires people who have no experience or expertise. How will the goods be paid for? And without subsidies derived from oil money, how will these supermercados survive?
Chavez is not offering a sustainable model – that’s basically the thrust of nearly everything of late. I believe that Arturo is defending an idea, not a practical reality. I can sympathize with Arturo’s problem with drug prices because drug companies are amongst the biggest price gougers in all of industry.
JL
February 13, 2010 at 10:48 pm
What a nice person you are Arturo, getting the commies to close down a pharmacy of all places. You must feel proud of yourself. By the way, Movilnet have raised their monthly internet now from 93Bs to 133Bs, i shall be heading to INDEPABIS next week like you. Let’s see if we see double standards for the Government owned company……..
February 13, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Of course Miguel is free to ban whomever he wishes, we are all guests in his home. And Miguel banning someone from posting on his own blog isn’t censorship nor detrimental to free speech. As someone else noted, Arturo is free to go and start his own blog. Therefore I wouldn’t blame Miguel for banning him. From what I know of Arturo’s thinking, I wouldn’t want him in my home. So to be clear myself, none of that was really my point.
Arturo’s first comment was directly on topic – although wrong as the generators are for back-up purposes. Unfortunately, Arturo’s well-deserved reputation as an internet troll is probably what provoked Miguel to pull the trigger with his comment that immediately followed. I know Miguel to be a very fair person, so if he erred there, it certainly wasn’t with malicious intent.
In his second comment, he does go off topic, but again, in fairness to him, in response to a question. And Miguel decided to let it be – there’s his fairness shining through.
As for the idiocy of Arturo’s, mine or anyone’s comments, that’s simply, just ignore them. I myself start reading them (all) and as soon as I feel the author is wasting my time, I move on. I’m sure that most of you have already done that with this comment. Haha
Hey Miguel, THANK YOU for your work. All of us truly appreciate your considered thoughts and analyses.
February 13, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Miguel,
You are certainly well justified in banning him.Nobody can deny it.
February 13, 2010 at 5:58 pm
My policy is clear, be on topic dont post and post and post, and your comment should not be longer than the post and do not insult. That is what trolls do, that is what Arturo is doing and has been doing for a long time. Funny thing is that it is usually trolls that complain about being censored or erased. I have erased many time comments from even people I know because they stepped over the line, they have all apologized. I do allow off-topic comments from good comenters that have a track record. I have become less tolerant with Arturo because I think he is just trying to use this bog for his opinions withit any concerns as to the topic, he talks about what he wants, lies and misses the point because he does not read them.
February 13, 2010 at 5:28 pm
42% 17% 41% ???
I wonder how we get these exact numbers in a country where there is 0 transparency, camouflaged political affinities, mind boggling corruption and loads and loads of inaccessible barrios and rural areas.
I for one do not care 2 hoots what Arturo says…I never read his comments, and could not care less if he is banned or not.
I also agree with deananash.For me as long as there are no insults, threats, or ugly put downs, why ban someone for speaking their mind?
Of course it is up to Miguel and his criteria becasue this is his blog.
My last comment on this matter which as a theme, basically bores me.
February 13, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Deananash get a grip, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” this applies to Arturo starting a blog, this is blog is Miguels, and therefore not public space. the public space is Arturo starting his own blog. and yes i would defend Arturo right’s to start a blog on the net.
I run a forum and it makes me laugh every time someone says “my freedom of speech” a forum is the rules of who ever runs it, period, you don’t like it, take your toys and go do create your own, that is your FREEDOM. This blog is like being invited into Miguels house, if you you pee on his carpet he will kick you out, and he has that right, no freedom of speech issue whatsoever.
February 13, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Is Don Drysdale still above room temp?
February 13, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Dean,
I used to think like that, but now I think: why waste time in him?
There is like 30% of hardcore chavistas in Venezuela. There are like 29% oppos. Those who would vote for Hugo are up to 42% even according to VTV
(I put a link on that in a post somewhere), against 41% for the oppo.
See:
42% 17% 41%
Arturo belongs to the 30% (or less). We need to approach first all the rest, specially those who are not part of the 41% oppo-voting.
Only then would it be worth spending some time in some silly Arturo
February 13, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Arturo: inflation is a monetary phenomenon. Period.
Still trolling aroubd the economy is not the sibject of this post, start your blog please, you troll and troll and you know it
February 13, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Clueless Arturo, thats what you are. Leaders ae
re supposed to set examples, if you are asking for sacrifices, you lead, not waste electricity on a meaningless game. As the post says, hold the game during the day, but Chavez has lost touch. The poor see his wealth, his trappings of power, how he asks for sacrifices but does not sacrifice himself. The use of the word oligarch says it all, that is what oligrachs do and you just dont get it and keep coming back showing you are even more insensitive than Hugo trying to defend what can not be defended.
February 13, 2010 at 11:38 am
Well Arturo, it could have been interesting that the president , for once could inaugurate a huge generating plant somewhere in the hinterland with functi9oning distribution grids and still show his batting skills at a baseball game at a newly refurbished town playground stadium .
He truly is a senseless idiot. And by the way, yes I do wish Miraflores could share the misery of the sorrounding slums. Chavez ought to have a working session with candles and understand what his gross neglicence brought upon this country. Why not?.
February 13, 2010 at 9:37 am
Everybody, get a grip. It was while living in Venezuela that I first read Voltaire’s brilliant words, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
As long as Arturo stays on topic (within Miguel’s liberal guidelines) then why ban him? Because we don’t like what he says? Because he’s ‘always’ wrong? [Note to all: Even a broken clock is right twice a day, useless as that is.] Isn’t this thinking one of the major problems in Venezuela today? (The silencing of those who “think different”.)
Arturo, you mockingly speak of Chavez setting an example by sitting in Miraflores by candlelight. And yet, it was Chavez who, just a few weeks ago, set himself up as an example with his most ludicrous video exhorting Venezuelans to limit themselves to 3 minute showers. As Google would say, “let him eat his own dog food”. (Translation for the uninitiated: Chavez made this mess – after 11 years, it’s all his – so let him partake of it along with the masses.)
Chavez actually has a lot in common with Obama, both swept to power promising, respectively, revolution and reform. However, neither have delivered. Because it was never about that, it’s always been about them and power. The difference is that Chavez has absolute power and Obama doesn’t. Which means Obama will be exiting the stage via the vote (in ’12 or ’16) and Chavez won’t – ever.
Now, if Chavez isn’t leaving via the ballot box, that leaves just two alternatives. One would be Chavez voluntarily relinquishing power (ain’t gonna happen.) The other, well, that would be death, via old age, or some other, untimely reason, such as an accident. Who knows? There could even be another revolution to save the country from the last one.
America’s founding father – and principal author of the U.S. Declaration of Independence – said that citizens have the responsibility to overturn a government when it becomes a monster. I think that Venezuela is already past that point.
February 13, 2010 at 9:19 am
OA2: I would translate ” what a friggin douche bag” as “rolo ‘e cabeza de gue..”
February 13, 2010 at 9:04 am
Oh my god you truly are moron, no explantion why the medication went up? Are you do disconnected from reality? Do youhave no shame? Miguel kick him out of here, the guy is a douche and never has built snyyhing in his whole life. And he is stupid to claim ghat his freedom of speech is attacked, either he is the best troll ever or he is stupid, either way can him, that way we win.
February 13, 2010 at 7:09 am
Ban that idiot.
February 13, 2010 at 5:58 am
So I guess the President is supposed to sit in Miraflores by candle light to set an example for the rest of us?? In any case, the fact that there are generators is a slap in the face for you all and the government does not have to justify what it does to people who oppose it.
Juancho – I could defend the whole thing but not in your terms or here when intolerant Ocatvio accuses me of not being on topic, trolling and not contributing anything.
The fact is that I look forward to meeting Octavio personally in a march in Caracas some day to discuss things face to face.
I’ll address one of your point. Skyrocketing prices in the supermarkets – it is the managment of these supermarkets which increases prices. I do not see government funcionarios increasing prices or will you say that INDEPABIS does so? I hope that the government expropiates (better confiscates) supermarket chains which push up prices.
Yesterday I went to buy a medicine from one of the pharmacy chains and it cost Bs.116 whereas a week before it cost Bs.89. I asked why. No answer. In any case I paid up, went home, found the ticket for the same medicine from a week ealier and went to Indepabis in Libertador (opposite Hotel Crillon), filed a complaint and one hour later the pharmacy was closed for 48 hours. The government did not increase the price by 30.3% in one fell swoop, it was the pharmacy. This is the reason for inflation, Juancho. Speculation and greed.
Octavio – are you going to suppress this comment since it is on YOUR BLOG?
February 13, 2010 at 2:14 am
Here we have that montebank (look it up, chump) Arturo chiming back in with pro-Chavez basura, and yet we never hear from Arturo what it is, specifically, about the Boliviaria Rebolution – as it now stands in practical terms – that he is defending. The failed banking sector? The energy crisis? The water shortage? The empty shelves and skyrocketing prices in the supermercados? The shocking crime rate? The crushing poverty? The dissolutioin of most all honor and dignity in our many security forces? The 30-40,000 Cubanos traipsing around OUR country?
Pony up, Arturo. If there’s something that Chavez has done or is doing that we should also be proud of, besides all the hallow promises and fatuous social commentary, let us know.
Eleven years in, who can honestly brook excuses about how the current problems belong to anyone but the folks in power – and I mean nigh absolute power.
Juancho
February 12, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Retarded Arturo: “Did you know that the stadium in Fuerte Tiuna is lit by generators and not from the direct power supply?”
And did you know that, like just about everything that is connected to a generator, it’s also connected to the main electrical power lines and only uses the generator as a backup in case the electricity fails?
What? You thought a whole stadium was built to use only electricity from generators? Even Chavez wouldn’t be dumb enough to do that.
Just about everything in Fuerte Tiuna (it’s a military installation, after all) is connected to a power generator and capable of keeping everything working in case the external power supply is cut off, but that doesn’t mean that they ONLY use the generators for the power of the WHOLE thing.
February 12, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Arturo: I can’t believe how arrogant, patronizing and heartless you are. Does it matter how the electricity was being generated really? Are you that incredibly out of touch like Chavez? People are undergoing rationing, devaluation, traffic for hours to get home and they get there and Hugo is playing ball with major League players (How much were they paid?)
Do you think this is a matter of how the electricity was generated? Are you kidding me? Do you know how much a generator costs and how much it costs to run it? Chavez is insulting the people when he does this, no matter how the electrons are generated. If you can’t see that, you are not only stupid, you are as heartless as can be, laughing at all Venezuelans that you claim the revolution cares for.
You had to be that Chavista to be so stupid. You make me sick!
February 12, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Even if true, it’s irrelevant. Your leader still sets the worst example HE has expensive generators to play ball, most people don’t have them to cook with. Ta’Ponchao How insensitive can he be?
I repeat: YOU ARE NOT WELCOMED HERE< YOUR COMMENTS ARE USELESS. This time, for once you were on topic, but you are as insensitive as your leader whether he used generators or not.
TROLL ALERT!
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7. The political dissenter/martyr troll
If your blog is interesting, chances are it’s because you take a stand on things. You have political views you feel passionate about. You build a community of people who are interested in these things and who interact thoughtfully and productively about said things. Heck, some people even manage to disagree civilly. Until political dissenter/martyr troll comes around, starting fights with everyone in a comment thread, spewing its passionate anti-whatever-you’re-into views all over the productive discussion. This troll will likely get mouthy about how pathetic a blogger is for not entertaining dissenting opinions, all the while only being interested in hearing itself talk (or type, as it were). Political dissenter/martyr troll, what good do you think you are doing? Whose mind do you think you are changing? Troll, you are an asshole.
February 12, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Excellent game of softball last night. Did you know that the stadium in Fuerte Tiuna is lit by generators and not from the direct power supply? Obviously not or you would not have written such a badly informed post. Hence all the comments are worthless since they are commenting on simple BS. Toma tu tomate Octavio and investigae before you write. Better for your credibility.
February 12, 2010 at 6:43 pm
How do you say in Spanish: “What a friggin douche-bag”?
“Hugo Chávez”
February 12, 2010 at 6:04 pm
How do you say in Spanish: “What a friggin douche-bag”?
February 12, 2010 at 5:15 pm
As Nitu Perez said on yesterday’s Alo Ciudadano: He’s just trying to get rid of the “TAS PONCHAO” label that will never come off.
February 12, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Wow. He really is dismissive of public opinion isn’t he?
Couldn’t he have at least found an athletic-looking girl to throw the ball to him?
February 12, 2010 at 2:12 pm
So this is Chavez response to “tas pancheo”. Chavez just doesn’t understand.
February 12, 2010 at 10:06 am
If it wasn´tt for the fact that it is deadly serious, we would be smirking at the prospect of an energy exporter collapsing due precisely …….to the lack of domestic energy. This proves once more that socialims, communism or hwatever smacks of this doesn´t pay its billls ever.
February 12, 2010 at 9:28 am
how embarassing for Venz…….you people elected him…..now shoot him and get on with it..
February 12, 2010 at 8:52 am
Just add up the megawats equivalent of jackass hours wasted by Betulio in endless BS in front of cameras.The precious time spent spewing idiocies, hatred and violence in front of TV lights plus tons of methane coming out of his front and rear ends,could easily power a small village for months.
Last but not least, as to Edelcás today´s scheduled prayer vigil I could add one suggestion: Have Evo Morales dress up as Shaman and offer a propitiatory sacrifice to the gods. Yes the president offered on top of the Guri Dam on an altar specially built for the occasion,And as a bonus, I could kick in the whole National Assembly and ministers- all for the same price.
February 12, 2010 at 7:54 am
He then went to Miraflores for the Carabobo blocks ceremony. The good news is that many more lights were off at Miraflores than usual. Entire hallways in total darkness, people navigating by touch. The bad news is that lighting is a minor part of the power load these days, since energy-saving lamps reduce that demand. The big-screen TVs were still on, and in the room where the Carabobo event happened, there were about 30 very bright TV studio lamps shining on the audience so state TV could capture the executives “ratifying Venezuela’s rule of law.”
February 12, 2010 at 7:11 am
Robert: So far all I have is rumors, I will write about it when I have a clearer picture of what happened.
February 12, 2010 at 7:07 am
Robert, bingo. I’m only surprised that his successful at-bats (though perhaps there weren’t any, despite that he certainly got some fat pitches) weren’t broadcast via cadena.
Does the scoreboard say HOME vs JUVENTUS? Why is the “home” team where the visitors should be?
February 12, 2010 at 6:12 am
OT- what’s the Globovision scoop on Ravell leaving and some guy selling his shares to a Chavista? And where in the world is Waldo, Quico and Juan? Are they involved in this?
February 12, 2010 at 6:08 am
I just want to know, did he strike out? Perhaps not and perhaps that was the entire point in his silly mind.
February 12, 2010 at 12:40 am
Miguel, the guy doesnt give a rat’s ass about anyone but himself, plus he lives in a fantasy created by his Cuban ‘advisors’.
We have to concentrate on taking him down, so the longer he plays baseball the better. He probably expropriated the cup protector of Magglio during the game.