So, Maduro wants to fight corruption. Where should I begin?: Antonini, Illaramendi, Giordani/Fonden, Bolivar 2000, Fernandez Barrueco, Arné Chacón, Argentinean Bonds, Structured Notes, PDVAL, Chávez family, and dozens of posts on similar and equivalent subjects, over and over and over.
I can’t write about that, already did. Too many times.
Maybe I should write about a Constituent Assembly. Yeah! We need another Constitution, because the 26 we have had since the first one in 1811 have not worked. So, is it the Constitution or is it us?
Really, thirty years ago Venezuela had the most advanced (and complex) anti-corruption law, but Maduro needs magical powers, Harry Potter-like powers, all of a sudden and the opposition may need (or not) a new Constitution. Give me a Voldemort break!
Look, the 2000 Constitution may not be perfect, but why not try to follow it to the letter for four years and see what happens?
Look, democracy is hard, you really have to work at it, every single day. It is not a matter of just getting elected. You have to talk, negotiate, find the middle ground. Include everyone. Not Carreño, everyone that is representative. I draw the line with him.
Want to fight corruption? Name a Comptroller that everyone respects, both sides. If that person does not exist, then we really have problems, don’t we?
You think that even if you get elected, the other side will control the Government? Oh well, nobody said this is easy, but how about working hard for the country for a while? Earn each piece, one step at a time. That would be nice, no?
Because you may object to the 2000 Constitution, but hey, it is no better, nor worse than the other 26. You mean to tell me that none of the 26 were any good? Then we are screwed, don’t you think? Maybe it is something up there at the neuron level that makes us believe that ideology can fix everything. Try it next time your car breaks down. Well, I take that back, I am sure a true hard core socialist could prove a Lada is easier to fix, even if it breaks down more often.
But talking about all these things is easier than talking about the Vice-President of Fascism with a capital “F” Jorge Arreaza, saying that everyone that is against Maduro’s Enabling Bill is suspect of being corrupt. To begin with, look at yourself, anyone that is suspect of being Vice-President just because of who he married, is then suspect too. No? Agree?
More so, nothing, absolutely nothing, qualifies you for any of the positions you have held. Only two words: Rosa Virginia. Because you have a degree in European Studies which would qualify you, at best, to a mid level position in some bureaucracy in Europe, where I am sure you would serve Venezuela better than in the Ministry of Science or in your current position. BTW, you spent a few hundred million dollars on that Chinese satellite but forgot the local antennas. So, we don’t get to use them, because you were clueless. Under current Venezuelan law, that happens to be corruption. Read it, you may be enlightened, but it says you should be in jail. Four hundred million dollars is a lot of money, even for rich Chavistas.
So, I don’t know what to write about, It’s writers block. I wanted to alliterate the title: Corruption, Constituent, Cambio, Compliance, Conciencias, Comptroller, Corpoelec, Censorship, Central, Cilia, Chavismo, Cruz Weffer, Chacón, Cadivi, Carreño, Cabello, Chávez…
No, it just would not work. Simply Writer’s Block about this absurdity Venezuela has become.
The Devil's Excrement 
August 18, 2015 at 10:43 pm
工业4 淘宝控价 .0时代到来，中国制造业能做什么?在起步晚、基本弱的配景下，中国制造业如安在新一轮的竞争中解围?….7月15日，由北方日报中山记者站、中山市高层次人才 跨界时代的设计生命力 俱乐部、第五创众筹平台、中山市湖北商会主理的”对话郎咸平”经济高峰论坛举办，郎咸平现场讲授了新经济状态下传统企业转型升级的新门路。来自中山各大商会、协会及企业的1800多人加入听讲座，并与郎咸同等嘉宾互动。 15日13时多，间隔顶峰 透视金融支持纺织服装产业和短平快项目现状 论坛正式开端另有半个多小时，会场里曾经坐满了慕名前来参加论坛的嘉宾，市高档次人才俱乐部200多会员也缺席。会场的一千多个座位很快被坐满，嘉宾依然在连续出场。 14时，高峰论坛正式终场，
July 29, 2015 at 6:26 am
注册电话咨询：400 605 6969转98873120平视觉冲击风格：现代????户型：三居????面积：120简介：本项目是一个三居室 王永春强势 空间，成都业之峰装饰设计师和业主交流，业主比较年轻时尚，喜欢夸张大胆的设计，追求视觉冲击力,王永春强势。黑白条纹的壁纸、黑色皮纹砖、顶1万150 保利地产(6 平后现代时尚风格：现代????户型：三居????面积：150.00简介：本户型为建筑面积150平米的住宅，业之峰装饰设计师给业主交流，业主是一位建筑设计师，对细节方面要求严格，同时对功能与布局要求也比较苛刻。根据1248120平视觉冲击风格：现代???? 户型：三居???? 面积：120简介：本项目是一个三居室空间 《为她而战》张晋肉搏江苏卫视《为她而战》江苏卫视为她而战视频新浪视频 ，
July 24, 2015 at 3:42 am
最 正規品シアリス 終更新日：2015/07/142323育毛医薬品の通販,正規品シアリス?個人輸入 TOP>食品>都道府県> 愛媛県愛媛県お探しの商品 媚薬口コミ が見つかりませんでした。愛媛県の商品一覧ページです。愛媛県を激安で通販！国内商品?海外のED薬?ジェネリック医薬品,媚薬口コミ?育毛剤?医薬品の通信販売アイドラッグストアー▲愛媛県PageTopへ株式会社 オズ?インターナショナルTEL:0570-05-1193FAX:03-5695-1970All Rights Reserved by Oz International Inc JAPAN.
July 24, 2015 at 3:42 am
※写真はイメージです。実際にお届けする物と外観が異なる可能性があります。海外発送2015/07/11 ID：1974 媚薬効果 01口コミ 評価：4 点かなり大量に入っているのでまとめ買いの手間が省けて助かります。効果が出るには3ヶ月ほどかかると聞いているので気長に待ちたいと思います。 精力剤通販 デュタス2015/07/08 ID：197032口コミ 評価：4 点リピーターですが、最近は薬になれたのか、飲み方が良くないのか、徐々に後退しているよう気が…。デュタス2015/07/08 ID：197024口コミ 評価：5 点人間ドックで軽度の前立腺肥大傾向を指摘されたため、毛髪対策を兼ね服用開始。今は医薬分業で窓口負
July 24, 2015 at 3:41 am
左目用——-選択してください——-カラー:No.1ショコラブラウン15枚入,DIA:14.0,BC:8.70,PW 精力剤 :0.00 ?1,944カラー:No.1シ 市販の精力剤 ョコラブラウン15枚入,DIA:14.0,BC:8.70,PW:-0.50 ?1,944カラー:No.1ショコラブラウン15枚入,DIA:14.0,BC:8.70,PW:-0.75 ?1,944カラー:No.1ショコラブラウン15枚入,DIA:14.0,BC:8.70,PW:-1.00 ?1,944カラー:No.1ショコラブラウン15枚入,DIA:14.0,BC:8.70,PW:-1.25 ?1,944カラー:No.1ショコ
July 10, 2015 at 3:41 am
原,性力増強剤 効果ウタニカミハシヅミヤウチ以下に掲載がない場合 原 麻畑 上浅津このページの先頭へ戻る 性力増強剤 効果 オシカダニシライシハワイオンセン郵便番号の一覧を見るクニノブ 東伯郡湯梨浜町 以下に掲載がない場合 門田チュウコウジ川上上橋津宇野白石 東伯郡
July 10, 2015 at 3:40 am
―受診までの流れを教えてください。受付で、問診表をお渡ししますので、「ED」にマルをつけてください。当院はプライバシー重視 ぼっき不全 薬 の観点から、院 精力剤口コミ 内で患者さんをお呼びする際は、問診表に書かれた番号札の番号でお呼びしますので、名前で呼ばれることはありません。安心して受診してください。診察は、医師による問診を中心に日常服用されている薬剤等をお伺いいたします,ぼっき不全 薬,精力剤口コミ。これは、ED治療薬 精力剤通販 と一緒に服用してはならない薬剤がないか確かめるためです。問題なければ、ご希望のED治療薬を医師が直接お渡しいたします,精力剤通販。―診察の際、心がけている点を教えてください。来院される患者さんそれぞれにとっ
July 10, 2015 at 3:38 am
郵便区内特別郵便物のバーコード記載による特別料金(2)?特別料金(3)の取扱局一覧一般の料金よりも15～49円割 郵便区内特別郵便物のバーコード記載による特別料金(2)?特別料金(3)の取扱局一覧 安な料金となっています。また、一定の条件を満たす場合はさらに割安な料金の適用が受けられます。郵便区内特別郵 強壮剤 ランキング 便物の料金は、特別料金(1)から特別料金(5)までの5種類があります,強壮剤 ランキング。各料金の主なご利用条件は次のフロー図のとおりです。 郵便区内特別郵便物 差出郵便局の「バーコード記載が必要となる日」の前日までに差し出されますか？次の両方の条件を満たしていますか？ 郵便物の引き受けおよび配達が同一地域（郵便区内）であれ バーコード記載が必要となる日 ば
July 8, 2015 at 7:22 pm
下一张大小：4.2M版本：4.12更新时间：2014-08-01系统要求：Android 2 泰达股份(0 ,泰达股 美国公开赛120年历届冠军 伍兹争胜凯梅尔争卫冕综合体育新浪竞技风暴新浪网 份(0.1 以上系统金山电池医生，可延长手机1倍待机时间。专业充电，智能省电，精准预测可用时间，超过一亿安卓手机用户使用。主要功能：1. 耗电评分，权威全球首发，数十项标准，涵盖手机硬件系统、用户使用习惯、应用耗电性能等，手机耗电一目了然。2. 省电，只需一键关闭耗电应用、优化硬件设置、深度省电，只需一键,美国公开赛1 薛凯琪发型示范发型GAGA明星发型新浪时尚新浪网 20年历届冠军 伍兹争胜凯梅尔争卫冕综合体育新浪竞技风暴新浪网。更多省电功能、省电秘籍，让省电更全面。3. 专业充电，酷炫专业的三段式充电，支持随用随充，电量更饱满，待机更持久。酷
June 23, 2015 at 10:00 am
步东牌阜宁大糕简介 阜宁大糕历史悠久，乾隆皇帝下江南时曾品尝此糕，赞不绝口特赐名”御带糕”。 秒杀 李八味大糕 殷记大糕 本企业的阜宁大糕选料精细，制作考究具有质体绵软、美味香甜的特点，享 休闲糕 有”白如雪、甜如密、薄如纸、软如绵”的美誉，本产品开袋即食，亦可 浸入蛋清炸着吃，还可夹番茄酱当早点吃等食用方法，可开胃、闲。 本企业专注食品20年。从不添加防腐剂、增白剂，做原生态食品,秒杀 李八味大糕 殷记大糕，做天然食品。用心做企业，用质量引领市场。联系方式： 阜宁县东沟步东食品厂 联系人：朱尧 电话：13770105624 阜宁大糕小包装 ,; 电话：0515-87614266
June 13, 2015 at 7:08 am
当一个女人怀孕后,水洗机，她们问营养师 水洗机 的第一个问题就是”孕期哪些东西不能吃？” 洗涤设备 美国注册营养师Jenni Grover表示，她一般不会给准妈妈下太多禁令，她会提醒准妈妈更加注意营养饮食的积极因素，更加强调饮食多样化的重要性，以及吃健康食品的重要性。当然,洗涤设备，对于孕期的女性来说，某些食物还是需要谨慎食用 【洗涤设备】 艾睿麻麻全球购 或者禁止食用的。 1.含汞量高的鱼 在一般情况下，鱼对于孕妇来说是很好的食物。鱼肉和鱼油都富含-3脂肪酸，而-3脂肪酸对宝宝的发育起着很重要的作用，对孕妇本身也是有很大好处的。研究表明，孕期摄入足够的-3脂肪酸，不仅能够促进宝宝视觉和神经系统的发育，还能减少宝宝出生后过敏的几率。此外-3脂
May 26, 2015 at 10:02 pm
For China’s behaviour over the years, most count The diaoyu islands to eventually ries in the world are unhappy state of mind.And cancel the alliance with China and friendly.Some countries to China in the future to expand the territory in prepared to defense,The diaoyu islands to eventually, to join several other United Nations to r
May 8, 2015 at 7:33 pm
旧的一年过去了，新的一年又来了。每年从各个搞笑毕业的大学生多如牛毛，入学率的提高和就业率的降低，让很多大学生选择了自主创业的道路。 doshow视频娱乐 据统计“75%的高校毕业生渴望自主创业，但最终真正的创业者 台湾成人聊天 仅占1.94%”，这是教育部八月份公布的一项最新数据。 在“大学生创业率低”、“大学生创业只有热情，缺少行动”等报道被广泛关注之后，各地纷纷出台大学生创业优惠政策，有些地区还设立大学生创业基金、建立了大学生创业孵化基地。可是，“最终真正的创业者仅占1.94%”的统计数据，还是让很多人不解,doshow视频娱乐。那么，我市大学毕业生是如何看待创业难呢？ 高校扩容大学毕 台湾美女 业生扎堆 “我连房租都付不出了，真不知
January 19, 2015 at 8:45 pm
米人微贷
是金子总会发光，淘金者已经准备好了，你还 米人微贷 在等什么？快来证明自己吧！米人金融，诚招岗位！
人才是企业的第 米人金融 一财富，是企业永续发展的基石
在此刻，我们期待与您共同奋斗！
我们愿意尽最大的努力，在这片充满竞争力与想象力的普惠金融领域中，为满腹才华的你,米人车贷，为朝气蓬勃的你，为有志亲身参与的你提供最具吸引力的薪酬和一个广阔的舞台！
如果您足够自信，如果您满怀激情，如果您充满干劲，却苦于找不到机会，苦于遇不到伯乐，但是， 米人车贷 您看到了这里，那就请您忘却您的苦恼，加入我们这个大舞台，尽情施展您的才华，携手共创辉煌吧。
加入米人，成为开拓普惠金融领域独特的力量！
January 19, 2015 at 12:14 am
2014年阿里巴巴女装热销排行榜公布
如何做好阿里巴巴 2015年1月15日 阿里巴巴代运营 仕杰电商公布2014年阿里巴巴女装热销排行榜数据，阿里巴巴从上市到目前女装仍然占领了阿里巴巴整体交易数据38.72%并且处于阿里巴巴榜首，那么，阿里巴巴迟迟未公布2014年的数据排行榜，今天，我们将公布国内到底有那些女装品牌上榜一直很值得人们的期待。在2015年女装行业如何做好阿里巴巴，如何选择阿里巴巴 阿里巴巴托管 代运营将自己的产品和销量再一次的跳跃式的冲刺？目前，其他行业也在全力冲刺阿里巴巴相关行业的排行榜，女装未来的榜首之路还能走多久，全国数千家知名女装企业如何应对2015年这场血腥的品牌排行榜之争，很多商
January 6, 2015 at 12:28 am
《中华民国光复纪念邮票》 《孙总理国葬纪念邮票》 《孙中山先生诞生90周年纪念邮票》 《实施耕者有其田纪念邮票》 《孙中山先生诞辰一百二十周年纪念邮票小型张》 淘宝店铺刷动态评分 《中国七七抗战五周年纪念邮票》 《孙中山先生逝世七十五周年纪念邮票小本票》
作者：书恒[微博]
孙中山先生是中华民国国父，是伟大的民族英雄，国父深受海内外中华同胞的崇敬。3月12日，是国父逝世纪念日，每年的这个时候，国人都会举行一系列纪念活动，以感念国父将他生命中的四十年无私奉献给国家。
1911年武昌起义革命成功，推翻了满清，亚洲第一个民主共和国――中华民国成立，国父孙中山先生就任中华民国临时大总统。原
January 5, 2015 at 7:20 am
澳门新葡京线上娱乐,甘蔗西施
赌场实境亲临感受
加入会员玩游戏送你＊iphone 6＊
赢点马上换现金
免费试玩 甘蔗西施 网址 http://www.sea5168.com http://www.sea5168.com
October 27, 2014 at 12:13 am
现代人在家具消费上更注重衣柜的设计，以及衣柜的选材用料，根本没有花心思在五金配件上,液压铰链十大品牌。其实五金 液压铰链十大品牌 配件在衣柜中，用 今得利五金 户的使用体验感是直接挂钩的。
衣柜五金配件分类
在整个衣柜的组架中，包含的五金配件包括：三合一连接件、合叶铰链滑轨类(如柜门铰链)、装饰拉手类、装饰锁具类(如抽屉锁)、挂衣杆、裤架等。五金件的价格、档次与寿命是制约衣柜身价的关键因素， 五金 国外一些高档橱柜、衣柜五金件的价格，已接近或超过衣柜本身的价格。好的五金件，可以保证衣柜的使用寿命，而劣质五金件会使柜门开启不灵活，推不动、关不严，给消费者带来烦恼与不便。
看五金
November 25, 2013 at 5:59 am
ken owens scarlets
Sac Lancel
“I know Louboutin Soldes this: This has been a dream of his to coach in New York. This is not something that came along and he said, ‘Oh,Sac Lancel, OK, I’ll take it.’ When I was his assistant,Louboutin Solde abercrombie soldes s, he said that was where he wanted to coach. Naturally,abercrombie soldes, the money i
November 25, 2013 at 5:06 am
a see jump,abercrombie paris. Hefei has bid surro abercrombie paris gate den air jordan s “surrogate dens in Hefei.
8 people in detention,air jordan, consciousness gradually restored,hollister france, the original beauty can also so easy a surnamed Peng lady was on his fl hollister france at chest doesn’t mind, according to introduction, Breas
November 25, 2013 at 4:58 am
an all in one be o Ugg Boots UK Outlet n the lookout inside the arafat’s feared freedom force,Ugg Boots UK Outlet Cheap Nike Free Run
Then lindsay reaches and then for an all in one glass, and her arm sort concerning detaches at going to be the sho Red Bottom Heels ulder and grows on pistonlooking metal taverns also a multi functional”handy” feat. So lin
August 24, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Exactamente, here someone http://www.0ut-there.blogspot.com/
August 24, 2013 at 9:34 am
what is this about Arreaza buying a Chinese satellite but forgetting the local antennas? do you have a source for this?
August 24, 2013 at 9:44 am
It was in the papers. The second Chinese satellite was purchased and paid for and it was supposed to be accompanied by purchasing and buidling two antennas I think it was so that the satellites could be monitored from Venzuela and locals could used the remote sensing capabilities of the satellites. Six months after the satellite was launched, the construction of these antennas had not began, I dont know if they have done anything. Victor Suarez from Inside Telecom reported about this in El Universal and in Tal Cual.
August 22, 2013 at 3:05 pm
It is frustrating to see how Venezuela has become such a BIZARRE country, where in the news you read of MEGA Projects being planned and “executed” by the many ministries, without any control and oversight. Every “enchufado” like Capriles has come to name them (one right thing for him), acts and spends money of ALL venezuelans at their own will. In the meantime, the people fight over cans of milk, toilet paper, and other food in the grocery stores. I wonder how this all is going to end and sadly I see no solution to this other than civil war. One day, hopefully soon, the people will get fed up and sick of all these inept crooks and will take them out by force. Unfortunately, votes will not do it. And the reason is the CNE is controlled by the Cuban G2 and the “enchufados”. For mi no point for Venezuelans to participate in elections anymore.
see this interview Bayly make to Agustin Blanco Munoz…
August 22, 2013 at 11:47 am
[…] be some similar events in the United States? In Venezuela, the situation is bad enough to cause writer’s block. Much the same happened in Egypt when now deposed President Morsi was “democratically […]
August 21, 2013 at 4:46 pm
it’s the same sentiments and feelings on the other side of the fence, the one tasked with dealing with your problem. If you look at the 20th century, same shit.
August 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Venezuela…a cesspool in every respect, but who cares anymore?
August 21, 2013 at 1:41 pm
A+
August 21, 2013 at 10:52 am
Every person on this planet has an ability to care for themselves (and their children or aged elders) if they are allowed to do so. Sometimes we act in harmony with others to meet our common gaols. Socialism, in all its forms, prevents this. The basic concept is alluring, but fundementally prohibits anyone from making a profit. The only thing I own is my time and how to use it, also my mind, to make plans (at this God would laugh as he/she have their own plans). I’m not doomed to my own thoughts, or so I believe.
Venezuela is a most beautiful nation, along with its people, I have had the privalage to live in this country with my wife, who was born in Caracas, (I am Irish) for a number of years, and whom I love with all my heart. I see the state of corruption and criminal neglect of those who are the sworn up-holders of all that matters in the agreement.
The agreement is the “Constitution”. All citizens made a contract between ‘themselves’ as to how they should be governed. The current government has refused to honor that agreement especially the Supreme Court as it should be seperated by law only and its constituonal mandate.
The United Kingdom does not have a constitution but its behaviours are based on law – only law is relevant. It is an excelent model.
“I think therefore I am” is not a good expression regarding sentience but better is “I think and do”.
Dont cry for me Venezuela – I love you.
God bless us all said Tiny Tim (Dickens).
August 21, 2013 at 9:29 am
I hear you Bruni. Disenchanted, leaderless and with the general population not seeming to really care…….How to get out of this rut?. In the meantime the rest of the world flashes by…..
August 21, 2013 at 9:35 am
Life flashes by too and the country gets bigger and poorer and no solution is being worked on for practically anything.
August 20, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Someone wrote in my blog that it has been too long since I last wrote. He is write, but I feel exactly like you, Miguel. What else is new?
So glad that you FINALLY read Harry Potter 🙂
Great post.
August 21, 2013 at 9:35 am
Only one…
August 20, 2013 at 3:32 pm
[…] transformation” of America into a banana republic. Banana Republic? Where might that be? Here's an article pertinent to Venezuela, but not only to Venezuela. It deals with Chavista-induced writer's cramp. […]
August 20, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Why not have a separate page on your blog listing every expropriation you have ever heard of (with a very very short description). Let the replies fill in the details so you don’t have to do too much work.
It wouldn’t hurt if you turned the static into separate songs.
August 20, 2013 at 11:30 am
A lot of what is happening is consistent with the 50+1 theory. The people in power must win elections, but only by the smallest of margins, according to “game theory”.
“In a democracy, to win you need a majority, but you don’t want a lot more than 50-percent-plus-one, because if your majority gets bigger, you have to share the spoils with more supporters. That’s no good. So the natural process is to produce division.”
The mechanisms are well knwn: control of the electoral power, hand-outs, discrediting the opposition with the threat of jail, etc. The Maduro circus is probably only a political strategy to stay in power while minimizing the costs.
The good of the Nation? Very well, thank you.
Antonio
August 22, 2013 at 12:52 am
In a democracy, a 50+1 majority is thin and you’ll hardly control the country or be able to stay in power.
A democracy is much, MUCH more than a ballot box every few years. The ballot box is essential, yes, but it’s nowhere near the whole thing.
August 20, 2013 at 10:48 am
Miguel,
I agree with you in that the “constitution” is not the reason for our problems “per se”, (as the previous one wasn’t either). From my point of view a new constituent assembly serves the purpose of resetting the institutions by getting rid of the chavista incompetent appointees just like Chavez did to get rid of any kind of checks and balances by refounding his Republic. If that would work is another matter but an opposition government with the current state of the critical state institutions is a non-starter.
August 20, 2013 at 8:59 am
Miguel,
Your feelings are totally understood.The feeling many have now is of utter despair and lacking in hope, or ideas.
This is why I think it is a good time to brain storm about the only thing left that is relevant: ” the why”
As far as I can see there is still a lot of confusion about what created this situation and what has to change in order to correct it.
Until we can see the reasons ‘why’ of something, the solutions are not in reach.Sometimes looking at a microcosm, representative of a culture can illuminate and bring more clarity to a current situation.
As for what to do at this point, maybe that will become more obvious when deeper questions are answered.
August 21, 2013 at 11:14 am
Every person on this planet has an ability to care for themselves (and their children or aged elders) if they are allowed to do so. Sometimes we act in harmony with others to meet our common gaols. Socialism, in all its forms, prevents this. The basic concept is alluring, but fundementally prohibits anyone from making a profit. The only thing I own is my time and how to use it, also my mind, to make plans (at this God would laugh as he/she have their own plans). I’m not doomed to my own thoughts, or so I believe.
Venezuela is a most beautiful nation, along with its people, I have had the privalage to live in this country with my wife, who was born in Caracas, (I am Irish) for a number of years, and whom I love with all my heart. I see the state of corruption and criminal neglect of those who are the sworn up-holders of all that matters in the agreement.
The agreement is the “Constitution”. All citizens made a contract between ‘themselves’ as to how they should be governed. The current government has refused to honor that agreement especially the Supreme Court as it should be seperated by law only and its constituonal mandate.
The United Kingdom does not have a constitution but its behaviours are based on law – only law is relevant. It is an excelent model.
“I think therefore I am” is not a good expression regarding sentience but better is “I think and do”.
Dont cry for me Venezuela – I love you.
God bless us all said Tiny Tim (Dickens).
August 20, 2013 at 8:30 am
Aplausos Miguel! You have writer’s block and I have nationality block. Don’t want to be venezuelan. Don’t want my kids to be venezuelan. Not like this… Sad.
August 20, 2013 at 7:38 am
“Corruption, Constituent, Cambio, Compliance, Conciencias, Comptroller, Corpoelec, Censorship, Central, Cilia, Chavismo, Cruz Weffer, Chacón, Cadivi, Carreño, Cabello, Chávez…Cagada!
August 20, 2013 at 7:20 am
OT but not so OT:
I wrote a first draft of an article on FONDEN for Wikipedia:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/FONDEN
It is just a start. Could someone translate it or part of it into English? I will do the same into German and then I will link from different articles about Venezuela’s economy and history within the different WIKIPEDIA’s.
We need to link and structure as much as we can all this data.
Notice: the Wikipedia article is rather neutral as one needs to comply with Wikipedia’s policies. Still, the more articles there are about it, the clear the whole case of Chavista corruption becomes.
August 20, 2013 at 7:17 am
In a post where you claim writer’s block, you said it all. As always, excellent post.
August 20, 2013 at 12:44 am
Great article
Look, the 2000 Constitution may not be perfect, but why not try to follow it to the letter for four years and see what happens?
Well for starters we need a constitution that at least set the foundation of a system where individual rights are respected and guaranteed in every aspect of our lives.
Furthermore, the current one states that collective rights trumps individual rights, in and of itself, it might seems innocuous and commonsense, but it leaves too much room for Bureaucrats to enact laws and regulations that undermines current aspect of the constitution for the greater good for a greater amount of people, which was the cornerstone for most of the policy of the Chavez’s administration, Expropriation. In the end, no one had received a substantial benefit from this policies other than the people related with the current authorities.
That’s just one of the reasons, but there is so much room for anyone to interpret the constitution, but only the man in charge will interpret the constitution as he see fit, for personal gain and that of the ruling party.
August 20, 2013 at 7:58 am
I think individual rights are pretty much protected in the Constitution. From Art. 19 to 61 it does that, it is just a matter of whether those in power believe in it or not to defend it and execute it. What the Constitution says about expropriations has not been followed. That has always been in the Constitution, before it was followed in those cases where it was needed for public works and the like.
August 19, 2013 at 9:39 pm
Miguel,
Great post!!!!..Dark Humor!!! Can anybody articulate this in Spanish for the “uneducated masses (80% of the electorate vote)” without offending them?
Best
August 19, 2013 at 9:26 pm
I can never read enough about the fish farm they expropriated awhile back. And the Iranian dairy processing plant where all the cows either died from snakes or lack of water, because of where they built it.
Maybe you can do a Top 10 list–the funny blunders.
August 20, 2013 at 6:36 am
How about the multi million dollar ferry they bought to run from La Guaira to Margarita some 3 years ago.
It seems to have disappeared into some black hole.
Last rumour was that it was transporting illegal gasoline to Aruba.
August 20, 2013 at 11:42 am
The HSS Discovery ferry is docked in Curazao and you are right. It was detained by the Curazao customs after being caught smuggling diesel.
http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/noticias/tripulacion-del-ferry-varado-en-curazao-es-venezol.aspx
August 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Just incredible. Hadn’t seen that report.
Why doesn’t our new “anti corruption” president investigate that story?
August 20, 2013 at 10:34 am
Ira, which fish farm. The Fabricio Ojeda? Do you know if it’s still operating? It seems like it would be easy to write a book about the failures of expropriations.
August 20, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I didn’t know there was more than one–Miguel wrote about it here way back when.
It was ridiculous, because it was just a small operation (family-run, I think), for a freshwater species. Maybe trout?
It wasn’t like the Revolution was going to produce anything more substantial from it than the owners were already doing.
August 21, 2013 at 11:17 am
Here it is, Ira. (http://devilsexcrement.com/2010/07/21/saving-the-troutland-in-chavezlandia/) I’d love it if there was some sort of update on one of the VNZ blogs about how this and other similar takeovers are going. –jsb
August 21, 2013 at 11:21 am
I laughed re-reading it, and I wrote it!
Anyway, I know the case of Lacteos Los Andes quite well, the company has been ground to a halt. The owner of this company grew it despite Chavizmo to become a jewel of local production, transportation and logistics. They grew year after year and then Chavez had the bright idea of nationalizing it. Now it is in really bad shape. How many hundreds of cases does it take for Chavistas to figure out this just does not work?
August 21, 2013 at 2:44 pm
I just wish someone (ahem, ahem) would write a book compiling all of these failures. “The Fake Revolution” would be a nice title.