Saturday, June 28, 2003

What Venezuelans think In a nationwide poll by Datos published today in El Nacional (A-5) 75% of those polled consider themselves to be in the opposition, while only 25% support him. What I found most interesting though is that 48% of those polled believe Chavez' revolution is a dictatorship, 70% think it is violent, 66% think there is more corruption with Chavez and 68% consider that poverty has increased and the quality of life has decreased during Chavez' Government. Finally, when asked whether things are going well or very well, not so well ("regular" in Spanish) or badly, only 6% said well or very well, 28% not so well and 66% badly. Not a pretty picture. 5:49:28 PM    comment []

A peek at a Bolivarian Circle Oscar sends in these pictures from the Headquarters of a Bolivarian Circle in a little town: The proud member of the circle stands in front. The building says things like "With Chavez the people rule" "he does not leave" "They will not come back" "VTV (The Government TV station) The station of the sovereign people" But what I found more offensive was the Chavez version of the Creed shown blown up on the right. It starts: I believe in the all powerful revolution, which created the fishing and land law. I believe in Hugo Chavez (misspelled), his only son, that was conceived by deed and grace of the people.... and it ends: Say this prayer all mornings, pronouncing (misspelled) the following phrase three times; They will never come back 12:51:02 AM    comment []

Lawless and Disorder One of the resaons people voted for Hugo Chavez was that he fooled them into believing that because he was a former military official, law and order would be a priority. In particular, people thought Chavez would fight crime earnestly. Well, it seems to be exactly the opposite, not only is crime at its worst, but there is rampant impunity as witnessed by what happened tonight. Last night, a military officer was drunk and was jailed by the Metropolitan police. Well, tonight the military police  (English version) from the Army decided to free their mate and went in shooting at the metropolitan police to do it. The police shot back at them. Fortunately nobody was hurt, even if the truck from the military police now has a few bullet holes. So even those that are supposed to enforce law and order, simply bypass it. 12:31:09 AM    comment []