Sorry sir it should read Mr Magoo
Venezuela right-wing opposition wins control of National Assembly by a landslide
Mon, 2017-10-09 21:28
#502
Mon, 2017-10-09 21:36
#503
i think what Ken Burch was doing was giving this thread a “bump”
I think he was giving it an "un-bump".
I’ll let you know when we start talking about chickens again or food in general. You can jump in at that time and drift the thread right into the cooking with Mr McGoo show.
No matter how much I might disagree with someone here on babble, I do try to spell their name right, since I'm literate and it's easy.
Sorry brother but these threads are getting too boring and I thought I’d add some humorous
Let us know when you do.
Mon, 2017-10-09 21:44
#504
Lol sorry brother but I’m still chuckling. I chose not to edit my grammar error because I’m using the iPhone and it’s a pain in the but.
But back to the topic
i read the Venezuela is no longer using the petro buck-green back to sell its oil in retaliation to sanctions.
im sure this would make BRICS happy.
Tue, 2017-10-10 00:36
#505
But was it unreasonable of them to expect to be able to hold the recall referendum that the Constitution promised?
It was simply something that didn't need to be done. Maduro had won a full term, they had their majority in Congress...they should have just negotiated with the guy, rather than treating him as though he had no right to be in office. There was no chance that attempting to recall Maduro-the continuation of the canard that neither he nor Chavez were legitimately holding office, something the "0pposition" had been doing even when the PSUV was being re-elected by landslide majorities-could do anything to improve the situation.
Why couldn't they just accept his legitimacy in office and act as a loyal opposition?
Tue, 2017-10-10 13:25
#506
But was it unreasonable of them to expect to be able to hold the recall referendum that the Constitution promised?
It was simply something that didn't need to be done. Maduro had won a full term, they had their majority in Congress...they should have just negotiated with the guy, rather than treating him as though he had no right to be in office. There was no chance that attempting to recall Maduro-the continuation of the canard that neither he nor Chavez were legitimately holding office, something the "0pposition" had been doing even when the PSUV was being re-elected by landslide majorities-could do anything to improve the situation.
Why couldn't they just accept his legitimacy in office and act as a loyal opposition?
I think this is a pretty weak argument. If the constitution provides a procedure for presidential recall, and that procedure is followed by an opposition group, then there should be a recall vote. It isn't optional, and it is irrelevant whether the proponents of the recall are nice or well-motivated. Saying "they didn't need to do this" is no answer.
Tue, 2017-10-10 14:24
#507
The motivations of the recall proponents are at least somewhat relevant-they are the leaders of the old political establishmet, the ones who cheered when the "Caracazo" massacre of trade unionists who were protesting an austerity budget, took place.
It's a valid thing for the PSUV to want to make sure that workers aren't going to be executed in the streets again.
Tue, 2017-10-10 19:44
#508
It's a valid thing for the PSUV to want to make sure that workers aren't going to be executed in the streets again.
More valid than the Constitution?
Tue, 2017-10-10 20:26
#509
If the Constitution is defended and the result is more caracazos, what use is the Constitution? If Maduro were removed and the immediate result were a new Venezuelan government executing workers in the streets, nothing that happened after that could ever be considered free or democratic. There might be "elections", but "elections", by themselves, aren't anything at all.
Look at Poland and Hungary-all their "free elections" did was to lead those countries to the semi-fascist situations they are in now. Do you honestly think elections and a constitution are of any use to people trying to hold off the establishmet of permanent Catholic dictatorships, states where life is going to basically come to a stop for the rest of eternity?
If Maduro falls, with his flaws, the first thing they "opposition" will do is impose massive price hikes on food and fuel-a change that can't lead to any improvements even for the long-term. Then, they'll abolish the community councils, the only genuinely democratic governmental institution in Venezuela. Yes, a bourgois, economic royalist constitution in which hope doesn't exist for anyone but the light-skinned elite will have been defended...but so what? So...freaking...what? It will be a constitution for a country where there is no life and the people are nothing. There will be nothing in any of it for any progressive or humane person to support, and no chance ever again to change anything. It will just all be over. But you'll be fine with history being brought to an artificial end, because all that matters is "the Constitution".
You'll probably get your way...and then when the country has gone full Pinochet, which has always been the "opposition"s goal, what will you say then?
Tue, 2017-10-10 20:49
#510
If Maduro were removed and the immediate result were a new Venezuelan government executing workers in the streets, nothing that happened after that could ever be considered free or democratic.
Is that your argument? That if the opposition were ever to make laws as the voters mandated them to then the inevitable conclusion of this would be a repeat of 28 years ago?
If Maduro falls, with his flaws, the first thing they "opposition" will do is impose massive price hikes on food and fuel-a change that can't lead to any improvements even for the long-term. Then, they'll abolish the community councils, the only genuinely democratic governmental institution in Venezuela.
They wouldn't be "price hikes". They would be "market prices", after years of price control that's destroyed any incentive to produce anything other than sticky and sulphurous crude.
Yes, a bourgois, economic royalist constitution in which hope doesn't exist for anyone but the light-skinned elite will have been defended...but so what?
Is that all the Constitution is?
I'm asking because Chavez wrote it.
Wed, 2017-10-11 00:52
#511
(2016) Opposition Must Collect 20% of Recall Referendum Signatures Per State
https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/12726?page=2
Venezuela's Maduro: Agreement With Opposition '95% Complete'
Wed, 2017-10-11 08:13
#512
But was it unreasonable of them to expect to be able to hold the recall referendum that the Constitution promised?
It was simply something that didn't need to be done. Maduro had won a full term, they had their majority in Congress...they should have just negotiated with the guy, rather than treating him as though he had no right to be in office. There was no chance that attempting to recall Maduro-the continuation of the canard that neither he nor Chavez were legitimately holding office, something the "0pposition" had been doing even when the PSUV was being re-elected by landslide majorities-could do anything to improve the situation.
Why couldn't they just accept his legitimacy in office and act as a loyal opposition?
I think this is a pretty weak argument. If the constitution provides a procedure for presidential recall, and that procedure is followed by an opposition group, then there should be a recall vote. It isn't optional, and it is irrelevant whether the proponents of the recall are nice or well-motivated. Saying "they didn't need to do this" is no answer.
Agree.
Mon, 2017-10-16 01:13
#513
Venezuela's FM on Media Manipulation
"We speak to Venezuela's FM, Jorge Arreaza."
Venezuela Regional Elections
https://twitter.com/telesurenglish/status/919773096613171200
"PSUV wins 17 of 23 states. Highest voter turnout in 15 years. The people have chosen Chavismo."
Fri, 2017-10-20 05:14
#514
Venezuela Regional Elections
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/10/20/venezuela-regional-elections-cha...
"Chavismo in triumph, opposition in disarray and media in denial..."
Fri, 2017-10-20 20:07
#515
I think this is a pretty weak argument. If the constitution provides a procedure for presidential recall, and that procedure is followed by an opposition group, then there should be a recall vote. It isn't optional, and it is irrelevant whether the proponents of the recall are nice or well-motivated. Saying "they didn't need to do this" is no answer.
Unfortunately for your argument the opposition did not follow the rules when they where trying to get the 1% in each region. So the Electoral Commission had every right and duty to delay the procedure and tell them to start again.
First it was cheating in the general elections to try and get a super majority to overturn the Consitituion then it was cheating in a referendum attempt to overturn the Presedential election. The opposition is truly a sight to behold. Did I mention that they also advocate foreign interfernce in their internal eleciton processes and that is usually considered treason. Of course a US politician talking to a Russian diplomat is a outrage but a Venezualn politician on their knees in Washington begging for a soft coup is democracy in action.
Unlike on babble with "progressive" Canadians the majority of Venezualan voters have clearly rejected the US backed opposition.
Fri, 2017-10-20 20:35
#516
Unfortunately for your argument the opposition did not follow the rules when they where trying to get the 1% in each region. So the Electoral Commission had every right and duty to delay the procedure and tell them to start again.
If I recall correctly, the EC had "questions" about 1/10th of the number of "surplus" votes. In other words, even if they were correct that those 10% of votes were fraudulent, there was still plenty more uncontested votes to fill the quota.
First it was cheating in the general elections to try and get a super majority to overturn the Consitituion then it was cheating in a referendum attempt to overturn the Presedential election. The opposition is truly a sight to behold.
I know, right? No matter what they do, they can't seem to stop themselves from cheating, says the government-friendly EC.
This could be a totally different discussion if the Venezuelan Electoral Commission (the CNE) were in any way at arm's length from the current government. But, please.
Sat, 2017-10-21 08:41
#517
Toeing Trump's Line, Canada Backs Baseless Fraud Allegations in Venezuela
"Under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, the Canadian government of Justin Trudeau has been a major player in the Lima Group, composed of governments in the region who oppose that Maduro government."
Sat, 2017-10-21 17:32
#518
Maduro warns of repeat elections in states won by opposition
Venezuelan state elections may be repeated in the five states won by the opposition if the governors-elect continue to refuse to be sworn in by a controversial pro-government legislative superbody, President Nicolas Maduro warned on Friday....
The opposition says that by law, the oath must be taken before regional parliaments and not before the Constituent Assembly, but so far none of their candidates have undergone that process and formally assumed their roles.
Watch for a brand new law, made retroactive.
Sat, 2017-10-21 19:09
#519
The local election results do put the "Maduro MUST be subject to recall" thing to rest, though. They are an overwhelming rejection of the MUD.
Sat, 2017-10-21 19:10
#520
They are an overwhelming rejection of the MUD.
Then Maduro has even LESS reason to forbid the referendum. Not that he had a plausible one before this.
Sun, 2017-10-29 12:03
#521
Canada Considering More Venezuela Sanctions, Freeland Says
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/venezuela-freeland-canada-1.4374732
"If necessary, we must put added pressure on the Maduro regime by taking concrete steps to further isolate it from the international community, she said. Freeland added that Canada was mulling a second round of sanctions against Venezuela officials. 'Other countries should consider doing so as well,' she said."
Yet the Nazi, coup-installed US puppet billionaire Poroshenko regime in Kiev, her 'friend', 'is the best government Ukraine has had in its entire history.' Compare and contrast.
Sun, 2017-10-29 18:48
#522
For those who might wonder what these sanctions are, and how they'd punish the ordinary Venezuelan who's just trying to get by, Canada has endorsed sanctions against 40 senior government officials. I guess they can't do business in Canada!
Kind of like the crippling sanctions against DPRK/North Korea that prevented party brass from importing luxury cars and $3000 wristwatches.
Sun, 2017-10-29 19:07
#523
They are an overwhelming rejection of the MUD.Then Maduro has even LESS reason to forbid the referendum. Not that he had a plausible one before this.
No...the results prove that Venezuelans don't want to vote on recalling Maduro...that the people have moved past that. Why are you still so fixated on having that referendum? If the voters no longer support the MUD, what is the point?
Sun, 2017-10-29 19:31
#524
No...the results prove that Venezuelans don't want to vote on recalling Maduro...that the people have moved past that.
So, before these latest elections you felt that there was no need for a recall referendum. And after these latest elections you believe there is no need for a recall referendum.
Well, you certainly win, Ken. At this point there will surely be no recall referendum. Even though governor elections (analagous to Provincial elections) aren't the same as federal elections.
If the voters no longer support the MUD, what is the point?
If they no longer support an alternative then Venezuela should look forward to sailing very calm seas, yes? They're all happy now, yes? But we should probably wait a little to declare an "all clear", just in case none of these governors have tonnes of food and medicine and such up their sleeve. But certainly if the people are all content then crisis averted.
Mon, 2017-10-30 00:56
#525
Intervention Seeking Lima Group Hopes To Further 'Isolate Venezuela'
"Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza reported by saying Canada's criticisms amounted to the government's 'permanent' and 'systematic interference' in the affairs of the Caribbean country. In response to the Lima Group's meeting, several Venezuelan solidarity groups in Toronto staged public protests."
Wed, 2017-11-01 04:11
#526
Freeland Steps Up Diplomatic Pressure on Venezuela, Warns of Refugee Crisis
"Freeland said Monday that support from allies would help pressure Venezuela further. 'So I think it is an area where Canada needs to be very engaged...we'd be delighted to see the EU joining us in applying pressure on the government of Venezuela,' Freeland said."
A nasty piece of work this..
Thu, 2017-11-02 03:28
#527
Trudeau Covers For Trump On Venezuela - And the CBC Covers For Trudeau - by Joe Emersberger
https://zcomm.org/zblogs/trudeau-covers-for-trump-on-venezuela-and-the-c...
"Freeland makes a subtle appeal to xenophobia to justify Canada's aping of Trump and other right-wing governmets in the region who want to see Venezuela's government overthrown. Fortunately for Freeland, she can expect zero resistance from other political parties or Canada's media.
If Canada had a vibrant press and at least one opposition leader with integrity, Freeland's gross hypocrisy would be exposed. At present, she and Trudeau have nothing to worry about..."
Thu, 2017-11-02 18:19
#528
It would be ten times as gross if she'd proposed "solidarity" with Venezuela on the grounds that Maduro and PSUV are acting honestly and in good faith.
If Canada had a vibrant press...
Better, in this case, to wish one for Venezuela. The state press, however, assures us all that everything is awesome and the people are super happy.
Sat, 2017-11-04 08:04
#529
Canada Slaps 52 People With Magnitsky Law Sanctions
http://ipolitics.ca/2017/11/03/canada-slaps-52-people-with-magnitsky-law...
"The sanctions against the 19 individuals from Venezuela are in response to acts of significant corruption and human rights violations..."
[Guardians of The Magnitsky Myth]
https://www.newcoldwar.org/guardians-of-the-magnitsky-myth/
"In pursuit of Russia-gate..."
Sun, 2017-11-05 12:58
#530
Protesters crash U of T forum on Venezuelan crisis
A handful of protesters walked on stage at the Isabel Bader Theatre during a panel on the crisis in Venezuela titled “Resolving the Venezuelan Crisis: Following the Meeting of the Lima Group of Foreign Ministers in Toronto” on October 26.
The protesters, who were demonstrating against “Canadian interventionism” in the country, held signs that read, “Hands Off Venezuela” and “Canada + OAS, Stop the Plunder! Out of Venezuela,” blocking audience members from viewing the panel. In response to the protest, dozens of audience members stood up and sang the Venezuelan national anthem. The protesters were later escorted out of the theatre by U of T Campus Police.
Sun, 2017-11-05 16:16
#531
Ottawa's Sanctions, Support for Venezuelan Opposition Constitute Regime Change - by Yves Engler
"Notwithstanding her government's violation of the UN and Organization of American States' charters in Venezuela, Freeland's claim that Ottawa doesnt engage in 'regime change' is laughable. Is she unaware that a Canadian General commanded the NATO force, which involved fighter jets, naval vessels and special forces, that killed Muammar Gaddafi in Libya six years ago?
Sticking to contexts more directly applicable to the situation in Venezuela, Ottawa has repeatedly endorsed US-backed military coups against progressive elected leaders..."
Sun, 2017-11-05 18:39
#532
Engler does an OK job of retelling the stories of two unfortunate Canadian interventions, but never really seems to meaningfully link those to some lukewarm sanctions against a small handful of Venezuelan elites, nevermind any outright "regime change".
So a few Venezuelan bigwigs can't visit Canada, and their Canadian assets are frozen (shares in Tim Hortons? Or what, specifically, are we talking about here?).
I'm sure the government will topple before daybreak. Mission Accomplished!
Sat, 2017-11-11 10:01
#533
US Sanctions on Venezuela: 'Attempt to Destroy the Economy'
Due to late debt payments, credit agencies downgraded Venezuela's debt last week. Meanwhile, the finance minister of Russia announced it is providing Venezuela with $3 billion in new credit so it can make the outstanding debt payments in time and not fall into default. Part of Venezuela's credit crunch is traceable to U.S. financial sanctions, which make it practically impossible for Venezuela to restructure its outstanding debt because U.S. investors are now prohibited from trading in Venezuelan bonds.
quote:
Another ironic result also of this policy is that the value of Venezuela's bonds have plummeted so far that Torino Capital estimates that the total foreign debt, what you can call foreign debt, it's owned by foreigners, for both the government and the state oil company, PDVSA, now adds up to about $16 billion. The government, if it could get that cash, could buy them back, buy these bonds out. That would be the end of their debt. Of course, Russia or China could easily finance that. There was some speculation in the media, I don't know if I would agree with it, but again it's a possibility, that the reason that the government is announcing a proposed restructuring, and having this meeting on November 13th, and leaving in charge for this meeting two people who are under U.S. sanctions, which makes it very difficult to have the restructuring, is to create the impression of a possible default in order to buy back some of those bonds very cheaply, or all of them. I don't see where they get the cash for that, but that could be done. President Correa did something similar back in 2007. When he defaulted, actually, he did default on the debt, and was able to buy back a lot of the bonds at a very low price and therefore get rid of some of their debt very cheaply. About a third of their foreign debt was gone. I think that would be one solution to the debt crisis, if the government could somehow come up with this kind of cash.
Sun, 2017-11-12 19:44
#534
TRNN: US Sanctions on Venezuela: 'Attempt To Destroy the Economy' (and vid)
"Venezuela's recession is making it difficult for the country to meet its debt payments, but US sanctions are making a difficult task almost impossible - explains CEPR's Mark Weisbrot. 'It really is an attempt to destroy the economy. There's no other way to describe the sanctions that the US has. It's an attempt to topple the government by further destroying the economy and preventing its recovery."
Thu, 2017-11-16 19:50
#535
The US Southern Command's Silent Occupation Of The Amazon
http://upsidedownworld.org/archives/international/us-southern-commands-s...
"Armed forces were concentrated from 16 countries, including Germany, CANADA, Chile, the UK, Japan and Israel...The participating armies, without a doubt will put pressure on Venezuela, a regime that opposes US interests in South America..."
Sat, 2017-11-18 06:14
#536
The World's Saints and Sinners According To Canada - by Andrew Mitrovica
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/world-saints-sinners-canada-171...
"Not surprisingly, Canada's swaggering list of sinners is dominated by easy marks: Russians, Venezuelans and South Sudanese. Most of the names on Freeland's register of alleged trespassers are largely unknown save for one, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.
Clearly, Freeland didn't feel compelled to offer a morsel of evidence to back her incendiary claim that Maduro and scores of other top Venezuelan officials are mendacious human rights violators.
Freeland's revisionism and signature condescension were greeted, almost universally, with broad applause and without so much as a lonely note of censure from Canada's so-called democratic socialists, the New Democratic Party that shares, at least theoretically, Maduro's politics.
Curiously, Freeland's most wanted list of international miscreants did not include any senior or not-so-senior Israeli or US officials. In her cynical, myopic geopolitical calculus, Venezuela and Russia are sinners, while Israel and the US are saints..."
Mon, 2017-11-20 10:52
#537
Caracas Mayor's Race: Chavista Candidates Challenge PSUV to Democratize Revolution
The upcoming mayoral elections have opened a space for social movements and smaller leftist parties to contest the hegemony of the PSUV, reigniting long muted debates about inner-movement democracy and socialist strategy.
quote:
Absent any real electoral threat from the right, the election opens a space for social movements and smaller leftist parties to contest the hegemony of the PSUV, reigniting long muted debates about inner-movement democracy and socialist strategy.
Revitalizing these dialectical tensions – both between government and people as well as party and movement – is a sin qua non for Chavismo retaking the revolutionary offensive.
The candidates
The frontrunner in the race is prominent United Socialist Party leader Erika Farias, who hopes to succeed two-term PSUV incumbent Jorge Rodriguez to become Caracas’ first-ever female mayor.
quote:
Farias has promised to expand social programs in El Libertador, including the Local Production and Provision Committees (CLAPs), which sees the government partner with local communities to deliver food at subsidized prices house by house.
“CLAP will reach 839,000 Caracas families every 15 days,” she pledged.
In particular, she indicated that for this holiday season, a special CLAP delivery will include one of Venezuelans’ favorite Christmas dishes, ham bread, which has become extremely expensive on the private market.
Tue, 2017-11-28 20:09
#538
Maduro taps major general to lead Venezuela's deteriorating oil industry
Industry analysts and sources said the surprise appointment of Manuel Quevedo, a former housing minister with no known energy experience, was a bad omen for the country’s already deteriorated oil industry.
Don't hire someone with relevant experience. Scratch the military's back.
If PDVSA doesn't suddenly rally for the win, it's the fault of those darned sanctions!!! Certainly not because an orchestra conductor was hired to be the football coach.
Tue, 2017-11-28 20:45
#539
Venezuela Arrests Top Citgo Executives For Alleged Embezzlement
https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/13514
"In addition to corruption, Saab accused the executives of acting 'in the service of a foreign power against the country,' suggesting that the US government may have influenced the subsidiary's representatives..."
See also: That Time Tillerson Tried to Take On Hugo Chavez And Lost
Wed, 2017-11-29 18:53
#540
The six men were charged with willful embezzlement, association with contractors, money laundering, and criminal association during a hearing before the 30th Caracas Metropolitan Court.
Well, the First Lady's nephews were arrested importing drugs, and Chavez' daughter apparently worked lots of overtime to become a billionaire.
But when it comes to fighting the corruption that literally takes food out of the people's mouths, there can be no such thing as "too little" or "too late".
Mon, 2017-12-04 17:56
#541
Enter the 'petro': Venezuela to launch oil-backed cryptocurrency
Finally, poor Venezuelans will have a use for all those computers they own.
Mind you, some untraceable cryptocurrency probably could have helped those nephews!
Wed, 2017-12-20 18:54
#542
Venezuela's Maduro Has Disqualified His Opposition From the Next Presidential Election
None of the political parties that boycotted the mayoral race will be allowed to participate in the 2018 presidential election, incumbent Nicolás Maduro said, according to the BBC.Three of the country’s biggest opposition parties, Justice First, Popular Will and Democratic Action, shunned the mayoral vote amid allegations of a corrupt electoral system rigged in favor of Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
...
By boycotting the vote, the opposition has “disappeared from the political map,” Maduro said in a speech Sunday, the BBC reports.
“A party that has not participated today and has called for the boycott of the elections can’t participate anymore,” Maduro said.
The left generally supports people's right to boycott something they disagree with.
But I guess the good news is that Chavismo is now effectively as unopposed as Juche. Long live the popular will of the people!
Sat, 2017-12-23 18:38
#543
Venezuela aims to kick out Canadian, Brazilian envoys
Officials in Venezuela took the first step on Saturday toward expelling top diplomats from Brazil and Canada who have been accused of meddling in the country’s politics.National constituent assembly president Delcy Rodriguez declared both Brazil’s ambassador and Canada’s chargé d’affaires as persona non grata, a move that does away with their diplomatic credentials.
Officials from both countries and the United States have been increasingly critical of President Nicolas Maduro’s government for consolidating power and isolating the country’s opposition parties ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
Well, they should both probably hop a plane -- if any airlines are still flying in and out of Venezuela -- before a routine traffic stop uncovers three Abrams tanks in their trunk. Go! Go now!
Sun, 2017-12-31 08:32
#544
Caracas Versus Ottawa: Who To Trust? - by Yves Engler
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/yves-englers-blog/2017/12/caracas-versus...
"A series of decisions Freeland's government has pursued over the past two weeks make it hard to take seriously Canada's commitment to democracy and human rights. While Caracas' rationale for expelling Canadian diplomats appears credible, the same cannot be said for Ottawa's move..."
Sun, 2017-12-31 16:34
#545
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused Portugal of sabotaging Christmas as a shorage of pork led to anti-government protests spilling onto the streets.
Apparently, pork leg is a traditional holiday meal, and Maduro had promised to deliver some.
Here's Maduro's fantasy:
According to Mr Maduro and his socialist government, the Portuguese authorities were pressured into preventing the delivery of two “giant boats” laden with government-subsidized ham, a favoured seasonal meat, due to an international conspiracy led by the United States.
And here's the reality:
“I know that ham to Venezuelans is as important as cod is to us at Christmas, but the fact that distribution has been delayed has nothing to do with the Portuguese government”, said Portugal’s foreign minister, Augusto Santos Silva.
A bemused Mr Santos Silva explained that the only restrictions on trade with Venezuela are “sanctions against that country approved in the framework of the European Union”, naming the freezing of certain assets if found in Europe and the sale of some military material.
But on Thursday a statement by food company Raporal appeared to clarify the crux of the dispute, explaining that it and other Portuguese exporters had yet to be paid in full for last year’s consignment of meat products shipped to Venezuela.
Clearly Maduro isn't a Lannister.
It's really not the government of Portugal's fault (or the Yanqui Gringos' fault) that Venezuela did a "dine and dash" last Christmas. But like every unfortunate thing in Venezuela, the government blames everyone but themselves.
Sat, 2018-01-27 17:03
#546
International criticism of Venezuela's election plans mount
International pressure has been mounting on Venezuela over the government's decision to push up presidential elections under conditions that opponents say overwhelmingly favor President Nicolas Maduro, who is so far the only candidate.
I can't help remember how, when Venezuelans called for a constitutionally-mandated recall election, the official response was that it couldn't be done in time, and besides, times were tough in Venezuela and they couldn't spare the resources for elections.
Now, things are worse in Venezuela, but they've got all the resources they need to strike while the iron is hot.
Further stoking concerns that the vote will be rigged, the government-stacked Supreme Court on Thursday night barred the main opposition alliance from being on the ticket, meaning whichever candidate runs against Maduro will have to do so under a less-recognized party banner.
Nice to see the Supreme Court continuing their unblemished, perfect record of always supporting the government. It's not enough that half of potential candidates are either in jail (thanks, again, Supreme Court) or barred from candidacy for some trivial accusation (thanks, again, Supreme Court) but now they can't even take part in a coalition?
Thanks, again, Supreme Court.
Sat, 2018-01-27 18:42
#547
It was really important to you that the richthe only people who wanted the recall, and who only wanted it because they want to erase everything the PSUV has done-the vast majority of which I think you'd have to conceded was positive-didn't get the recall they wanted.
But I guess it goes with your determination to raise food prices, a step that would only benefit the rich and which wouldn't lead to any significant increase in food production.
Sat, 2018-01-27 18:51
#548
It was really important to you that the richthe only people who wanted the recall, and who only wanted it because they want to erase everything the PSUV has done-the vast majority of which I think you'd have to conceded was positive-didn't get the recall they wanted.
Roughly what percentage of Venezuelans constitute "the rich"? The same percentage who seemed to endorse the recall vote? Who knew that 50% of Venezuelans were among their 1%?? Fuck math!
But I guess it goes with your determination to raise food prices, a step that would only benefit the rich and which wouldn't lead to any significant increase in food production.
A step that would benefit food producers, who can't seem to find a magical, patriotic way to earn ten bolivars for something that costs them 100 bolivars to produce and continue to produce.
Tue, 2018-02-13 21:49
#549
Canada's New Democratic Party Seeks To Topple Venezuela's Government - by Yves Engler
https://dissidentvoice.org/2018/02/canadas-new-democratic-party-seeks-to...
"...NDP members who oppose imperialism need to challenge Laverdiere's support for Washington and Ottawa's efforts to topple Venezuela's elected government. I will be speaking about 'What's wrong with NDP Foreign Policy?' on the sidelines of the convention. Those opposed to Canadian sanctions on Venezuela please sign this www.nosanctions.org petition."
Tue, 2018-02-13 22:10
#550
I love your retro news sources Magoo. The LA Times is one of the original fake news sites. Its reporting over the years has included all the highlights of US propaganda.
So do you have any real news sources?
Wed, 2018-02-14 00:13
#551
So do you have any real news sources?
Me? Or was that a typo?
Because I guess I posted a link to an online article about two and a half weeks ago.
But 20 minutes after NDPP informed us that:
Canada's New Democratic Party Seeks To Topple Venezuela's Government
you have concerns about sillynews?
Apparently, though, the NDP's Foreign Affairs Critic "remained silent" and "stayed mum" and "failed to challenge" and other such. Expect a new regime any moment now. That's the REAL news.