tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post4280857508200523093..comments2024-03-26T00:37:34.943+01:00Comments on Venezuela News And Views: When mediocrity and resentimiento win all overDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12128609182544333477noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-11674435601845962102012-10-11T01:44:22.302+02:002012-10-11T01:44:22.302+02:00Daniel, there's no need for you to apologize f...Daniel, there's no need for you to apologize for something that each of us chose to believe in. Please, as they say here in the South, "keep on keepin' on"!nicacat56https://www.blogger.com/profile/15873568282772090398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-79326357993521862412012-10-10T23:07:15.996+02:002012-10-10T23:07:15.996+02:00We are all Venezuelans in our hearts now
There’s ...We are all Venezuelans in our hearts now<br /><br />There’s an excellent article from Brett Stephens in today’s WSJ who points to your blog. I finally got it. We are all doomed here in Europe because we are all Venezuelans in our hearts now. I somehow couldn’t get to the bottom of why all those half-baked, anaemic and paltry leaders (Hollande, Cameron, Rajoy, Monti …) are so popular with electorates of the Old Continent. Now, I know. Read the rest here <a href="http://www.forumpoliticum.com/2012/10/10/we-are-all-venezuelans-in-our-hearts-now/" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumpoliticum.com/2012/10/10/we-are-all-venezuelans-in-our-hearts-now/</a>ForumPoliticumhttp://www.forumpoliticum.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-72500115884776723692012-10-10T14:30:03.338+02:002012-10-10T14:30:03.338+02:00Anonymous,
Thanks for trying to explain.I suppose...Anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for trying to explain.I suppose the word 'contradiction' that you used is the most telling.Maybe they want to have their cake and eat it to, or something like that....I am glad that at least you through through it.firepigettefirepighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158275219887987252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-58579470695316264652012-10-10T04:51:26.131+02:002012-10-10T04:51:26.131+02:00@ firepigette
They're walking contradictions....@ firepigette<br /><br />They're walking contradictions. On the one hand, they like Chavez because they say he's for the poor and unrepresented. On the other hand, they support teams like the New York Yankees and Real Madrid, two teams that symbolize rich clubs that spend money to win, the elite in sport. My father worked at a hospital for 40 years as a maintenence worker before retiring. While working he was a member of 1199, a service employees union. My mother never worked full time, IIRC. She stayed home to raise their four children, including me. So my father's really the one that's more political. He's an avid reader of El Diario, a local paper that's very known for left-wing opinions. Most Spanish-language media here lean well to the left, with stories favorable to left-wing figures including Chavez.<br /><br />My theory is that it's similar to a soap opera. There are your cartoonish heroes and villians. Chavez represents the misunderstood hero who does what's necessary to help the poor and ignored. His every outrageous utterances are applauded because the viewers like that he's "standing up to the malvados" i.e. the wealthy people in Miami. My mother, in particular, loved that infamous line "esto se huele al azufre" said at the UN. It doesn't matter how immoral the hero is as long as he's standing up to "the big guy."<br /><br />No way my father gives up his pension and benefits from the hospital. Both are in their late sixties and I kind of doubt they would survive one day trying to survive in Venezuela or Cuba. Yet, they love to watch Russia Today and read Prensa Latina to get "the real news."<br /><br />Like I said before, hard for any anti-Chavez person to understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-31884520127164187602012-10-10T04:07:07.196+02:002012-10-10T04:07:07.196+02:00It took me nearly 10 years to discover your blog. ...It took me nearly 10 years to discover your blog. Apparently just in time to have you possible restrict access or stop altogether.<br /><br />Please don't.<br /><br />As an U.S. citizen having married a venezuelan, having raised my family in Venezuela, I share the pain, the frustration, the anguish, the impotence and even the fear that colors our lives.<br /><br />We need these forums as a form of group therapy. If there are too many "why's" and not enough answers, at least we can try to retain our sanity because, someday this country will truly hit rock bottom and, when that happens, there should still be someone around who can recall how a civilized society should function.<br /><br />I think that your description of Chavez' supporters and what they find appealing in him is right on. Although such a high voter turnout is admirable in any society, many of these voters have a very primitive, under developed sense of citizenship. They excercised their right to vote without any regard for the responsibility it truly represented. <br /><br />Finally, poverty is not a valid excuse for Chavez' popularity. My grandparents lost everything during WWII and my parents emigrated to the States with nothing but a suitcase of clothes and the family values and work ethic by which they had been raised. <br /><br />Another six years of Chavez simply re-inforces the sad truth that the moral fiber of the venezuelan people deeply corrupted. The question is: is it beyond repair?<br /><br /> Sotos2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11507891216817729190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-89426612777211054822012-10-09T20:46:39.069+02:002012-10-09T20:46:39.069+02:00What can i comment this time since i am not a Vene...What can i comment this time since i am not a Venezuelan.<br /><br />It has taken An San Suu Kyi a very long time to finally see her dream came true for her beloved country.1979 Boat Peoplenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-25334642103496376432012-10-09T20:29:45.274+02:002012-10-09T20:29:45.274+02:00I've been reading your excellent blog for a v...I've been reading your excellent blog for a very long time , and never expected you to "throw in the towel" , but I understand your feelings , as you've been betrayed by your countrymen .<br />I grew up with 3 very good friends , all from Venezuela , all very smart , all US educated , upper-middle class , each of whom had left Venezuela for the many reasons that you enumerate through all of your commentary .<br />It pains me that you are so worn out , so beaten down . . . but I applaud you for staying strong for so long , for fighting the good fight JJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-22128209763379050752012-10-09T16:11:30.165+02:002012-10-09T16:11:30.165+02:00Xenofobía, tan presente en los que están en la opo...Xenofobía, tan presente en los que están en la oposición como los que están con el gobierno de Chavez. Y no es de ahora, hace más de 20 años me cansé de escuchar como les decían a mis padres españoles de mierda.@pablortegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13328033890403606724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-66487241185244177132012-10-09T16:09:25.430+02:002012-10-09T16:09:25.430+02:00Another Anonymous
Bottom line its all about oil. ...Another Anonymous<br /><br />Bottom line its all about oil. Humans are naturallly lazy, if you feed and cloth them and ask for little in return, they will happily lay about in the sun and do nothing. So long as Chavez has oil $$ to payoff the electorate he will stay in power. When oil prices fall and for Venezuela given the horrendous trade balance, it will only take a $20 fall for things to get really tight... at $60 or lower the country will completely fail. Meanwhile, if oil prices stay elevated, then the charade of bread+circuses will continue...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-26251052059848896132012-10-09T16:08:46.271+02:002012-10-09T16:08:46.271+02:00I agree with you about MCM.I think she would have ...I agree with you about MCM.I think she would have had a good shot at reducing the amount of Stockholm syndrome, so abundant in various degrees in Venezuela.Of course she was less popular, but only the less popular people can really teach us something we might not know, that is why they are less popular.People tend to vote for people who think in a similar way to themselves.Maybe in another "life".firepigette firepighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158275219887987252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-50891575362822256842012-10-09T15:00:05.779+02:002012-10-09T15:00:05.779+02:00Anonymous, I empathize with you. I also would like...Anonymous, I empathize with you. I also would like to ask Chavez and Castro lovers if they would move to Cuba or Venezuela. The answer is almost always no. It is amazing and fortunate that your parents were able to come to the U.S. It is sad that they cannot appreciate the U.S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-17559937983729420642012-10-09T14:56:29.930+02:002012-10-09T14:56:29.930+02:00Resentimiento seems to be a common characteristics...Resentimiento seems to be a common characteristics from Chavez to JVR and from then down, down, down el lumpen. I personally reserve my comments because I believe the story is not over but just unfolding, in particular the results of coming regional elections. Will the country remain then rojo rojito? Stay tuned.Charlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-27380254633023503272012-10-09T14:52:15.816+02:002012-10-09T14:52:15.816+02:00Daniel I know how you feel. Lived in many countrie...Daniel I know how you feel. Lived in many countries in SA and I also remember the time under the regimen of Presidente Stroessner. I can wrtite a book of all my experiences since childhood. By the way Chile is divided about Pinochet and Allende. Under Pinochet the country went well. Paciencia al final todo va bien! margarethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-78102037887234785432012-10-09T14:51:39.663+02:002012-10-09T14:51:39.663+02:00Daniel .
You have done a very good job,I always c...Daniel .<br /><br />You have done a very good job,I always consult you like a venezuelan oracle.It´s ok to be optimistic for our country .Half of Venezuelan do not care if the whole country blows away.Let them eat their cake.Take a break.I agree 100% in your essay about mediocrity and resentimiento that is why we have to built more stronger and protect from that.<br />A.rinconAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-90170723537924042012012-10-09T14:09:08.404+02:002012-10-09T14:09:08.404+02:00Anonymous,
I have seen a lot of this in NC.
Ques...Anonymous,<br /><br />I have seen a lot of this in NC.<br /><br />Question: Why do your parents stay in the US ? Why don't they try Venezuela or Cuba? Just curious.<br /><br />firepigettefirepighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158275219887987252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-44139569325026688772012-10-09T13:46:27.613+02:002012-10-09T13:46:27.613+02:00Don't be too discouraged! This is a prolonge...Don't be too discouraged! This is a prolonged struggle.... It is difficult to compete against the Chavez regime, which has created a dependent class on the basis of governmental largesse. That is difficult to overcome. Capriles did an amazing job and with his loss emerges a broad, solid and united opposition. There is a silver lining to all this: the entire model is based on allegiance to one man - Chavez. His ego has precluded him from establishing a succession plan. Sooner or later he will go away, and with that a power vacuum will emerge. There is an amazing lack of talent and capability in the Chavez organization. Street savvy and aggressive? yes...... Able to keep it together without Chavez? no.... This isn't the last chapter... this is only the beginning.<br />walkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05046468024103932112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-25638318847010471892012-10-09T08:53:14.188+02:002012-10-09T08:53:14.188+02:00Dear Daniel,
I agree with Stefan and KS. I thank...Dear Daniel, <br /><br />I agree with Stefan and KS. I thank you for everything.<br /><br />GoldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-32035840089163205002012-10-09T07:36:53.060+02:002012-10-09T07:36:53.060+02:00Thank you Daniel for connecting me/us to what'...Thank you Daniel for connecting me/us to what's been taking place in V over the past many years.<br />The results of the election were saddening indeed, and your decision to retreat, regroup and focus on other aspects of life is understandable.<br />Expect the unexpected after this election. <br />Now, nearly 50 % of the population know that they, the nearly 50%, oppose Chavez. Knowing the size of your movement, knowing how large it truly is, is strengthening.<br />And Chavez's health; we cannot know, but.....<br />Daniel, in Canada and many parts of the U.S., governments, whether state, provincial or local ( city/town ) attempt to stay in power by bribing/buying their own civil servants with larger than deserved salary increases, huge pensions etc, because civil servants, including hospital workers, teachers, all govt officials, police etc, are a substantial % of the adult population and an even larger % of the voting population because they all go out to vote to support the govt which is overpaying them.<br />ie. exactly the same thing as has just happened in V.<br />In my part of the world, where a 60 % voting turnout is good for a state or provincial election, and a 40 % for a city election, the huge turnout of civil servants to vote determine the result, which is why many of our<br />governments are going bankrupt.<br />Same game.<br />Drink some beer, sip some wine, smoke a good cigar, read a good book, hug your main squeeze, enjoy the sunset, swim in the warm ocean, smell some flowers, eat your favourite foods...................it's Thanksgiving Day in Canada, and even in V you have much to be thankful for.<br />Good luck Daniel, and looking forward to reading whatever you decide to blog on.<br /><br /><br /> <br />tanninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00275565803835023379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-4128367867255901662012-10-09T06:57:30.407+02:002012-10-09T06:57:30.407+02:00Igual se pudo haber dicho de Pablo Perez, por cier...Igual se pudo haber dicho de Pablo Perez, por cierto que Capriles obtuvo una mejor votacion que Rosales. Con tu linea de Razonamiento, que sentido tiene tener un gobernador no chavista en el Zulia. O es que los Zulianos necesitaban de un Zuliano como candidato a la presidencia? Eso es lo que estas diciendo? O de un ex-adeco que moviera masas como CAP o Lusinchi? Tiene sentido lo que dices? <br /><br />A mi lo que me revienta de toda esta verga regionalista, es que seguramente como su candidato no gano, UNT no haya hecho el suficiente trabajo politico para convencer a la gente de votar por Capriles por el bien del Pais. Ojala que este equivocado, pero dios quiera que esos bichos no hayan negociado el Zulia con el Chavismo.<br /><br />Como dije ya no tiene caso un gobernador no chavista en el Zulia, quizas lo unico bueno que saldria de todo eso seria la tan anhelada desaparicion de AD, Copei y UNT a nivel nacional. Ya esta bueno de politicos que solo piensan en su parcela y sus privilegios, ya esta bueno de politicos capaces de vender su alma al diablo y negociar bajo la mesa con el Chavismo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-81657686202153657192012-10-09T06:19:37.444+02:002012-10-09T06:19:37.444+02:00Anon@7:12, I look forward to reading more of your ...Anon@7:12, I look forward to reading more of your political/sociological insights, based on your specific personal experiences. Personally, I think what you've written here is worthy of development and publication, in an appropriate journal. Best wishes.sydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-58029312703318904412012-10-09T06:11:10.154+02:002012-10-09T06:11:10.154+02:00Siempre he leido tus opiniones con mucho respeto, ...Siempre he leido tus opiniones con mucho respeto, estoy totalmente de acuerdo con tus reflexiones.Yo en lo particular tuve que construir una coraza(mi casa) , un paraiso (mi jardin y dedicarme a mi pequeña familia.Es inportante descansar y recarga las energias.Te lo digo yo , que en mi caso mis palabras son por partida doble ya que vivo en Nicaragua. Cuando quieras, descansar , estas invitado. You will be surprise , How all those thoughts that you have about Venezuela at this moment,will press your head like a wall. Thank God you are reactig in the right way.Please do not develop Atention Deficit Disorder just stay focus at other matters. More appropiate to your soul .You Sacriface all this days are worth bbeter chances. First time I write here hope it pass . A RINCONAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-85187331604274942882012-10-09T05:40:34.608+02:002012-10-09T05:40:34.608+02:00So what Chavez is president for life. I bet its t...So what Chavez is president for life. I bet its the shortest term he ever had. I think he is too paranoid to push any law that makes his VP a heartbeat away from his job.<br /><br />Keep up the good work DanielAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-92203676755598979822012-10-09T04:43:01.326+02:002012-10-09T04:43:01.326+02:00Daniel:
God's speed. Time to pack the bags an...Daniel:<br /><br />God's speed. Time to pack the bags and move to greener pastures if you're able. Six years is a lifetime at your age. Time to think about your future pana. Look at facts (ie data). It doesn't look good. <br /><br />Best of luck<br /><br />Alejo Venezuela Paraiso Perdido<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-73809381094431322342012-10-09T04:23:39.873+02:002012-10-09T04:23:39.873+02:00First messy decision: When to devaluate and hoy mu...First messy decision: When to devaluate and hoy much, this is going to really screw the economy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080946.post-79440981757447713192012-10-09T03:22:43.391+02:002012-10-09T03:22:43.391+02:00I am not only willing but I will very much appreci...I am not only willing but I will very much appreciate to hear about what conditions would you need the opposition to abide by, actually I am sure many would like to and benefit from hearing to them.<br />Please ....<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16593237096172254898noreply@blogger.com