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Posted on 01/14/2003 4:06:11 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:00:23 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
CARACAS, Venezuela - From the central Caracas offices of the Afro-Venezuelan cultural organization Grupo Madera, Carlos Cremer has two contrasting views.
To the north rise the shiny glass-and-concrete skyscrapers from where much of Venezuela's government, including its $40 billion state-owned petroleum industry, is managed. To the south slouches a hillside shantytown where many dark-skinned residents lack title to the land their shacks occupy and water taps flow only on weekends.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Opponents cite an article in the constitution that allows citizens to petition for a referendum on "matters of national importance" at any time. The also cite an article that allows citizens to disown governments that threaten democracy. The Supreme Court has not said when it will rule on the referendum. Strike leader Julio Brazon, president of Venezuela's largest chamber of commerce, warned the court not to make a decision that "goes against the majority of this country's courageous citizens." ***
Chavez foes, backers create vocabulary in war of words By Patrick Moser AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE [Full Text] CARACAS, Venezuela - Divided by a crippling strike, this country is engaged in an uncivil war of words between supporters of President Hugo Chavez and those who want to force him from office, creating a protest-specific vocabulary. The following are some of the expressions that have been heard regularly since the strike began Dec. 2:
oChavistas: Supporters of Mr. Chavez
oSqualid: Term used to describe opponents of Mr. Chavez, who once called his foes "a squalid minority." Opposition T-shirts proudly state: "Squalid for Venezuela."
oTalibans: Used by either side to describe hard-liners in the opposite camp.
oDictator, murderer, terrorist: This is how strike leader Carlos Ortega describes the president.
oPutschists, fascists, oligarchs: Mr. Chavez's description of Mr. Ortega and other strike leaders.
oBolivarian: A term Mr. Chavez uses frequently and adds to the formal name of the country. It refers to the intellectual legacy of Simon Bolivar, the 19th-century South American liberator from Spain, whom Mr. Chavez claims as his inspiration.
oCircles of terror: The opposition's term for Chavista groups called "Bolivarian Circles."
oNational democratic cacerolazo: The opposition's description of daily pot- (or "cacerol"-)banging protests.
oNational active strike: The work stoppage as described by the opposition.
oDiscovery Chavez: Opposition nickname for state television.
oCoupvision: Chavista nickname for private, anti-Chavez TV.
oDemocratic kit: Whistle, national flag, sneakers, jeans, shirt in the national colors and a bottle of water - essential gear for anti-Chavez demonstrations.
o"He's going, he's going.": Opposition slogan.
o"He's going he's going to stay.": Chavista slogan.
o"Chavez is driving them mad.": Chavista song and slogan.
o"The madman has little time left.": Opposition slogan.
oScab: Opposition term for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after he sent a boatload of fuel to Venezuela.
oLiars: Term used by media on both sides to describe each other. Also shouted at foreign reporters during opposition marches.
o"Free the bear": Refers to the bear that adorns bottles of Polar, the local beer that is unavailable as a result of the strike. [End]
Banco: the Further Adventures of Papillon "This is the best story after Papillon I have ever read. I'm saying this because Papillon warms you up and Banco is the "more" that you need. I have been told there are many stories that are just as good as Charriere's books but not many make you get so involved in one man's life story. I, like probably 100 other people, imagine myself in the role of his story."
The race card has no audience in Latin America. Noriega also tried the KKK bit toward the end. The problem is that Latins as a whole don't know anything about the KKK or care. In view of these two things, Chavez is getting desperate. Good.
Venezuelan Troops Seize Caracas Police Weapons*** CARACAS, Venezuela - Soldiers seized most of the heavy weapons and anti-riot equipment from Caracas' police force Tuesday, police said after President Hugo Chavez threatened to increase the military's control over the force and accused it of siding with his opponents. Troops searched most of the capital's police stations at dawn and confiscated all weapons except .38 revolvers, said police chief Henry Vivas. The seizure could raise tensions in a 44-day-old general strike aimed at ousting Chavez, which has been marked by almost daily street protests, including clashes between Chavez supporters and opponents.
"We don't understand this action," Vivas told Union Radio. "This leaves us at a tremendous disadvantage against criminals. Instead of disarming criminals, they disarm the police. It's outrageous." Also seized was anti-riot equipment like tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. Vivas said the confiscation violated a Supreme Court ruling ordering the government to return the force to the control of Caracas Mayor Alfredo Pena, a staunch Chavez foe. Vivas said he would challenge the seizure in court. A Defense Ministry spokesman declined to comment.***
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