Back in 1999 or 2000, when I was in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, a Venezuelan friend observed that public education was intentionally kept woefully inadequate to teach even the basic principles of rational analysis. This appears to be a continuing process.
Takeover of universities by the Venezuelan Government now seems likely. When the salaries of public school teachers were recently increased, El Presidente's Education Minister is reported to have stated that "besides 'decent' wages, the building of 'a new country' requires . . .'a constant effort by educators,' since 'the starting point for creating socialism is education'. . . . "
El Presidente Chávez has made a highly visible and vocal place for himself on the world stage, probably more so than had any other Venezuelan leader in history; some might suggest that he is excessively narcissistic, even for a president.
He has also worked quite diligently to communicate with his people; he presents Aló Presidente — a four hour long weekly address to the nation required to be carried by every state owned radio and television station. He recently announced that he would present a marathon four day long Aló Presidente, but due to "technical problems," managed only partially to deliver on his promise. Despite its truncation, his address was very probably longer than any known address ever given by a President of the United States; he may even have eclipsed his mentor, Fidel Castro of Cuba. He should be very proud, even though Fidel's brother Raul has said that el Presidente talks too long.
Whatever social goals El Presidente may have attempted to achieve, it is clear to me that his overriding purpose has been the accumulation of as much personal power as possible. He has succeeded to the degree that the power of the Venezuelan Government over her people has become the power of El Presidente; El Presidente and the Venezuelan Government have merged, to become the same entity.
A Venezuelan acquaintance once told me that when God created Venezuela, he gave her bountiful natural resources, great natural beauty, and industrious people. When an angel remarked that God had given Venezuela too much, God responded by giving Venezuela something more: her government.
In Part II of this article, I shall briefly explore the situation in which the United States, under President Obama, finds herself — and may eventually find herself — with reference to Venezuela under el Presidente Chávez
Article comments
1 - Joanne Huspek
I can only think of one word to say: scary.
2 - Dan(Miller)
The beatings will continue until Globovisión dies and morale improves.
Dan(Miller)
3 - Dan(Miller)
Here is an update on the intentions of El Presidente Chávez concerning the one remaining broadcast voice in Venezuela which disagrees with him.
Perhaps he will go too far with his version of a "fairness doctrine."
Dan(Miller)
4 - Dan(Miller)
Here is some recent stuff on El Presidente's media crackdown. It seems that two major newspapers, 86 AM stations and 154 FM plus a few TV stations are being targeted by the Government for failing to adhere completely to the party line. According to the article,
Notitarde and Carabobeño, have been attacked one after [t]he other by red shirt hordes, directed at least one by nothing less than Valencia mayor, just as Los Teques mayor was directing the painting of swastikas on the walls of Miranda's governor's office.
It seems that the pressure on free media is not going to ease anytime soon. In fact, since recent polls show that Chavez personal popularity is going down as more and more people are finally starting to put the blame for bad things on him, we can expect the government to act once and for all and risk closing down a few media/paper outlets to see if the rest will tone down.
Dan(Miller)