Americans in Venezuela to support leftist leader

[Minstrel Boy]

Americans in Venezuela to support leftist leader

San Francisco Chronicle
Dec 10

Caracas, Venezuela -- When Katie Lahey arrived here in the spring, she didn't go to the country's scenic beaches or picturesque mountain villages like most U.S. tourists. Instead, the native of Kentfield in Marin County headed straight for 23 de Enero, a poor Caracas district known for monolithic housing projects, improvised red-brick dwellings and its love of the country's president, Hugo Chavez.

Lahey, 21, came to study, and to lend her support to Chavez's "Bolivarian Revolution," named for the country's independence hero, Simon Bolivar. Now, the community studies major at UC Santa Cruz spends her days walking the streets of 23 de Enero, working with community media groups and traveling around the country to see the government's social programs.

...

Mamie Chow, 30, a community organizer from Oakland, said she knew she had visited the right place after watching a 75-year-old woman read her first words during a Chavez-sponsored literacy program.

"Venezuela is the place to see a peaceful social revolution happening in real life," said Chow. "You can't question what's happening here; it's so uplifting."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/10/MNGI0A8OCN1.DTL

[Carl Brennan]

1. Hugo is a hero. Great post MB

I'm keeping a file on Venezuela. These personal accounts are invaluable.

[Barkley]

2. Thanks for this post!

Minstrel Boy.

I sponsor a child in VZ through a charity.

I do feel guilt/ sadness about what my government is doing and its part of the reason I do sponsor.

But what can I do, not feel guilty and do nothing?

I'm so tire of answering to people about my actions/ belief, I now just do it and let them try an figure it out.

These brave and committed Americans are helping repair the damaged image that Bush has given the world; we all need to thank them.

They are making a difference.

Great Post!

[Just Me]

3. Social revolution is demonized by corporateers.

I am sick to death of right-wing elitists harping on "each man for himself" in a country (U.S.A) which is supposed to be incorporating the notions of liberty and justice FOR ALL citizens (not just the rich and fortunate). I would have no compassion if those right-wingers suddenly found themselves oppressed and reviled,...and I would tell them that they brought such circumstances upon themselves and to do as they demanded the poor and oppressed before them to do: get over it, get a spine and pull yourselves up by your bootstraps!!!

[SheathedPeace]

6. Where did you see "right-wing elitists" harping on "each man for himself"

I couldn't find it in the article myself. It sounded like a positive read to me.

[Just Me]

8. What part of "corporateers" did you not get?

What part of "corporateers" do you deny?

Can you deny corporate influence in any part of your life,...in any American citizen's life?

[Mokito]

10. I don't think he was referring to the article per sé in his rant. nt

[Judi Lynn]

4. I hope it's going to be harder for Bush to derail Chavez's programs

for Venezuela than it was for Nixon to destroy Salvador Allende's life and plans for Chile.

Life in Venezuela has been desperate enough for the 80% poor too long, it's time for a change, no matter what the hogs who own most of the country insist.



Here's what happens in these barrios when the inevitable mudslides happen. (They also get a very raw deal when there are fires. AS you can see there's no room for firetrucks or fire hydrants.)



The Venezuela elite want these conditions to continue, and for these people to simply stay out of their way except for the time they are doing their back-breaking work for them. Fortunately there are other people in the world who believe it's time these people got a chance to live with less fear, with less suffering.

[Mika]

5. Don't forget that it is Cuba's teachers helping w/their literacy program

Viva Cuba & Venezuela! :toast:

[Sara Beverley]

7. Has anyone heard about the positive things Chavez is doing?

NO! Our media would never make that a headline story.

[Gyre]

9. He's been telling bushco to "shove it" (in lots of ways) forever!

For that, he's got my eternal gratitude.

Gyre