RAVE: A Salute to Hugo Chavez

I have become quite emotional as I search the Internet for pictures and images of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. It has made me realize just how much I valued this man, and, unfortunately, took him for granted for 'just being around' and being a monumental headache to the United States. 


Photo courtesy of Annalisa Melandri, Italy

And now he is gone.

Below are some pictures and images of Hugo Chavez that are my own small, personal way of saluting this great man and great leader in this blog of mine:


Photo courtesy of World Bulletin


Courtesy of Voices from Russia


Courtesy of The Big Story


Photo courtesy of Blouin News


Photo courtesy of CBS News


Photo courtesy of CTV News, Canada


Courtesy of Keep Calm And Posters


RIP Hugo.

RIP: Hugo Chavez

I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Hugo Chavez yesterday. The highly charismatic Venezuelan president died of a heart attack in Cuba after nearly two years battle with cancer. He was just 58 years of age.

Photo courtesy of Greenreport, Italy

I don't profess to being an expert on either Chavez or Venezuelan politics, but there is no denying that he was a game-changer in Latin American politics and that he was an iconic figure in the world. Chavez did much to raise the living standards of the poorest of Venezuelans, even if it was to the detriment of the country's economic growth, as his vociferous detractors (and haters) would often accuse him. Or so they say.

He no doubt had his flaws as both leader and person, but there are many, many reasons to mourn the passing of Hugo Chavez:

Because his 'Bolivar revolution' was at least an attempt at a better, more equitable life for Latin Americans

Because he changed the lives for millions of his nation's poorest in a region where the gulf between the haves and the have nots is so immense

Because he was born poor, rose to the top and tried to make a difference as a leader

Because he made the rich and the plutocrats in his country genuinely scared and angry

Because he gave socialism a modern, Latin face

Because he was the catalyst for leftist governments to sweep into power in countries like Bolivia and Ecuador, and even the leftish turn of Argentina

Because he nationalized key state enterprises, at a time when neo-liberalism reigns supreme for the Naked Emperor that it is

Because he survived an outrageous rightwing coup in 2002 against him - and came back stronger than ever

Because he stuck it to American imperialismo whenever he could - and that's good enough for me

Because leaders like this are so very rare

Because he was Hugo

I feel for the millions of poor and socially sensible Venezuelans who are in deep shock and mourning over the death of their Comandante. He changed many of their lives forever, so I can only imagine their terrible sense of loss with his death. For all those of us who yearn for a more just and equitable world, a world devoid of the crass and neo-liberalist casino capitalism that crushes the planet, and who felt and knew Chavez was on our side, we too have a sense of loss.

He will be missed - very missed.

RIP Hugo.

RAVE: Viva Hugo

It's not difficult to have a soft spot for Hugo Chavez. He may have his democratic flaws and some of his demagogy may make some uncomfortable at times, but there's no denying that the President of Venezuela is a wily politico and a man with impeccable timing at times. 

Take what he had to say in the aftermath of Obama's victory in the US Presidential election two weeks ago, as quoted by the excellent progressive site Common Dreams: 

"Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez on [the Thursday after Obama's victory] urged newly re-elected President Obama to "stop invading" other countries and "think about his own country" which suffers from social and economic problems. Chavez made the comments during a cabinet council meeting broadcast on the state channel, VTV.

"President Obama has been reelected.  Hopefully he and his government reflect, first about their country, which, unfortunately, has plenty of economic and social problems," said Chavez. "It is a divided country... [It has] poverty that grows every day, misery and an elite, a superelite, that exploits the country and society, and even poisons it, tricks it and manipulates it through a media war," he added."

The article continues by quoting Chavez as saying that Obama should rather, "dedicate himself to governing his own country and stop invading and destabilizing countries." 


Photos courtesy of The Prisma, a UK-based online newspaper.

I, for one, think it's superb rhetoric by the most despised Latin American leader in Washington D.C. Chavez himself was convincingly re-elected as President of Venezuela for a fourth term in October.

And I revel in his sheer audacity and even his sense of self-righteousness. Because, whatever anyone may say, I don't believe Venezuela is involved in any foreign wars at this time of writing this post, which is more than can be said about the uber-bellic, highly destructive (and very dangerous to all) current foreign policy of the United States. 

Chavez has deeply divided his country, no doubt about it, but his focus has been primarily on the economy and the socio-economic upliftment of many his people, warts and all, mistakes and all. 

Can Obama say that he has done the same for his people?

Yes, Obama should focus instead on alleviating the growing poverty and hugely eroded middle class of America today. It is an America decimated by the unbridled avarice and gangster tactics of a banking and elite super-class that is the very antithesis of what is really American and what was once good about that country.

But will Obama do so in the face of the military-industrial complex juggernaut that rules him and his foreign policy? Of course not. That would take courage of conviction and huge moral resolve by Obama, something he has sorely lacked in his entire tenure as President. And which I never believed he had in the first place, by the way.

And that is why Chavez can afford to give lessons on leadership and doing the right thing to the likes of Obama.

Do you get my point?

RANT: Ecuador, What's Up With You People?!

Julian Assange continues to wallow inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, and, according to his mother, Christine, his health is deteriorating. She claims that the strain of the relentless persecution against her son over the past two years are taking a toll on her son.



Christine Assange met with the Ecuadorean authorities in Quito on Monday, basically pleading for them to grant him the asylum that he is seeking from the South American nation. Asylum that many of us thought would surely be quite forthcoming, considering that Julian had had a very candid interview on Russia Today with Ecuador's charismatic president, Rafael Correa, just a few short months ago.

In fact, President Correa appeared downright smitten with Assange's whistleblowing achievements, and the mood between the two men was decidedly warm and mutually admiring.

In fact, I distinctly remember Correa at one point during the interview inviting Assange to go to Ecuador where he would be "well received and always welcome." Is it any wonder then that Julian Assange chose to seek refuge in that very country's embassy just weeks after that interview...? 

So, what am I and others following this saga supposed to make of these words from Ricardo Patino, the Foreign Minister of Ecuador, as reported by CBS news?:

"Ecuador is doing "everything possible to protect the life of Mr. Assange."

Okay, that sounds good, but then its stated by CBS that, "Ecuadorean officials have said they will not announce a decision on the asylum request until after the London Olympic Games end in mid-August."

Why?! What is so damn special about the fact that the bloody Olympic Games are being held in London? Is Julian Assange SUCH A HUGE THREAT to the very security of the Olympic Games itself, never mind the whole of the UK?!

Patino continues by saying: "For that reason we are engaged in conversation with the Swedish and government and also with Great Britain before speaking to the United States."

What?! Since when is it necessary for a sovereign nation to be liaising with the United States of all countries in a matter taking place in the UK and with implications too with Sweden, when we all know that the Yanks are the very reason why Assange is so fearful for his life and took refuge in the Ecuador embassy in the first place...!
What the hell is going on with Ecuador? The CBS article does continue by stating that, "Ecuadorean officials are seeking assurances that Sweden and Britain would not allow Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported last week, citing unnamed officials at the country's London embassy."

Right...uh huh...as if the United States of all countries would ever give those types of assurances, never mind if they even stoop to do so...yeah, right!
I'll say it again: what the hell is going on with Ecuador? Why all this time? Why all these delays? Why all this kowtowing to the likes of the United States, to which Ecuador has supposedly thumbed its nose at so many times a la Hugo Chavez's Venezuela?

Was seeking asylum with Ecuador a bad idea for Julian Assange after all?

Does Ecuador in reality not measure up to its international bravado? What is Ecuador so scared of? Does Ecuador have another agenda? Is Julian now their pawn? One can only shudder at that thought.

I can only hope for the best, and indeed hope that Ecuador is just playing for time and playing all the right cards in diplomatic gamesmanship. I do hope that.

But I can't help believing that Assange would have possibly done better in rather seeking asylum with Venezuela. My mom certainly seems to believe that. She may have a point.

I somehow don't see Hugo Chavez having flip-flopped quite like this. Not with a golden opportunity like this to yet again flip the Imperialist States of America a big, fat middle finger.

I do hope Quito doesn't quit on Assange.

Where is Cuba at the height of Fidel Castro when you need it? Where indeed...

Do you get my point?