Hehehehe. Good point, OW.
This is excellent. Que comunismo!!!
OW--you slimey bastard, still no pictures of the sugar, no pics of the powered milk.
What are you trying to hide?
Your selective photography really is not honest.
No pics of the tens of thousands of skin and bones homeless people--no pics of the Chavez goon squads terrorizing people on their motorbikes, no pictures of the concentration camps full of middle class dissidents.
Guess we will have to wait or Quico, Daniel, Feathers, and Miguel to fill in the gaps.
On another subject, OW--what about all this massive inflation that is creating a situation whereby the already poor are barely managing to get by? Was the lastest report in The Economist distorting the reality on the ground?
Sir, we all know there is food in Venezuela. Can you blog something more relevant such as the eight hundred thousand dollars in cash smuggled into Argentina by PDVSA
What was the money for? Was it for Madame Cristina's campaign? Was it kickbacks, commissions and bribes? Was it for the piqueteros?
The Venezuelan government seems to have been caught red handed. Comments please?
"Can you blog something more relevant such as the eight hundred thousand dollars in cash smuggled into Argentina by PDVSA"
PDVSA wasn't caught doing any such thing. The person involved doesn't work for PDVSA and doesn't even live in Venezuela and was hitching a ride on an Argentinian plane.
PDVSA has had only very minor incidents of corruption which we know about because it is thoroughly audited and the audits are published on the internet if you are that interested.
So right now there is not much to say about this. Further it isn't very important or very relevant. 800k is pretty small potatoes, even if it were government corruption, when compared to all the tremendous things being done by the Venezuelan government
Oh really? The person involved is one of the regimes top businessmen involved in supplying Mercal and PDVSA among others.
And it was not just "the person involved." All the passengers on the flight were involved and this means PDVSA.
Are you stupid or a liar?
You must be lying.
OW, that comment of your's was priceless. You are one fucked up person.
Guess what? Bags full of money have been part of international business, politics and diplomacy since, well,ever since they invented bags.
And so the competent Argentinian and Venezuelan officials will do their investigations, the world will yawn and life will go on.
Even if the 800K does turn out to be government corruption, or PDVSA corruption, what does that mean?
Well, that means that you have to do an investigation and prosecute the person, or people, involved in the corruption, just like you would do in any country on the planet....oh....except in the U.S. where corruption goes uninvestigated....Haliburton.....Bechtel......Oh, and except Colombia where it is only now being revealed the intimate connections between the state and the paramilitary murderers.......Oh, and except Mexico too.....where elections are stolen and investigators are murdered.....or in Guatemala where leading politicians from different factions are murdered every day and there is no investigation of it whatsoever.
So, yeah, anyway, I guess not in EVERY country on the planet, but, anyway, in Venezuela what you would have to do is investigate who did it, who was involved, and punish them.
That's exactly what is being done. We don't know exactly what happened yet. When we do know, action will be taken. If there is no action taken, well then Chucho will have a reason to be really pissed off. Until then, he's getting mad about something without even knowing what happened yet.
The retarded conclusion that most opposition people come to is this: "What? 800K in a suitcase?!?!?! Well then, that's enough to topple the president!!! Down with Chavez!!!"
And then they throw a "march of the briefcases," which is what they are doing tomorrow. Its so ridiculous you have to laugh.
You're kidding about the briefcase march right?
I have to see that.
No, I'm not kidding about the Briefcase March tomorrow. The Venezuelan opposition is just that pathetic.
Too bad the guy didn't get caught with the money in his ass. I would love to have seen the old ladies from East Caracas shoving money in their asses and marching through the streets.
What stupid eejits.
http://info.worldbank.org/govern.../
sc_country.asp
http://www.11abril.com/index/esp...6/
Venezuela.pdf
GIV, your boss the FM said it was the CIA. Being that you are the resident shit-for-brains expert on the CIA, I am surprised you have not echoed your boss' sentiments. Care to explain?
Eugene, whatever. This is obviously above your head. Go back to driving your cab and don't think about a career change.
You are doing just fine where you are.
Chris, are you doing cocaine?
What is all this "we" shit?
Is your subconscious giving you away? You are just a hired pen. A fanatical and foolish Internet hack who unwillingly disinforms and propagandizes for pennies on the dollar while the real bolivarian drug revolutionaries are lining their pockets.
Are you dreaming of owning an apartment in La Floresta next to Eva? Is that your ambition in life?
I think you need to strive harder. Look at Antonini and his partners who don't have to hide their wealth because they are smart enough to live in Miami.
Chris, to be honest with you, I have no reason to be "really pissed off" (or even pissed) over the $800K that Rafael Ramirez sent for the piqueteros et al.
Please tell me how you came to the conclusion that the opposition came to the "retarded conclusion" that this corruption case will topple your god Chavez.
Chris, now you are talking about asses. GWEH is the one who talks about that. Hmmmmmmm.... strive for some originality!!!
Chris, I must say that I'm impressed:
http://boog.dnsalias.org/chris/H...ges/
Image8.html
Your folks own three houses (one being a farm estate). Why don't you talk them into turning the farm into some type of cooperative? You could then put your hard earned Marxist skills to the test!
Chris, one last thing: your ass joke sucked.
Is it just me or have things gotten so good for Venezuela, and so bad for them, that they don't even try to make arguements anymore and just come to insult?
It sure does look that way. And it is exactly what you see on programs like Buenas Noches here in Venezuela. No arguements, just insults.
So you finally found a decently stocked supermarket :p
No, most of the super markets are that way. I just finally found a computer with a USB connection to upload the pictures.
But that truly is what most supermarkets in Maracay look like. Amazing.
The oppositionists are desperate. Apparently they thought when they boycotted the legislative elections that this would do the trick, that the marines were coming to put their asses back on top. It didn't happen that way and probably the marines won't be coming by any time soon.
Then they got their asses whipped in December in spite of the mass bribe attempt called "mi negra."
Now they see that the majority of Venezuelans, even when they share an opposition concern, are not going to follw them anywhere. So they come to websites like this and spit and piss all over themselves.
And what is happening today with maletagate?
Oh.
The competent authorities in two countries are investigating the matter, the world is yawning, and life is going on.
OW - great post again. Sometimes it's a problem to know what to buy in Super Líder supermarkets.
Chucho - go and troll somewhere else. Latest news on the maletin is that it is introduced into the plane in Santa Cruz in Bolivia during a refuelling stop. As Minister Ramirez said yeaterday: "We don't take decisions based on newspaper headlines".
GiV - I guess 200 people will turn up for the briefcase march. My God, this opposition cannot sink any lower.
The key about this maletagate shit is why, after the money was discovered on Saturday, did it only hit the press on Tuesday - when Chavez was in Buenos Aires?
Truly amazing what is being accomplished in Venezuela. Still when you have a leader that cares about ALL the people instead of just the rich,maybe not so surprising.
Tommy Sheridan (leader of Solidarity,Scotland) was talking about Hugo Chavez on his Sunday morning radio show,he said Hugo Chavez was a very nice man,well read and very articulate having met him on more then one occasion.
http://www.talk107.co.uk/present...hp?
presenter=36
Chucho - Antonini's Wilson's father did own a soda factory in La Victoria but never supplied Mercal of PDVSA.
Wilson is resident in Miami - Ocean Club or some other address.
Since no one knows where the money came from, the only place this can be investigated first in in Argentina. And that is what is happening. There's an arrest warrant out on Antonini Wilson and the truth will come out sooner or later.
Your speculation and manifest lies are worth zilch as of now. So go and blog on ND or CC where jerk offs like you are appreciated.
No, most of the super markets are that way. I just finally found a computer with a USB connection to upload the pictures.As stated before, the shortages come and go and have for some time. With all due respect, it seems you aren't in country when things were last scarce. But then you only visit so what would you really know about that?
But that truly is what most supermarkets in Maracay look like. Amazing.
Anon - you are right. Shortages come and go. No big deal. It's unfortunate for you but I can corroborate that OW's take on what happenes here in Venezuela is right on ther button. It's irrelevant that he just vists once or twice a year.
Your coment is just designed to discredit this post - which will not succeed. He's posted the eveidence which you can deny if you want, since such a denial would be as irrelevant as your comment.
OW - if you eat all that food you'll be flying back home paying "excess baggage"!! 
So much for all the crap about Price controls and the so called shortages that some claim they cause. To all the neo-liberals and social democrats like grac and OW the message is simple. PRICE CONTROLS WORK!!!!
Anon - you are right. Shortages come and go. No big deal. It's unfortunate for you but I can corroborate that OW's take on what happenes here in Venezuela is right on ther button. It's irrelevant that he just vists once or twice a year.I'd actually say it's pretty irrelevant to post pictures of stocked supermarket shelves and claiming that there aren't and never were shortages. Just because you weren't there when it happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen. It also doesn't mean that it won't happen again. Almost everyone in Venezuela accepts the shortages, because they really have no other choice.
Your coment is just designed to discredit this post - which will not succeed. He's posted the eveidence which you can deny if you want, since such a denial would be as irrelevant as your comment.
The only thing these pictures are for is people like you have no idea what is going on within the country but are willing to believe the stories of someone who has visited a few times.
Aaahhhh frijoles con arroz y carnita ummmmm looks good. What's that "gordita" looking thing in the middle?
And platanos(banana). Dammit OW that looks too good.
It is an Arepa. Aliva you can't be venezuelan then?
Arepa is the staple in venezuelan diet, it is corn flour pancake kinda of. We also do not say frijoles, we call them caraotas. I think it is one of the only spanish speaking countries that call them caraotas.
You can open the arepa and stuf it with all kinds of things. check out this web site of a restaurant in NY, http://www.caracasarepabar.com/
OW,
Honestly this blog is starting to get kind of boring. And its not your fault. Its because the opposition is now so soundly defeated, and so pathetic, that, as you say, they don't even argue anymore, they just insult.
I mean, I come here looking for some intelligent debate, and all I get are a couple total morons who can't do anything but attack everyone like rapid dogs. Hahahahaha, its pretty funny, but at the same time sad.
We need this debate. Venezuela needs to be debating the important ideas and concepts. But with an opposition that's not even capable, it goes nowhere.
For example, we need to be debating about Capitalism vs. Socialism. About development and underdevelopment. About colonialism and neocolonialism.
But when the most intelligent things the opposition can muster up are "briefcase marches" and comments like this:
Eugene, whatever. This is obviously above your head. Go back to driving your cab and don't think about a career change.
You are doing just fine where you are.
Chucho el Maracucho | 08.15.07 - 1:25 am | #
Well, we know there won't be any decent debate here.
I'm not sure what the answer is, but I suppose there's not much we can do.
Edmundo right you are I am me-chi-cano (mexican). Its good to know that you guys call them caraotas. Is their a particular reason? Also gringo I have noticed that it is very difficult for those who support imperialism, colonialism, capitalism to justify the exploitation of man by man. That is why social democrats have to dress up in "socialist" clothing to push the maintanence of this system through "reform".
Wait for the announcement today of the constitutional reform, things will really get non-boring then.
I repeat here my questions.
1) Thanks for the post on the libraries. Do you have any figure about how many there are? And how many there were before Chavez?
2) Why do you think gas prices haven't increased as Chavez announced in January?
As far as I know, the government did announcements on that, Mr. Chavez talked about that many times and said it was necessary. I believe it might have been even more necessary than adding that eighth star to the flag or changing the direction of the horse.
3) I also have another question about the poll Ow showed below on what Venezuelans thought. 31 per cent of the population is said to agree with 21st Century socialism and 21.7 with socialism.
What is 21st Century Socialism? I thought that was something under discussion. Did they explain to the interviewers what they understood by socialism?
I believe Mr. Petkoff considers himself a socialist and so does Chavez. I believe each one does not consider the other a socialist. I imagine they have different interpretations of socialism.
And a new one:
4) Is consumption during an oil boom sign of sustainable development? (now around 70 dollars per barrel, in 1999, I checked, 13)
Does sustainable development include a big increase over 9 years on crimes?
I also have a couple of questions about Chavez and Idi Amim but they do not belong here.
Thanks for your answers!
The dish is also called pabellon, with the arepa on the side.
I know that's what black beans are called. I just call any bean a frijol.hehe
"For example, we need to be debating about Capitalism vs. Socialism"
Capitalism is EVIL
Socialism is GOOD
End of debate.
Anonymous - so it does not count for anything that I live in Venezuela?
Let's be honest. The "shortage" story has been overblown to discredit the government. That's all and has had no impact on Chavez's approval rating since most people, me included, know that it's the capitalists hoarding food and speculating.
Oh, I forgot to add, that your comments are still irrelevant since you provide no evidence to the contrary.
Oil sale income sinks by 9.2 percent in second quarter
The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) recorded in the balance of payments a downward trend of the revenues from oil exports versus the increasing amount payable on account of imports.
Oil exports amounted to USD 15 billion, that is, a drop of 9.2 percent compared with the same period last year.
At the same time, imports jumped from USD 7.8 billion to USD 10.8 billion, a hike of 38.7 percent.
As a result, in the second quarter of 2007, purchases abroad spent USD 72 out of every USD 100 that come in for oil sales. The ratio, for the same period in 2006, stood at 42.8 percent.
According to analysts, the trend shows that domestic oil prices should continue growing in order to honor the account of imports, or that state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) can get the output in line.
BCV noted that the continued increase of imports was linked with the economic growth.
http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/
...15A915779.shtml
And the only engine of that economic "growth" is government spending of oil revenues. Nothing else!
Oh, I forgot to add, that your comments are still irrelevant since you provide no evidence to the contrary.For every picture of stocked shelves, you can find an equal amount of empty shelves - past and future. Just in the past few years there were shortages of just about every staple food product. If you really lived in Venezuela you would know that.
Why do you think gas prices haven't increased as Chavez announced in January?This was announced during a period of "low" oil prices. I say "low" because it was close to the breaking point for the Venezuelan government. Now that prices are high again, no one cares.
Let's be honest. The "shortage" story has been overblown to discredit the government. That's all and has had no impact on Chavez's approval rating since most people, me included, know that it's the capitalists hoarding food and speculating.Are you blaming the "capitalists" for failed socialist policies? It's funny you mention that though, because every time I got the idea that something was about to become scarce, I bought as much of it as I could. Why? Because I knew it would be several months before I could find more of it. Does that make me or "capitalist hoarder" or just realistic?
Anonymous - little do I give a care what you think. I see you are writing from the USA so you have a btter view than I do on the supermarket situation.
You should check your facts. The private sector has been outperforming the state sector for over 18 months. Public spending accounts for very little of this economic boom. Check it all out on the BCV web site - unless you have a better source.
Construction is runing at 94% of capacity. Shortages are being caused by booming demand - see present post - and hoarding. 200 tons of sugar were discovered yesterday hidden in a warehouse. Just the latest example of capitalists hoarding.
What socialist policies are you talking about? Venezuela is far from being a socialist society and the first moves in that direction are being taken. Socialism of the XXI Century has yet to be defined.
Perhaps you should define your concepts and check your facts before making a bigger fool of yourself than you normally do.
OW, you want to meet in Ccs this weekend? I asked my friend if you could meet us at the airport and he said ok. A chavez government official is flying down with us (he is here on vacation and shopping).
We will be arriving at SVCS friday 8pm on a G-IV. I would love to see the look on your face.
Another great post! Socialism is what Latin America/the world needs, que siga pa' lante!
Don't know why they call them caraotas. It could be an indigeonus name for beans. Like I said I think venezuelans are the only ones that call them that, maybe some colombians too.
Maybe the experts on chavenomics missed these posts, so I am re-posting them:
" Oil sale income sinks by 9.2 percent in second quarter
The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) recorded in the balance of payments a downward trend of the revenues from oil exports versus the increasing amount payable on account of imports.
Oil exports amounted to USD 15 billion, that is, a drop of 9.2 percent compared with the same period last year.
At the same time, imports jumped from USD 7.8 billion to USD 10.8 billion, a hike of 38.7 percent.
As a result, in the second quarter of 2007, purchases abroad spent USD 72 out of every USD 100 that come in for oil sales. The ratio, for the same period in 2006, stood at 42.8 percent.
According to analysts, the trend shows that domestic oil prices should continue growing in order to honor the account of imports, or that state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) can get the output in line.
BCV noted that the continued increase of imports was linked with the economic growth.
http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/ ...15A915779.shtml
Anonymous | 08.15.07 - 3:47 pm | #
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
And the only engine of that economic "growth" is government spending of oil revenues. Nothing else!
Anonymous | 08.15.07 - 3:48 pm | # "
Anonymous - little do I give a care what you think.That doesn't surprise me considering you've only been able to regurgitate government rhetoric thus far.
I see you are writing from the USA so you have a btter view than I do on the supermarket situation.Actually yes, I am in the US now. I was one of the fortunate few to escape the "revolution" in Venezuela. Oddly, food shortages were not one of the reasons for me leaving, but they are annoying and quite real.
"For every picture of stocked shelves, you can find an equal amount of empty shelves - past and future. Just in the past few years there were shortages of just about every staple food product. If you really lived in Venezuela you would know that."
Bullshit. In fact, as I mentioned before, when taking the first set of these pictures the anti-Chavez cousin of my wife had to laugh. She claimed she hadn't experienced any shortages.
My relatives in Barquisimeto actually run a small bodega out of their house to serve the development around them. They claim they have been out of eggs and milk sometimes but never for more than a day.
Some shortages.
"OW, you want to meet in Ccs this weekend?"
Why don't you fly to Barqui? That is where I'm at. BTW, what is with the "Chucho Maracusho" moniker you now use? Why don't you just stick with GWEH? Just like Kepler should stick with Kepler and quit posting under "Rashid". I don't even mind the trolling but this posting under multiple monikers sure is rather infantile.
"Oil sale income sinks by 9.2 percent in second quarter"
Duhhh. It is called OPEC production cuts and prices being lower than what they were in the second quarter last year. But revenue is up compared to the first quarter.
"Honestly this blog is starting to get kind of boring. And its not your fault. Its because the opposition is now so soundly defeated, and so pathetic, that, as you say, they don't even argue anymore, they just insult."
yeah I know.
Part of it is I am really busy right now and just reporting on what I see. later we'll get into some other topics.
Suffice it to say even you and I could, and will, have more of a debate on the path Venezuela should follow. I never did respond in full to your comments on why you think the South Korean model won't work for Venezuela. But I will.
I am seeing a lot of GREAT things Chavez is doing. However, I am also seeing a LOT of BIG mistakes he is making that is holding the country back from doing even better. In time I'll have more to say on that. Ironically, I might be the one to play the role of a sane "opposition" here as I am indeed opposed to taking the country down a truly socialist path.
My relatives in Barquisimeto actually run a small bodega out of their house to serve the development around them. They claim they have been out of eggs and milk sometimes but never for more than a day.It all depends where you get your food from. If you go right to what would be considered a "wholesaler", then yes, you can find most things. If you live in a city, then that is not as easy as it sounds. I have, however, done that in the past. Luckily I don't have to worry about that annoyance anymore.
Some shortages.
Can any of you PSF assholes read Spanish?
http://doc.noticias24.com/0708/r...0708/
rep15.html
"If you live in a city, then that is not as easy as it sounds."
In a city you would just go either to a Mercal, which are fully stocked, or go to the grocery stores I have pictured and get whatever you want.
"Luckily I don't have to worry about that annoyance anymore."
Luckily, food consumption is way up and most Venezuelans eat way better than they did before.
OW, Chucho is my friend!
Burnett, more than one person can post from the same computer you know....
A relief. I though you might be schizoid
"And the only engine of that economic "growth" is government spending of oil revenues. Nothing else!"
Not so...
Canadian authorities impressed with growth of Venezuela’s Food Missions
"Ambassador Wielgosz remarked, “Mercal is really impressive and is a roaring success with the majority of the population. It’s been a real pleasure for me to come and see it and appreciate that it is just a marvellous as I had been told”."
"The Bolivarian government of Hugo Chavez has the explicit objective of food sovereignty and independence for the security and benefit of the population as a whole. This strategic policy will stop dependence on imported food dominated by a minority capitalist elite which had historically exploited the population with inflated prices and artificial shortages to feather their own nests."
http://tinyurl.com/34cr9v
"Chavez and his Movement for the Fifth Republic Party (MVR) have created the beginnings of a mass social and political revolution based on participatory democracy and social justice."
http://tinyurl.com/2rkcoy
On June 26, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hosted his weekly TV show from the city of Coro, about six hours west of Caracas on the Caribbean coast. The 226th episode of Hello President was dedicated to the launching of a new food market and "food houses", both state-run centres that provide discounted basic foodstuff.
http://www.zmag.org/content/show...cfm?
ItemID=8284
Dutton, have you been drinking all this time in every pub you could find in Bearsden?
Ian sorry to disappoint, teetotal always have been. Never been to Bearsden, you have been seeing double (too much to drink?) LOL.
Yes, indeed the global economy created by superior United States leadership, sound United States economic policy and the clear vision of Ronald Reagan is a wonderful thing. The world owes America so much. But we lead only because its the right thing to do.
Where would Venezuela be without the United States?
"sound United States economic policy"
!929 again...
This is a scenario for a downward, self-perpetuating spiral into a slump of potentially massive proportions.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/200.../fina-
a02.shtml
cazador remind me about this "sound United States economic policy" again. How many US citizens can`t afford health care? could it be 50 million?.
http://tinyurl.com/2wzgd9
U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
Cazador--yeah, where would the slave be without the slave master?
It is so good to live in an era where the South American compradors are powerless to stop the enslaught of democracy and the people on the move.
OW says: as I am indeed opposed to taking the country down a truly socialist path.
ow | Homepage | 08.15.07 - 5:44 pm | #
Well, OW, do expand.
What exactly is the 'truly socialist path' that you have stereo-typed in your mind.
Socialism, for me, is the emergence of human society that develops human freedom. This can never exist with a small, global ruling class, the type that has developed at this stage. The pathological trajectory of global capitalism today threatens human existence.
This is the difference between liberal, social democratic reform (they kind that has developed in northern Europe) and real revolution. The key factor is social class and eonomic coercion and hierarchy.
If the status quo is fundamentally developing human society in a truely sustainable and healthful manner, then this must be transcended in order to create the conditions through which life on Earth is even habitable.
Until the conditions of sustainability and long range human suvival are met, then revolution is necessary---and permanent.
The key to the pathologies that plauge humankind is not recognizing that humankind's ecological existence is directly connected to the economic sphere.
Chavez's nascent and amorphus Bolivarian, 21 century socialism is emergent, and it therefore needs to be painted as it is born.
The revolutionary and the slaves in revolt against all types of domination and constriction
are the only ones capable of tracing the broad strokes of this transcendent painting--others, of course, can color in the developing forms.
Yes, indeed the global economy created by superior United States leadership, sound United States economic policy and the clear vision of Ronald Reagan is a wonderful thing. The world owes America so much. But we lead only because its the right thing to do.
Where would Venezuela be without the United States?
cazador | 08.15.07 - 8:06 pm | #
First of all, if it weren't for the United States, Venezuela would have begun a long time ago to produce what they consume, instead of importing what they consume.
By producing what they consume they generate productive capacity, jobs, and wealth. By importing what they produce they create wealth for a tiny minority commercial importers, leaving the rest of the population without jobs, with no productive capacity, and a tiny minority of the wealth.
The better question to ask is, where would the United States be without all the countries like Venezuela who buy their production instead of producing their own goods?
THE WEALTH OF THE UNITED STATES IS DEPENDENT ON THE MISERY OF THE UNDERDEVELOPED NATIONS.
In the 1980's, several countries attempted to break this dependence on imports. That is, they wanted to create their own productive capacity to produce their own consumption.
Your buddy Reagan systematically murdered hundreds of thousands of people in Central America trying to stamp out that movement. He overthrew democratically elected presidents, invaded countries, and disrespected international laws. What a great system they have in the U.S.!
You see, the United States wasn't worried about the horrible dictator Somoza of Nicaragua, but suddenly they became concerned by the DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Sandinista government, and they launched an all out war against that government.
Cazador, people like you are so ignorant of history that you say utterly disgraceful things without even knowing it.
Gringo, you are a hack that works for Gregory Wilpert master English language Internet apologist for the Bolivarian regime.
You are an asshole too because you erase, ignore and deflect questions on your blog about this.
Just say it: "I work for the Venezuelan government"
You remind me of a homo who's still in the closet. Maybe you are a homo. Does your girfriend fuck you in the ass?
Gringo, I was in the army. Chavez was one of my instructors at the academy. After that I worked for Disip and was sent by CAP to Nicaragua (along with Freddy Bernal).
Do you know what the Sandinistas did to their enemies in public? They hacked their limbs off. Machetes to the arms and chainsaw to the legs.
In public.
So go fuck yourself you stupid piece of shit. You are an American traitor and I hope that you become a crime statistic. Watch your back.
Thanks for sharing, GWEH. 
Your mind is polluted from the same violence that you support. No wonder nobody likes you. 
"Oil sale income sinks by 9.2 percent in second quarter"
Duhhh. It is called OPEC production cuts and prices being lower than what they were in the second quarter last year. But revenue is up compared to the first quarter.
I see you chose to ignore the rest of the article.
"At the same time, imports jumped from USD 7.8 billion to USD 10.8 billion, a hike of 38.7 percent.
As a result, in the second quarter of 2007, purchases abroad spent USD 72 out of every USD 100 that come in for oil sales. The ratio, for the same period in 2006, stood at 42.8 percent."
If the pattern of behavior doesn’t change,…
This Tuesday, the Central Bank announced that the economy grew by 8.9% in the second quarter and that the non-oil economy was up by 10.8%. This news is not as good as the government makes out, as the Central Bank also reported that growth in oil GDP fell by 3.9% and the balance of payments posted a deficit of $7.2 billion.
As in previous quarters, the growth posted by the non-oil economy is the product of a huge increase in demand, which, in turn, is being driven by monumental fiscal spending.
So what we have is that the results for the second quarter are similar to those for the first, when the non-oil economy grew by 10.9% and there was a decline in the oil economy of 5.6%, giving total growth of 9.1% for that period. Now then, this spectacular growth in the non-oil economy was driven by a whopping increase in aggregate demand of 22.2%.
But, unfortunately, the fact is that production did not keep pace with demand.
If we take manufacturing GDP as an indicator, then production in the first quarter rose by only 7.8%, whereas aggregate demand grew by 22.2%. This huge gap was covered by a spectacular 48.1% increase in imports at a time when oil prices had stagnated. Thanks to this increase in imports, the balance of payments posted a deficit of $5.6 billion.
Now the same pattern is repeating itself in the second quarter. In this quarter, non-oil GDP grew by 10.8%, whereas aggregate demand increased by 20% and manufacturing GDP was up by only 8.2%. This created another gap, which was filled with more imports, an increase of 38.7% in the second quarter. So, it is hardly surprising that the balance of payments deficit for this second quarter is $7.2 billion, of which nearly $5 billion were transferred to the Treasury and Fonden, making the true deficit $2.24 billion. Also worthy of note is that oil exports fell by $1.5 billion.
The danger of this pattern of behavior is that it is based on artificial growth that is not sustainable over time and that, moreover, generates gross distortions. If it continues, sooner rather than later, Venezuela will end up in a serious economic crisis.
In a city you would just go either to a Mercal, which are fully stocked, or go to the grocery stores I have pictured and get whatever you want.??? Mercal has seen the same shortages as the supermarkets. Just because you took some fotos at an optimal time doesn't mean shortages never existed and won't happen again. It's a result of price controls. Luckily for most the government is picking up the tab.
Gringo in Venezuela is in DENIAL
Gringo, I saw that picture of you cross-dressing.
Lets see ... bad jokes, bad taste, bad arguments.
Did you ever get laid in the States?
Will Gringo stay quiet? Can he resist the urge to reply? Or will he snort some cocaine and post some endless bullshit?
Chris, I know you don't do coke. You are too stupid for even that.
And your girlfriend is not the drug whore type... but you are such a pussywhipped faggot that if a coke snoring whore came your way you would and will fall. You have a compulsive personality. For you own sake do not try cocaine.
Chavez had to give up the coke after a few years in office so follow your leaders example boys and girls.
Chris, post some pictures of your girlfriend in sexycaracas.com.
Let me know if you do and I will give you links to pics I have taken.
What! she wont get naked in front of the camera?
So sorry....
This is a technique used frequently on this site by a small group of people (or one person with a highly selective and highly politicised form of multiple personality disorder GWEH/Omero) in an attempt to disrupt, confuse and close down debates they do not like.
Would it really be a violation of democratic principles to just ban such crap?
Don't we have the right to discuss real issues here?
Omero/GWEH,
Keep it coming, this is really a kick! Hahahaha!!!
By the way, could you show some evidence of the Sandinistas cutting people's limbs off? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
And, oh, watch my back? ooooooooo, I'm really scared. I am shaking in my boots! I'm so scared that I think I'll just stop supporting Chavez, and I'll just stop commenting here! You scared me so much! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Eugene, i think that banning instinct is the wrong way to go. Let these ignorant people be heard. You can always skip their comments, or learnt to enjoy making fun of their stupidity.
Taking their bullshit seriously is playing into their game of disruption. If they intend to debate real issues, then this will become apparent.
Yes, it is fun to enjoy making fun of people's stupidity. And OW just got belittled:
http://chasemeladies.blogspot.co...us-
stilton.html
Chris, it's not me that you have to watch out for "Gringo in Venezuela." You are so silly.
I wonder how you will react with a gun or knife pointed at you. You probably think you could talk yourself out of that.
hey stupid, did you notice theres not one carton of milk in that supermarket? what am i going to drink my coffee with? strawberry yogurt? or maybe some philadelphia cheesee?
Slave Revolt
Just for you Brother...
"george carlin nails it"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9...h?
v=9KReZyAZLI0
Where are the photos of milk and eggs??? Didn't find any did you?
Did you happen to see the sign on the black beans (1 por persona)...my question for you is that if there is plenty of food for everyone and no food shortages then why is there the need to restrict the amount one can buy in the grocery store?
Hey George...
I think that Carlin was talking about Venezuela...sounds like Chavez when he says the government doesn't want its citizens thinking critically...sounds like Mission Ribas to me...
OW no milk, no eggs and restrictions placed upon how much you can buy WTF? Any explanations?
Jen
Come on, things are on the up in Venezuela thats for sure and everybody knows it.
We in the UK are going downhill fast, I kid you not. Both here and in the USA we are governed by a bunch of criminals...
Take your time to read through all and you will learn...
Disabled suicide rate will increase in UK over the next few years,and the government know it because they will have caused it...
Criminality and New Labour, don`t get sick or New Labour will be sending a bunch of criminals around to your home to Hmmm... sort you out. I kid you not...
http://www.swansheffield.org.uk/
http://tinyurl.com/3222cl
These are the people New Labour have lined up to run our welfare reform department. Convicted fraudsters in the USA. Read on...
When you go to the first link click on `proceed to this site` and then scroll up...
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2puaub
http://tinyurl.com/3xvqx6
http://tinyurl.com/ynnhxs
http://tinyurl.com/3d23u7
http://
postmanpatel.blogspot.com...=UNum+Provident
Hey George...really? things are on the up and up in Venezuela?...you get that from this blog or have you been past OW and seen the light of day.
Please don't compare the USA or UK with Venezuela. It's easy to do but will get you nowhere.
OW another observation. No one said there is a shortage of beans and grains. We said there is a shortage of BLACK beans and to make my point more evident there are NO BLACK beans in your pictures.
Sorry except for in the shot of your pig out in some super feria. oink oink
Jen
I belong to Solidarity,Scotland (click Homepage)and members of Solidarity who have been to Venezuela tell me things are much better and getting better all the time, they also like going to Cuba a lot, one has been five times and going again. I would like/love to visit some time.
NO kidding Jen things are getting VERY bad here in the UK and going to get a LOT worse. We are going faster and faster to a low wage econmy.
I think were all heading for a VERY bad world economic downturn Jen.
OW, you sorry bastard. Hiding the fact that there are no black beans. How low will the Chavista go? Don't answer that.
Come to think of it. I did not see rice crispies (even generic brands), no peanut butter, no grey pupon mustard, etc.
There seems to be a lot that OW has left out--and his excuse that he was hounded-out of the store by security for taking pictures just doesn't add up.
Thanks for pointing that out Jen. There cannot be a revolution without Grey Pupon 
Slave
I have been IN Venezuela for 9 years and have only left twice. Rice Crispies have NEVER been abailable here. I know I have looked becuase I want to show my daughter how to make Squares. There is Grey Pupon mustard and peanut butter here and have been for years. (for a price)
Your post shows your ignorance.
Shut up if you know not.
George. I know you are a disabled person from the UK. How woud you feel here in Venezuela if you knew that the majority of the malls and business buildings had steps but no ramps to their main doors. Give me your email. I'll show you.
I come from the left and support many causes BUT NEVER Chavez
George, I think what you are trying to do in Scotland is great. I am from Canada and have been a recipient of the socialist progams there in the past. BUT I cannot support Chavez.
Socialist programs work but a 100% socialist society doesn't. There is a difference-
Becareful with making Hugo Chavez your hero.
Slave revolt let me give you a class of venezuelalism..
black beans are part of every venezuelan´s diet. The national plate is called Pabellon Criollo; it has beef, rice, plantains and BLACK BEANS.
and why can´t you find black beans in supermarkets? because its price is regulated by the government. And WHY is it regulated by the government? because its in the list of items venezuelans eat most of the time!
get it? thats why you can find red beans, burritos, tacos, cheese whiz, etc, but not sugar, milk, white cheese, eggs; the first are not regulated by the government, the second group is.
want me to draw you a diagram?
OW another observation. No one said there is a shortage of beans and grains. We said there is a shortage of BLACK beans and to make my point more evident there are NO BLACK beans in your pictures.It's another example of a foreigner coming to Venezuela proclaiming to know what is best for the country after reading a slight bit of history. He's the same person who claimed that drug abuse was not a problem in Venezuela. Just like GringInVenezuela claiming to know things about Vietnam without even stepping foot in the country.
Ahh, Pedro, look at what I just ate - yep, black beans.
You can twist and turn and lie about this all you want but all the food is there to be found in Venezuela and its supermarkets and grocery stores.
Jen cut bullshit. Your aren't even in Venezuela and if you were you would know there are eggs, black beans, and milk everywhere, mots importantly in the stomachs of low income VEnezuelans who can now afford them.
SR,
don't waste your energy. The trolls are just lying. There is essentially nothing you could find in Publix that you can't find in a Hyper Jumbo or Lider supermarket.
"Socialist programs work but a 100% socialist society doesn't."
Jen
Socialism has NEVER been giving the chance to work, the nearest it has ever come is Cuba and that has/is living under fear and repression from the USA. It has had it`s growth stunned by embargoes and isolation by the USA thats fears to allow a socialist state to show the world what socialism can do for the people off the world. For all their efforts Cuba has so far shown the world that under such draconian circumstance it can still give it`s people the VERY best in health care,1st/2nd in the world. They know FULL WELL it would be the end of capitalism if this were to be allowed unfettered anywhere in the world.
Hence the destabilisation off every attempt by socialism to establish itself .
It is an admission by capitalists that they want the state to serve them and not all off the people.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/progr...ght/
5232628.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism
"In 2000, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan stated that "Cuba should be the envy of many other nations" adding that achievements in social development are impressive given the size of its gross domestic product per capita. "Cuba demonstrates how much nations can do with the resources they have if they focus on the right priorities - health, education, and literacy"
"According to the report, the epidemic varies widely among Caribbean countries, with HIV prevalence ranging from 0.1% in Cuba to more than 3% in the Bahamas and Haiti (Jamaica Gleaner, 6/1). In addition, Guyana, a country in which AIDS-related illnesses are the no. 1"...
http://www.globalhealthreporting...asp?
DR_ID=37674
"Cuba: plenty of care, few condoms, no corruption"
"The health system in Cuba guarantees accessibility to the entire population, is free of charge, and covers the spectrum from vaccinations to sophisticated interventions. The results are impressive: Cuba's health figures are on a par with developed countries that have 20 times the budget. The country is experiencing a difficult period because of the collapse and loss of support from the Soviet Union; over 30 years' trade embargo by the United States."
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/f...ll/311/7010/
935
"Jen cut bullshit. Your aren't even in Venezuela and if you were you would know there are eggs, black beans, and milk everywhere, mots importantly in the stomachs of low income VEnezuelans who can now afford them."
Oh really OW I'm not in Venezuela...I for a fact am sitting in my living room in Caracas right now. My daughter is Venezuelan and we are proud to live here. You come to Venezuela take a few pictures of supermarkets and other things and then run off at the mouth how the people who appose Chavez are full of shit.
I went to the supermarket last weekend and they didn't have milk or eggs. I went to another and they had milk but no eggs. I had to go to 3 stores to find those things.
But hey don't believe me who lives here believe the world traveller OW who comes and goes as he pleases.
I am NOT saying that things are so bad in Venezuela. I AM saying things are DIFFERENT now than they were.
Anon...I've been here long enough to know whats going on here. Been here 9 years now. Just because one is a foreigner doesn't mean they know nothing about the society in which they live.
Anon...I've been here long enough to know whats going on here. Been here 9 years now. Just because one is a foreigner doesn't mean they know nothing about the society in which they live.I acknowledge that and that's why I take your opinion seriously, as opposed to someone who visits for a few days a year to take some pictures.
"But hey don't believe me who lives here believe the world traveller OW who comes and goes as he pleases."
And very strangely everytime OW shows up there are somehow no shortages.
"I AM saying things are DIFFERENT now than they were."
That is obvious. People eat better and live better now than they did before Chavez came to office.
OW--don't waste my time becasue they are lying!
Jezz, did you not note the dripping sarcasm of my last comments?
Jen is full of shit. There is not 100% socialism in Venezuela, not even close.
More, Jen supports US/Canadian imperialist oppression. Even liberals in Canada suck and hate it when the working class demands more from the capitalists.
And, OW, I find it hard to fathom that no rice crispies can be had in Caracas. Give me a break.
Again, Jen, you are full of shit. Now eat it--and admit that you exaggerate.
I don't give a shit if your white ass supports Chavez--because it is clear that the majority of the historically expoited people in Venezuela support Chavez. Your un-democratic, pro-empire opinions don't mean shit Jen.
Like you know, its not like you can´t find it never, there are black beans most of the time, then again, its hard to find eggs and its imposible to find milk and most of the cases, white hard cheese. Its a matter of luck. Its like sudently, there was a limit or non-existance of buying corn or bread in the US. A foreign person would say: hey, but why can´t gringos eat arepas and plantains? would you like to experience buying control or nonexistence in your supermarkets? i really dont think so
And, OW, I find it hard to fathom that no rice crispies can be had in Caracas. Give me a break.
There are none becuase no one imports them. Maybe there wouldn't be a market for them. Simple supply and demand SR. :P
"And, OW, I find it hard to fathom that no rice crispies can be had in Caracas. "
That is a joke, right?
In case not: it is probably for the same reason that Subway sub shops in Venezuela don't have Swiss cheese - Venezuelans don't eat it.
Or to put it another way - it is for the same reason that you can't order Pabellon at restaraunts in Ottawa - Canucks don't eat it.
I went to the supermarket last weekend and they didn't have milk or eggs. I went to another and they had milk but no eggs. I had to go to 3 stores to find those things.
Oh you poor baby!!! It must be because those damn poor people from the barrio bought all the milk and eggs!!! Damn them. Don't you wish they would just go back to the way things were before when those rotten poor people consumed less and the middle-class never had to worry about going to 3......THREE!!!... different stores before finding what they need?
Oh, the injustice of it all just makes me sick!!!
It must be because those damn poor people from the barrio bought all the milk and eggs!!! Damn them. Don't you wish they would just go back to the way things were before when those rotten poor people consumed less and the middle-class never had to worry about going to 3......THREE!!!... different stores before finding what they need?
I don't give a hoot who's buying what. I think everyone shold be able to buy what they want when they want. If I want milk thn I should have whatever brand I want in the store. Thats what it was like before and what it should be like now.
a country thats giving away oil, oil refineries, billions in money to others, i think it would be fair that at least you could drink milk and eat eggs at breakfast. And meat at lunch.
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