I think Kos is onto something: Many Democrats, especially its pathetic consultant class, still believe that the way Democrats show "strength" is by huffing and puffing and threatening to bomb the "f" out of Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, or whatever the latest boogeyman of the moment might be.In reality, Democrats are seen as weak because they … Continue reading The Cowardice of the Democrats
Living large in oil-rich Venezuela: The booming economy may make elective surgery and luxury vehicles affordable for the upper-middle class, but the Venezuelans who are amassing the immense fortunes are the Boliburguesa, or the members of President Chávez’s inner circle. (The name refers to the president’s leftist Bolivarian revolution and the bourgeoisie.) Boliburgueses had constructed … Continue reading Socialist Chavez
Caracas, Venezuala, 7.45 am.
by David Weigel In Venezuela, tough luck if you work on a golf course. The mayor of Venezuela’s capital Caracas says he plans to expropriate two exclusive golf courses and use the land for homes for the city’s poor. Mayor Juan Barreto has said playing golf on lavish courses within sight of the city’s slums … Continue reading Hey, How’s Latin America Doing?
A reader writes: I just read Hitch’s piece talking about that "cabal of cockroach capitalists and ex-KGB men who now hold power in Moscow" (what formulations – love it!) and had a chuckle. Fact is that Putin is up to far more mischief that either Hitch or Applebaum suspect. They’re focused on the domestic scene … Continue reading The Real Putin Menace
A reader comments: What I want to know is why Pat Robertson is feebly wishing for Hugo Chavez’s assassination when he could just fly down to Venezuela and stomp him to death. Anderson did a segment on God’s massive quads last night. Hysterical.
“No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we’re here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people … support your revolution,” – Harry Belafonte, buttering up Venezuela’s president. MALKIN AWARD NOMINEE: “My friends, don’t fool with the church … Continue reading MOORE AWARD NOMINEE
“With unmistakable clarity and an apparent lack of self-consciousness, Robertson simply called for an assassination, presumably to be undertaken by U.S. military forces in violation of U.S. law.In so doing he gave the Venezuelan leader a propaganda gold mine, embarrassed the Bush administration, and left millions of viewers perplexed and troubled. More importantly, he brought … Continue reading QUOTE FOR THE DAY
That is the question posed by many readers. Dan Smith deals with that subject in the 6th edition of the Atlas (p.22). Here are the differences of income between the poorest 20% of the population and the richest 20% in selected countries according to UNDP Human Development Report 1998: Over 20 times: Brazil, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, … Continue reading BUT WHAT ABOUT INEQUALITY?
“One of the things that none of us have fully appreciated is that below the surface in Lebanon, there was always frustration. But obviously, something has been percolating from below. And the most profound things that we’re seeing is a loss of fear. In Syria, everything is governed by fear. And the Syrians use coercion … Continue reading QUOTE OF THE DAY
