Grow Them Young, Pay Them Well - Anti-Chavistas, That Is - by Stephen Lendman
Who said crime doesn't pay? Read on.
The Washington-based Cato Institute is all about "Individual Liberty, Free Markets, and Peace," or so says its web site. It's been around since 1977 preaching limited government and free market religion with plenty of high-octane corporate funding for backing. It better have it for the award it presented on May 15. It was to a 23 year old fifth year Venezuelan law student at Universidad Catolica Andres Bello. Yon Goicoechea was the fourth recipient of the "Milton Friedman Liberty Prize" in the amount of $500,000. For what? What else. For serving the interests of capital back home and leading anti-Chavista protests.
Goicoechea is leader of Venezuela's "pro-democracy student movement" that in Cato's words "prevented Hugo Chavez's regime from seizing broad dictatorial powers in December 2007." The reference is to the narrow defeat of Venezuela's reform referendum last December. Goicoechea led student-organized street violence against Venezuela's democracy, but don't look for Cato to say that.
It played up Goicoechea's "pivotal role in organizing and voicing opposition to the erosion of human and civil rights in his country (that) would have concentrated unprecendented political and economic power in the hands of the government." Instead, he chooses "tolerance" and the "human right to seek prosperity." He's been active since student and other opposition emerged against the Chavez government's refusal (with ample justification) to renew RCTV's VHF operating license last May.
Then, and in the run-up to last December's referendum, Cato says he stood down "ongoing death threats and continual intimidation due to his prominent and vocal leadership." He's been "indispensable in organizing massive, peaceful protest marches that have captured the world's attention." In fact, there were no death threats but plenty of hard right intimidation targeting Chavistas with tools like Goicoechea a part of it.
Cato founder and president Edward Crane said "We hope the Friedman Prize will help further his non-violent advocacy for basic freedoms in an increasingly militaristic and anti-democratic Venezuela." Far right novelist Mario Vargas Llosa added that "freedom is disappearing" in Venezuela, and "Goicoechea is a symbol of (a) democratic reaction when (it's) threatened."
Goicoechea received his award at a $500 a plate dinner at New York's Waldorf Astoria. Prominent corporate and government types attended, all representing far right interests. None explain how Bolivarianism works, its participatory democracy, its commitment to Venezuela's people, or how it's lifted millions in the country out of desperate poverty. Nor is there comment on a model process, impressive social reforms, supremely democratic elections, or Hugo Chavez's immense popularity. An April 24 - May 2 Venezuela Data Analysis Institute (IVAD) poll puts him at 68.8%. That compares to comparable George Bush ones with some of the lowest ratings ever for a US president.
No discussion either of how student opposition is funded or for what purpose. That their money comes from US agencies like the misnamed National Endowment for Democracy, USAID, the International Republican Institute, and other pro-business US and international agencies and organizations. CIA's part of it, too.
Highlighted are Goicoechea's plans with the money - to challenge Bolivarianism back home and work to subvert it. With those ideas and Cato's backing, he's sure to remain a hard right favorite. He'll also be busy and well-compensated - for more destabilization against the most democratic government in the hemisphere. That's what Goicoecheas are for - to sabotage democracy, subvert equity and justice, topple populist governments, and make Venezuela "friendlier" for business.
Goicoechea now heads home fully briefed for his role, but don't expect Cato to explain it. It's to support capital's divine right, privilege over beneficial social change, and the rights of the few over the many. It's to mobilize indignation against a leader who works for all Venezuelans, especially those in greatest need. Who uses his country's oil wealth for his people, not elitist business interests. For having a Constitution that mandates it. For gaining overwhelming popular support and becoming a hero to millions. For wanting others to share in what Venezuelans have. For believing all people matter, not just the privileged. For becoming the greatest of all threats to the empire (and Cato) determined to stop him. For failing so far. For seeing him gain strength and stature. For securing grassroots allies everywhere. For needing many Goicoecheas to oppose him, but not nearly enough to prevail.
His "non-violent advocacy" and "peaceful" protesting went like this - promoting class warfare; wanting Chavez toppled; and following CIA diktats to:
-- "take to the streets; protest with violent disruptive actions across the nation; create a climate of ungovernability; provoke a general uprising; isolate Chavez" internationally; destabilize the government; disrupt the constitutional process; sustain aggressive agitprop; build unity among the opposition; and end Chavismo and Bolivarianism so capital can get back in control.
Last year, Goicoechea responded by engaging in violent street clashes; targeting pro-Chavez students, police and the National Guard; smashing windows; turning over and setting cars alight; starting other fires; burning tires; throwing rocks and bottles; engaging in a shootout at Caracas' Central University; seeing Venezuela's business media report "peaceful, civic and democratic" students were attacked without provocation; and getting full US (and Cato) backing for all of the above.
Like others of his class, Goicoechea enjoys privilege and wants to keep it. He's also unwilling to share it, and he puts it this way: "We have to fight for our future, for our rights," and you know whose he means. "If we don't fight for our freedoms, we won't be able to take part in a democratic Venezuela in the future." He means democracy for the few like in pre-Chavez days.
Gabriela Calderon shares that view as editor of ElCato.org, Cato's Spanish language website. She's young, well-educated, anti-Chavez, and also against Bolivarianism's spread to her native country of Ecuador. Cato says she's a "frontline" warrior in "the struggle against Hugo Chavez's '21st century socialism,' which is threatening to engulf all of Latin America." She, in turn, calls populists like Chavez and Ecuador's President Raphael Correa "the reactionary right" for in Cato's words: "pushing for greater state control over the economy and people's lives. By contrast, she - and ElCato.org - advocates for individual freedom." That means privatizing everything, favoring property over people, privilege over the needy, crowding out dissent, and getting well-rewarded for supporting all of the above.
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
Whatever Hugo Chavez may say that is offensive to our own Shit-for-Brains, he has done more for the people of his country than Congress and the Administration has done for ours...Republican or Democrat. It is the rich who resist his direction, not because they will be made poor....only because they will not pile up their money quite as quickly. Every person on this planet deserves their chance, something Chavez seems to understand and the Bushes and Clintons of the United States never will.
by
Roger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 283 comments)
on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:50:47 AM
It's a good thing that referendum to allow Chavez to run again was defeated. Just like FDR running again means winning by buying votes and silencing the opposition. This is an elected dictatorship we're talking about in Venezuela.
You say that there's freedom in that country then why, "He's been active since student and other opposition emerged against the Chavez government's refusal (with ample justification) to renew RCTV's VHF operating license last May." ? You say it's justified, I say it's repression. Using government force to shut down a TV station is the epitomy of dictatorship. Why is that gov lisensing & regulating the media anyway? To control it, just like they do here.
You wrote, "None explain how Bolivarianism works, its participatory democracy, its commitment to Venezuela's people, or how it's lifted millions in the country out of desperate poverty." After first impoverishing millions high oil prices allow Chavez to claim credit for what recovery they're seeing there. After all these years they maybe have returned to '98s standard of living. But let's not forget what Chavez's first years were like. In the first half of '99 the economy contracted 19%. Then followed several years of social, economic, & political turbulance. What improvment they're seeing there is in spite of Chavez, not because of him.
Crime rates are way up in Venezuela. Inflation is the highest of any Latin American country & price controls are causing shortages. Amnesty International doesn't rate Venezuela well. I call this a failure. Don't make a fool of yourself trying to spin this into success.
Bush is a dictator that was not elected. It seems the Venezuelans have us beat in the "representative government" category. To judge the financial success of states under a trade embargo is to play into the hands of the corporate elite by continuing the mis-information campaign. If I saw off Your legs it will be no great victory to beat You in a foot race. Chavez is loved and admired by a large majority of venezuelans and by at least one American. Anybody that calls dubya the devil is allright by me. Vicente Fox was told if he messed with Venezuela "sales empinado" I will not provide a translation seeing this is a family type forum, but know that it was real straight talk. I have to respect a guy that says what he thinks and is not working from a neo-con script. The Mexican branch of the new world order is attempting to privatize Mexican oil and meeting with stiff resistance from the left in congress (it appears they still have a few honest politicians). Things are heating up all over Central and South America. We can expect a renewed commitment by the CIA to continue the murder of leftist leaders and sympathetic peasants. Leftist ideology often needs help to "fail".
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john riggs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 324 comments)
on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 6:13:04 AM
Chavez is a disaster, I know I lived under his rule and I sited facts about Venezuela. The failure is obvious & didn't need ourside "help". The neocons are just taking advantage of the red paratroopers weakness.
Notice that I didn't defend Bush or the neocons in my reply or diary entry that I linked to. Matter of fact, in my diary I blast them.
One question though, what embargo are you talking about? I'm not aware of one on Venezuela.
No tienes que traducir "sales empinado" se que significa, guey. ;-)
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Darren Wolfe (2 articles, 62 quicklinks, 39 diaries, 365 comments)
on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:04:41 AM
Why did the CIA try to overthrow him in 2002 ? I have not seen one item for sale in the US marked "made in Venezuela". I was under the impression that non-aligned nations were prohibited from trading with the US and its puppet allies. Maybe its not true. Inquiring minds want to know.
I think it says a lot about chavez that he did not have all the traitors that participated in the coup against a wall or imprisoned. I have seen no credible evidence that Chavez is a failure. I heard many things about Castro for years that turned out to be lies. Anything critical of the left in areas desired by the corporate machine must be held under a magnifying glass. The politicos I hear spouting the phrase "cruel dictator" have turned out to be the real dictators. I dont buy Your anti-Chavez line.
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john riggs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 324 comments)
on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 4:09:49 PM
To try to maintain the dominance of the $ because he was threatening to sell oil in Euros. Too bad for the US gov, Chavez recently made that change anyway.
I have not seen one item for sale in the US marked "made in Venezuela".
So what? They don't make very much there. They use their oil money to import everything.
I was under the impression that non-aligned nations were prohibited from trading with the US and its puppet allies. Maybe its not true. Inquiring minds want to know.
Maybe you should know something before you start maing so much noise.
I think it says a lot about chavez that he did not have all the traitors that participated in the coup against a wall or imprisoned.
I have seen no credible evidence that Chavez is a failure.
Right. Look at the links in my first reply.
I heard many things about Castro for years that turned out to be lies. Anything critical of the left in areas desired by the corporate machine must be held under a magnifying glass. The politicos I hear spouting the phrase "cruel dictator" have turned out to be the real dictators. I dont buy Your anti-Chavez line.
I'm with you in not trusting the corporate interests. Thats why I don't want the US intervening in Venezuela.
Dictators often conflict with other dictators, that doesn't mean you have to take sides.
As to Castro, I've known many leftists who turn a blind eye to the horrors that tyrannts they like do. He & Che are among those the left whitewashes.
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Darren Wolfe (2 articles, 62 quicklinks, 39 diaries, 365 comments)
on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:53:58 AM
Chavez isn't buying anyone's votes or silencing the opposition. The opposition has complete freedom of speech. The opposition often has large protests and the corporate media in Venezuela regularly bash the government and promote anti-government propaganda.
Venezuela didn't shut down RCTV. They just chose not to renew their public broadcast license. RCTV is still operating on Cable tv. The media is supposed to serve the public interest and provide the people with factual information. Any media that engages in censorship, disinformation, and advocates violence against the government is illegitimate and deserves to be shut down. Apparently you advocate lawlessness. You believe RCTV should be free to break the law. RCTV is a corporation and the government has every right to shut down any business that refuses to abide by the law. Repression means violating individual rights not revoking corporate privileges.
Don't all countries license the corporate media? There's nothing repressive about requiring licenses for certain types of businesses and occupations. Every corporate media station in America should have their license revoked since none of them serve the public interest and all of them engage in private censorship and promote disinformation.
The improvement in Venezuela's economy is because of government policies like increasing the minimum wage, improvement in tax collection and gradually making the tax system more progressive, free healthcare and education, establishing communal councils, food subsidies, and nationalization of certain industries.
Of course Venezuela has a lot of crime. There is a lot of corruption with the local police in Venezuela and there's a lot of Colombian paramilitaries operating in Venezuela trying to destabilize the country.
The food shortages aren't caused by price controls. They're caused by producers hoarding food and because of greater demand than supply. The solution is to increase production of food and prevent hoarding by producers. Countries all over the world are suffering food shortages so why pick on Venezuela.
Venezuela's president has a 68% approval rating. If things in Venezuela were as awful as you claim the president wouldn't be so popular. You hate Chavez because he wants to revoke the privileges of the economic elites. You believe in capitalist exploitation. Chavez is anti-capitalist and a socialist who believes in a classless society where there are no bosses and no slaves and everyone has equal opportunities.
Chavez isn't a dictator. Chavez upholds the Constitution and he is not above the law. A dictatorship is where the country's leader is above the law and where the national government commits massive human rights violations. Alvaro Uribe the president of Colombia would be an example of an elected dictator. Uribe was elected but as president shows a complete disregard for the law and is guilty of massive human and civil rights violations.
Venezuela's economy has high economic growth, mostly in the non-oil sector. Since Chavez became president there's been a large reduction in poverty. The unemployment rate continues to decrease. There has been great improvement in healthcare and education.
Chavez didn't impoverish millions like you claim. Chavez inherited a situation from previous governments that had caused poverty among half the population. Their economy would probably be doing even better now if the economy hadn't been damaged in 2002 by the oil industry lockout. Although inflation is a problem, the inflation under previous governments was much worse. If they can solve the food shortage problem then that will help eliminate inflation. The privately owned central bank is probably also causing inflation through manipulating the money supply.
Ending market speculation is crucial in eliminating inflation.
by
Ty Shlackman (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 531 comments)
on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7:40:17 PM
