Gringos in the MiraFlores
Today we went to Miraflores, the presidential palace, for an international press conference with Chavez. It was a whole day long event. Zarha had her first day of rest, seperate from us. She stayed at our secure, cozy apartment on the 14th floor up on the hill. She read and played on the computer. We had to be at the palace at 8 am and Chavez did not start speaking until noon. If you recall I wrote about the lack of security at the large Chavez campaign rally with over 1 million people. Yet with 200 people from the international press it was security overload. We were checked at three different occasions with metal detectors and our equipment had to be unloaded and sniffed by dogs. We asked our host about the difference with the intensity of security at the palace. Dr Nickoli Salazars view was this, "Venezuelans are peaceful people but we cannot always be sure about people from other countries."
There are many fears and delusions within the United States about the dangers of Venezuela and other third world and developing countries. Ironically, as Chavez detailed at the press conference, it is the United States that has committed more violence in the existence of its republic than all the years of other empires previously combined. War in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Grenada, Guatemala the list goes on. The United States has been the only country to drop atomic weapons on another nation.
which is the greater danger?
Perhaps all the security at the palace was for the unpredictable nature of gringos.
It has been a new experience to hear the United States empire, the Bush administration condemned while being in the minority of a few North Americans. I feel allied with this country and the people here, I do not feel attacked but relieved to be engulfed in this discourse. I have received only one negative comment. While in a cafe a man asked where I was from, when I responded Estados Unidos he made a cross sign with his fingers like warding off the devil. He was not light hearted but genuinely disturbed as he said "Bush No!"
I don't have all the words in Spanish yet to explain it better than this "I am here. Not there. Because I don't like Bush." simple and slow. Maybe that is the start of new friendship after all.
After waiting for four hours for Chavez to speak we were awarded with his typical three and half hour talk. We sat four rows in from where he spoke and have great footage of the conference. He began with all the positive changes that have occurred in Venezuela in the past 7 years under his presidency and with the peoples commitment to the Bolivarian revolution. All these acheivements despite the setbacks during the coup and the 62 day lockout of workers by elite businessmen. In a failed attempt to economically strangle the Chavez government many people suffered which only strengthened their convictions for Chavez and the Bolivarian movement. Chavez emphasized how critical it is that the media does not feed into any early exit poll announcements on Sunday. He talked about how early exit poll would be used as a strategy of the opposition to try to cause instability.
He was asked by a CNN international reporter about his hot headed behaviour and calling Bush the devil while speaking at the UN. He explained that it was not a prepared, planned statement. That it just came to him when he was at the podium. He says he speaks his heart and mind and that is what he believes, Bush is the devil.
We were treated to breakfast and a boxed lunch in the palace. The media treats are noteworthy and make up for the boring waits and media frenzy that inevitably happens as soon as Chavez appears. That is the funniest footage all day. Filming the media panic, dash, run, circle around, trip over Chavez when he came to greet the press. He was so close to me and I actually hoped he wouldn't get any closer. My Spanish is so bad I just imagined him speaking to me and the bastardization of the words "Buenos dia" spilling forth.
A big bag of books was also gifted to all 200 press members. Sadly neither one of us grabbed the bag of books. I console myself from this error by remembering they were all in Spanish and it would take me the rest of this life to read even one. I am guessing the Chomsky book was in there because Chavez mentioned him again for several minutes. Saying everyone should be required to read him. Actually, the main newspaper here in Caracas just announced today that will begin to have a regular column of Chomsky.
So many details so few moments to type this stuff up. We had an amazing day today in the most radical barrio in all of Caracas. The revolutionary spirit is most heightened here. It is called barrio 23 de enero. They are true revolutionaries. They have invited our media delegation to sleep in the barrio situated along the hillside for the morning of the election. The bugle, yes a real bugle wakes the city up at 3 am to remind folks to vote. So after tonight we may not sleep for 2 days or so. I still have not figured out why the bugle has to go off at 3 am when the polls don't open until six. Schools have been closed since Friday and will be closed on Monday too. Sunday is voting day and the metro is free all day. With all these incentives and extra time given to people to exercise democratic rights, maybe voter turnout could be higher in the States too. I suppose having a charismatic, leader who really cared about people would also help.
After we our tour around Barrio 23 de enero, and more details about the Missions, the social programs of the Bolivarian revolution, an amazing drum, guitar singing and dance jam broke out. We danced salsa and some dirty dancing, housing style type moves. I did some dirty dancing, as was pushed to do, with a national guard guy in uniform. He looked all of 18. Can you imagine our armed forces in uniform dancing at a spontaneous street jam? Thats the kind of military I wouldn't mind paying taxes for. Andy was called a "good dancer for a white boy." One little girl about 5 yrs old came up to me and wanted to know if I was German. That made me laugh. I was given a Chavez shirt by a compenaro after I thanked the group and said we are doing our best to fight against Bush and the empire and if the united states ever tried to attack Venezuela we would be back to fight with the people of Venezuela. I wore the shirt home and it drew the stares of the militant opposition. It attracted many scornful glances and made me feel much more on guard not knowing what reactions it might provoke. The tensions are escalating this weekend and no-one knows how, where when or if things will erupt. There is a lot of uncertainty and speculation in the waiting game. Many people here stock up on food and water around these politically heated times. How others may prepare for earthquakes and snowstorms, people are getting ready for anything. While I was wearing the characteristic red Chavez T-shirt with the MVP symbol and word "socialista" one old guy did the sign "finger across his neck" like a cut throat. I asked if it was the shirt he didn't like and he made the sign again. I didn't know if it meant he wanted to cut my throat for supporting Chavez or if he meant Chavez was finished. Well he will have an easier time cutting my throat than finishing Chavez.
We have toured many alternative, people run television stations and tomorrow we have more tours of radio stations. Then we are going to mobalize and witness the elections in the most powerful part of the city. Barrio 23 de enero. We have decided as a group to accept the invitation to stay in the barrio with them for the election preparations and election day. They have their own security and we will be well protected. That's all I can say for now. The hours fade fast I must sleep well tonight.
Por Ahora.
love, solidarity and a kiss....
Today we went to Miraflores, the presidential palace, for an international press conference with Chavez. It was a whole day long event. Zarha had her first day of rest, seperate from us. She stayed at our secure, cozy apartment on the 14th floor up on the hill. She read and played on the computer. We had to be at the palace at 8 am and Chavez did not start speaking until noon. If you recall I wrote about the lack of security at the large Chavez campaign rally with over 1 million people. Yet with 200 people from the international press it was security overload. We were checked at three different occasions with metal detectors and our equipment had to be unloaded and sniffed by dogs. We asked our host about the difference with the intensity of security at the palace. Dr Nickoli Salazars view was this, "Venezuelans are peaceful people but we cannot always be sure about people from other countries."
There are many fears and delusions within the United States about the dangers of Venezuela and other third world and developing countries. Ironically, as Chavez detailed at the press conference, it is the United States that has committed more violence in the existence of its republic than all the years of other empires previously combined. War in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Grenada, Guatemala the list goes on. The United States has been the only country to drop atomic weapons on another nation.
which is the greater danger?
Perhaps all the security at the palace was for the unpredictable nature of gringos.
It has been a new experience to hear the United States empire, the Bush administration condemned while being in the minority of a few North Americans. I feel allied with this country and the people here, I do not feel attacked but relieved to be engulfed in this discourse. I have received only one negative comment. While in a cafe a man asked where I was from, when I responded Estados Unidos he made a cross sign with his fingers like warding off the devil. He was not light hearted but genuinely disturbed as he said "Bush No!"
I don't have all the words in Spanish yet to explain it better than this "I am here. Not there. Because I don't like Bush." simple and slow. Maybe that is the start of new friendship after all.
After waiting for four hours for Chavez to speak we were awarded with his typical three and half hour talk. We sat four rows in from where he spoke and have great footage of the conference. He began with all the positive changes that have occurred in Venezuela in the past 7 years under his presidency and with the peoples commitment to the Bolivarian revolution. All these acheivements despite the setbacks during the coup and the 62 day lockout of workers by elite businessmen. In a failed attempt to economically strangle the Chavez government many people suffered which only strengthened their convictions for Chavez and the Bolivarian movement. Chavez emphasized how critical it is that the media does not feed into any early exit poll announcements on Sunday. He talked about how early exit poll would be used as a strategy of the opposition to try to cause instability.
He was asked by a CNN international reporter about his hot headed behaviour and calling Bush the devil while speaking at the UN. He explained that it was not a prepared, planned statement. That it just came to him when he was at the podium. He says he speaks his heart and mind and that is what he believes, Bush is the devil.
We were treated to breakfast and a boxed lunch in the palace. The media treats are noteworthy and make up for the boring waits and media frenzy that inevitably happens as soon as Chavez appears. That is the funniest footage all day. Filming the media panic, dash, run, circle around, trip over Chavez when he came to greet the press. He was so close to me and I actually hoped he wouldn't get any closer. My Spanish is so bad I just imagined him speaking to me and the bastardization of the words "Buenos dia" spilling forth.
A big bag of books was also gifted to all 200 press members. Sadly neither one of us grabbed the bag of books. I console myself from this error by remembering they were all in Spanish and it would take me the rest of this life to read even one. I am guessing the Chomsky book was in there because Chavez mentioned him again for several minutes. Saying everyone should be required to read him. Actually, the main newspaper here in Caracas just announced today that will begin to have a regular column of Chomsky.
So many details so few moments to type this stuff up. We had an amazing day today in the most radical barrio in all of Caracas. The revolutionary spirit is most heightened here. It is called barrio 23 de enero. They are true revolutionaries. They have invited our media delegation to sleep in the barrio situated along the hillside for the morning of the election. The bugle, yes a real bugle wakes the city up at 3 am to remind folks to vote. So after tonight we may not sleep for 2 days or so. I still have not figured out why the bugle has to go off at 3 am when the polls don't open until six. Schools have been closed since Friday and will be closed on Monday too. Sunday is voting day and the metro is free all day. With all these incentives and extra time given to people to exercise democratic rights, maybe voter turnout could be higher in the States too. I suppose having a charismatic, leader who really cared about people would also help.
After we our tour around Barrio 23 de enero, and more details about the Missions, the social programs of the Bolivarian revolution, an amazing drum, guitar singing and dance jam broke out. We danced salsa and some dirty dancing, housing style type moves. I did some dirty dancing, as was pushed to do, with a national guard guy in uniform. He looked all of 18. Can you imagine our armed forces in uniform dancing at a spontaneous street jam? Thats the kind of military I wouldn't mind paying taxes for. Andy was called a "good dancer for a white boy." One little girl about 5 yrs old came up to me and wanted to know if I was German. That made me laugh. I was given a Chavez shirt by a compenaro after I thanked the group and said we are doing our best to fight against Bush and the empire and if the united states ever tried to attack Venezuela we would be back to fight with the people of Venezuela. I wore the shirt home and it drew the stares of the militant opposition. It attracted many scornful glances and made me feel much more on guard not knowing what reactions it might provoke. The tensions are escalating this weekend and no-one knows how, where when or if things will erupt. There is a lot of uncertainty and speculation in the waiting game. Many people here stock up on food and water around these politically heated times. How others may prepare for earthquakes and snowstorms, people are getting ready for anything. While I was wearing the characteristic red Chavez T-shirt with the MVP symbol and word "socialista" one old guy did the sign "finger across his neck" like a cut throat. I asked if it was the shirt he didn't like and he made the sign again. I didn't know if it meant he wanted to cut my throat for supporting Chavez or if he meant Chavez was finished. Well he will have an easier time cutting my throat than finishing Chavez.
We have toured many alternative, people run television stations and tomorrow we have more tours of radio stations. Then we are going to mobalize and witness the elections in the most powerful part of the city. Barrio 23 de enero. We have decided as a group to accept the invitation to stay in the barrio with them for the election preparations and election day. They have their own security and we will be well protected. That's all I can say for now. The hours fade fast I must sleep well tonight.
Por Ahora.
love, solidarity and a kiss....
posted by DAZ at 10:40 PM
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