Looming Large

In Latin America, Left-wing and anti-American leader Evo Morales was elected President of Bolivia by a substantial margin. According to the International Herald Tribune:

Morales, 46, an Aymara Indian and former coca farmer who also promises to roll back American-prescribed economic changes, had garnered up to 51 percent of the vote, according to televised quick-count polls, which tally a sample of votes at polling places and are considered highly accurate.

Publius Pundit, a blog that closely watches developments in Latin America says it wasn't even close. "There was nothing fraudulent about it, and voter turnout was an amazing 80%. Bolivians who are celebrating this are happy because Morales is the first-ever indigenous Aymara president the nation has ever had. For people who have been shut out from the existing system, for whatever reason, it’s a great step forward to see one of their own in the highest office in the land." In These Times has an interview with Evo Morales in which he claims that he is 'like Che' except that he doesn't believe in the armed struggle. Marc Cooper argues that Morales, as well as the ascent of left wing leaders in Brazil and Venezuela, portend the end of the Washington Consensus' in Latin America characterized by "free enterprise, free trade, a rollback of the state and social services, a sort of trickle-down economics for export". Cooper asks whether this is cause for jubilation -- or alarm. Indeed, Morales is likely to go down the same road as Hugo Chavez, who is rapidly ruining the very Venezuelan economy he promised to rescue from the oligarchs.

Commentary

Politics in the Third World has long been principally a synonym for plunder. The sole variation from this boring theme lay in finding new and innovative alibis under which to commit the intended looting. Throughout the 1990s traditional elites operated under the banner of the free trade, economic liberalization and privatization -- while doing nothing like that. Each time, the local elites were at pains to emphasize their theft was at the behest; indeed the compulsion of international lending institutions. Though economics in the Third World very often consisted of banditry planned locally; it was always attributed internationally, preferably to Washington; and for decades no one was overly concerned at this sickening charade because these dens of corruption were distant from the centers of world power. Until September 11.

While radical Islam is the best known form of chaos from the Third World it was merely the worst -- but not the only -- form of dysfunction. There were many other countries where things simply didn't work, and where their overlords made a career of covering their crimes by claiming subservience to an 'international' program, as simple misdirection. The post-colonial world fell to pieces in a million ways; united only in a single, agreed-upon scapegoat: the USA. Chavez can be depended on to destroy his own country; as did Castro and as probably, will Evo Morales. Yet in the end, they too, will attribute their failings to America. What's needed is some way to make each nation consciously responsible for its own destiny. Whether in Iraq or elsewhere, that's the only way to go.


posted by wretchard at 5:10 AM | 10 comments  

looks like the priorities have changed...

from hookers and blow to blow and hookers

"Hey, let's try these socialist politics that fail disastrously every time they're implemented!"  "Sounds like a plan!  Viva Morales!"

It's kind of interesting that in 2005 the communists want to legalize coca growing.  In 1980, there was a far-Right, anti-communist coup in Bolivia advised by Nazis and funded by Moonies and drug syndicates that did the same thing.

Quoted: "Hey, let's try these socialist politics that fail disastrously every time they're implemented!"  "Sounds like a plan!  Viva Morales!" It's kind of interesting that in 2005 the communists want to legalize coca growing.  In 1980, there was a far-Right, anti-communist coup in Bolivia advised by Nazis and funded by Moonies and drug syndicates that did the same thing.

yeah but this way the workers will get a share now.

So much for my mountain climbing trip to Bolivia

If coca growing was legalized in the US, we would put those poor coca growing indians out of business.

Here are the top 16 recipients of U.S. foreign aid for 2005:

1. Israel 2.58 Billion
2. Egypt 1.84 Billion
3. Afganistan 0.98 Billion
4. Pakistan 0.70 Billion
5. Colombia 0.57 Billion
6. Sudan 0.50 Billion
7. Jordan 0.48 Billion
8. Uganda 0.25 Billion
9. Kenya 0.24 Billion
10. Ethiopia 0.19 Billion
11. South Africa 0.19 Billion
12. Peru 0.19 Billion
13. Indonesia 0.18 Billion
14. Bolivia 0.18 Billion
15. Nigeria 0.18 Billion
16. Zambia 0.18 Billion


Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside don't it.  

Quoted: WOOOOOO HOOOOOO CHEAP COKE FOR ALL!!

No.. He is a Marxist he will do for coke in Bolivia what Castro did for cigars in Cuba.

Quoted: Quoted: "Hey, let's try these socialist politics that fail disastrously every time they're implemented!"  "Sounds like a plan!  Viva Morales!" It's kind of interesting that in 2005 the communists want to legalize coca growing.  In 1980, there was a far-Right, anti-communist coup in Bolivia advised by Nazis and funded by Moonies and drug syndicates that did the same thing. yeah but this way the workers will get a share now.

Bolivia already has socialist tendancies.  When I was there a few months ago, I saw the rediculous effects.

Their price for gas(propane) is fixed.  Everyone uses the normal size portable containers like we do for grills here but for their kitchens.  When the gas truck pulls up, a big flatbed full of tanks, the highway is shut down by the mobs of people trying to turn in their empty and buy a new one.  Of course there isn't enough to go around(due to price fixing by the government) so it is a free for all and not everyone gets any gas for cooking their food.

Coca growing is legal now, that is not the problem.  He wants to legalize commercial coca growing on a large scale.  In both Peru and Bolivia, coca is legal, and you can buy tea and candies and leaves anywhere.  But, there is not enough use in that manner to justify large scale commercial farming of coca, there is only one reason for that.  And that is why large scale production has been outlawed in Peru and Bolivia.  Refined cocaine is illegal, so why would you farm that much coca.  What other purpose does it serve if not to be sold to manufacture an illegal drug?

Sounds like Bolivia is going the wrong way.  Even people living there know it, but vote for the socialist anyway because it will benefit them tommorrow, even if they know they'll be worse off next year.  I had a cab driver in bolivia who complained about the socialist policies and all of the problems it caused, but then he said he was going to vote for the socialist candidate becuase it would be good for him personally.  Even though he stated why there were problems, he couldn't grasp it would be worse in the long run.

And don't think that Chavez isn't helping fund these candidates, and it will of course spread, between the EU trying to turn South American nations against the US, and Chavez trying to spread communism which has always been a problem since the Russians seeded it down there, it is just going to get worse.  Luckily Peru still seems hardcore anti-communist, and that's where my fiance lives.

The communists have nothing left to turn to except drugs since there Soviet Union to sponsor them anymore, and while Chavez gets his money from oil, the other nations don't have the natural resources to fund communist governments.  Illegal drugs sales is the only answer.

I see more problems in the future.

What do Guatemala, Ecuador, and Bolivia have in common?  (other than being constantly screwed up socially, politically, and economically)

Doesn't Bolivia have big copper mines?  Copper pricing is out of control.  But Morales probably doesn't want to "exploit" the earth.....only rich gringos, with cocaine.

Quoted: What do Guatemala, Ecuador, and Bolivia have in common?  (other than being constantly screwed up socially, politically, and economically) Doesn't Bolivia have big copper mines?  Copper pricing is out of control.  But Morales probably doesn't want to "exploit" the earth.....only rich gringos, with cocaine.

Bolivia turned down a multi-billion dollar natural gas pipeline contract a couple years ago.

I like this guy. Coca chewing is Normal in that part of the world it's part of their culture. It aint their fault that we are drug fiends! So suppose Millions of Gallons of hard liquor and beer from America were being smuggled into Saudi Arabia and Iran So they said to us "cut back on your beer making and consumption OR ELSE!" or else what? They'll put an embargo on us and our country will come to a stand still at $6 a gallon of gas! How would you feel ? happy? or would you say fuck'em?! Also in Bolivia they had a serious problem with "privatisation" they sold the public water works to some DIpshit ultra capitalists who basically made the following laws- "all water in Bolivia is now owned by us, No water can be collected anywhere without our  say so and a corporate tax added" In effect now going to any river and grabbing a bucket of water was now ILLEGAL! because technically the riverwater BELONGED to this company. And guess what else? RAINWATER! if you collected rainwater you could be arrested and fined! Im not kidding here this is a real law. So they protested (Traitors!) and, it was caught on tape, a man in plain clothes with a scoped FAL standing at the far flank of a police line shot into the crowd killing the leader of the Indian Movement! Damn liberal press!! And thier damn cameras! So finally violent riots broke out. The privatisation shceme was stopped and Americans now wonder why the people there vote "socialist"

Yet another war for us coming down the pipe because of their stupidity.

Just a matter of how many decades it wll take.

It's none of our business what they do in their own country.

Seal the border and the coke will have a harder time making its way into your kids' noses.  We need to mind our own damn business.

FYI...there are uses for coca in this part of the world that are completely legal and have nothing to do with cocaine (seems like they make this mainly for American consumption)

Quoted: It's none of our business what they do in their own country. Seal the border and the coke will have a harder time making its way into your kids' noses.  We need to mind our own damn business.

Untill the starving hords of Latin Americans come and set up camp outside our new Hadrians Wall.

Quoted: I like this guy.

Big fucking surprise...  

Quoted: Doesn't Bolivia have big copper mines?  Copper pricing is out of control.

Chile is the big copper producer.  Bolivia has large tin desposits, and of course coca. But the big thing for them is some new natural gas deposit that have yet to be tapped for export.  Looks like that's going to be nationally-owned now.

Quoted: It's none of our business what they do in their own country. Seal the border and the coke will have a harder time making its way into your kids' noses.  We need to mind our own damn business.

Oh yeah, "seal the border."  And what magical implement do you have that will stop shipments of cocaine from getting into the country?  

Quoted: I like this guy. Coca chewing is Normal in that part of the world it's part of their culture. It aint their fault that we are drug fiends! So suppose Millions of Gallons of hard liquor and beer from America were being smuggled into Saudi Arabia and Iran So they said to us "cut back on your beer making and consumption OR ELSE!" or else what? They'll put an embargo on us and our country will come to a stand still at $6 a gallon of gas! How would you feel ? happy? or would you say fuck'em?! Also in Bolivia they had a serious problem with "privatisation" they sold the public water works to some DIpshit ultra capitalists who basically made the following laws- "all water in Bolivia is now owned by us, No water can be collected anywhere without our  say so and a corporate tax added" In effect now going to any river and grabbing a bucket of water was now ILLEGAL! because technically the riverwater BELONGED to this company. And guess what else? RAINWATER! if you collected rainwater you could be arrested and fined! Im not kidding here this is a real law. So they protested (Traitors!) and, it was caught on tape, a man in plain clothes with a scoped FAL standing at the far flank of a police line shot into the crowd killing the leader of the Indian Movement! Damn liberal press!! And thier damn cameras! So finally violent riots broke out. The privatisation shceme was stopped and Americans now wonder why the people there vote "socialist"

Coca leave chewing, tea, and candies are normal, and are already currently legal there.

Cocaine is illegal in Bolivia.  They are not legalizing Cocaine.  They are legalizing large scale commercial farming of coca leaves.  There is only one reason for this, as there is only one customer on that scale.  Cocaine producers.

The comparison to liqour is incorrect because alcohol is legally sold and consumed in the US.  Hops would be illegal in large scale production in the US if alcohol was illegal, because that is the only use for large scale production of that crop.

What we have here is a government planning to allow large scale production of a crop whose only profitable purpose when produced in those quantities is cocaine production, a drug illegal in Bolivia.  There is no real profit in the sale of cocaine within Bolivia either as the country is too poor.  This is being legalized with one specific market in mind.  The illegal US drug market.

Bolivia is a very poor nation, and this move will make them worse off.  What do you think will occur when they become more and more dependent on a coca crop to fund their government?

Keep an eye on Chinese in Bolivia over the next few months, in particular for OIL futures.

Quoted: Quoted: It's none of our business what they do in their own country. Seal the border and the coke will have a harder time making its way into your kids' noses.  We need to mind our own damn business. Oh yeah, "seal the border."  And what magical implement do you have that will stop shipments of cocaine from getting into the country?

Quoted: Keep an eye on Chinese in Bolivia over the next few months, in particular for OIL futures.

Why, is that important?

Quoted: Here are the top 16 recipients of U.S. foreign aid for 2005: 1. Israel 2.58 Billion 2. Egypt 1.84 Billion 3. Afganistan 0.98 Billion 4. Pakistan 0.70 Billion 5. Colombia 0.57 Billion 6. Sudan 0.50 Billion 7. Jordan 0.48 Billion 8. Uganda 0.25 Billion 9. Kenya 0.24 Billion 10. Ethiopia 0.19 Billion 11. South Africa 0.19 Billion 12. Peru 0.19 Billion 13. Indonesia 0.18 Billion 14. Bolivia 0.18 Billion 15. Nigeria 0.18 Billion 16. Zambia 0.18 Billion Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside don't it.  hr

           Look who's number one .  And people can't understand why the " other guys "
hate us so much .  Ask yourself one question .    With all of the poor ass third world countries
 on this Earth ,   WHY ISRAEL ?????

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: It's none of our business what they do in their own country. Seal the border and the coke will have a harder time making its way into your kids' noses.  We need to mind our own damn business. Oh yeah, "seal the border."  And what magical implement do you have that will stop shipments of cocaine from getting into the country?   www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/xgraphics/photographs/history/199811001esg_small.jpg

That wouldn't keep out shipments by sea or air.

Quoted: Quoted: Here are the top 16 recipients of U.S. foreign aid for 2005: 1. Israel 2.58 Billion 2. Egypt 1.84 Billion 3. Afganistan 0.98 Billion 4. Pakistan 0.70 Billion 5. Colombia 0.57 Billion 6. Sudan 0.50 Billion 7. Jordan 0.48 Billion 8. Uganda 0.25 Billion 9. Kenya 0.24 Billion 10. Ethiopia 0.19 Billion 11. South Africa 0.19 Billion 12. Peru 0.19 Billion 13. Indonesia 0.18 Billion 14. Bolivia 0.18 Billion 15. Nigeria 0.18 Billion 16. Zambia 0.18 Billion Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside don't it.              Look who's number one .  And people can't understand why the " other guys " hate us so much .  Ask yourself one question .    With all of the poor ass third world countries  on this Earth ,   WHY ISRAEL ?????

Because it pisses off barbaric, primitive, violent, boy-buggering screwheads to no end.  That's reason enough.

      I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid .

Quoted: That wouldn't keep out shipments by sea or air.

that's what the air national guard and the coast guard is for.

Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid .

When you don't understand international politics, it's best to keep your mouth shut,  that way no one knows how ignorant you really are.

Quoted: Keep an eye on Chinese in Bolivia over the next few months, in particular for OIL futures.

I'll bet you are correct. I'll bet the Chinese get in there and develop that gas field.

Hell, they are already running the Panama Canal.

   
Mr.  guns762 ---

So tell me , what are YOUR qualifications ?    I have lived in that part of the world .
 
      By chance , did we meet ?

Quoted: Quoted: That wouldn't keep out shipments by sea or air. that's what the air national guard and the coast guard is for.

Riiiigght.  Spoken like someone who has no idea of the scale of which they're speaking.

Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid .

I don't give a shit about Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.  And no, I can't think of a better way to spend it, unless it was going over and sending our own guys to kill the Islamocfacists that the Israelis kill for us.

Quoted: Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid . I don't give a shit about Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.  And no, I can't think of a better way to spend it, unless it was going over and sending our own guys to kill the Islamocfacists that the Israelis kill for us.

                Yeah , what was I thinking .     ---------   Well , I'm going to bed now .  You bunch
of International Politics majors are too tough for me .


                Tell your Rabbi I said "good night " .          

Mr. Snerdley, I'm going to tell Rush you've been talking like this.

We support Israel
1. because they are (were) the only democracy in the middle east
2. because they have been a test bed for many of our military equipment and doctrine.
3. because they have been a partner to us in the war on terror for decades

You may leave now

Quoted: Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid . When you don't understand international politics, it's best to keep your mouth shut,  that way no one knows how ignorant you really are.

Oh, that was just his anti-Israel rant.  Notice, he didn't mention any of the other figures.

Quoted: Quoted: Here are the top 16 recipients of U.S. foreign aid for 2005: 1. Israel 2.58 Billion 2. Egypt 1.84 Billion 3. Afganistan 0.98 Billion 4. Pakistan 0.70 Billion 5. Colombia 0.57 Billion 6. Sudan 0.50 Billion 7. Jordan 0.48 Billion 8. Uganda 0.25 Billion 9. Kenya 0.24 Billion 10. Ethiopia 0.19 Billion 11. South Africa 0.19 Billion 12. Peru 0.19 Billion 13. Indonesia 0.18 Billion 14. Bolivia 0.18 Billion 15. Nigeria 0.18 Billion 16. Zambia 0.18 Billion Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside don't it.              Look who's number one .  And people can't understand why the " other guys " hate us so much .  Ask yourself one question .    With all of the poor ass third world countries  on this Earth ,   WHY ISRAEL ?????

WHY NOT???????????

Who cares why they hate us.

Why don't you just come out and say it?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid . I don't give a shit about Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.  And no, I can't think of a better way to spend it, unless it was going over and sending our own guys to kill the Islamocfacists that the Israelis kill for us.                 Yeah , what was I thinking .     ---------   Well , I'm going to bed now .  You bunch of International Politics majors are too tough for me .                 Tell your Rabbi I said "good night " .

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid . I don't give a shit about Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.  And no, I can't think of a better way to spend it, unless it was going over and sending our own guys to kill the Islamocfacists that the Israelis kill for us.                 Yeah , what was I thinking .     ---------   Well , I'm going to bed now .  You bunch of International Politics majors are too tough for me .                 Tell your Rabbi I said "good night " .

Yeeeaah.  Right.  Because I MUST be a Jew if I support funding for Israel and don't like the radical Islamic assholes in the Middle East.  Way to show your true colors, Adolph.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted:       I guess we can't find anything better to spend  $2.58 billion on .   Remember that when they start talking about cutting Social Security or Medicare / Medicaid . I don't give a shit about Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.  And no, I can't think of a better way to spend it, unless it was going over and sending our own guys to kill the Islamocfacists that the Israelis kill for us.                 Yeah , what was I thinking .     ---------   Well , I'm going to bed now .  You bunch of International Politics majors are too tough for me .                 Tell your Rabbi I said "good night " .        hr Yeeeaah.  Right.  Because I MUST be a Jew if I support funding for Israel and don't like the radical Islamic assholes in the Middle East.  Way to show your true colors, Adolph.

  AAAAAAHHHHHHH  --   Another day of trying to educate the ignorant masses .   It's a thankless job .   But when truth is on your side , you persevere .  

     The lesson plan for today ,  Please GOOGLE search the following :

       " Jews Against Zionism "

       " The International Jew "   by Henry Ford

       And for extra credit , read up on MEYER ROTHSCHILD

        And don't forget to come back here and call me some more names .                        

Love his campaign HQ with our buddy Che in big posters...





HEY DICKHEAD..... WAKE UP CALL... COMMUNISM'S A FAILED CONCEPT...

Just one less turd world country for the US to spend money on.

Quoted:   AAAAAAHHHHHHH  --   Another day of trying to educate the ignorant masses .

Buddy, you ARE the ignorant masses.

 Does this mean you did your homework ?    Probably not .    

Quoted:   AAAAAAHHHHHHH  --   Another day of trying to educate the ignorant masses .

... Mr. Snerdly, whats it like up there on your pedastal?

Pretentius prick.

Quoted: Coca leave chewing, tea, and candies are normal, and are already currently legal there. Cocaine is illegal in Bolivia.  They are not legalizing Cocaine.  They are legalizing large scale commercial farming of coca leaves.  There is only one reason for this, as there is only one customer on that scale.  Cocaine producers. The comparison to liqour is incorrect because alcohol is legally sold and consumed in the US.  Hops would be illegal in large scale production in the US if alcohol was illegal, because that is the only use for large scale production of that crop.

It is a good comparison to the days of alcohol prohibition.

What we have here is a government planning to allow large scale production of a crop whose only profitable purpose when produced in those quantities is cocaine production, a drug illegal in Bolivia.  There is no real profit in the sale of cocaine within Bolivia either as the country is too poor.  This is being legalized with one specific market in mind.  The illegal US drug market. Bolivia is a very poor nation, and this move will make them worse off.  What do you think will occur when they become more and more dependent on a coca crop to fund their government?

As long as we have cocaine prohibition and poor screwed-up countries like Bolivia it seems like a natural result of economics and US policies.

Quoted: Quoted:   AAAAAAHHHHHHH  --   Another day of trying to educate the ignorant masses .   ... Mr. Snerdly, whats it like up there on your pedastal? Pretentius prick.

            Ignorant :   Defined by Websters as " lacking knowledge or experience . "

       Not intended as a derogatory comment .    You sir , on the other hand , are coming dangerously close to violating rule #6 of the sacred  CONDUCT CODE .

                     Let's play nice .  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted:   AAAAAAHHHHHHH  --   Another day of trying to educate the ignorant masses .   ... Mr. Snerdly, whats it like up there on your pedastal? Pretentius prick.             Ignorant :   Defined by Websters as " lacking knowledge or experience . "        Not intended as a derogatory comment .    You sir , on the other hand , are coming dangerously close to violating rule #6 of the sacred  CONDUCT CODE .                      Let's play nice .

Or we could play, "drink the stuff under the sink". You go first.

Quoted: Quoted: That wouldn't keep out shipments by sea or air. that's what the air national guard and the coast guard is for.

A few years back a member of Congress did an analysis of the cost of using the coast guard to stop drugs. They found that they spent more money seizing the drugs than they would have if they had just bought them from the US dealers.

According to federal government officials, they seize around five percent of the total drugs. (This was before they figured out that the cocaine crop was twice as big as they had previously estimated.)  If this was a baseball game, law enforcement would be losing 19-1.

They further estimate that, because of cost factors, they would have to seize about seventy percent before it had any real impact on the market.

In other words, they would have to do fourteen times better than they have ever done before it had a significant effect on the illegal drug market.