South American Socialist Phenomenon
Bolivia, Chile and Peru have held or are holding presidential elections this year. Bolivia was the first country to hold them on Dec 4th, 2005. In this election, Evo Morales won the vote, and is the first indigenous president to hold office in Bolivian history. He is a socialist president who has publicly voiced his disdain and hatred for the 'Imperialistic' US. He also believes in the preservation of coca leaf plantations, the nationalization of gas and oil industries in Bolivia and
promised to only take half of this salary during his presidential term.
Hugo Chavez, the infamous socialist dictator of Venezuela, and Fidel Castro have complete support of Evo Morales. They believe that the only way to Latin American progress is in socialism and a unification of South American states against the imperialistic power of the United States and the capitalistic government model.
In Peru, the presidential elections will be held in April. There are about 25 people running .. yes, 25 people. There are old presidents who have set the country in bankruptcy, stole, fled the country and now are coming back for another round. There are candidates who have experience as government officials, vedettes (stripper-like public figures.. I wont even try to go there) an
d there is Ollanta Humala. Humala belongs to the Movimiento Nacionalista (Nationalist Movement) and his growing popularity has been considered a phenomenon. He literally came out of nowhere and is neck and neck with a female candidate, Lourdes Flores, as favorite in the running. He , like Morales, is also a socialist and has made very close connections with Chavez and Fidel. It is also rumored that he is being helped financially by Chavez in the elections. Ollanta is thought to be the savior of the indigenous peruvian people. He was a high ranked military official and led a coup to overthrow former president Alberto Fujimori in 2000. I should mention that Fujimori fled to Japan, and was caught in Chile on his way back to Peru to also be part of the 2006 election. He is being held captive in Santiago and is aw
aiting extradition on 12 torture charges.
So.. today was the Chilean presidential election, where Michelle Bachelet has won the vote. Aside from being the first female chilean president, she also is a socialist. Her background is quite interesting in that her father was an official during the Allende presidency (Allende is thought to be killed by the CIA), and she along with her mother were almost tortured during the Pinochet Era.
With all this being said, my main concern is obviously Peru. Chile is doing well, and they are the most economically stable country in South America. Their economical state is growing at this moment, and are about 20 years ahead of Peru.
Bolivia is a different country than Peru. Yes, they are sister andean countries that share many similarities in culture, but geographically they are completely different. This plays a major role in the agriculture and production of each country since Peru has the leading sardine production in the world, and unfortunately Bolivia is land locked.
With the new elections nearing, I am afraid that my native country will become another Venezuela. Ideally the concept of socialism and communism is great, but it will further demote Peru's struggle to advance. This greatly affects me because it will affect my family and their well being. I have been engaging in many conversations in this topic with my uncles who are involved in Peruvian politics, and they too are also in fear of a socialist Peru.
My main question in the beginning was.... What does the US think of all of this?
I know that Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela do not pose any threat to the US, but I came across an article that noted the American presence amidst all this in Uruguay. The US and Uruguay are about to sign a a Treaty of Free Commerce. This treaty is greatly being opposed by countries like Bolivia and Venezuela, since it is thought to be a ploy by the US to continue it's influence in South American economic progress.
How all of this will play it out... I guess only time will tell. I will be visiting Peru after 5 years next month. I am excited to see what condition my country is in, and how the election will come along.
My only hope is that the next president, who ever that may be, is an honest president who is not suaded by corruption and will end up stealing/fleeing from Peru after the 5 year term. Peru has yet to see an honest person take charge, and my only hope is to see this during my lifetime.
A Million Little Lies?
In a previous post, I recommended the book/'autobiography' by James Frey, "A Million Little Pieces". There has been much controvesy on the veracity of the novel, and when I received an article from James a couple of days ago by The Smoking Gun, I was disappointed to read that most of the story was completely fabricated.
Some parts of the article, as stated:
Police reports, court records, interviews with law enforcement personnel, and other sources have put the lie to many key sections of Frey's book. The 36-year-old author, these documents and interviews show, wholly fabricated or wildly embellished details of his purported criminal career, jail terms, and status as an outlaw "wanted in three states."
We discovered the answer to that question in the basement of an Ohio police headquarters, where Frey & Co. failed to expunge the single remaining document that provides a contemporaneous account of his watershed felonious spree.When recalling criminal activities, looming prison sentences, and jailhouse rituals, Frey writes with a swaggering machismo and bravado that absolutely crackles. Which is truly impressive considering that, as TSG discovered, he made much of it up. The closest Frey has ever come to a jail cell was the few unshackled hours he once spent in a small Ohio police headquarters waiting for a buddy to post $733 cash bond.Another criminal act proven false was the death of two young girls, when the families of the alleged victims were interviewed, they denied it ever happened. You can read the whole story at:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/jamesfrey/0104061jamesfrey1.htmlI would be lying in saying that I was not disappointed, I was. But Mr. Frey (in his CNN interview) claims that this book is based on the recollections he had throught this tumoultous time in his life. He would also like the public to consider that during this time (20-30 years ago), he was completely under the influence of narcotics, and this story is 'his' account. Also, Oprah was there to back Frey's side of the story.
She stated:
" The underlying message is of redemption still resonates with me and with it's readers."
The American public will always question everything that is put in the public eye. True or untrue, it all comes to the fact that it was a great book and I couldn't put it down. So maybe James Frey was completely embellishing, but regardless, it was a heart felt story that will probably be adapted to the big screen and be a good movie out of it.
BUT... if you still feel jipped out of your money, the publishing company (for the first time ever) is offering refunds for those who really feel betrayed.
Saul Williams
His work speaks on its own.yes, the moon is full
on every night
and every night
is every day
it matters not
which part of you
is lit by the sun
i have adjusted my eyes
to the darkness
and black
has never been more luminous
i am witness
to your circumference
i no longer need the sun
to see you
even time is phosphorescent
and your crescent shape
is only an illusion
~
it is we that are emaciated
our bodies subject
to our minds propaganda
forgive the distinction
but intellect fares
moment's genocide
and we should have kissed
hours ago
you hold your breath
when you should hold your tongue
and hold your tongue
when you should hold my hand
and i should delegate
more authority to myself
but i can't help thinking
that you are thinking
thinking
what is she thinking?
~
i don't trust the man
that i am becoming
he seems to much
and seldom is
~
and the thing is
the only reason
why i have difficulty
trusting you
is because i know
how easy it has become
for me to lie
~
to aim
is to take oneself too seriously
by focusing
without instead of
within
re arrange and re member
aim ... i am
the right letters are there
it's the wrong composition
Book Reviews
I have been wanting to do some sort of book review for awhile now, and since this blog needs more 'content' .. I feel that I should share my top favorite books that I have read during the past six months. These novels are in no particular order, but they carry one important similarity; they make the reader shed some sort of emotion.
- "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown
This is an enthralling story about Harvard professor (Robert Langdon) who is invited to France, in order to uncover a life-alterating secret and becomes a prime suspect in a murder. We follow this character throughout France in search for a truth that should never be discovered. I think what I liked the most about the book (aside from the suspense), was all the art-history involved. I, as a devout lover of art, was so hooked when many of my favorite pieces, monuments and places were discussed throughout the novel. A very controversial piece, with valid points, but in no way have I become a true believer of the Da Vinci Code. Nonetheless, it is good to have such points of views.. one must always question everything, specially questioning the motives of the Catholic Church (this coming from a baptized Roman Catholic :) ). Tatiana told me she approves of the movie trailer. I have no expectations and I am sure that some parts of the book will be cut, but I am very excited to see Tom Hanks and my favorite french actress, Audrey Tautou. Since Ron Howard is directing the film, I am sure to see greatness.
- "A Million Little Pieces" & "My Friend Leonard" by James Frey
"A Million Little Pieces" is the first one of Frey's novels. This the true story of James Frey and his battle with drug addiction. The first paragraph begins with Frey waking up in an airplane. He is half conscious, with broken ribs, no front teeth, bleeding and smelling like bile. He has no recollection of how he got the plane and has no idea where he is going. The beginning is not the most pleasant thing to read, but this is life, life is not always pretty. We soon find that Frey is headed to rehab, and with every chapter, we feel most of the emotions that a person who is an avid drug addict/alcoholic must go through when detoxing. The greatest aspect of this book, is that it has a lot of dialogue. While some people do not like this, I find it incredibly interesting and real.
The second book, "My Friend Leonard" is the sequel to "A Million Little Pieces".. and it still holds it's own against the first novel. This book is mainly about the type of friendship that Frey has with, Leonard, his bestfriend who he meets in rehab and soon becomes a father-like figure to Frey. Leonard helps James piece his life back together through offering his guidance, and 'employment' in doing some highly undercover/unlawful work for him. Further on in the book, we uncover a secret that Leonard has been keeping throughout his life, this secret was completely shocking as well as clears any sort of questioning in the story. Both these books make the reader cry, laugh and see the hardships of drug abuse in both pre and post stages of rehabilitation. Highly recomend these books, it really makes one appreciate life a little more.
- "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
Where to begin with this book???? Wow.. this book is more than incredible to me. This book is set in old day Afghanistan, pre-Russian invasion and Taliban. It chronicles the life of Amir, a son of a well known and highly respected and rich Afghan man. It also presents a clear picture of a society based on classes. Amir grows-up with Hassan, the son of the supposed servant of his household. Amir also battles with Hassan for his father's love, and in little time, his pride becomes his downfall. When he sees a horrific act to Hassan taking place, he becomes haunted for life. He then flees to America (Bay Area) with his father, but is constantly haunted by his cowardness. Only when he travels back to Afghanistan for a completely unexpected and much needed rendez-vous, is when he finally redeems himself of this pain and remorse and has the chance to make things better. We also see the a great deterioration of Kabul and it's society's morale after the Russian Invasion, and how the Taliban imposed a corrupted government when coming into power.
I cried so much throughout this book. I was still thinking about the book weeks after I had finished it, and I think that I still think about it now. There are no other ways to decribe this book, but just simply over-exceedingly marvelous. While talking to my good friend David, he told me that some characters in the book really did exist. His mother had met some of them when she lived in Kabul... just amazing.
Currently, I am reading the "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown. It is supposed to be the prequel to "Da Vinci Code". I have just begun the novel, but I cannot wait to read more of it. A review of this will come shortly.
It says, "Become part of the American labor force, and come live in the United States". It is my belief that this ad is completely directed to another audience. I have yet to see an ad of this sort in a Latino (i.e. Colombian, Venezulean, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, etc.) news site. 
