HUGO CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS ATTACK PARENTS (protesting education takeover)

AP Photo ^ | November 9, 2001 | AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds a brick and threatens the parents and teachers who marched against the government's proposed education reforms in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 8. 2001. The demonstration ended in violence when the protesters were met by hundreds of Chavez supporters when they reached Congress. (AP Photo/Jorge Santos, El Universal)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

(February 27, 2001)-- Chávez's school plans ignite furor in Venezuela --A new constitution written by Chávez supporters requires all schools to teach ``Bolivarian principles'' ---- a code phrase for Chávez's brand of leftist populism ---- and the pro-Chávez majority in the legislative National Assembly is preparing a bill laying out the exact curriculum. .......New history texts for fourth- and sixth-graders published in 1999 praised Chávez's coup attempt and branded as ``corrupt oligarchies'' the two parties that ruled Venezuela since the late 1950s, Democratic Action and COPEI. Chávez has also greatly expanded a system of paramilitary classes in public high schools that had long been on the books but were seldom held, portraying them as ``the founding stones of the new Venezuelan man.''

``He is promoting militarism, infecting texts with viruses that foster class hatreds ... and speak against globalization and privatization,'' Raffalli said in an interview. Chávez recently signed a deal with Cuba under which Havana will train Venezuelan teachers and provide educational materials, and Education Minister Hector Navarro last year approved a nationwide essay competition on the life of Argentine-born Cuban revolutionary Ernesto ``Ché'' Guevara.

Chavez has toppled an opposition-controlled Congress, rewritten the constitution and the education curriculum, purged the judiciary and gained power to legislate by decree. Chavez has confiscated private land, restricted landowners from purchasing guns for protection and set up block watches to report back to him.

What Hugo Chavez is doing in Venezuela

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[Clemenza]

Chavez is a freqent topic of conversation here, being as I work with many Venezuelans.

Personally, I think he looks like something that came out of my a-s. His supporters are going to regret this in a few years.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I understand many Venezuelans are coming to the U.S. or let's say, getting the hell out of Venezuela while the getting's good.
Add some of their observations from time to time, if you would. The LIBERAL media in the U.S. doesn't like to report on Chavez.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

More Cuban Trainers in Venezuela (Chavez and Cuba have taken control of Venezulan schools)--Cuban ambassador German Sanchez Otero said Cuban trainers work at schools and with athletes in 20 of Venezuela's 24 states. He stressed a ``synergy'' between Fidel Castro communist Cuba and Venezuela's leftist government.

[bvw]

It's like a fungal infection. We are lucky to have inherited British-Scottish law and a system of clear titles. Although some dilletanzia and fabianzia in the preservationist movement is busy making complex titles without clear ownership -- a real mess for later generations.