ZNet offers this Dan Bacher article that provides an overview of the totality of the move to the left in much of South America. It also discusses attempts to close down or at least withdraw particitpants from the infamous School of the Americas, the U.S. military school that has a history of graduates committing attrocities in Latin America.
Some non-politics: National Geographic has a piece about new technology that is salvaging ancient Greek texts that were previously unreadable. Included are some works by Sophocles, Homer, and possibly some lost Christian gospels that did not make the cut for the New Testament.
I know that I have posted a bunch of articles on the Chavez visit to Cuba already, but I find it such a compelling situation. A reuters arcticle does not speak approvingly of Chavez, his ties to Cuba, or ALBA, the regional trade agreement proposed by Chavez. This link offers a good description of what Chavez and Castro are doing to strengthen their ties. It seems as if, just possibly, money is not playing a huge roll here. Cuba needs oil, and in return Venezuela is getting thousands of doctors and teachers for the free social plans that the U.S. gov't so hates to see. The rhetoric is thick from both sides, but either way, there is nothing wrong with searching for options to the U.S. dominated policies of the region.
David Corn offers his take of the primetime Bush press conference. I wonder how many people actually bothered to watch him the other night, as he continually repeats the same mantra.
Chavez in Cuba
CNN reports the "anti-U.S. comments" that Chavez made while in Cuba.
And here is another article discussing the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela along with some more comments by Chavez.
I just read Dreaming in Cuban, a novel by Cristina Garcia. The book presents a family from Cuba and the differing views on the "Revolution" that has been lead by Castro for decades. Some of the characters see Cuba as the U.S. wants us to see Cuba, while others see it as Castro does. What is the true Cuba actually like? A mixture of the two? Or perhaps something completely different.
And here is another article discussing the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela along with some more comments by Chavez.
I just read Dreaming in Cuban, a novel by Cristina Garcia. The book presents a family from Cuba and the differing views on the "Revolution" that has been lead by Castro for decades. Some of the characters see Cuba as the U.S. wants us to see Cuba, while others see it as Castro does. What is the true Cuba actually like? A mixture of the two? Or perhaps something completely different.
Goings on in Latin America
Cuba and Venezuela continue to work together to counter the power and goals of the U.S. for the Latin American region. The idea of oil for doctors just doesn't seem to fit in with U.S. policy, as someone must be losing money. Right?
And in Mexico, was the move by Fox (the sacking of the attorney general) done because of fear of wider protests, and maybe more? Fox mentions the "interest of national unity" when talking about his decision.
Here's an article that sheds some light on the events in Ecuador that saw the president flee to Brazil. The Indigenous people are organized and play a major role in Ecuadorian politics. This is refreshing to see considering the long history of oppression and exploition the indigenous have suffered since the Europeans arrived 500 years ago.
And in Mexico, was the move by Fox (the sacking of the attorney general) done because of fear of wider protests, and maybe more? Fox mentions the "interest of national unity" when talking about his decision.
Here's an article that sheds some light on the events in Ecuador that saw the president flee to Brazil. The Indigenous people are organized and play a major role in Ecuadorian politics. This is refreshing to see considering the long history of oppression and exploition the indigenous have suffered since the Europeans arrived 500 years ago.
Sativex
It's funny, I thought that marijuana had no medical value. Do the Canadians know something that the U.S. and Great Britain don't? Maybe we should try reading their minds (see previous post).
An Alternet an article by Rob Kampia addresses the subject too, and this one socks it to the U.S. gov't policy on the drug.
An Alternet an article by Rob Kampia addresses the subject too, and this one socks it to the U.S. gov't policy on the drug.
Our recent history of WAR...
The picture that is made up of US intervention through war is
difficult to see clearly. Norman Solomon offers a short piece
explaining the Intervention Spin Cycle.
Our history and our reality is really just based on spin. The vantage
from which we view events makes that version true to us. Spin is
just looking at events from a different vantage point. Traditionally,
the powerful and the victorious spread their spin the most loudly,
while the oppressed and poor struggle for theirs to be heard. In the
end though, it's all spin.
difficult to see clearly. Norman Solomon offers a short piece
explaining the Intervention Spin Cycle.
Our history and our reality is really just based on spin. The vantage
from which we view events makes that version true to us. Spin is
just looking at events from a different vantage point. Traditionally,
the powerful and the victorious spread their spin the most loudly,
while the oppressed and poor struggle for theirs to be heard. In the
end though, it's all spin.
Columbia...
There is a war in Columbia. The rebels are showing renewed strength and will. Uribe just shook up the military, firing 4 main generals. Will this give Uribe some more power and control over the military aid from the US that is the largest in Latin American history? This is sounding all too familiar to me...
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