Alfredo Octavio: Venezuela

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 12:53:32 GMT

Despite of what you may think, this is not Alfredo's site. It is not Alfredo Octavio's site. It is not Tyromaniac. It is just an Exact replica. Until now. To keep going forward remember to go to the real Alfredo's site. To the real Alfredo Octavio's site. To the real Tyromaniac.

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:46:41 GMT

eMe points out that the best selling video in Apple's iTunes Music store is Everybody Hates Hugo. We can sympathize with that!

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 01:29:58 GMT

Ask Hugo anything.
Have a question for Hugo? Something you always wanted to ask him? Something you were always curious about? Well, here is your chance courtesy of the BBC and Hugo's expensive imagemakers:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4350254.stm

Please, don't be shy about it and ask away! This is your chance, show the BBC, Venezuela and the world you care!
[The Devil's Excrement]

Isn't it curious that most of the comments (at this hour) are positive and not from Venezuela?

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 22:12:37 GMT

It seems like a plan, but I can't make head or tails of it!

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:17:09 GMT

What does Chavez hope to achieve? [Thanks, Craig!]

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:12:56 GMT

The protests against columbus day parade compound an interesting commentary on how the neo constructionist post modernism manages to avoid criticizing its own society. Instead of moving against british imperialism or against rosy pictures like Thanksgiving, it moves against Colombus, an italian that never set foot in the US. Colombus was a man of his time and an impressive historic figure, despite its faults. Yes, latinamerica has some claim for hating Colombus, because they were colonized mostly by Colombus spanish followers, though figures like Cortez deserve the hatred more. But the US indigenous people should aim its anger at British colonialism. Funny how the descendants of such colonialism lead the movement and avoid the blame... By punishing an italian spanish descendants, like Chavez, can also play the same game...

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 15:13:52 GMT

It's in spanish, but I have to link to it. From El Opinador Compulsivo we get Decálogo del Populismo Iberoamericano. Clear proof that Chavez isn't fooling everybody...

Viva Venezuela Atea!

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 14:57:58 GMT

Not everything I write here is against Chavez or the Venezuelan government. I really like the fact that Chavez wants to kick out US missionaries. I say, kick them all out! Kick the catholic church out too! That way Venezuela can become a paradise of atheism, like most of its citizens want!

Keep the Internet Free!

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 14:55:32 GMT

Please, Keep the Internet Free!. A group of countries, including Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba and Venezuela, want to wrestle control of the root servers away from the US. From the article:

This worldwide web of tyrannies, hiding behind the veneer of technical complaints, now seeks to control not just what its own citizens are able to see and say on the Internet, but what every individual on the face of the planet is able to see and say.

With all its defect the US has a better tradition of upholding freedom than any of these countries. If they manage to wrestle control, a rogue internet will be created for freedom, but it will be harder to access. I hope the US stands fast on this one. Let those countries break away from the Internet, they don't have the content we want!

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:56:27 GMT

Venezuelan Thrives on Seeing Threats From 'Mr. Danger'. President Hugo Chávez's most pressing concern seems to be what he sees as a plan by the Bush administration to kill him. By JUAN FORERO. [NYT > Home Page]

We have heard statements like those Chavez made before, not only from Castro, but also from Saddam and Noriega... Venezuela will lose a war with almost any country, no need for the US to invade. The lucky thing is nobody wants to invade us. But lies are the saviour of certain renown figures. Look ar Osama and his crew... So much propaganda for suicide and how it conduces to salvation, but they seem to be unwilling to save themselves by suicide... They just send others... Selflessness or cowardice?

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 20:19:22 GMT

Tim Bray from ongoing points to an essay by esr on Suicidalism, Tim criticizes the essay and qualifies esr as nut. I, for one, do not agree. I think esr has a point with that essay. A point brought forth by the Saudi Arabian women telling the US envoy, they are not oppressed, they are happy as they are, they don't want to drive. If there were a country were not a single woman wanted to drive, that would be fine with me, but that country wouldn't need a law forbidding women to drive, would it? The flaw in the Arabian women argument is the lack of choice. If one woman wanted to drive, even just one, she should be able to. That's the content of freedom. Not imposing your own decisions on someone else. Chavez has used Suicidalism quite effectively in Venezuela...

Sun, 02 Oct 2005 14:28:10 GMT

I don't understand why this info about the truth of the days and times of Salvador Allende hasn't gotten more airplay here and in the US. I have some questions over it, like, did Pinochet know this at the time. It seems to me that this theory should have been more convenient if someone even thought about it. Both the suicide and the fighting theory sound fishy too and the fact that it was Fidel who made up the fighting theory of the death of Allende, leads credence in my mind to this theory. Salvador Allende was murdered, on Fidel's command, like Che Guevara, when he wanted to avoid the death of himself. Fidel had no problem killing him and fuelling the death of thousands of people in latin america. That's the kind of cold blooded killer he is... Chavez look out! If you stray from the path Fidel traces you could be next.

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 18:22:40 GMT

Venezuela to speed up land reform. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vows to accelerate his controversial programme of land redistribution. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

There hasn't been any "redistribution", land has been taken away, but none have been given. Who is the biggest land owner in Venezuela (both Urban and Rural)? The government! And they are accumulating more and more under the excuse of redistribution. Very few people want to go to those lands, of the ones who do, none have received land for themselves.

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 16:55:01 GMT

Venezuela 'targets private banks'. The Venezuelan government is reported to be planning to insist that all private banks appoint two state representatives to their board.[BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Is this the beginning of the end? Very much related to what I was talking about not long ago. Chavez prefers a method that increases corruption (a bank only has to buy these two guys who are probably good friends anyway) to a method that either shows his ideology (all the money is mine to do as I please) or follows logic... This isn't socialism is just corruption.

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 19:00:51 GMT

Great moments in populism.

Where have I seen such type of scenes?
[From Weblog: Venezuela News And Views]

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 16:30:43 GMT

Why do people that can leave, leave Cuba? Because you can't live without freedom. The dictator in Cuba will tell you where to go, where to live, what you can do with your money, how your work and career should proceed. Nobody tells him what to do and he doesn't abide by the rules (neither do his friends). Hence, people leave. That's one thing you have to say about Chavez. He hasn't nationalized the banks and he hasn't forbidden travel. I wonder if he does it by conviction or convenience, in any case, it's less radical a socialism which is good.

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:27:19 GMT

Scientist Says Most Scientific Papers Are Wrong [Slashdot:]

What if that paper is one of the wrong ones? Eh? Of course, it depends on the field. I bet there are less errors in math. I remember once in an assembly of scientists at IVIC some physicist said that "Mathematicians publish less", and I retorted, "that's true, but incomplete: Mathematicians publish less... errors!"

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 23:18:37 GMT

A nice corruption racket with official deposits in the Venezuelan banking system.
[The Devil's Excrement]

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 21:48:16 GMT

Interesting story about Venezuela intentions toward a small island in the caribbean.
[Via ypsi~dixit]

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:43:11 GMT

Messy Christian - Say what??

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:11:45 GMT

TV host urges US to kill Chavez. A US religious broadcaster causes controversy by calling for Washington to assassinate Venezuela's president. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Just what we needed! Another asshole getting it's stupid opinions in about Venezuela! I urge God to kill Pat Robertson NOW! Let me make this clear. Most venezuelans do not want Chavez dead. They want him to be defeated in the field of ideas and fair politics. The field isn't level right now. But still that's the field we want this to play out.

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:05:29 GMT

Miguel send this my way. It seems small, high velocity projectiles called straneglets can kill a person any moment now. I'm crossing my fingers...

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:03:34 GMT

Had to reproduce this great post in its entirety. This is what happens when ideologues trumps intelligence.

The poor helping the rich in the stupid revolution.
I still can't get over the fact that Venezuela will give cheap financing for the Uruguayans to buy oil from Venezuela. I am revisiting this topic because I thought it was a joke the first time I heard it. A country with 68% poverty and a GDP per capita of $4,000 per year, will subsidize oil for a country with a GDP per capita of US$ 12,000. Can that make any sense? Why not ask for the same deal in return? Maybe Uruguay could send us meat, which they produce a lot of and of very high quality, under the same financial terms to Venezuela. Would they? Of course not, they can sell it for full price at the international markets (or even to Venezuela) and they feel no need to feed poor Venezuelans in contrast with our President who will subsidize Uruguayans going to Punta Del Este this summer. They can sure use it, with two star Hotels at 160 bucks, cheaper gas can ease the pain on those poor Uruguayans getting a tan at the beach down there during their month-long summer vacation. Meanwhile the majority of their Venezuelan counterparts are up here, getting a daily tan as they walk down the barrio, no car, no public transportation either, for a job that pays a minimum salary comparable to a night at that Hotel in Punta del Este. Hey! since we are down there expressing our solidarity, maybe we can buy their crappy airline too and solve that silly problem for them too. Next stop: Venezuela helps out Malaysia with its problems. No, No, let's help those people from Singapore, they really need it! .
[The Devil's Excrement]

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 20:31:05 GMT

I'm starting to think that a US invasion of Venezuela is actually Chavez exit strategy...

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 16:16:39 GMT

CD copy protect excels at impeding legal copying. While music fans frown when they learn that they can't always play their latest purchase on a device of their choosing, piracy rages on.
By caesar@arstechnica.com (Ken "Caesar" Fisher). [Ars Technica]

This is so brain dead! Best of you by the Foo Fighters is the number one swapped song in the P2P networks! You ~~can't buy it in iTunes, you~~ can't buy a CD and get it to iTunes... Guess what? The pirates selling CDs in my country already have it! What's the point?
Update: Bullshit! You can find it in iTunes... That actually makes it even worse, since anyone can buy it in iTunes and burn a not copy protected CD. Wake up guys... And wake me up too! (I actually searched in iTunes and couldn't find it, but then I noticed I've already bought it there, either the iTunes search or me are brain dead. I suspect me, since I found it the second time I tried).

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 15:41:35 GMT

Chavez says US drug agents spying. Venezuela's president accuses the US Drug Enforcement Administration of using its agents to spy on the country. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

This is actually an interesting development. This will help the flow of drugs through Venezuela which may end up in being a huge win for the ruler party pocket. It will also revitalize construction and... perhaps become the final drop in the bucket for the administration. Will the US press for sanctions? Will they stop buying our oil or selling us stuff? Will they, at least, get angry? Fidel is accused in some circles of helping and protecting drug traffickers. I've heard that the higher standard of living in Cuba can be found looking for people that are persecuted as criminals in other countries. Venezuela would be perfect for that since there are so many "nouveau rich" already...

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:44:10 GMT

A study about missed opportunities to spot the holocaust by the allies is interesting. The clues are easier to understand once you know what happened. But in reality it is very hard to verify that something has happened, specially when it is hard to believe it could happen. First, it is clear that enemies of a tyrannic (or not) government will exaggerate and even invent lies since they are convinced they hold the truth. Also, said government will do all in its power to prevent the news from leaking out.. Anyone sympathetic to the government, that may be horrified will provide true denial (since he/she won't be informed). Finally, the ones doing the dirty deed are the most fanatic and blind of the criminal government. Repression is a bitch, ain't it?

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:22:05 GMT

Venezuelans march for fair polls. More than 1,000 Venezuelans take to the streets of Caracas to demand transparency at next week's local polls. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:26:53 GMT

Dozens dead in Yemen fuel riots. At least 36 people die across Yemen in two days of unrest sparked by fuel price rises, say police and witnesses. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sounds familiar? This happened in Venezuela (with a lot more dead, 16 years ago) and I bet it will happen again. Oil is so cheap and expensive at the same time. Arbitrage opportunities like that get closed violently when they are so huge.But this is the fight for the past. We should make oil useless before it kills more people.

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 10:04:50 GMT

Computer-generated scientific papers delivered live and in person. Cory Doctorow: Jeremy sez, "A while back you guys ran a story about our program, SCIgen, which generates fake computer science research papers. One of these papers was accepted by WMSCI 2005, and we were trying to raise money to make it down to the conference and give a randomly-generated talk. Well, we raised plenty of money, and as promised we posted a video of the random talks we gave. Thanks to everyone who helped out!"
This is some funny, funny video. Link (Thanks, Jeremy!)

Of course it was accepted! The standars in science are varied and some conferences really are about money, they have no measure of scientific worth or the measure is given by individuals who want to push an agenda (is it surprising to read this explanation? Is it surprising who wrote it? SInce the author has a venezuelan relation, I should point out to this complete deconstruction of the story). What they do is this: They push their friends and backers to the front-lines of plenary or longer talks and then they accept anyone to Poster sections or shorter talks. Poster sections are particularly dangerous, one literary put the paper as a poster in a wall and stand there for a few minutes fetching questions (if you are lucky!). By accepting everyone the organizers justify themselves and avoid criticism and scrutiny. The last conference I wanted to go to was one I have attended for 8 years (IWOTA). But the main organizer that year, a famous Russian mathematician by the name of Nikolskii, invited me only to a poster section, I was not part of his club, obviously. After giving 20-30 minute talks all along those 8 years of supporting the conference, I rejected this offer as ridiculous, didn't go to the conference, and decided instead to leave the field of research mathematics (in all fairness, this is but one of the reasons, but all of the reasons have similar content). It took me five years to publish that paper, even though it is the best I've ever written. Why? Because science is not inmune to corruption and fashion. And, seriously, if there is going to be fighting and corruption the logical thing is to have a lot of money involved. As someone said (George Bernard Shaw?) "The fights in academy are so bitter, because what is at stake matter so little."

Venezuelan Graffiti

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 14:53:38 GMT

Are sends some venezuelan graffiti (some freely translated belos):

- We'll always go arm to arm with the government, for if we fall behind it would shit on us, if we get in front it would fuck us in the ass.

- Enough reality, we demand promises!

- Some people are born lucky, others are born in Venezuela.

- Power to the bitches! (the sons have fucked this country up too much already)

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 09:45:17 GMT

I am in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the last time (I'll come back to visit for sure), in order to move my family back to Caracas. We're all going to miss this town that has been so nice to all of us. The kids did great in school, we were so happy in this tranquil year. Now we go back to the mess and compromises of venezuelan life. We have no choice, but we hope it's for the best.

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 12:23:32 GMT

When I read things like Opposition Proyecto Venezuela opposes to decriminalization of abortion I realize why Chavez is here to stay. A lot of the forces that oppose Chavez are even more retrograde than the chavistas themselves. I am pretty sure that making abortion a crime is not the answer (as making consuming drugs a crime is not the answer). To think that in this day and age and to see, with so many pressing issues in this country, that a party has taken the time to worry about abortion being decriminalized... It's just another way to create and consolidate chavismo. What a sad, tired country we have become...

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 15:14:16 GMT

Venezuelan military personel puts signs against Cuban intervention in Venezuela on one of their buildings. The sign say:

No to interventionism
No to the lack of respect to our sovereignty

I agree with them...

Mon, 23 May 2005 01:58:37 GMT

Rednova News - General - Gunmen Steal Venezuelan Government Copter.

CARACAS, Venezuela - Armed gunmen stole a government-owned helicopter before dawn on Saturday after taking three security guards hostage at an airport in eastern Venezuela, the local governor said. [ PubSub: Venezuela ]

Sat, 21 May 2005 18:39:01 GMT

In Darth Vader's Family Values the author talks about the political inuendo in the latest of the Satr War Saga... It has been there all the time. But when reading lines like this:

For those Democrats, the signature line in this "Star Wars" is the one spoken after the chancellor, citing security threats, consolidates his power by declaring that the republic must become an empire. Senator Padmé listens to her colleagues cheer and says, "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause."

All I can think is Chavez and Venezuela. Someone will very likely write a parallel between Chavez, Bush, and Star Wars. All three have used the line "If you are not with me you are against me" and all three have accusation of subverting democratic rules in order to get their ways. Now, the emperor uses both sides of a war to subvert things (he is the higher in command in both the Republic and the separatist forces), Chavez has been accused of fabricating opposition forces or controlling them in one way or another. Can you imagined if it is discover that Bush is allied with Al-Qaeda? That would be huge news... ¿no? I think all parallels have limits.

Thu, 19 May 2005 11:21:36 GMT

Caracas from above.

A friend sent me this 3D visualization of the satellite images of Caracas which is pretty neat, so I thought I would share it. For those that have never been here, on the right you have the valley of Caracas, 1000 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level. In between you have the majestic Avila mountain of the Cordillera de la Costa and then you have the coastal area, you can even see the international airport on the left by the sea.

[The Devil's Excrement]

Mon, 16 May 2005 21:25:25 GMT

Left I on the News - Join the BUY-cott!.
Jeff Cohen wants to direct our energy in a positive way which sounds good to me:
"Citgo is a U.S. refining and marketing firm that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company...By buying your gasoline at Citgo, you are contributing to the billions of dollars that Venezuela's democratic government is using to provide health care, literacy and education, and subsidized food for the majority of Venezuelans.

"So get your gas at Citgo. And help fuel a democratic revolution in Venezuela."

Interesting idea, unfortunately the Venezuelan government (the one pushing that "Democratic Revolution" you talk about, though I can't see it) says that it doesn't get much from Citgo and may sell it. So, soon, you may end up benefiting some capitalist monster with this idea. Life is full of irony... Anyway, since Venezuela sells 25% of the oil used in the US you can contribute with the revolution just by pumping gas anywhere, that will keep the price up and the government (or someone) coffers full. So, drive your SUV and joined the revolution! (we'll thank you (much) later). All this reminded me of an old girlfriend that said: "A revolution is spinning around once and ending up in the same place you started at." Yeah, that explains a lot!

Sun, 08 May 2005 02:22:29 GMT

New political force in Venezuela. Two Venezuelan opposition figures form a new party to take on President Chavez and the existing opposition. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

I don't get it... How is this news? These guys must have a friend or two in the BBC...

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:46:59 GMT

Chavez creates new loyal reserve. A new military reserve under President Chavez' command is formed to deter "foreign aggression". [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 15:15:47 GMT

Instapundit notes the possibility of civil war in Venezuela.

I think this is no more than wishful thinking on the part of some that want Chavez out by any means. It is foolish to spread rumors like this because it makes the people that are seriously oppsing Chavez think that the work will be done for them and it will be easy. It is never easy. It just doesn't happen this way.

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 12:46:33 GMT

Tyranny's Full Tank. How high oil prices hurt democracy. By By MARINA OTTAWAY. [NYT > Opinion]

Sun, 13 Mar 2005 21:45:46 GMT

Some time back there was some noise about Venezuela moving towards Open Source, because of a government order to use Open Source Software. Today I'm learning from some friends how on target was my scepticism about this issue.

If you are a government employee, you need to file your taxes online and despite how easy it is to do multi platform web development this efficient government has manage to force the use of Windows to file taxes. Way to go! How do they plan to increase Open Source this way? Even their stupidity is closed source! (and very much not free!).

Sat, 12 Mar 2005 17:31:21 GMT

bookofjoe - 'Hail Estonia!'[per thou] Rated #4 in the world in the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom.

Truly amazing, what can happen when government backs off.

Buried in the Soviet system after World War II, Estonia essentially ceased to exist until the Communist world collapsed.

Now, in little more than a decade, Estonia is behind only Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg in the degree of freedom, transparency, and fairness in its business sector.

Surprising, at least to me, is that the U.S. only comes in tied for twelfth, falling from fifth in 1998, just six years ago.

Also amazing to me is that Venezuela, once one of the richest countries in the world, is today in the bottom group of "repressed" countries, along with Haiti, Cuba, and Zimbabwe.

The list has been created for the past eleven years by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.
[ PubSub: Venezuela ]

To be fair, Venezuela was never a Free country from an economic point of view (or most others for that matter), but it is amazing that a country with so little freedom looks for solutions in even less freedom... You'd thing it will learn from its mistakes and demand more freedom instead. But here we are in the same old, sameold. Different Mister, but the same stick.

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 18:13:21 GMT

Uruguay signs deal with Venezuela. Uruguay's new left-wing president signs an energy deal with Venezuela and restores ties with Cuba. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 18:45:18 GMT

Venezuela arrests key Chavez foe. Venezuelan police say they have arrested a key player in strikes against President Hugo Chavez two years ago. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 14:52:09 GMT

US denies plotting to kill Chavez. The state department dismisses claims by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez that Washington plans to kill him. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

What a surprise!

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 16:57:06 GMT

Chavez says US plans to kill him. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he believes the US government is planning to assassinate him. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

The US Plan is even more devious... It is a plan to commit genocide on the whole Venezuela. They will dress Chavez in a pink dress, with a pink skirt and a pink bow. He will die of shame and the rest of us will die of laughter.

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 22:09:00 GMT

Venezuela and Colombia to end row. The Colombian and Venezuelan leaders are to meet to try to resolve a diplomatic dispute between the two nations. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:51:24 GMT

Venezuelan birth builds bridges. Venezuelan and Colombian police set aside diplomatic tensions to help a woman give birth on a bridge spanning their frontier. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]