I’m Miguel Centellas, a political science professor at Mount St. Mary’s University. Because of academic interests, I post frequently on Bolivian politics. I also occasionally discuss interesting books, pop culture, and daily life in Baltimore.
I haven’t been able to follow this as closely as I would like. But Ecuador held elections for a constituent assembly on Sunday. So far, it seems that Correa’s “party” won a majority (though official results aren’t yet in). It’ll be interesting to see how the situation unfolds there. He has promised not to follow the Venezuela-Bolivia model (though his rhetoric suggests otherwise).
This will be the fourth “outsider” in the Andes to win an election & soon after rewrite the constitution. This motley crew includes: Alberto Fujimori (an agronomist at a rural university), Hugo Chávez (an army colonel), Evo Morales (leader of the coca farmers’ union), and Rafael Correa (a PhD in economics from Illinois). Though Correa is perhaps less of an “outsider” than the others (he was a former cabinet minister), all (except Evo) were first elected w/o the backing of an institutionalized political party.
YOU'RE AN IDIOT. gET YOUR INFO RIGHT. Fujimori was the ex-president of Peru and an american puppet, now returned to Peru to face trial. Why is it you right-wing lunatics always have to condescend and demonize those who are trying to pull their country out from under the global oppression of the U.S.? Correa is a hero, and gives hope to Ecuador, as well is Chavez and Morales.
Why is it the supporters of lunatics like Morales and Chavez are obviously uneducated morons? Why is it that they all think someone THEY don't like is an American puppet? Maybe people come to want democracy and capitalism on their own. A chance for real hope and freedom. Why is it exactly that people like Mike are so eager to be ruled by fascist dictators? Do they WANT to surrender their freedoms and chances for some never to be fulfilled promise of la-la-land on earth? Get over it "MIKE". You can make your own future without taking the future of others. If you can come to the conclusion that Chavez is a hero, that somehow Morales will develope his own thought processes and Correa wants anything but to become "president for life" then you have a good enough imagination to make something of yourself.
Posted by
roberto white
October 4, 2007 11:58 AM
Clearly, Mike overreacted. But there's no need to attack him in turn. Certainly, the *appeal* of Chavez, Morales, and Correa is powerful & should be understood. But not all attacks on Chavez, Morales, or Correa are "right-wing" either. Let's remember that life is more complex than that. The enemy of my enemy is not always my friend.
Well, a careful reading reveals there was no direct attack on him. There was encouragment to think a little differently, but no attack. The same old rhetoric gets tiresome. If you don't think like they do then you are wrong. Same everywhere. (See "W" Bush) Evo condems those who march in the streets, condems the US for giving aid, etc. Like the pot calling the kettle black. It was ok for him but now its immoral and illegal. I bet his is getting ready to return all the money he's gotten from Hugo this very minute. Meanwhile he consolidates his control and anti-democratic standards.
Posted by
roberto white
October 4, 2007 5:18 PM
Fair enough. I just want to keep this place (my website) "on topic" & not mired in personal arguments. I apologize.
