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Hands Off Venezuela--San Francisco Meeting
Come to the next meeting of the San Francisco Bay Area Hands Off Venezuela!
Two years ago, the United States government organized an unsuccessful military coup against the democratically elected government of Venezuela, headed by President Hugo Chavez. Many US representatives, first and foremost Condoleezza Rice, has called Chavez a "negative force" in the region. Since the attempted coup, the US government has been beating the war drums while making preparations for war against Venezuela. The underlying motivation of the US government is clear: the Chavez government has been shifting the benefits from the country's oil wealth from the rich giant corporations to the vast majority of the population by providing food, housing, health care and education. Moreover, Hugo Chavez has recently spoken out against US "free market" policies that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy few. He has nationalized some industries and has declared Venezuela's right to institute democratic socialism to further this development. He also opposes the U.S. war in Iraq. The stakes are high. Therefore, we believe it is vitally necessary for all those in the US and around the world to affirm Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny by joining forces to forge a resistance to the US government's aggressive aims.
The Hands Off Venezuela Campaign has started meeting in San Francisco to try and raise awareness about the inspiring events in Venezuela and to organize against the threats against them from the US government. A report on recent developments by Sonia Zerpa , a resident of Caracas, Venezuela will be presented at the meeting.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 9, at Centro del Pueblo in the auditorium, 474 Valencia St. SF. Call Adam Richmond at 415 864 3537 for more info or to arrange a speaker to talk about the inspiring events in Venezuela and the need to protect it from US attack.
Two years ago, the United States government organized an unsuccessful military coup against the democratically elected government of Venezuela, headed by President Hugo Chavez. Many US representatives, first and foremost Condoleezza Rice, has called Chavez a "negative force" in the region. Since the attempted coup, the US government has been beating the war drums while making preparations for war against Venezuela. The underlying motivation of the US government is clear: the Chavez government has been shifting the benefits from the country's oil wealth from the rich giant corporations to the vast majority of the population by providing food, housing, health care and education. Moreover, Hugo Chavez has recently spoken out against US "free market" policies that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy few. He has nationalized some industries and has declared Venezuela's right to institute democratic socialism to further this development. He also opposes the U.S. war in Iraq. The stakes are high. Therefore, we believe it is vitally necessary for all those in the US and around the world to affirm Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny by joining forces to forge a resistance to the US government's aggressive aims.
The Hands Off Venezuela Campaign has started meeting in San Francisco to try and raise awareness about the inspiring events in Venezuela and to organize against the threats against them from the US government. A report on recent developments by Sonia Zerpa , a resident of Caracas, Venezuela will be presented at the meeting.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 9, at Centro del Pueblo in the auditorium, 474 Valencia St. SF. Call Adam Richmond at 415 864 3537 for more info or to arrange a speaker to talk about the inspiring events in Venezuela and the need to protect it from US attack.
Come to the next meeting of the San Francisco Bay Area Hands Off Venezuela!
Two years ago, the United States government organized an unsuccessful military coup against the democratically elected government of Venezuela, headed by President Hugo Chavez. Many US representatives, first and foremost Condoleezza Rice, has called Chavez a "negative force" in the region. Since the attempted coup, the US government has been beating the war drums while making preparations for war against Venezuela. The underlying motivation of the US government is clear: the Chavez government has been shifting the benefits from the country's oil wealth from the rich giant corporations to the vast majority of the population by providing food, housing, health care and education. Moreover, Hugo Chavez has recently spoken out against US "free market" policies that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy few. He has nationalized some industries and has declared Venezuela's right to institute democratic socialism to further this development. He also opposes the U.S. war in Iraq. The stakes are high. Therefore, we believe it is vitally necessary for all those in the US and around the world to affirm Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny by joining forces to forge a resistance to the US government's aggressive aims.
The Hands Off Venezuela Campaign has started meeting in San Francisco to try and raise awareness about the inspiring events in Venezuela and to organize against the threats against them from the US government. A report on recent developments by Sonia Zerpa , a resident of Caracas, Venezuela will be presented at the meeting.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 9, at Centro del Pueblo in the auditorium, 474 Valencia St. SF. Call Adam Richmond at 415 864 3537 for more info or to arrange a speaker to talk about the inspiring events in Venezuela and the need to protect it from US attack.
Two years ago, the United States government organized an unsuccessful military coup against the democratically elected government of Venezuela, headed by President Hugo Chavez. Many US representatives, first and foremost Condoleezza Rice, has called Chavez a "negative force" in the region. Since the attempted coup, the US government has been beating the war drums while making preparations for war against Venezuela. The underlying motivation of the US government is clear: the Chavez government has been shifting the benefits from the country's oil wealth from the rich giant corporations to the vast majority of the population by providing food, housing, health care and education. Moreover, Hugo Chavez has recently spoken out against US "free market" policies that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy few. He has nationalized some industries and has declared Venezuela's right to institute democratic socialism to further this development. He also opposes the U.S. war in Iraq. The stakes are high. Therefore, we believe it is vitally necessary for all those in the US and around the world to affirm Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny by joining forces to forge a resistance to the US government's aggressive aims.
The Hands Off Venezuela Campaign has started meeting in San Francisco to try and raise awareness about the inspiring events in Venezuela and to organize against the threats against them from the US government. A report on recent developments by Sonia Zerpa , a resident of Caracas, Venezuela will be presented at the meeting.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, June 9, at Centro del Pueblo in the auditorium, 474 Valencia St. SF. Call Adam Richmond at 415 864 3537 for more info or to arrange a speaker to talk about the inspiring events in Venezuela and the need to protect it from US attack.
For more information:
http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org
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The Hands Off Venezuela Meeting will be 7PM, June 9, 2005
I'm curious. Is there any real evidence the US government was behind the coup attempt? And no, because Chavez says so isn't evidence. Is there any evidence of impending military action? I'm talking about the moving of military assets to that region(carrier groups, troop transports,etc). Is there any real threat of invasion?
I would watch for an action coming from Colombia---the US has given them about 2.7 billion since 2000 under the guise of the War on Drugs---which has now morphed to the "War on Terror". US taxpayers are essentially subsidizing private corporate security on a 478 mile pipeline for Occidental--in addition to 80% of the monies going toward military aid--to a govt. w/ well recognized ties to the right-wing paramilitary death squads.
Just to be clear. Are you saying there will be some kind of paramilitary incursion from Columbia? Mercinary units and the like?
I'm saying that if the US supports some kind of coup---which either covertly--or not so covertly--I would expect them to do,I predict that they would utilize Columbia--due to its proximity and US friendly govt.---I would expect that the US won't tolerate Chavez not 'playing ball' for too much longer.
Chavez is zero threat to international capitalism. The day after the election The Financial Times carried a positive article about the election of Chavez because they know that he can bring stability and that they can do business with him.
The movie "The Revolution will be not be Televised" was a piece of propagandistic bullshit. Its for the kind of KPFA dopes who believed in Jerry Brown.
The movie "The Revolution will be not be Televised" was a piece of propagandistic bullshit. Its for the kind of KPFA dopes who believed in Jerry Brown.
"Chavez is zero threat to international capitalism."
Who is a threat to international capitalism? Arm chair Anarchists?
"The day after the election The Financial Times carried a positive article about the election of Chavez because they know that he can bring stability and that they can do business with him."
The FT also was one of the few papers that spoke positively about the rioting at globalization protests (in a patronizing fasion that was almost of the form "at least the kids these days are becoming less politically apathetic") Chavez is mostly talk although it's possible he will nationalize Venezuela's oil supply. Hes about as much of a threat to Bush as Mossadeq was to Eisenhower, but without a Cold War the US has much less motive (in Iran the threat wasnt really to Capitalism either just a risk that an alliance between Mossadeq and the USSR would hurt the US position in the region geopoliticallu) Chavez has tried to make some alliances with Middle Eastern states to pose as a real challange to the US but aside from China and Russia he unlikely to ruffle any feathers in Washington.
"The movie 'The Revolution will be not be Televised' was a piece of propagandistic bullshit. Its for the kind of KPFA dopes who believed in Jerry Brown."
Are you saying you think the coup was staged or fake? Chavez isnt great but it did take a lot of chutspa for the US to try to overthrow him when he really wasnt posing any real threat (as you previously pointed out). The movie was definitely way too uncritical of Chavez but its sometimes nice to see first hand history even if you dont necessarilly believe the the cause (afterall who doesnt like the "Battle of Algiers" or "Soy Cuba" even if the movements represented were not exactly what one would want them to be in either case).
KPFA isnt all that great and Jerry Brown's show was a low point, but overall the "Left" faces its biggest problem due to the psychology that creates "Leftists" and "PostLeftists". Who would want to become a radical, an Anarchist or a postLeftist when the scene seems to mainly be full of pedantic types whose goal in life is to demean newcomers with how flawed their world view really is (in that sense it actually looks a lot like the more pretentious portions of the alternative music scene). While its good to be critical of Lefty celebrities when (as with any celebrity) they are usually corrupt and not what they appear to be, you always have to wonder how much of the attack is political and how much of it is just the snobbery of an incrowd condescendingly muttering "I cant belive you listen to them... that was so last year".
Who is a threat to international capitalism? Arm chair Anarchists?
"The day after the election The Financial Times carried a positive article about the election of Chavez because they know that he can bring stability and that they can do business with him."
The FT also was one of the few papers that spoke positively about the rioting at globalization protests (in a patronizing fasion that was almost of the form "at least the kids these days are becoming less politically apathetic") Chavez is mostly talk although it's possible he will nationalize Venezuela's oil supply. Hes about as much of a threat to Bush as Mossadeq was to Eisenhower, but without a Cold War the US has much less motive (in Iran the threat wasnt really to Capitalism either just a risk that an alliance between Mossadeq and the USSR would hurt the US position in the region geopoliticallu) Chavez has tried to make some alliances with Middle Eastern states to pose as a real challange to the US but aside from China and Russia he unlikely to ruffle any feathers in Washington.
"The movie 'The Revolution will be not be Televised' was a piece of propagandistic bullshit. Its for the kind of KPFA dopes who believed in Jerry Brown."
Are you saying you think the coup was staged or fake? Chavez isnt great but it did take a lot of chutspa for the US to try to overthrow him when he really wasnt posing any real threat (as you previously pointed out). The movie was definitely way too uncritical of Chavez but its sometimes nice to see first hand history even if you dont necessarilly believe the the cause (afterall who doesnt like the "Battle of Algiers" or "Soy Cuba" even if the movements represented were not exactly what one would want them to be in either case).
KPFA isnt all that great and Jerry Brown's show was a low point, but overall the "Left" faces its biggest problem due to the psychology that creates "Leftists" and "PostLeftists". Who would want to become a radical, an Anarchist or a postLeftist when the scene seems to mainly be full of pedantic types whose goal in life is to demean newcomers with how flawed their world view really is (in that sense it actually looks a lot like the more pretentious portions of the alternative music scene). While its good to be critical of Lefty celebrities when (as with any celebrity) they are usually corrupt and not what they appear to be, you always have to wonder how much of the attack is political and how much of it is just the snobbery of an incrowd condescendingly muttering "I cant belive you listen to them... that was so last year".
Hey Bozo-- Don't blame me that leftists are going around trumpting Chavez's "anti-imperialism". I'm just critizing this typical leftist illusion or maybe muteness is the correct political line. And by the way what newcomers I'm I dissing. I thought I was dissing the usual Stalinists dinosaurs that totally alienate anyone with half an independent brain.
I would argue that it was a section of the local Venezuelan ruling class, probably with some help from the US, that tried to pull a coup. The movie should have been called "The failed coup will not be televised". And I'm glad that you agree that it was uncritical of Chavez.
As far as your presumption that I'm an "armchair anarchist"-- well I'm invovled in stuff for a long time so screw yourself on the armchair point.
I would argue that it was a section of the local Venezuelan ruling class, probably with some help from the US, that tried to pull a coup. The movie should have been called "The failed coup will not be televised". And I'm glad that you agree that it was uncritical of Chavez.
As far as your presumption that I'm an "armchair anarchist"-- well I'm invovled in stuff for a long time so screw yourself on the armchair point.
how long has chavez been calling the shots down there? how many coup attempts? Yes the upper crust of caracas society want him out, but the guys a demagogue. if you get all hot and bothered over castro, then chavez is your man.Oh wait a minute, he did go to the school of the americas in panama. does that make him bad? Can you over look that?
Most of the stuff said about chavez in the states is so much bullshit. colombian mercenaries will overthrow the chavez govt? Why can't they get rid of FARCA if they are so strong?
Chavez was the commander of the parachute brigade in venezualan army. he had support of the troops. The police seem to lean the other way. But the army has bigger guns.
No most of what you are babbling about is to get him attention and take away from his fuckups. Kind of like bill clinton and cruise missiles.
Most of the stuff said about chavez in the states is so much bullshit. colombian mercenaries will overthrow the chavez govt? Why can't they get rid of FARCA if they are so strong?
Chavez was the commander of the parachute brigade in venezualan army. he had support of the troops. The police seem to lean the other way. But the army has bigger guns.
No most of what you are babbling about is to get him attention and take away from his fuckups. Kind of like bill clinton and cruise missiles.
""""Most of the stuff said about chavez in the states is so much bullshit. colombian mercenaries will overthrow the chavez govt? Why can't they get rid of FARCA if they are so strong?
Chavez was the commander of the parachute brigade in venezualan army. he had support of the troops. The police seem to lean the other way. But the army has bigger guns.
No most of what you are babbling about is to get him attention and take away from his fuckups. Kind of like bill clinton and cruise missiles.""""
First of all, it's FARC, not "FARCA"---and they are not the only rebels in that country--as I'm sure you know---second---what I said, is that if there is any kind of a US sponsored coup (which could happen alot of different ways, and be made to LOOK alot different than reality--if it does happen) is that Columbia would be used as a launching pad, because of its US friendly regime---that's all I'm saying---but maybe the govt. should put a little more genuine effort into getting rid of the right-wing military death squads than the FARC at this point. While the FARC have certainly engaged in inappropriate tactics--kidnappings, killings, ect.---they have at least done some of the campesinos/rural folks some good down there---whereas the death squads--who have well-documented ties to govt. and the wealthy in Colombia---have been far more brutal.
Isn't it disturbing, though, that the US has funneled almost 3 billion under "Plan Colombia" into this country under the guise of the "War on Drugs/War on Terror'?
Chavez was the commander of the parachute brigade in venezualan army. he had support of the troops. The police seem to lean the other way. But the army has bigger guns.
No most of what you are babbling about is to get him attention and take away from his fuckups. Kind of like bill clinton and cruise missiles.""""
First of all, it's FARC, not "FARCA"---and they are not the only rebels in that country--as I'm sure you know---second---what I said, is that if there is any kind of a US sponsored coup (which could happen alot of different ways, and be made to LOOK alot different than reality--if it does happen) is that Columbia would be used as a launching pad, because of its US friendly regime---that's all I'm saying---but maybe the govt. should put a little more genuine effort into getting rid of the right-wing military death squads than the FARC at this point. While the FARC have certainly engaged in inappropriate tactics--kidnappings, killings, ect.---they have at least done some of the campesinos/rural folks some good down there---whereas the death squads--who have well-documented ties to govt. and the wealthy in Colombia---have been far more brutal.
Isn't it disturbing, though, that the US has funneled almost 3 billion under "Plan Colombia" into this country under the guise of the "War on Drugs/War on Terror'?
Sorry about the extra A. Now I'm a marked man.
Maybe all the money sent to Colombia is to make up for taking Panama away. just figure that most of the people in charge in that part of the world are more corrupt than the ones around here. They are that way because THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. No other reason. Chavez is no better or no worse, just more media savy. The thing with Chavez has been going on since 99? Maybe 2000.
I won't say that the US would never try and shitcan him, but he seems small compared to the other problems in the world.
Maybe all the money sent to Colombia is to make up for taking Panama away. just figure that most of the people in charge in that part of the world are more corrupt than the ones around here. They are that way because THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. No other reason. Chavez is no better or no worse, just more media savy. The thing with Chavez has been going on since 99? Maybe 2000.
I won't say that the US would never try and shitcan him, but he seems small compared to the other problems in the world.
I think some of the major reasons that so much money is being funneled into Colombia are: oil/coal/natural resources---plus opportunity for geopolitical control of the at region.
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