Venezuela President Hugo Chavez spoke at the UN today. He first advertised a book of Chomsky’s. Then “The devil was here yesterday,” he said referring to President Bush, who had spoken earlier on his vision for the Middle East “it still smells of sulfur.” He then made the sign of the cross. There is a video here.
Meanwhile, Thaksin Shinawatra, the Berlusconi of Thailand, was ousted in a surprisingly peaceful military coup. Here is an excellent blog coverage of the events in Bangkok. The highly respected King has endorsed the coup.
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September 21, 2006 at 12:06 am
Rollo
The world needs more men like Chavez. Half-witted perhaps, but at least not blind or mute. No wonder the Venezuelans are so proud of him.
September 21, 2006 at 3:12 am
andrej
“Often, as he talks on, Mr. Chávez drops the names of books he is reading or has grown to love, giving insight into the various intellectual and literary influences on his thinking [etc.]“
from an amusing article about Chávez in the Sunday Times.
September 21, 2006 at 4:45 am
Anonymous
Does this mean we have to look around for an alternate classification of formal languages now?
September 21, 2006 at 5:15 am
Luca
I have already been teaching the “freedom hierarchy” of formal languages for some time.
September 21, 2006 at 10:21 am
Anonymous
If Chavez is a “half-witt”, what does that make Mr. Bush?
September 22, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Anonymous
The world needs more men like Chavez.
No it doesn’t. Two wrongs don’t make a right. He’s a petty egomaniac dictator with no love lost for democratic institutions. He lead a coup d’etat against a democratically elected government. I’m sure we can find better people willing to call Bush on his mistakes (say Chile’s Bachelet) but that have respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law.
People like Chavez (caudillo) have left a long history of sorrows in Latin-America. One should look past Chavez’ or Castro’s excellent orator skills and see what they have actually accomplished for their country.
September 23, 2006 at 7:20 am
jittat
It is still very surprising for me that a lot of people here (in Thailand) accept the coup as a way out.
September 23, 2006 at 9:25 am
Anonymous
September 23, 2006 at 10:32 am
Luca
I love this thread.
September 23, 2006 at 4:16 pm
snehit
If Chavez is a “half-witt”, what does that make Mr. Bush?
And prof. luca, i insist. You must share your “freedom heirarchy” with us.
September 23, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Anonymous
Meanwhile, Thaksin Shinawatra, the Berlusconi of Thailand, was ousted in a surprisingly peaceful military coup.
Apparently some people believe that democracy is “real” only as long as it brings to power people they approve. In case, God forbid, people like Berluscony are elected, then obviously democracy has been “kidnapped” and tanks may be required to bring them down.