[JamesP]

Bolivian President Slashes Salary in Half
By ALVARO ZUAZO
AP
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - President Evo Morales cut his salary by more than half and declared no Cabinet minister can collect a higher wage than his own, with the savings to be used to hire more public school teachers.


The move followed a campaign pledge to tackle political corruption and restore honesty to the government of South America's poorest country.

Five days into his leftist government, Morales announced Thursday his salary would be $1,875 a month - a 57 percent cut from the previous president's earnings - and that his Cabinet would also have their salaries capped at that figure.

He said the savings would be used to hire more teachers, adding: "We need 6,000 new teachers and there is only money for 2,200."

The average Bolivian teacher with 10 years of accumulated service earns about $250 a month.

Street protests by teachers, miners, and Indians ousted two of Morales' predecessors since 2003, uprisings fueled by indignation against wealthy elites.

[snowdog]

Oh JamesP.....Priceless, do you really believe that the President of Bolivia
will be living on half of his presidential Salary. Again I can only suggest that
you research it a bit more. you'll find groups lining his pockets annually with
more money for him that all the Teachers combined in Bolivia.

[JamesP]

Snow - tell me more.... if you know more... I welcome your oft mentioned "research".

I have no illusions but, tell me that, as a symbol, it isn't refreshing that leaders sacrifice for the good of their people.

Or would you prefer that they give themselves raises and enrich their friends while the people suffer, the deficits soar & the young people are sent to fight corporate wars?

[scoff0165]

Oh JamesP.....Priceless, do you really believe that the President of Bolivia
will be living on half of his presidential Salary. Again I can only suggest that
you research it a bit more. you'll find groups lining his pockets annually with
more money for him that all the Teachers combined in Bolivia.

Bush and the Republican Congress have shown clearly they are willing to line their pockets, but I'd like to see some cite to support your claim. Otherwise you're just blowing smoke to cover for them.

[snowdog]

Snow - tell me more.... if you know more... I welcome your oft mentioned "research".

I have no illusions but, tell me that, as a symbol, it isn't refreshing that leaders sacrifice for the good of their people.

Or would you prefer that they give themselves raises and enrich their friends while the people suffer, the deficits soar & the young people are sent to fight corporate wars?

OH you mean like that late eve vote the Congress had 2 months ago to give
themselves a raise? Funny, it was a bi-Partisn vote, they had no arguements
between the party there.

[FDRfollower]

To add to this, look back a few months, because there's a very radical shift going on in the entire southern cone, not neccessarily of the leftist Jacobin kind, but a rejection of adhering to insane, suicidal free trade.

Back in April of 2005, at the joint press conference at the end of the summit held by the presidents of Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Spanish PM, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe stated, "This meeting has been a step forward in the process of integration, infrastructure integration, integration of the economies, integration of cooperation, integration to advance in the eradication of poverty." In his remarks at the summit, Uribe had underscored: "This has to be thought about way beyond where it now stands.... It has to be thought about in relation to Asia. There's no point in our integrating in order to stagnate." Uribe gave a detailed map-briefing to his colleagues on specific integration projects that was the highlight of the summit.

Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also emphasized that the summit's central goal had been to "consolidate a policy of infrastructure, to consolidate the integration of South America ... [and] to find mechanisms to finance that infrastructure." He added: "We now have a new partner on the world stage, which is China." And host President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela concurred: "I would say that it is our right, and also a necessity: integration. We have no other path."

Then, you add the recent decision of both Argentia and Brazil to pay off the rest of their usurious bloodsucking debts to the International Monetary Fund. Now, you have Bolivian President-elect Morales inviting recently elected Pres. Bachelet as well as outgoing Chilean President Ricardo Lagos to his inauguration. Lagos's attendance, in particular, is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, given the adversarial relations that Chile and Bolivia have maintained since the 19th century War of the Pacific.

Last but not least, with Bachelets victory, you finally have Augusto Pinochet finally going to trial for his mass murder for Henry Kissinger and George Shultz, who, unfortunatly, won't be in the dock for their role in putting him in power. But considering that she was tortured by Pinochet, and her father murdered by him, justice comes full swing.

"Yes! There is a limit to the tyrants power!" Fr. Schiller, Willhelm Tell

[FDRfollower]

Oh, and I wanted to pre-empt our Pavlovian Snowdog before he spouted his usual "OH they're ALL corrupt" cliche, but, he beat me to it.;)

[snowdog]

"Oh, and I wanted to pre-empt our Pavlovian Snowdog before he spouted his usual "OH they're ALL corrupt" cliche, but, he beat me to it." FDR FOLLOWER.

OK FDR . according to your quote above "before he spouted his usual
"oh they're all corrut" cliche"......... Right here right now show me
more than 2 times where I have used that Cliche. I think your just
spouting off, not thinking about what your saying. anyways, IF you don't have anything to say other than BS. I would suggest ya just keep yer mouth SHUT and pick yer nose instead of typing dumb assumptions.
and get this down idiot, I'm not YOUR pavlovian Snowdog, nor anyone else's
get that point immediatly. Funny is funny but an attack is untolerable!

whats insane to me is people like you talk about how DUMB a conservative minded person is and how Bush lied. blah blah blah, and how our rights are being taken away.......if someone doesn't agree with your view. then where the hell are you any better the the group of people you
dislike?????? I have a right to my opinion as you have a right to yours. How
dare you even challenge MY rights!!!!

I apologize members of the forum, but FDR went outta line with me, and
in no uncertain terms will I or anyone Else have to tolerate it!

[haus]

FDR don't let him get to you, and don't let him set your agenda.

Your post was on the money.

[snowdog]

FDR don't let him get to you, and don't let him set your agenda.

Your post was on the money.


Haus my post was in responce to FDR saying something to me that was
an out right lie. not to you. So Kid, relax, don't you got a rave to go to
or something? isn't there a tree you could protect, or maybe spend some
time in a ballon to do more research on global warming? Point is he was
wrong and I informed him of it. Get over it Kid!

[FDRfollower]

Hi Haus. Thanks.:)

I really can't resist poking fun at cynical and pesimistic people. JamesP posted a very nice article and I couldn't stand PavDog raining on the parade, draging the US Congress with him! Looking at his freak out, all I could do was sit back and have a good belly laugh. I usually try to get those types to laugh at the rediculous way they think, but a few (like our Pavlovian Snowdog) tend to go into a berserker state.

Morales is perhaps following in the footsteps of a past leader in South America,
Jose Rodriguez de Franciahttp://www.geocities.com/laverdiereaf/Francia.jpg
1766-1840 of Paraguay who built the first railroads in South America, freed his countrymen from serfdom, resisted the British Empires free trade slavery and increased the living standards, while refusing a salary. Ultimately, the country was destroyed in the Triple Alliance War which the British organized for defying free trade.

[snowdog]

Hi Haus. Thanks.:)

I really can't resist poking fun at cynical and pesimistic people. JamesP posted a very nice article and I couldn't stand PavDog raining on the parade, draging the US Congress with him! Looking at his freak out, all I could do was sit back and have a good belly laugh. I usually try to get those types to laugh at the rediculous way they think, but a few (like our Pavlovian Snowdog) tend to go into a berserker state.



Oh that one was priceless there FDR. Your calling me a cynical and pesimistic
person.....Hey doofus I would suggest you simply look down the forum
thread titles. then tell me how cynical and pesimistic I am. what a moron.
You made the statement about "my Usual spouting of Oh they are all corrupt." again doofas back up your mouth. you point out to me how often
I use that cliche'

laugh all ya want at me Boy, ALITO is NOMINTATED! I'm laughing louder!

Just like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry Your ALL talk with NO results

[JamesP]

Childish post, Snow.... rather "schoolyard". You can do better.

[snowdog]

CHILDISH? Oh JamesP take a look at some of the post from the past month.
read up on Lil Bigman. he he he. Bush is a Liar! Bush needs to do us all a favor
by putting a 9 mm to his head. calling me names. and your talking about
childish? One nut here, gets on me and then hits the ignore button so that
person doesn't have to see my responce. You say something that I don't
particularily agree with, I point out info that you either don't know, or just will
not accept it. I get told to paste a website proving my point so... I do that
and then I get jumped on because you or who ever doesn't agree with it.
"Jesus was a progressive liberal" Now, don't ya feel a bit silly calling me
childish?

"eh ok dik head... howz about those scary grenadians the 'great chimpanzee comunicator' bonzo took care of...
big time resistance there 4 sure u dik head... learn sum history b4 u start piss'n on urself next time... "

Yea you go head and talk about being childish

[JamesP]

Snow: I agree that there have been other childish posts. But here again is a sample of what I find to be bizarre logic that recurs in many of the right-wing posts.

I'll put it in childish terms:
My mother taught me that because others have done something wrong or unbecoming doesn't excuse me or my friends from doing the same. Didn't your mother teach you something similar?

[snowdog]

ah yea, ......right JamesP. My mother also told me that if I loose... to loose
gracefully, not to make excuses. to try harder next time. She also gave
me my values and principles. I was taught to stand up for what I believe in.

[MAGI]

Each new day presents new information IF one opens their eyes and ears and makes use of their brain.

Each new day, a time to reflect, review and make corrective changes
when necessary.

We ALL make mistakes.........
It takes bravery and courage to admit them ..............to advance with wisdom.....to be progressive.....................

[FDRfollower]

Hi Magi. I thought of a good example to demonstrate that.
9
Meet Lazaro Cardenas, president of Mexico during the time of the FDR presidency.
Someone who actually CARED for the people of his county, and was considered un-coruptable, "Mr. Clean" was his nickname.
Among the most controversial actions, was the nationalizing of the oil interests, so that the oil resources would be owned by the people of Mexico instead of the pro-nazi Buckley family. Unlike "Mr. Enron" sitting in the white house.

Good english biographies are hard to come by, but his life is well worth studying. :sunny:

[MAGI]

Thanks FDRfollower...........I'm WITH you!

Will look up Lazaro Cardenas later today.

[JamesP]

The developing trend in South & Central America is toward radical leftist governments - some with a clear anti-American (or at least anti Bush administration) slant.

Those that are pulling the strings of the Bush administration are learning (in Iraq, Palestine & South America) that Democracy can deliver unpleasant results.

Mexico threatens to follow suit later this year.

The question is, of course, why?

What failures of the the right & center governments are driving the people to choose the extreme left?

How much of a role has the world attitude toward the Bush administration played in fueling this trend?

[FDRfollower]

Here's an update on some things of importance in South America, I think, just show the stark differences between our presidency and Argentinas.

Speculation in the prices of beef and the withholding of cattle, have driven up costs 26% this year, so Pres. Kirchner is slapping a 10% tax on exports of high-quality beef, halting the export of 600,000 tons, and re-directing it to the internal market to lower prices. The Pres. is quoted at a rally "suggestively, the meat price started going up, an up. If they think this is a President who will sit with his arms crossed, they are mistaken." "Beef goes to Argentines at prices they can afford. We're not interested in exporting beef at the expense of the hunger, and the pocketbook, of Argentines." :thumbup:

And, there's a big fight with the Monsanto cartel, who has seized 4 ships of Argentine soy flour in european ports, for Argentina infringing on Monsantos Roundup Ready gene patent, even though it's not patented in that country. The agriculture secretary is calling their actions "thuggish" & "extortion". The govenor of Brazils state Parana has banned GMO seeds because, Monsanto has reduced Brazil "to the situation of the Middle Ages, of vassals and feudal lords" -serfdom. The Confederation of Rural Associations of Buenos Aires and La Pampa is demanding the government seize all of Monsanto's assets in the county and boycott its products. Their statement is "When we speak of greed, we speak of Monsanto"

As always, Kill Globalization, before it kills you

[JamesP]

Thanks, FDR.

South America is the leading edge of a rebellion fueled by the broken promises and abuses of the "globalization gang".

Interesting to observe.

[FDRfollower]

South America is the leading edge of a rebellion fueled by the broken promises and abuses of the "globalization gang".

Interesting to observe.

The trouble is, none of our sister republics to the south will ever gain REAL sovereignty until we change things right here in our country. They have a certain number of actions they can take, but, ultimately, as long as it's a dollar based global monetary system, with the current "rules" of the IMF and World Bank, then those Presidents have little actual control over the functions of the way their county goes. Kirchner is an anomaly amongst the others, but Argentina has gone from the 14th highest world living standard (around the 1960's) to large numbers of unemployed, due to the attack on the currency earlier and former presidents who sold the country off for nothing.

As it stands, most of the banks of Central and South America are controlled by foreign banks, the debts are rigged to be unpayable, countries like Ecuador and Panama no longer have their own currency and use US$, you have the constant problem of western backed drug cartels, and a human rights mafia connected to subservience to the IMFs dictats. So we can be heartened that leaders like Kirchner and Morales are taking some steps. But, again, we (as citizens) have to change the policies of the United States for any real benefits to be seen elsewhere.

[FDRfollower]

Wow! More exciting leadership from Argentina.:)

The story of Kirchner stopping exports of beef is on the wires, but, if you go to the website of the Argentina president click this (www.presidencia.gov.ar), and read his speech, the wires leave a lot out! With the help of my spanish friend Ricky, I've translated the important parts. It's really inspiring to see a leader looking out for his fellow citizens. I haven't been this excited about a national leader since Kennedy.

Kirchners televised speech march 14:

excerpts, "Powerful interests have to understand that for a country to move forward, it must have an absolutely responsible economic process which reflects solidarity." Stating that he has asked the large producers to cooperate in lowering the price, which isn't happening "Now I'm not going to budge. No beef exports for 180 days and if I have to make it 360 days, I'll do it, because I'm convinced it's necessary... To those of you watching me on television, you know how this famous pricing scheme works... They say this is how free enterprise works... But nobody believes that it's supply and demand that sets the beef price. We know how it's done, how they manipulate... this trickery no longer has a place in Argentina, and we Argentines aren't willing to tolerate it any longer." Asking citizens to stop buying beef, "Let [the speculators] feel the power of Argentine consumers.. don't let them sell at the price {they} want." Telling slaughterhouse workers not heed the threats of the bosses, "The National and provincial governments will give you all the support necessary to put an end to this type of extortion. It's not the case, that if exports are halted we're going to throw people out of work, as if they are cattle. That practice has ended. People are people in Argentina; they have rights and qualities, and the dignity to feel like Argentines."

And now, Kirchner has done more! A French company Suez, which managed the water system after it was privatised, has been kicked out and the state took control again, after the water system became dilapidated and was allowing contaminated water to reach consumers. It's the old shareholders/locusts over public good issue again. In a speech Mar. 23rd to school children:

"Let it be clear that I am not willing to let down my guard, and allow Argentines to drink contaminated water in exchange for a President's visit, or to make a Foreign Ministry feel better." The health of Argentines "is fundamental and crucial," to applause. "I am not willing to have millions of Argentines go without water or sanitation services, as if these were somehow out of reach. As children, we learned in school... that water is a public service which the State, minimally, must guarantee reaches all Argentines. Now are we willing to accept any price, any rate, as if water were something out of reach. There are companies... that can be concerned with profitability; but there are others that [must provide service] to people as an act of justice and dignity, and be very well managed by the State..."

[MAGI]

Instead of a considerate moral government as Argentina,

thumbs-down WE HAVE ONE OF EXTORTION of "THE PEOPLE" by OUR OIL/WEAPONS/PHARMACEUTICAL DICTATORSHIP :mad:

[FDRfollower]

Instead of a considerate moral government as Argentina,

thumbs-down WE HAVE ONE OF EXTORTION of "THE PEOPLE" by OUR OIL/WEAPONS/PHARMACEUTICAL DICTATORSHIP :mad:

Don't forget though. It was only a couple of decades ago when Shultz, Kissinger, and the Chicago school were overthrowing governments like Argentina and Chile and installing fascist military dictatorships. Argentina had their coup in 1976. So, I hope we don't go the same way. The consequences for the world would be horrible.

[MAGI]

I'm hoping our countrymen are awakening from their slumber and will NO longer believe the GOP propaganda of "get big government off our backs"! I'm hoping 2006 will begin the change and we won't have need for revolution!

We just need the best people we can find for every position, which will represent "We The People", instead of the candidates corporations and the RAP buy.

Do you think "The People" finally KNOW that was a phony ploy which really robbed "The People" for 25 years? It's my guess you would probably say .........back as far as FDR's last day of presidency, (and from what I have read, Eleanor deserves lots of credit for helping ALL society as well........"behind every great man......." :) )

I do enjoy you sharing your knowledge of history with us. This country NEEDS many more people like you ...............

I nominate you for THE candidate I would support as president!

Well, I can dream can't I? :thumbup: :sunny:

[MAGI]

FDR Follower,
The post below was to you, though I think you would have guessed it.

and since I was too late to edit my post, I'd like to add,

"GOP"..........What a clever misnomer! ............................ :angry:

[FDRfollower]

FDR Follower,
The post below was to you, though I think you would have guessed it.

and since I was too late to edit my post, I'd like to add,

"GOP"..........What a clever misnomer! ............................ :angry:

GOP, doesn't that stand for Guys On Parole? :rolleyes:

[FDRfollower]

I'm working on the translation of a recent speech by Kirchner on the aniversary of the Malvinas War (or the Falklands war if you support the British Imperialists;) ) where he makes VERY cogent attacks on the interests in Argentina who used the military for wrong purposes. I'll post it, because a future US president will have to deal with the legacy of our military being ruined by the Neo-Cons. You'll see that in the speech.

[FDRfollower]

I hope you all keep up with my posting of this very moving address by Pres Kirchner. I know that if I had been there, I would have been in tears.

Speech given by President Nestor Kirchner, April 2nd, 2006

My brothers, vererans of the Malvinas War, Mr. Vice-President, members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, governors and head of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, heads of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the General Staff of the armed forces; members of the diplomatic corps; mayors, national, regional, and municipal authorities, labor leaders, ladies and gentlemen:
The Argentine nation ratifies its legitimate and undeniable sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and the corresponding maritime and insular areas, as an integral part of our national territory...
This is stated in the First Transitional Resolution of our national Constitution. It is one of our central objectives as a government and it is appropriate to remember it on this date. The noble cause of recovering effective sovereignty over our archipelago and se, illegally occupied since 1833, unites all Argentines, beyond and outside any other political differences.
On this occasion, we find ourselves before one of the great national causes, in which values that we must boldly rescue coexist: dialogue, exercise of national sovereignty with dignity and respect for human rights, justice, and truth. The tragic circumstances under which the dictatorship tried to place this cause at the service of a subterfuge so as to survive an adverse political conjuncture, should not cloud the analysis.
In 1982, we witnessed the dictatorship's mistaken decision to save itself by planning and executing a war, while lying about its true intentions. But there was also loyalty, bravery, patriotism, and the generous sacrifice of our people and of thousands of soldiers -- thousands of soldiers -- who never hesitated to respond to the fatherland's call. The Malvinas was, in a sense, another of the dictatorship's crimes and a great frustration: the irresponsible decision to launch a war exposed the many limitations these technicians of horror had when it came to fighting real battles. But, in another sense, the Malvinas is also the fatherlands's altar to the heroism of its people who, as at the beginning of our short history, knew how to forge men such as our war veterans, willing to give their lives for others, to sacrifice themselves for the fatherland, despite the strategic and political mistake of those who illegally governed at that time.
The task that we Argentines must undertake in the context of the complexity surrounding the event we remember today, is that of preventing our heroes from becoming the victims of that complexity. They become victims when they are forgotten; they become victims when we hide them, as they were hidden away after the battle ended. They are victims when their action in defense of our national rights is not recognized in concrete deeds. The fight to recover the Malvinas should help us to find a place of remembrance and reflection, from which we can learn from mistakes so as not to repeat them...
Argentina must recognize those mistakes and demonstrate our ability to improve. We must rebuild our self-esteem, not to repeat the past, but to face our future with ideals and convictions. Let us remember and reflect. We cannot allow the desire to forget, blame, erase our memory, and leave history merely as a blur. Let's put an end to that history repeated by some who thought they could settle the debt they owed us by de-Malvinizing Argentina.

part 1

[FDRfollower]

Sorry for the delay gang, problems with my 'ol laptop messed up a file. Here's part 2.

Let us pay homage to those who fell on our Malvinas soil and in its waters; to those who still feel themselves in the trenches and cannot return from their internal exile, after being relegated for years to ungrateful oblivion...

Let us speak with absolute clarity, because this is the only way to set the story straight. What is white is white, and what is black is definitely black. While the State must accept responsibility, we never saw those economic groups and those who backed the dictatorship, come out to support our soldiers when they returned from battle. The State was irresponsible, but who propped up that State? That is why, brothers and sisters, in Argentina we must speak with absolutely clarity, from the standpoint of our relative truth but without fear...

Together in democracy and in peace, we are strengthening the institutions, although we still haven't escaped the hell into which we were thrown; and despite certain media that are loath to admit it, we are and we are going to be, much better. I always tell my colleagues, and from my heart I say to the soldiers of the Malvinas: Ignore what certain media say. Worry about what the Argentine people say. That's what matters -- the heart of Argentines who feel and respect those engaged in the nations work.

I also tell the political leadership not to worry about what one or another reporter might say; stop crawling on your knees before them-- let them write what they want. You defend the nation with the force that the nation requires, that is the key point...

That they have committed the crimes we have mentioned and worse, can never invalidate our rightful claim, and it is fair to say that the Malvinas are ours, that they are Argentine, and that those brothers who fought there went in defense of those values, on behalf of all of us. They were outnumbered, but they didn't cry. They held our flag high, with honor and pride. The shame was when they came home, and were hidden from public view.

Dear God! Poor Argentina, what things have happened to us, when we should have welcomed them back as national heroes! Defeat by a big power isn't what mattered. What mattered was the dignity of those who went and gave their all! Malvinas isn't a military problem; it should be a national objective of all Argentines, and with dialogue, diplomacy and peace, we should recover them for the fatherland. But dialogue, diplomacy and peace don't mean hanging your head in shame. Dialogue, diplomacy, and peace mean defending the rights that are ours over the Malvinas Islands with dignity and pride. Let us not confuse being peace-lovers with inaction..

Internally, overcoming the mistaken, sinister and senseless military conception that designed and executed that war strategy, should lead to a profound strategic self-criticism in military doctrine and operations. In my humble opinion, and without pretending to own the truth, the most striking lesson lies in the necessity of definitively understanding that the three branches together consistute a single military component of the nation.

Empowering the work of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, devising a single national defense doctrine, jointly procuring materiel, and formulating defense actions in a single stroke, constitute an irrevocable course of action for our Government: a unified defense policy under the constititutional leadership of the Executive branch. On the international front, we must act in deliberate fashion, such that our economic recovery, the prestige we are regaining, and persistance in our peaceful claim, will allow us to gradually increase the non-military resources at our disposal, until the anarchronistic colonial status which we strongly denounce, becomes unsustainable.

Summarizing what I said at the beginning, we know what the Constitutional mandate is. We know that messianism or ultramontane and isolating nationalism must never take the place of patriotic and democratic nationalism based on the will of the people, and the reason, law, and serene passion built on this. We know that beneath each civilian suit or military uniform, united by the national Constitution, beat the hearts of our citizens. Our citzenry, our people, have the common commitment to regaining sovereignty over our islands...

More later...

[FDRfollower]

We won't give up. We shall be persistent. We shall go forward with fortitude to comply with our Constitutional mandate. We have the support of the entire international community's call for these negotiatinos to begin again to find a peaceful solution to our countries' dispute over sovereignty. The effort the government and our people are making to restore the General Welfare and reestablish hope for the future of our fatherland; and the recovery of our international prestige gives us hope that we shall see our island territories and the maritime spaces that surround them, once again under effective Argentine sovereignty.

Agentines of all walks of life must light in their hearts a flame of homage to our 649 fallen, and to the young men who almost daily took their own lives because they were forgotten by those who should have never forgotten them; to those who felt alone, to those who had doors shut in their faces, to those who some see as a burden, and who for others are brothers who honor us; to those who for some only exist on April 2, and to those who for the majority of Argentines, exist and should exist every single day, because they are a clear reflection of our remembrance.

Their names are engraved on the monument built in the Plaza San Martin, But that's not enough. It's not enough to organize a ceremony once a year. I repeat. Not only the State, but all Argentines, must together recommit themselves to a spirit of solidarity in support of those who were there -- officers and non-commissioned officers of our fatherland -- Argentine soldiers fighting for their country.

This is the same flame that keeps alvie the memory of San Martin, of Belgrano, of Brown and Moreno, and of so many other of our forefathers who inspired the courage and wisdom to defend the fatherland. We must pay just homage to the veterans of this war, who showed courage, willingness to defend our soil, spirit of solidarity, and who often had to act virtually alone because there were very few of us who supported them, when we lived through what came to be known as de-Malvinization. We must not ever return to the time when the Joint Chiefs of Staff Memorandum 228/82 dated July 15, 1982, established among the guidelines set for all radio and television coverage, that it was a national security risk to issue defeatost reports or mention the 18-year-old soldiers or ask their opinion of their superiors. This was a truly shameful memorandum, but we cannot forget it.

Now in this new era for our fatherland, let's put things in their place. Let us be committed to caring for our beloved veterans to try to compensate them for everything they gave during those unforgettable days; to ensure that they receive what we owe them for having defended the dignity of our national sovereignty on the battlefield, on the seas, and in our skies. They have names. They are human beings of flesh and blood. They suffered anguish and went without. They are our contemporary heroes.

Let us have faith in our country's future. We have absolute conviction in the justice of our claims and our rights. We must actively and patiently resist and fight for as many years and days as it takes. Argentines must regain their self-esteem. The battle we fought in 1982 and what we suffered, were tough. But my dear Argentines, what happened after our painful defeat was shameful. It was as if each of us went into our own hiding place, and we abandoned those who fought. Those who ruled Argentina once again displayed their cowardice, and when they had to show their faces, they escaped any way they could. They had already done it several years earlier, and they did it again on that day.

With all due respect and affection for our dear military commanders, and our current soldiers and officers, it was cowardly generals who dishonored our Army and our people. But there were also the civilians who supported them, and while the television put out reports that we were winning the battle, [those civilians] were there encouraging ultramontaine nationalism. when the worst occurred, many of them and the economic power that backed the system, disappeared. They didn't stay around to aid the fallen or those who fought, or to help or fatherland.

More later...

[FDRfollower]

part 4 and final part.

We must never forget this, because many of those interests still operate in Argentina today. Some of them are rejuvenated, or have changed and taken on new forms. But the Argentine people must remember, because this is how we shall definitively consolidate our nation. To our heroes and Malvinas soldiers with whom we are making progress on solutions -- and there is certainly much more to be done, and we do what we can -- I want to say that for the period in which I am called upon to govern Argentina, I didn't come to make a pact with the past, nor didn I come believing that national unity is possible by covering up the bad things that Argentines may be hiding. This is what has prevented us from building a nation. I can assure you that with whatever mistakes I might make, or good things I may do, I am committed to advance, advance, and advance; and, God willing, the Argentine people will walk with me to build a fatherland with, and for, everyone, so that Argentines can look each other in the eye and say, "At last we feel like Argentines, and we shall move forward to defend this history, this fatherland, this soil, this flag, this land which honors us all, and the legacy of our heroes and our forefathers!"

Combatants of the Malvinas, officers and soldiers: Forgive us, and many thanks for what you did for our fatherland.

[FDRfollower]

I hope you enjoyed the speech of Nestor Kirchner, President of the Republic of Argentina. While not having been very aware of the war at the time, being only 14, I can identify with the situation he is trying to deal with, what, with the current problems with our Vietnam veterans, meeting them on the streets everyday here in the Bay Area, abandoned, and down and out.

Also, the speech resounded very strongly with me, from having read (and watched or listened) to many of our past leaders. He reminds me of the forthrightness of JFK and the attempt of Lincoln of trying to keep the country unified. How about you? What does he remind you of, those of you who have been around the block a few times.

How much of the Malvinas War, do you remember, from how it was reported, being as it was the first serious breech of the Monroe Doctrine?

[MAGI]

I'm working on the translation of a recent speech by Kirchner on the aniversary of the Malvinas War (or the Falklands war if you support the British Imperialists;) ) where he makes VERY cogent attacks on the interests in Argentina who used the military for wrong purposes. I'll post it, because a future US president will have to deal with the legacy of our military being ruined by the Neo-Cons. You'll see that in the speech.

I must confess I was at a time in life when self preservation consumed me!

It's where So many Jane and John Does' are right now! Grandmother (me) is doing her very best to enlighten my grandchildren to the raping of "We the People"........when I can catch them .........as THEY are NOW so VERY busy with self preservation!

WE unfortunately weren't born of the golden goose nor fed with " a golden spoon".

I remember telling my son-in-law that the mid '80's prosperity they were enjoying Could Not Last! I was working long hours to pay off our mortgage and save a few dollars and my children could have bought and paid for their house in about three years........... THEN! It's sad they didn't listen to me.......

Have times changed! Now we are in one terrible MESS, thanks to the conservative Right & Righteous! Our congressional representatives have forsaken us in the name of the
Almighty Greenback

and Gip & ilk are too busy or blinded with Limbaugh/Hannity propaganda to hear & see "what's happened ... & ing!

:thumbup:

Thanks, FDRFollower for presenting Nestor Kirchner, the Argentine president to us.

We NEED someone of his character and caliber to regain our self esteem in the world and restore our ability to "LIVE the American Dream once again!"

Perhaps South America WILL show us the way.........:sunny:

[FDRfollower]

:laughing:

Thanks, FDRFollower for presenting Nestor Kirchner, the Argentine president to us.

We NEED someone of his character and caliber to regain our self esteem in the world and restore our ability to "LIVE the American Dream once again!"

Perhaps South America WILL show us the way.........

Our 3 revolutions were the inspiration for the revolutions in Ibero America and the forming of Republics down there (with all their problems). With countries like Argentina and Brazil telling the International Monetary Fund to go fly a kite, it creates situations where more countries have a model upon which to go. But, their problems will mostly be solved from here, the good 'ol US of A. The policy has to be changed HERE!

If you want to write to President Kirchner and applaud his courage, please do.

[FDRfollower]

Well, looks like Evo Morales just kicked over the chessboard by putting the oil sector in Bolivia under state control just like Mexico under Cardenas did. The Presidents of the area are meeting, and there is general support from the neighboring countries for the move.

The London Financial Times (http://news.ft.com/cms/s/28fb631e-da30-11da-b7de-0000779e2340.html), speaking for the bloodsuckers has another view. But, despite the howling of the wolves, Bolivias neighboring countries are treating the issue as "A sovereign act".

Kill Globalization, before it kills YOU!

[FDRfollower]

Since it's Cinco de Mayo, let me introduce

http://www.geocities.com/laverdiereaf/BenitoJuarez.jpg

President of the Republic of Mexico Benito Juarez

who, with http://www.geocities.com/laverdiereaf/Lincoln.jpg, defeated the attempt by France, Britain, and Spain to balkanize North America, in a famous battle, where a mostly civilian army defeated regular French forces earning Juarez the title of the Mexican Lincoln. Denying the europeans the foothold in the americas, in which to support the Confederacy. Due to his protection of human liberties, which served as an example for other Latin American countries, Benito Juárez was proclaimed Outstanding Patriot of the Americas.

After the triumph of the Republic, he gave a famous speech in which he stated: "Mexicans: let us now pledge all our efforts to obtain and consolidate the benefits of peace. Under its auspices, the protection of the laws and of the authorities will be sufficient for all the inhabitants of the Republic. May the people and the government respect the rights of all. Between individuals, as between nations, peace means respect for the rights of others".
"Let us hope that after the lesson learned through the prolonged and painful experience undergone by our communities during the war, that we Mexicans will cooperate with the welfare and prosperity of the Nation, which may only be obtained through unfailing respect for the law, and with complete obedience to the authorities elected by the people".

So if you see a Mexican, don't forget to thank him, with a hearty "Viva, Juarez!"