COUNTER-REVOLUTION AND SOCIALISM

VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: A few days ago my wife and I had a lengthy discussion with a Haitian taxi driver ... and … we gave him a poster of Chavez ... and he kissed it … and he yelled, "Viva Chavez, Viva Chavez, Viva Chavez." He was so exited that we thought he was going to fall out the taxi window.

He spoke of the curse of Gonaive, he spoke of Haiti and he spoke of Aristides, Haiti's democratically-elected president-in-exile who was kidnapped and taken away to South Africa during the Canada-USA-France-backed coup of 2004.

Apart from giving us details as to the present US-style military/police state in which Haitians are living today (under the auspices of a "western"-backed dictator) and apart from the figures he gave us as to the number of assassinations at the hands of the present pseudo-government, he spoke of the reasons why Aristides was kidnapped and forced out of power.

According to the taxi driver, the main reason why Aristides was forced out of power was because Aristides had taken the first steps toward what might have eventually led to a mass world uprising against all colonialists: the British, the French, the "Americans," the Portuguese, the Spaniards, the Dutch, the Belgians, etc. What Aristides had apparently begun would have led to a mass uprising against those countries which had invaded foreign lands, assassinated Natives, forced Blacks into slavery and which had stolen land and resources from the Natives.

According to the taxi driver, not long before Aristides' kidnapping, Aristides had begun to put together a lawsuit against France in which Haiti would demand moneys (and lots of it, apparently) as repayment for what France had stolen from Haiti in the past … with accrued and compounded interest. According to the taxi driver, the basis for the argument was that if the Jews were able to receive compensation from Germany after WWII, then why not Haiti from France.

If Haiti were to send an invoice to France for all the gold and other resources which they stole from Haiti over the last centuries (accrued and compounded interest included), the due payment might economically bring France to its knees ... or perhaps even bankrupt it (I speculate).

Aristides was to set a new world precedent that would lead to an economic world revolt against past injustices. In much the same way as Pinochet or other older criminals are being judged late in life for the crimes they committed long ago, the “western” world would be judged today for the crimes of their past.

Theft (of land) is a crime. Murder (of innocent Natives) is a crime. Slavery (of Black Africans) is a crime. When the colonialists stole the gold, the diamonds and the natural resources, they also enslaved the people and they also indiscriminately assassinated millions of innocent men, women and children ... savages as they were called ... in order to enrich themselves.

The time for justice is nearing … and it scares the living daylights out of the materialistic “western” world.

For “westerners” today to say, “That was in the past, it was my ancestors, it’s not our fault, we are innocent now” would be the equivalent to Pinochet stating, “The fact that I ordered the execution and torture of thousands of innocent people was a mistake of my youth, I wouldn’t do that today. I am innocent.”

According to the Haitian taxi driver, this is why the USA wants Chavez dead and buried forever ... which is hardly likely now ... especially because the US government knows that if anything happens to Chavez, the Venezuelan people (the 70% + who support him) will perpetuate Chavismo (Chavez’ philosophy) at any cost and for as long as it takes.

This is why Chavez is a "danger," as Condoleezza Rice and company so arrogantly and deceitfully describe Chavez.

All, or most of Africa will do the same, so will portions of Asia ... and India and the middle east ... and so will all of Latin America.

What will stop the Blacks in the USA from sending a massive invoice to the US government for due and just compensation because of slavery, suffering and segregation?

If every Black person in the USA sued the US government for past damages, say $1,000,000 (which is a conservative amount), the US government would have to pay out roughly about $38,000,000,000,000. (There are about 38,000,000 Blacks in the USA.) This is $38 trillion … which is a huge amount … and would cost every non-Black USA taxpayer about $152,000. (There are about 257,000,000 non-Blacks in the USA.) So, for example, it would cost a non-Black family of four about $600,000 … a debt which would take years and perhaps generations to pay off.

Let us suppose that we divide every square kilometer into 1000 lots. Each lot would be about 100 x 100 feet (33.33 x 33.33 meters). If each lot is conservatively priced at $100,000, then the real estate value of the entire US land territory would be close to about one thousand trillion dollars ($1,000,000,000,000,000). If the Native Indians of the USA were to send the US government an invoice for $1000 trillion (for the land which was stolen --- all of the US territory) and if they were to distribute this amount between themselves (about 3.5 million Native Americans), each would receive roughly about $285,000,000!!!

We are only talking about land here. Still to consider, are: lakes, waterways, natural resources such as gas and oil, gold, diamonds, trees, coal, iron, bauxite, precious metals and more. Add it all together and the non-Native population of the USA would become completely bankrupt and desperate. (Note: In this scenario, by non-Native I would exclude Blacks, Latinos or any other immigrants who do not originally come from colonialist countries.)

Now, suppose we add damages for engagement in slavery. Add onto this the criminal charges of rape, murder and torture of Blacks in the USA ... and related damages ... and the corresponding jail time.

A substantial portion of the white US community would end up in jail for years in order to pay for the crimes of their forefathers and foremothers. The jails would of course be owned and operated by Blacks and Natives since the white population would be broke.

Now imagine what would happen in Black Africa and in the rest of world which was subjected to colonialism and slavery.

The countries that lived through colonialism are too many to mention ... it represents much of the world.

This is why Aristides was forced out of Haiti … this is why Chavez is an imminent "danger" to the so-called "civilized" world.

From this perspective, in the following interview with Siete sobre Siete, Harnecker offers significant first hand information regarding the debates and exercises that pace the reality of the Bolivarian Revolution. She explains that after the defeat of the general strike that caused an acute scarcity of basic products at the end of 2002, there was a break in the Venezuelan bourgeoisie confrontations with the government. In addition, she explains why, while advocating the necessity to “construct socialism,” Bolivarian leaders make extraordinary efforts to incorporate the private sector into the country’s economic plans without renouncing possession of the means of production or forfeiting a profit margin that is limited by measures required to abate the biting levels of Venezuelan poverty.

At what political moment did you encounter the Bolivarian Revolution?

In a moment of intensification. During an effort to make the State apparatus more efficient, to combat corruption, to purify the police and the State security forces, to expand participatory democracy, and to prepare for the implementation of a different economic logic: a humanist and cooperative logic.

What have been the most important steps in the political process since Chávez defined the socialist path of the Bolivarian Revolution?

It may surprise you if I say that there have been no relevant steps made since the mentioned definition. What has happen is that in practice, the leadership of the process has found that the humanist and cooperative logic they began to implant at every level, especially in the economic realm, collided at every step with the capitalist logic of profit.

As you can see, "socialism" did not begin in Venezuela when Chávez declared it—at the beginning of 2005—but instead much sooner. And I speak of socialism in quotations, because in reality what has been initiated in Venezuela is not socialism, but a path that could lead to a society ruled by a humanistic and cooperative logic, where all human beings can reach their full development.

Chávez does not deny that initially he believed it possible to resolve Venezuela’s deep economic and social problems by a third way; he believed that it was possible to humanize capitalism, but experience has shown him that this is not possible.

The insistence on socialism as the only path paradoxically appears at the same time efforts are being made to incorporate the private sector into the economic plans of the government. Isn’t this contradictory?

It is somewhat contradictory for the classic vision of socialism as a society in which all the means of production must be in the hands of the state eliminating the foundation of private property. This classic view puts the emphasis on the ownership and not on the control of the means of production. When Chávez speaks of the socialism that he intends to build in Venezuela he always clarifies that he means the "socialism of the 21st century" and not a copy of past socialist models. The focus today in Venezuela is to rise out of poverty. A short while ago I heard a leftist youth criticize the vice-president of the Republic calling him a reformist because he had said that poverty is the principal enemy that must be eliminated, instead of saying that the bourgeoisie needs to be eliminated. What blindness! What dogmatism! What is the point of attacking private companies at this moment? This is merely radical rhetoric that has little to do with an analysis of the real situation. How could this youth not understand that in order to rise out of poverty, among other things, productive employment must be created and that the reactivation of the private sector has been the principal source of employment in the country in recent months? Why didn’t he ask why the Venezuelan bourgeoisie, who tried to destroy Chávez in the past, is now ready to collaborate with the government?

Not even Lenin thought that it was necessary to eliminate private property to begin building socialism. Few have read one of the initial decrees of the recently inaugurated soviet government: the decree states that private capitalists ready to collaborate with the government should be allowed to advertise. It was not the socialists that marginalized the capitalists of Russia, it was the capitalists who marginalized themselves by refusing to collaborate with the soviet government and opted for civil war.

When analyzing this problem the theme of the correlation of forces cannot be forgotten. While the bourgeoisie feels strong and believes it has the power to dominate the situation by vote or by arms it is understandable that they are not disposed to collaborate with a revolutionary project that goes against the logic of capital. But, what can the Venezuelan bourgeoisie do after three-times being defeated: failed military coup of April 2002, failed corporate strike at the end of that same year, and failed referendum in August 2004? They are left with no alternative except leave the country or collaborate with a government that facilitates credit and assures a market.

But doesn’t coexistence with the bourgeoisie present a danger?

Sure it poses a danger. The logic of capital will always attempt to impose itself. There will be a constant struggle to see who will defeat whom. We are at the beginning of a long process. The control of political power, the control of exchange, a correction of the credit policy in which capitalists receive loans under predetermined conditions set by the government – producing for the national market, creating sources of employment, paying taxes, collaborating with local communities etc.— are formulas that the Bolivarian government uses to insure that small and medium size Venezuelan companies commit to collaborating with the government program of eliminating poverty. These business sectors are precisely those who are most affected by neoliberal globalization.

But, it must not be forgotten that they come from a society where the logic of capital reigns, with a culture that encourages the owners of the companies, as much as the workers who labor in them to pursue individualistic objectives. For this reason socialism will only triumph over capitalism if along with economic transformation, a cultural transformation of the people is also put in motion. When people begin perceiving the positive effects of the new humanist and cooperative economic model that is being put forth, when they begin conquering individualism, consumerism, and their own drive for profit, they will arrive at the same conclusion that Chávez has: that the only alternative to the tragic consequences of neoliberal capitalism is socialism. It is symptomatic that recent polls indicate that today 40% of the population considers socialism to be something positive. This is a great improvement if the ideological bombardment the people have been subjected to is taken into consideration. The practical results of the government’s adoption of humanistic and cooperative measures are rifles much stronger than all the media missiles launched by the opposition.

Being aware that it is a matter of two antagonistic economic models, it is fundamental that an important part of state resources be destined to finance and develop the state sector of the economy. Controlling strategic industries is the best way to assure the triumph of the new humanistic and cooperative logic and fulfill the national plan of development aimed toward the elimination of poverty.

Collaboration with private capital should only be sought in so far as it permits the advancement of the goals of the revolution.

This definition implies a conceptual change. What does "inventing socialism" mean in 21st century Latin America under severe North American hegemony. What theoretical innovations appear most urgent?

More than theoretic innovations, I think that there are many elements that already exist in the works of classic Marxist thinkers that are unfamiliar or forgotten. The Socialism of the 21st Century will have to resurrect them while at the same time it will have to invent new solutions to the new problems resulting from recent global changes. One important concept is: socialism as the more democratic society. Lenin once said, "capitalism equals democracy for the elite; socialism equals democracy for the great majority of the people". Another, important concept is: the workers’ control. Production can be state property, but without worker control it is not socialist ownership; conversely, private ownership with worker control could perhaps be closer to socialism than the former. Another: every country must find its own path of transition to socialism. What can or cannot be realized will depend to a large degree on the correlation of forces in this country, and at the global level, manifest in favor of socialism.

If we want to truly be radicals and not just radicals in name, we must immerse ourselves in the daily work of constructing a social and political force that permits us to bring forth the changes that we want. How much more fruitful would it be if those who spoke out were those who were committed to this daily militancy instead of those who practice their militancy from a desk.

After many years of living and working in Cuba, Why have you come to live in Venezuela?

To closely accompany this laboratory that is the Bolivarian revolution and to illuminate it to the world. To lend support in whatever I can—especially in the area of protagonistic participation of the people, which is my passion.

Although Chávez’s presence grows stronger on the Latin American scene, some forces of the left, both civil and governmental, still appear to view his leadership with caution. Do you think that the left of the region adequately values the Venezuelan process?

I believe that they are increasingly valuing it. The facts cannot be denied. But still there are those, however few, as many inside as outside the country, that do not understand the importance of being able to count on a popular government in order to advance the struggles of their people.

What are the implications of the fact that today in Latin America, fifteen years after the fall of the Soviet Union, the debate about the construction of a counter position to capitalism has been renewed with such gusto?

We are beginning a new cycle of revolutionary advancement and we must accelerate the construction of the subjective factors that circumvent new historical frustrations. Unfortunately, there are few countries where the social and political forces of the left work harmoniously reinforcing each other. Egoism and political ambition usually prevails among their leaders. They have not sufficiently understood that power is in unity and that unity is constructed by respecting each other’s differences. They have not sufficiently understood that the art of politics is to construct a political and social force capable of making that which appears impossible today, possible in the near future; that in order to construct political strength you must construct social strength.

1. MEPLA, Havana, February 1998. Some of passages of this work, along with various other articles of Harnecker can be viewed freely at www.rebelion.org/harnecker. Editor’s note: This book was published for the first time by Siglo XXI Editores of Spain.

Venezuela's Ministry of Communication & Information (MCI) and the Board of Directors of Venezuelan State Television (VTV) have issued a press release stating that "in defense of the right to freedom of expression and the truth, we invite Mr. Walter Martinez to formalize the opinions expressed by him during the program 'Dossier' on the 15th and 16th of this month before the Attorney General’s Office and competent authorities."

Quote: The MCI and the Board of Directors of VTV confirm their commitment to a quality public television service, open to the public and respectful of all citizens, and with the necessity of honoring commercial agreements established between private companies and VTV for the use of programming space.

The MCI and the Board of Directors of VTV want to make it clear that they value the journalistic contribution of the program “Dossier.” In addition, they wish to affirm that VTV has complied with all the clauses established in the contract with Mr. Walter Martinez and this channel, and ratify the invitation to him to comply with the objectives and terms of the aforementioned contract, which establishes the obligation to use the program space for the purpose of journalist information and opinion.

The MCI and the Board of Directors of VTV call on the mass media to be used respecting the principles of responsible journalism and for the service of truthful information, in compliance with the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television.

We endorse the Retorno al aire del programa "Dossier" de Walter Mart�nez Petition to Presidente Ch�vez, Ministro Yuri Pimentel, Junta Directiva de VTV.

Read the Retorno al aire del programa "Dossier" de Walter Mart�nez Petition

Use the Reload button in your web browser to see new signatures

	Name	Ciudad y pa�s	Comentarios
2202.	Prof. Dr. Franz J. T. Lee	Merida, Venezuela.	Since my arrival in Merida, since 1979, I followed the originality, authenticity and veracity of the news programmes of Walter Martinez. Here in my under-graduate and post-graduate university programmes, in scientific investigation and philosophic orientation, over the last years, our students of Contemporary Political Analyses, have used "Dossier" as information source of current world fascist developments. If "Dossier" should disappear, this would be a tremendous, tragic loss for the Bolivarian Revolution and for Global Emancipation. At the height of current Orwellian "Newspeak", we really cannot afford to lose such a pioneering, critical philosophic weapon. Long ago, in fascist, Orwellian style, Hitler ordained, if you want to control a people, control its education, wipe out all constructive criticism, all information, all news, all flowing, ever-flowing,truths. Hence, comrades and compatriots, as President Chavez underlined in New York, let our morallity be theTruth, let us return "Dossier"!

Until now, September 24, at 7.14 pm, 2676 Total Signatures
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?dossier

Pidió unidad y humildad para enfrentar las fallas
Presidente Chávez en La Hojilla: Autocrítica revolucionaria debe hacerse con responsabilidad

Por: Prensa Presidencial
Publicado el Viernes, 23/09/05 02:31pm


	imprímelo

	mándaselo a tus panas

PRENSA PRESIDENCIAL (23-09-05) El presidente de la República, Hugo Chávez Frías, hizo un llamado a reflexión y a la unidad de los revolucionarios y recomendó que al hacer una autocrítica pública, debe cuidarse el momento.

El Jefe del Estado, en una comunicación telefónica que sostuvo con el conductor del programa “La Hojilla”, Mario Silva, quien en la emisión de este jueves estaba analizando el caso del periodista e internacionalista, Walter Martínez, junto al invitado de esa noche, Luis Tascón, hizo un planteamiento en torno a esta situación, y aclaró que es uno de los primeros en reconocer las fallas en el momento en que se presenten, pero recomendó que al hacer señalamientos “sobre todo cuando se tiene la responsabilidad de hablarle a mucha gente, se debe buscar muy bien información de las causas verdaderas de los problemas que ocurren”.

“No voy a pronunciarme ni a nombrar a nadie, yo sé que me están entendiendo. Tascón decía que hay que ser humilde. Precisamente, falta humildad en alguna gente, deseo de protagonismo. La actitud bien reñida con eso de la humildad que genera problemas”.

Agregó que, en ese sentido, es preocupante que un grupo de personas asuman la defensa de algo sin saber exactamente qué es lo que hay en el fondo.”Créanme que estoy muy enterado de cosas que ustedes seguramente no saben”, dijo.

Acotó que su participación en el programa tuvo por objeto hacer un llamado a la reflexión a Silva y a Tascón porque mucha gente los ve y creen en su mensaje. “Así que tengan cuidado, sólo les pido eso delante de los que nos están oyendo. Hay que ser autocrítico, pero precisamente hay que asumir la autocrítica con responsabilidad. Con mucha responsabilidad”.

“Ése era mi comentario, Mario. Yo les ruego que tengan cuidado al asumir causas que a veces que no se conocen bien en el fondo. Soy uno, repito, de los que más critico ante el público, pero hay que tener cuidado. Tenemos en el Canal 8 una tremenda venezolana, una tremenda muchacha honesta a carta cabal, periodista de las que se meten de lleno en los problemas como es Blanca Eekhout, que cuenta con todo mi apoyo”.

Frente a los personalismos, deseos de protagonismos y carencia de humildad, el presidente Chávez instó a ser comedidos. “Requerimos mucha unidad y nos dejarnos llevar por una pasión momentánea o por un problema particular”.

Noticia leida aproximadamente 2378 veces

http://www.aporrea.org/dameverbo.php?docid=66437

(Audio) Escuche el programa radial "Los Papeles de Mandinga"

Por: Alberto Nolia / Aporrea.org
Publicado el Viernes, 23/09/05 09:23am


	imprímelo

	mándaselo a tus panas

Programa conducido y producido por el Periodista Alberto Nolia, trasmitido por YVKE Mundial, grabado y editado por Aporrea.org

Fecha: viernes 23 de septiembre 2005.

Audio I parte
Audio II parte

http://www.aporrea.org/dameverbo.php?docid=66429

Pide disolver concentración en su apoyo porque le sirve a la oposición para atacar al proceso revolucionario

Por: Leopoldo Briceño - Aporrea.org

(Fotos) "Como soldado, se me ha ordenado callar," dice Walter Martínez al anunciar que llevará pruebas de corrupción a Chávez y "él decidirá"

Publicado el Jueves, 22/09/05 11:29pm


	imprímelo

	mándaselo a tus panas

Caracas, 22 de septiembre de 2005.- Cerca de unas 300 personas se congregaron este jueves frente a la sede de Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) en Los Ruices, para exigir la restitución del programa Dossier, conducido por Walter Martínez, el cual fue suspendido aparentemente luego de diversas denuncias genéricas que hizo su conductor el pasado jueves y viernes.

Gente que se identificó como del 23 de Enero, Caricuao, Petare, Los Ruices y otros sectores de Caracas hicieron presencia en el canal.

La protesta se desarrolló con normalidad. Los manifestantes portaban pancartas que pedían el retorno de Martínez, la renuncia de la presidenta de VTV Blanca Eekhout y hasta del Ministro de Comunicación e Información (MCI), Yuri Pimentel.

Los manifestantes portaban diversas pancartas en apoyo a Martínez, tales como "La corrupción no se censura, se denuncia y se combate", "Uh, Ah, Walter no se va" y "El burocratismo y la corrupción atentan contra la revolución, nunca la verdad."

La multitud fue suficiente como para lograr el cierre de la avenida principal de Los Ruices, donde está el canal del Estado.

Las personas eran lo suficientemente astutas como para cambiar sus lemas cuando periodistas de RCTV, Televen y otros medios privados se acercaban para entrevistar.

Gente no se deja manipular por medios golpistas

Previendo manipulaciones, las personas comenzaban a corear "¡Viva Chávez!", "¡Uh, ah, Chávez no se va!" y otras consignas en pro del Jefe de Estado para evitar que los medios utilizaran la protesta contra el proceso.

En esta ocasión, camarógrafos de VTV salieron a grabar la manifestación.

Aproximadamente las 9 y 10 de la noche, Walter Martínez hizo presencia desde las escalinatas del canal, y acompañado de algunos funcionarios y trabajadores del canal, se dirigió a la multitud.

"Soy un soldado", dijo, "y como soldado se me ha ordenado callar", dijo Walter con un semblante inicialmente decaído. La multitud rechazó sus palabras y gritaban pidiendo la renuncia de funcionarios de VTV y el MCI.

Martínez pide disolver manifestación

Luego explicó que la concentración, que "le había hecho brotar lágrimas", estaba sirviéndole al enemigo opositor para atacar al proceso revolucionario, por lo cual debía ser suspendida.

"Se los pido como soldado, no como periodista." También le pidió a la multitud que aclararan si él los había convocado, a lo que las personas gritaron con un rotundo "No".

Tras recordar incidentes de índole político ocurridos con un ministro en Uruguay que lo obligaron a salir de ese país hace más de treinta años luego de hacerle renunciar, el Sr. Martínez aseguró que en ese lejano incidente terminó su carrera política y que la misma no iba a renacer con este percance.

"¡Soy comunicador social y lo seguiré siendo!", dijo tras lo cual fue aplaudido por la multitud.

Ratifica sus denuncias: se las llevará a Chávez y él decidirá

Sin embargo, recordó y ratificó sus denuncias emitidas el jueves y viernes pasados sobre "gente que se ponía la cachucha roja para robar." Indicó que tenía las pruebas, y que si bien él respeta a la Fiscalía no las llevaría allí, por los largos tiempos que este organismo tarda en resolver los problemas.

"Las pruebas se las llevaré al Presidente Chávez, y entonces él decidirá si doy un paso adelante y continúo en el programa, o si me retiro y me voy, en cuyo caso terminaré mi carrera periodística."

"El que se pica..."

Recordó que en sus denuncias no emitió ningún nombre en particular. "El que se pica es porque ají come", dijo en referencia a algunas autoridades que según reportes aparentan estar escandalizadas tras sus denuncias del pasado jueves.

Martínez pidió entonces, "como soldado", que la multitud se disolviera. Indicó que él y su equipo continúan preparando Dossier todas las noches, y que a 5 para las 10 se presentan en el estudio a esperar si las personas que le impiden salir al aire ceden en su posición. Dijo que la presencia de la multitud dificultaba que estas personas cedieran en su posición de evitar que Dossier saliera al aire, convenciendo de esta forma a las personas de retirarse.

GN rodea a la manifestación

Al finalizar las palabras de Martínez, se observó cierta tristeza entre los presentes; camiones y motorizados de la Guardia Nacional aparecieron y rodearon la manifestación por el lado sur de la avenida principal de Los Ruices.

Martínez tomó el micrófono otra vez para advertir a los manifestantes que la GN no estaba allí para reprimir, y que por favor no ocasionaran un espectáculo para los medios.

Pero pocos minutos después, la avenida principal de Los Ruices estaba desierta, en parte por la presencia de la GN y por los pedidos de Martínez de que la gente de retirarse.

Al momento de transcribirse esta nota, VTV repitió el comunicado sobre la suspensión del programa Dossier, y acto seguido empezó a transmitir un programa sobre campesinos asesinados por sicarios. Tampoco hubo Dossier esta noche.

http://www.aporrea.org/dameverbo.php?docid=66406

BACK
Clich here below to read the next bulletin:
Haga clic aquí abajo para leer el próximo boletín:

FORWARD

Latest

Thursday, Sep 22, 2005		Print format
		Send by email

Latest