What's new in the world
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.
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.
posted by Luca at 4:45 PM
11 Comments:
9/20/2006 05:06:00 PM
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.
9/20/2006 08:12:00 PM
"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.
9/20/2006 09:45:00 PM
Does this mean we have to look around for an alternate classification of formal languages now?
9/20/2006 10:15:00 PM
I have already been teaching the "freedom hierarchy" of formal languages for some time.
9/21/2006 03:21:00 AM
If Chavez is a "half-witt", what does that make Mr. Bush?
9/22/2006 07:48:00 AM
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.
9/23/2006 12:20:00 AM
It is still very surprising for me that a lot of people here (in Thailand) accept the coup as a way out.
9/23/2006 02:25:00 AM
:) But prof. luca, chavez's uprisal apart, isnt "freedom heirarchy" an oxymoron?
9/23/2006 03:32:00 AM
I love this thread.
9/23/2006 09:16:00 AM
If Chavez is a "half-witt", what does that make Mr. Bush?
:) at the risk of being risque, one can say Mr. Bush is quite a bush.
And prof. luca, i insist. You must share your "freedom heirarchy" with us.
9/23/2006 12:51:00 PM
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.
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