Comments on: Bolivia: Evo Morales Moves to Centre Stage for Historic January 25th Referendum http://www.coha.org/bolivia-evo-morales-moves-to-centre-stage-for-historic-january-25th-referendum/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bolivia-evo-morales-moves-to-centre-stage-for-historic-january-25th-referendum COHA is an NGO specialized in monitoring Latin American and Canadian Relations for more than 30 years... Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:31:14 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: orion3cruz http://www.coha.org/bolivia-evo-morales-moves-to-centre-stage-for-historic-january-25th-referendum/comment-page-1/#comment-28257 orion3cruz Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:50:36 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=2466#comment-28257 As you make quite clear, strife is going to continue in Bolivia, regardless of whether the Constitution survives the referendum or not. However, i dont think that implies that more compromise is the correct path for Morales to take at this juncture. He has been compromising and taking moderate stances since before he was even elected, during the years of turmoil that finally culminated in his election. As you mention, the Catholic church is indeed in the hands of the opposition and isnt ashamed to show it. I speak from what ive seen firsthand here in Santa Cruz. There are opposition signs calling Morales the "anti-cristo" and saying that the good religious people of Santa Cruz are against the new constituion because it would legalize abortion and gay marriage. The NO posters with the bleeding face of Christ, as well as those trying to scare people into thinking the Constitution will take away all their freedoms, are almost surreal. The hatred toward the government emanating primarily from the much lighter skinned and richer opposition here is strikingly palpable. I saw Morales speak yesterday and although more people showed up than i expected, the city appears overwhelmingly against everything Morales stands for, not just against the Constitution. Every single person ive spoken with, and ive spoken with quite a number of people, is against the Constitution for reasons that are obviously the product of the NO Campaigns misleading propoganda (minus one very intelligent fellow i met at my hotel). For this reason, i dont think more compromise would create more harmony in Bolivia. The people here are brainwashed and have so many racist and monetary reasons for opposing what Morales and the indigenous majority of the country would like to see transpire in their country that he is not going to placate them if he just tones down his rhetoric or gives up a few more of the peoples demands. Anyway, lets hope the opposition can handle a few more strong doses of democracy, because if not, we´ve seen in Pando what theyre capable of doing. One last thing in response to Mr Liberalchirodoc, If you want to go around criticizing leaders for decisions theyve made, you should make sure you know why they made them. When Chavez refused to do renew RCTVs contract, which was perfectly legal, he did so because they conspired against a democratically elected leader during a coup attempt. By refusing to renew their contract he did what any other respectable democracy would do, found a legal way to get rid of an anti-democratic force in the country. As you make quite clear, strife is going to continue in Bolivia, regardless of whether the Constitution survives the referendum or not. However, i dont think that implies that more compromise is the correct path for Morales to take at this juncture. He has been compromising and taking moderate stances since before he was even elected, during the years of turmoil that finally culminated in his election. As you mention, the Catholic church is indeed in the hands of the opposition and isnt ashamed to show it. I speak from what ive seen firsthand here in Santa Cruz. There are opposition signs calling Morales the “anti-cristo” and saying that the good religious people of Santa Cruz are against the new constituion because it would legalize abortion and gay marriage. The NO posters with the bleeding face of Christ, as well as those trying to scare people into thinking the Constitution will take away all their freedoms, are almost surreal. The hatred toward the government emanating primarily from the much lighter skinned and richer opposition here is strikingly palpable. I saw Morales speak yesterday and although more people showed up than i expected, the city appears overwhelmingly against everything Morales stands for, not just against the Constitution. Every single person ive spoken with, and ive spoken with quite a number of people, is against the Constitution for reasons that are obviously the product of the NO Campaigns misleading propoganda (minus one very intelligent fellow i met at my hotel). For this reason, i dont think more compromise would create more harmony in Bolivia. The people here are brainwashed and have so many racist and monetary reasons for opposing what Morales and the indigenous majority of the country would like to see transpire in their country that he is not going to placate them if he just tones down his rhetoric or gives up a few more of the peoples demands. Anyway, lets hope the opposition can handle a few more strong doses of democracy, because if not, we´ve seen in Pando what theyre capable of doing.

One last thing in response to Mr Liberalchirodoc,
If you want to go around criticizing leaders for decisions theyve made, you should make sure you know why they made them. When Chavez refused to do renew RCTVs contract, which was perfectly legal, he did so because they conspired against a democratically elected leader during a coup attempt. By refusing to renew their contract he did what any other respectable democracy would do, found a legal way to get rid of an anti-democratic force in the country.

]]> By: FreeMan http://www.coha.org/bolivia-evo-morales-moves-to-centre-stage-for-historic-january-25th-referendum/comment-page-1/#comment-28256 FreeMan Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:24:59 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=2466#comment-28256 The masses of voters are coming to terms with Evo Morales and his deceptive practices. First Evo states "NO" TO "STATE AUTONOMY" that the opposition wants, NOW Evo disguises his "SI" FOR "STATE AUTONOMY" (but is disguised w/ his "extreme socialism-Comunistic additions" not to mention the LONG term extension for his presidency to remain in power for himself. He even campaigns for this election using the same "LOOK AND FEEL" of the opposition...ie. same color GREEN SHIRTS AND SLOGANS. His Attempt is to disguise his comunistic policies so to trick the peoples votes. The Pando incident was Evo's governments project. He brought Chavistas and Cubans, with arms to create this so called massacre, then turned around to blame the opposition governor,,,who is now in Prison. Witnesses have stepped up to support this claim. Evo Morales, like Hugo Chavez have used the 'DEMOCRATIC' SYSTEM TO HiJack these two countries and now install a Comunistic form of government. When Evo took office, there existed approximately 62 petroleum producing wells, now theres on 4....Just another of many examples of "EVO MORALES" inept government inaction. IN BOLIVIA, THERE IS A TRULY "DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION" OCCURRING, THE WEST MUST REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. The masses of voters are coming to terms with Evo Morales and his deceptive practices. First Evo states “NO” TO “STATE AUTONOMY” that the opposition wants, NOW Evo disguises his “SI” FOR “STATE AUTONOMY” (but is disguised w/ his “extreme socialism-Comunistic additions” not to mention the LONG term extension for his presidency to remain in power for himself. He even campaigns for this election using the same “LOOK AND FEEL” of the opposition…ie. same color GREEN SHIRTS AND SLOGANS. His Attempt is to disguise his comunistic policies so to trick the peoples votes. The Pando incident was Evo’s governments project. He brought Chavistas and Cubans, with arms to create this so called massacre, then turned around to blame the opposition governor,,,who is now in Prison. Witnesses have stepped up to support this claim. Evo Morales, like Hugo Chavez have used the ‘DEMOCRATIC’ SYSTEM TO HiJack these two countries and now install a Comunistic form of government. When Evo took office, there existed approximately 62 petroleum producing wells, now theres on 4….Just another of many examples of “EVO MORALES” inept government inaction. IN BOLIVIA, THERE IS A TRULY “DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION” OCCURRING, THE WEST MUST REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

]]> By: LiberalChiroDoc http://www.coha.org/bolivia-evo-morales-moves-to-centre-stage-for-historic-january-25th-referendum/comment-page-1/#comment-28227 LiberalChiroDoc Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:42:59 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=2466#comment-28227 While you state that the Morales is holding off fears of a Chavez-esque hold on power by not running in 2014, he's apparently following in Chavez' footsteps by censoring the press. I believe Chavez has Venezuela's best interests at heart, but censoring the press is the first sign of a failing democracy. While you state that the Morales is holding off fears of a Chavez-esque hold on power by not running in 2014, he’s apparently following in Chavez’ footsteps by censoring the press.

I believe Chavez has Venezuela’s best interests at heart, but censoring the press is the first sign of a failing democracy.

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