De Mortuis nil nisi Bonum? Probably Not

So President Chavez is dead; no more "raspberry beret" then.

I shall, in a way, miss his absurd - indeed sometimes almost surreal - rants; I suppose every stage needs a comedian sometimes.

For the Cubans' sake I hope that whichever of his socialist henchmen takes his place will be as generous as the late-lamented one; and for the Venezuelans' sake that the replacement might have at least a minimum understanding of economics or even a basic education.

There's an old joke:
"What would happen if the Sahara desert was taken over by communists?"
Nothing for a few years and then there'd be a shortage of sand."

With arguably the world's largest oil reserves, these socialist goons have a country with crumbling infrastructure and have had even to devalue their currency.  Typical left-wing balls-up - and remember that they have nationalised everything - normally the kiss of death it is true.  If a real lefty takes over I suppose they'll start making an atom bomb like that clown in North Korea.

Sic transit gloria - or perhaps not.

Until the next time

Good News for Smokers

Yes, there is good news, but sadly nowhere near Europe.

This excellent story comes from Frank Davis's blog:

Unfortunately, of course this comes from the country ruled by the remarkably fatheaded Hugo Chavez ("Raspberry Beret"), though it's nice to have somegood news from that part of the world for a change.

Not often smokers hear any good news. So this is one to enjoy.

March 3,2011 CARACAS -- Venezuela’s Ministry of Health has annulled by decree an anti-smoking law which would have prohibited smoking in public places and offices of work a day after it was published. By contrast to the US, Canada, Europe and Asia, Venezuela is one of the few countries that still allowed smoking in a wide variety of public places, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and stadiums.

A day after the anti-smoking law was printed in the Official Gazette, the annulment resolution was published in the Official Gazette. All laws must be published in the government's Official Gazette to be official. The text read: “to declare the absolute annulment of the resolution of environments free of smoke identified by number 014 and the date of February 24.” No motive or explanation was given for the sudden annulment.

Until the next time

Vergatorio - are the wheels coming off?

Of course I am referring to President Chavez of Venezuela - again.

It seems that his career is starting to resemble a sort of low-budget version of that of the appalling Joesf Stalin at least in regard to micro-management and paranoia.

He has sacked, transferred and imprisoned many members of his military forces according to the New York Times; the General seen in the picture below, chatting with "Old Raspberry Beret," is currently in prison and says he will remain there until Chavez is no longer president. I hope he does not have to wait too long!

Chavez with General Baduel. Picture source: New York Times

Until the next time

"Vergetario" strikes (yet) again

Yes, it's ol' Raspberry Beret again, every Venezuelan's favourite vergetario (probably not actually).

This time he has a real treat for his citizens: a four-day TV show starring - himself!

Christ! What a y-a-w-n!

Really I have to say - you couldn't make it up!

Until the next time

"Raspberry Beret" is at it again

Yes it's that (appalling) man again, up to his control tricks.

First, in an act reminiscent of that lunatic Mugabe, President Chavez of Venzuela has sent in troops to take control of foreign-owned oil service companies: "This is a revolutionary offensive" he says. Idiot. Already under pressure since the lower oil price makes his silly socialist schemes more difficult to sustain, this act will probably in the longer run have a serious impact on oil output. Just like Mugabe stealilng white-owned farms and giving them to his terrorist and murderous associates. Second, as you will see from the Telegraph article, he is trying to suppress the free press so in this respect he is copying his friends in Russia.

Well now, Raspberry Beret's latest brainwave is the introduction of a portable telephone, just the sort of thing for a President wouldn't you say?

Chavez has named the phone "Vergatario." This translates as "prick" meaning penis. (In French the word is "Verge" so French visitors are always amused when they see the English road-sign that reads "Warning: soft verge").

A prick with a prick
Image: Daily Telegraph

Chavez is a dangerous clown.

Until the next time