It’s seems I’m unable to keep the show to a reasonable length… No matter, with guests like Tom (from the US), Julio (from Argentina/Netherlands/Space) and Turki (from Saudi Arabia), anything less would seem like a waste.

This time we focus around serious and controversial topics like the Australian fires, the Isreali election, the terrorist attacks in Cairo, Hugo Chavez’s referendum and the right to be a revisionist, as well as more light hearted topics like the Oscars and the oil companies’ secret death rays from space.

We hope you enjoy the show, and if you want to hear more great podcasting content you can make your way to Tom’s website where you will find links to great like East Meets West, Buzz Out Loud and many more.

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[Edit: important correction about the Israeli elections]
In this episode we noted that Kadima was a split faction from Havoda, the left wing Israeli party. This was  of course a mistake: Tzipi Livni’s Kadima party originated in the right wing Likoud party (and was created by Ariel Sharon in 2005, you’d think we’d remember that). Although more moderate, Kadima still stands to the right of the political spectrum (center-right). This explains further the comments about the left wing dramatically losing relevance after this election. It also gives hope that the Likoud and Kadima might find common ground form a viable government without needing to call on the the far right factions. Sincere apologies for the mistake.

[Jose's Email from Venezuela]
Jose sent me this great email, mostly giving his impressions of the Chavez story. I don’t usually do this since people can post comments on the blog but this was too lengthy for that and interesting enough that I figured it warranted an exception. So here it is (cut off the intro and conclusion):

[...]
I must disagree with Julio on his view that most of the people that have migrated away from Venezuela are from a wealthy family. Actually, it is the professional, middle class population who are moving out of the country, mostly because of low wages, housing shortage, and unbelievably high crime rates. There is also a great deal of political discrimination, since only those who are openly active towards the government are able to apply or exercise public positions, even in the lower levels of administration. This has created great unrest, and those who feel that they do not have the chance to opt for a position in the public service choose to migrate.
The common view in our country is not that the election was rigged (as in being a fraud) but that the government used a lot of public resources (money, state-run media, coercing public employees to vote for Chavez) to its own advantage, hence creating a decisive leverage. Therefore, even though the elections were “clean” there is the concern that this leverage will be implemented in future elections which would guarantee Chavez’s indefinite re-elections.
This situation will probably continue because the separation of powers is not effective in our country, with the executive power having a great deal of control over the judicial and legislative powers. The executive power also has a great influence on the electoral power, holding 4 of its 5 seats, therefore deciding the terms in which elections are made.
And one must not forget that the matter in question (continuous re-election) had already been rejected in the public referendum of 12/2/2007, as it was included in a broader constitutional reform. So this was the second time this matter came to public election.
I have to disagree with you regarding the lack of freedom of speech. We have a free press, with newspapers and television stations that are openly against the government. However, there are severe pressures on these medias, in the shape of greater tax control, censorship and harassment. I know this might sound a bit contradictory, because in a way one could say that this pressure conflicts with freedom of speech (which is true) but I just wanted to make clear that the media is not as controlled as in other countries (i.e. China).
I disagree with Turki on his view that the economic interests of the United States are in danger, since Chavez’s government (despite of his constant anti-american rambling) has had a most prolific economic relationship with the United States. We import a great deal of goods from the US and we sell the majority of our oil to that country too. The US government knows this and that is the reason why the have not intervened (“as long as the oil keeps coming, let the man say whatever he wants to”).
The majority of the population supports Chavez, not because the quality of life has improved in a dramatic way (it hasn’t), but because he has given them a feeling of belonging, importance and a voice to express their unrest like no other government before. His is a very populist government, with a great public expenditure, but plagued with corruption and embezzlement. One must admit his government has taken action in matters of social interest that are quite beneficial for the population. However, it is my opinion that these initiatives have failed to improve our way of life in a significant way, since the crime rates are higher then ever, public expenditure is increased and the social unrest is growing. With our economy being too dependant on oil prices and with the current economic recession there is the fear that Chavez won’t be able to keep delivering to the people and this will put him in a very difficult situation. Of course, these are but my brief, personal views on the matter, and I am sure you could get another Venezuelan who would give you a different opinion. Our country is going thru a very difficult and controversial process and that is why I would like to recommend you a biography of Hugo Chavez that you might find interesting. I consider it to be one of the most unbiased ones (and it is also translated to the English language). I am sending you the Amazon link for your consideration.Here or here.
[...]

Thanks so much for the email and feedback Jose, it’s very much appreciated.

This article is cloaked under a semi-funny title, but it is actually a pretty serious topic… Just a warning.

I want to talk about what makes us who we are for a minute. I will try to keep it to the point. Here is the premise: we have a few fundamental values that define us, as western societies. Freedom, equality, fairness… These are the ideas that world defining documents like the French “Human Rights Declaration” and the American Bill of Rights were written to protect. And the moment we start losing them, we start losing our soul. We start turning to “the dark side”.

Here comes the sadly funny part: millions of us have watched the Star Wars movies, and we’ve all heard the wise reflexion of the old green little Jedi master guy.

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

Everyone knows that line. Yet no one seems to understand how it relates to the attacks of September 11th 2001. Are you afraid? Are you sacrificing what they attacked you for? Then you are giving “them” what they wanted in the first place.

Indeed, this is how they win. They don’t win by killing us; they’ll never kill us all. Or even, as horrible as it sounds, they’ll never kill “enough” of us. They aren’t the nazis, they simply don’t have the military might to wipe us out. Instead, they win by making us afraid (terrorism, anyone?) and letting that fear make us do things like sacrificing what most precious thing we hold.

I’ll stop here; I don’t want to turn this article into a political debate. What I would like, rather, is that next time someone tells you the fight against terror demands you sacrifice a little part of your freedom, ask yourself this:

“Am I agreeing because it’s an appropriate response?
Or am I letting fear and anger dictate the answer?”

If it’s the latter, you’re turning into Darth Vader, and the Bin Laden is grinning in his cave…

We are nowhere near “defeat” here. I know we are still “ourselves”. But I think the horror of years past might have taken us on a dangerous path, and it’s never to early to realize it. They hate us for our freedom, we keep hearing. And it’s true. And we shouldn’t surrender our freedom to anyone… Especially not them.