NPR's Live Radio Show on Hugo Chávez


National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation is currently (2 pm est) broadcasting a live call-in show on Chávez. First guest, your garden variety Gringo Chávez apologist, Bart Jones, author of the Book Hugo!: The Hugo Chavez Story from Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution. (What's so interesting when you listen to him, is not so much what he says, but rather what he leaves out of his narrative. Well, the book title speaks for itself.) Second guest, Fernando Coronil, giving the more balanced, academic view. You can send comments to Blog of the Nation.

So far, the whole conversation is revolving around Chávez' so called flamboyant personality. There is, of course, no mention of the disastrous economic policies that are causing inflation, food shortages and corruption. The superficiality with which the Venezuelan topic is treated in the US mainstream media is truly mind boggling to say the least (producers take note). A more in-depth analysis of actual, quantitative results attributable to policies implemented by the Venezuelan government in the last ten years would be greatly appreciated. Let's move beyond the personality cult, people!

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