While I'm certainly flattered by the comparison, I do think at least in some way the analogy is accurate. Perhaps you can write this off to pessimism, but if I or any other authentic producer (hats off to Andrea) were to be magically spirited to the top of PBS, we might find ourselves in a similar quagmire, as we have excellent intentions and credentials, but we would be fighting 40 plus years of bureaucracy. I´m not dissing VTV; especially not those that came through after the coup, but I am saying that changing an organization is much more difficult than replacing the head, I should know, I worked for such an organization as it burned through 5 Executive Directors. I congratulate Blanca on her new position, I hope she makes VTV what it really can be, and I hope her successor at Vive continues the process.

On a similar note, apparently President Hugo Chavez has announced a war on Latifundismo, with one of the states targeted none other than Nueva Esparta, AKA Isla de Margarita! Good Show, Mr President, I´ll drink a cocada to that, or maybe something stronger. I think now too, I have a deeper understanding of the big Leys that have been passed, all an attempt to break away from dependency and make Venezuela a little closer to food independence. Ley de Tierras helps the local agricultural sector, in a real way not by helping multinationals, Ley de Pescas makes fish harvesting by small producers help end the need for importation. Again, brilliant, all the while helping change Venezuelas dismal imbalance of wealth. I also saw today that a major paper factory was reopened by the national assembly to answer the demands of the fired workers.

Finally, a more sobering thought. Indymedia Puerto Rico reports an indigenous protest against Coal mining on traditional lands in Zulia. I worry deeply that Venezuela may be walking down the path that created enemies for the Sandinistas of the Miskito people. Perhaps I may be jumping the gun, but this worries me.

Links and more when I get back!