#94 Hugo Chavez Has an Oil Strategy…But Can This Lead to Liberation?
July 1, 2007
The following is from the intro to the article in this week's issue. Sellers have found the pull out quotes from the article useful in getting into the conversation further with people. Also, striving to get the paper to people who like Chavez's strategy and encouraging comments to the paper.
Scroll below for particular words for this week and this issue from Revolution distributors:
Editor’s Note: This week Revolution is publishing this article by Raymond Lotta which is part of a fuller analysis being developed by a writing group about Hugo Chavez and what has been happening in Venezuela since Chavez came to power in 1998.
The nature of Hugo Chavez’s “Bolivarian revolution” is a highly important and widely discussed issue among progressive and radical-minded people. Chavez has carried out a host of social and economic measures whose stated aim is to empower and improve the lives of the poor and politically disenfranchised in Venezuelan society; he has condemned the U.S. as an imperialist and bullying power; and in 2005 he announced that Venezuela was embarking on a project of ”21st Century Socialism.” At a time when the U.S. is waging its “war on the world” and at a time when the U.S. has been spearheading a pounding and brutalizing neoliberal economic agenda for the countries of the Third World—developments in Venezuela have attracted great interest.
But what is the actual program and outlook of Hugo Chavez, what is the character of the process unfolding in Venezuela, and where is it heading? Does Chavez’s program represent a real alternative to imperialist-led exploitation, a viable road to liberation in today’s world? And what is the meaning of socialism in today’s globalized world?
Our view is that the “Bolivarian revolution” does not represent a fundamental break with imperialism, nor embody a vision or path to truly radical societal transformation. But understanding why this is so is a complex matter requiring close analysis. In the full analysis soon to be published, we discuss the historical factors shaping Venezuela’s development, the economic model that Hugo Chavez has been bringing forward, the role of the army and new popular institutions in the “Bolivarian revolution,” the social and class forces involved in and leading this movement, and the larger debate about “21st-century socialism” and the real challenges of making revolution in today’s world.
While we offer this critique of the Chavez project , it in no way cuts against our stand with the Venezuelan people and our total opposition to any attempts by U.S. imperialism to undermine or openly commit aggression against the Chavez regime.
The article appearing in this issue focuses on Venezuela’s oil economy. We start here because oil has been so central to Venezuela’s historical domination by imperialism and to Venezuela’s economic-social development, and because oil figures centrally in Hugo Chavez’s program to reclaim sovereignty and change Venezuelan society.
Our goal is to contribute to understanding, to learn from analysis of others, and to deepen dialogue and debate about these crucial issues.
********
#94 is an important 2-week issue of Revolution. We want to sell all copies of this issue in our area – to promote it very widely and broadly, among all strata, progressive and movement forces, proletarians of all nationalities, and especially Spanish speaking masses; at events, movies showings, street fairs, places where people gather.
ALSO: Each issue of the paper should get stuffed with the flyer for the 7/3 event at Revolution Books. Flyers are available at Revolution Books, or downloadable (as PDF) from http://www.revolutionbooksnyc.org/.
Revolution Books presents:
Iranian Women and Liberation -Neither Islamic Theocracy nor U.S. Imperialist Domination
A talk by Azar Derakhshan
Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 7pm
Followed by Q/A and discussion
Azar Derakhshan joined the Union of Iranian Communists (Sarbedaran) in the midst of the 1979 Iranian revolution. She was forced to leave Iran in 1985 and today lives in Europe. Since 1998 she has been the political correspondent and editor of the "Women of March 8" magazine, published in Farsi and distributed in many countries. She was one of the organizers of the March 2006 European March Against Anti-Women Laws in Iran and works with women "in the front for elimination of lawful inequality and Islamic punishments."
At this time when there is urgent necessity to oppose increasing U.S. war moves on Iran, this is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about Iranian opposition to both U.S. imperialist war and domination and to the repression of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially against women.
****************
Events:
6/26 TUES Be there at 5:15pm; Program starts 6:30pm
6/27 WED Be there at 5:15pm; Program starts 6:30pm (two nights)
Manu Chao at
Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect park Ban Shell
(enter at Brospect Park West & 9th Street;
F to 7th Avenue) Benefit Concerts (sold out)
6/26 TUES Be there at 7:00pm; program starts 8:00PM
The Nightwatchman + Dustin Kensrue
Bowery Ballroom (sold out)
6/26 TUES Be there at 6:30pm; program starts 7:30pm
Sinead O'Connor
Joe's Pub at the Public Theater (sold out)
6/26/ TUES Be there at 6PM; program 7 PM - 9 PM
A Symposium on the Depiction of Black America: R-E-S-P-E-C-T: When Did We Lose It? How Do We Get It Back?
The Schomburg Center
Harriette Cole, Creative Editor of EBONY Magazine, will serve as the moderator and the distinguished panelists are:
Gary Anthony Ramsay, President NY Association of Black Journalists
Jewelnel Davis, University Chaplain Columbia U
Tamika Mallory, Director Decency Initiative, National Action Network
Maurice Cox, Vice President Pepsi-Cola Company
John Flateau, Dean External Affairs Medgar Evers
Vanessa Bush, Executive Editor ESSENCE Magazine
Cathy Lee Jones, Franchise Owner WuTang Clan
The evening opens with a reception at 6:00 p.m. featuring C. Vivian Stringer, Coach of the Rutgers Women’ Basketball Team, The Scarlet Knights, as a special guest.
6/27 WED, 9am
Get issuse #93 and the broadsheet out to high schools, stores in the area and youth centers. Raise money for the broadsheet production.
6/27 WED, Be there at 6:00PM; program at 7:00 PM
GÜNTER GRASS & NORMAN MAILER
in conversation with Andrew O’Hagan:
The 20th Century on Trial
Celeste Bartos Forum
Humanities and Social Sciences Library
5th Avenue and 42nd Street.
6/27 WED, 7pm
CHRIS HEDGES
Revolution Books
9 West 19th St.
Chris Hedges author of AMERICAN FASCISTS: THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT AND THE WAR ON AMERICA. What is happening in America is revolutionary. A group of religious utopians, with the sympathy and support of tens of millions of Americans, are slowly dismantling democratic institutions to establish a religious tyranny, the springboard to an American fascism--from “American Fascists”
6/28 THURS Be there at 6:00PM (event at 7:00pm)
Discussion with Bobby Seale
Opening Night: BAM Afro Punk Festival
BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building
30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Join legendary Black Panther Co-Founder Bobby Seale in person for a discussion about the history of the movement: where it's been and where it's going. Accompanying this discussion are two historic short films from 1969 by the Newsreel collective: May Day Panther, a document of the historic Free Huey rally in San Francisco, and Bobby Seale, an interview conducted during his imprisonment. Don't miss your chance to start the Afro-Punk weekend right, with a visit from a man who helped start it all.
Discussion is followed by a booksigning and art reception in the lobby featuring historic photographs from Stephen Shames, Black Panther-inspired work from students at Pratt, and more!
6/29 FRI
Movie Line Team: SICKO
6/30 SAT
Harlem Team
El Barrio Team
Brooklyn Team
Union Sqare Team
6/30 SAT 10:30am
East/West Village Team
Meets at the Bookstore
6/30 SAT 5:00pm
Ozomatli + Babylon Circus (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Central Park SummerStage.
72nd & 5th Avenue enterance to park
6/30 SAT, noon-1:30 pm (RESCH from 6/16) - Rally: US Out of Iraq, Bring the Troops Home Now. "Music, street theater & energy! We want to reach out to groups & individuals to show the strength & diversity of Staten Islanders who want this endless war to end & US troops to come home." At Tappen Park, Bay St & Water St, SI (from SI Ferry Terminal: walk or drive S on Bay St 1 mile to Water St, or take S51 to Water St). Sponsor: Peace Action SI. Info: 718-989- 2881, pasi.eblast@gmail.com & http://www.panys.org/SI/
July
7/1 SUN 11:00am
Red Hook team meets in Brooklyn, call Flaco
7/1 SUN 10:30-11:00am
Flushing Meadow Park Team
Meets at the foot of the bridge, at the entrance to the park by the benches
If you are late, call Janet or Bruce to catch up.
7/1 SUN 12 noon-5pm Call Lu for coordination. Some people won't be able to get there until 2:30-3:00pm
Afro-Punk Block Party
Clinton Avenue (between Myrtle and Willoughby Avenues)
To celebrate Brooklyn's own DIY rebel spirit, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership—in collaboration with BAM and Afro-Punk—will throw a massive block party and juried arts market featuring innovative performing and visual artists, fashion and jewelry designers, and craft artists selling an eclectic mix of art and merchandise. The event will also feature music by DJs Rich Medina and The Dustbin Brothers and a live set by No Surrender.
also
team might go to
Flatbush Avenue Street Fair
between Cortelyou Road & Parkside Avenue
Take the Q to Cortelyou Road
7/2 afternoon
Upper Westside Team -- call Janet for details
7/3 TUE 7:00pm
"Iranian Women & Liberation--Neither Islamic Theocracy nor US Imperialist Domination."
Revolution Books
9 W 19th St.
Talk/discussion with Azar Derakhshan, longtime Iranian activist now living in Europe. She works to build opposition to repressive anti- woman laws and & punishments in Iran's Islamic Republic as well as to oppose US imperialist attacks on Iran. Followed by Q/A & discussion.
7/4-8 WED-SUN 10am-9pm Daily
International African Arts Festival
Commodore Barry Park
Downtown Brooklyn
Navy St. bet. Park Ave & Flushing Ave
(F to York)
Rain or Shine
7/5 THU, 7 pm - Talk/benefit: "New Face of State Repression."
W/Christian Parenti (Nation contributor, author, The Freedom: Shadows & Hallucinations in Occupied Iraq, The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America..., Lockdown America: Police & Prisons in the Age of Crisis). At 6th St Community Ctr, 638 E 6th St btw Aves B & C, Proceeds to Eric McDavid's legal fund (1 of 16 "Operation Backfire" defendants).
Info: David Segal, 718-844-9849.
7/7 SAT Live Earth
Giants Stadium
AFI + Akon + Alicia Keys + Bon Jovi + Dave Matthews Band + Fall Out Boy + John Mayer + Kanye West + Kelly Clarkson + KT Tunstall + Ludacris + Melissa Etheridge + Rihanna + Roger Waters + Smashing Pumpkins + The Police.
The following is from the intro to the article in this week's issue. Sellers have found the pull out quotes from the article useful in getting into the conversation further with people. Also, striving to get the paper to people who like Chavez's strategy and encouraging comments to the paper.
Scroll below for particular words for this week and this issue from Revolution distributors:
Editor’s Note: This week Revolution is publishing this article by Raymond Lotta which is part of a fuller analysis being developed by a writing group about Hugo Chavez and what has been happening in Venezuela since Chavez came to power in 1998.
The nature of Hugo Chavez’s “Bolivarian revolution” is a highly important and widely discussed issue among progressive and radical-minded people. Chavez has carried out a host of social and economic measures whose stated aim is to empower and improve the lives of the poor and politically disenfranchised in Venezuelan society; he has condemned the U.S. as an imperialist and bullying power; and in 2005 he announced that Venezuela was embarking on a project of ”21st Century Socialism.” At a time when the U.S. is waging its “war on the world” and at a time when the U.S. has been spearheading a pounding and brutalizing neoliberal economic agenda for the countries of the Third World—developments in Venezuela have attracted great interest.
But what is the actual program and outlook of Hugo Chavez, what is the character of the process unfolding in Venezuela, and where is it heading? Does Chavez’s program represent a real alternative to imperialist-led exploitation, a viable road to liberation in today’s world? And what is the meaning of socialism in today’s globalized world?
Our view is that the “Bolivarian revolution” does not represent a fundamental break with imperialism, nor embody a vision or path to truly radical societal transformation. But understanding why this is so is a complex matter requiring close analysis. In the full analysis soon to be published, we discuss the historical factors shaping Venezuela’s development, the economic model that Hugo Chavez has been bringing forward, the role of the army and new popular institutions in the “Bolivarian revolution,” the social and class forces involved in and leading this movement, and the larger debate about “21st-century socialism” and the real challenges of making revolution in today’s world.
While we offer this critique of the Chavez project , it in no way cuts against our stand with the Venezuelan people and our total opposition to any attempts by U.S. imperialism to undermine or openly commit aggression against the Chavez regime.
The article appearing in this issue focuses on Venezuela’s oil economy. We start here because oil has been so central to Venezuela’s historical domination by imperialism and to Venezuela’s economic-social development, and because oil figures centrally in Hugo Chavez’s program to reclaim sovereignty and change Venezuelan society.
Our goal is to contribute to understanding, to learn from analysis of others, and to deepen dialogue and debate about these crucial issues.
********
#94 is an important 2-week issue of Revolution. We want to sell all copies of this issue in our area – to promote it very widely and broadly, among all strata, progressive and movement forces, proletarians of all nationalities, and especially Spanish speaking masses; at events, movies showings, street fairs, places where people gather.
ALSO: Each issue of the paper should get stuffed with the flyer for the 7/3 event at Revolution Books. Flyers are available at Revolution Books, or downloadable (as PDF) from http://www.revolutionbooksnyc.org/.
Revolution Books presents:
Iranian Women and Liberation -Neither Islamic Theocracy nor U.S. Imperialist Domination
A talk by Azar Derakhshan
Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 7pm
Followed by Q/A and discussion
Azar Derakhshan joined the Union of Iranian Communists (Sarbedaran) in the midst of the 1979 Iranian revolution. She was forced to leave Iran in 1985 and today lives in Europe. Since 1998 she has been the political correspondent and editor of the "Women of March 8" magazine, published in Farsi and distributed in many countries. She was one of the organizers of the March 2006 European March Against Anti-Women Laws in Iran and works with women "in the front for elimination of lawful inequality and Islamic punishments."
At this time when there is urgent necessity to oppose increasing U.S. war moves on Iran, this is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about Iranian opposition to both U.S. imperialist war and domination and to the repression of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially against women.
****************
Events:
6/26 TUES Be there at 5:15pm; Program starts 6:30pm
6/27 WED Be there at 5:15pm; Program starts 6:30pm (two nights)
Manu Chao at
Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect park Ban Shell
(enter at Brospect Park West & 9th Street;
F to 7th Avenue) Benefit Concerts (sold out)
6/26 TUES Be there at 7:00pm; program starts 8:00PM
The Nightwatchman + Dustin Kensrue
Bowery Ballroom (sold out)
6/26 TUES Be there at 6:30pm; program starts 7:30pm
Sinead O'Connor
Joe's Pub at the Public Theater (sold out)
6/26/ TUES Be there at 6PM; program 7 PM - 9 PM
A Symposium on the Depiction of Black America: R-E-S-P-E-C-T: When Did We Lose It? How Do We Get It Back?
The Schomburg Center
Harriette Cole, Creative Editor of EBONY Magazine, will serve as the moderator and the distinguished panelists are:
Gary Anthony Ramsay, President NY Association of Black Journalists
Jewelnel Davis, University Chaplain Columbia U
Tamika Mallory, Director Decency Initiative, National Action Network
Maurice Cox, Vice President Pepsi-Cola Company
John Flateau, Dean External Affairs Medgar Evers
Vanessa Bush, Executive Editor ESSENCE Magazine
Cathy Lee Jones, Franchise Owner WuTang Clan
The evening opens with a reception at 6:00 p.m. featuring C. Vivian Stringer, Coach of the Rutgers Women’ Basketball Team, The Scarlet Knights, as a special guest.
6/27 WED, 9am
Get issuse #93 and the broadsheet out to high schools, stores in the area and youth centers. Raise money for the broadsheet production.
6/27 WED, Be there at 6:00PM; program at 7:00 PM
GÜNTER GRASS & NORMAN MAILER
in conversation with Andrew O’Hagan:
The 20th Century on Trial
Celeste Bartos Forum
Humanities and Social Sciences Library
5th Avenue and 42nd Street.
6/27 WED, 7pm
CHRIS HEDGES
Revolution Books
9 West 19th St.
Chris Hedges author of AMERICAN FASCISTS: THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT AND THE WAR ON AMERICA. What is happening in America is revolutionary. A group of religious utopians, with the sympathy and support of tens of millions of Americans, are slowly dismantling democratic institutions to establish a religious tyranny, the springboard to an American fascism--from “American Fascists”
6/28 THURS Be there at 6:00PM (event at 7:00pm)
Discussion with Bobby Seale
Opening Night: BAM Afro Punk Festival
BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building
30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Join legendary Black Panther Co-Founder Bobby Seale in person for a discussion about the history of the movement: where it's been and where it's going. Accompanying this discussion are two historic short films from 1969 by the Newsreel collective: May Day Panther, a document of the historic Free Huey rally in San Francisco, and Bobby Seale, an interview conducted during his imprisonment. Don't miss your chance to start the Afro-Punk weekend right, with a visit from a man who helped start it all.
Discussion is followed by a booksigning and art reception in the lobby featuring historic photographs from Stephen Shames, Black Panther-inspired work from students at Pratt, and more!
6/29 FRI
Movie Line Team: SICKO
6/30 SAT
Harlem Team
El Barrio Team
Brooklyn Team
Union Sqare Team
6/30 SAT 10:30am
East/West Village Team
Meets at the Bookstore
6/30 SAT 5:00pm
Ozomatli + Babylon Circus (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Central Park SummerStage.
72nd & 5th Avenue enterance to park
6/30 SAT, noon-1:30 pm (RESCH from 6/16) - Rally: US Out of Iraq, Bring the Troops Home Now. "Music, street theater & energy! We want to reach out to groups & individuals to show the strength & diversity of Staten Islanders who want this endless war to end & US troops to come home." At Tappen Park, Bay St & Water St, SI (from SI Ferry Terminal: walk or drive S on Bay St 1 mile to Water St, or take S51 to Water St). Sponsor: Peace Action SI. Info: 718-989- 2881, pasi.eblast@gmail.com & http://www.panys.org/SI/
July
7/1 SUN 11:00am
Red Hook team meets in Brooklyn, call Flaco
7/1 SUN 10:30-11:00am
Flushing Meadow Park Team
Meets at the foot of the bridge, at the entrance to the park by the benches
If you are late, call Janet or Bruce to catch up.
7/1 SUN 12 noon-5pm Call Lu for coordination. Some people won't be able to get there until 2:30-3:00pm
Afro-Punk Block Party
Clinton Avenue (between Myrtle and Willoughby Avenues)
To celebrate Brooklyn's own DIY rebel spirit, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership—in collaboration with BAM and Afro-Punk—will throw a massive block party and juried arts market featuring innovative performing and visual artists, fashion and jewelry designers, and craft artists selling an eclectic mix of art and merchandise. The event will also feature music by DJs Rich Medina and The Dustbin Brothers and a live set by No Surrender.
also
team might go to
Flatbush Avenue Street Fair
between Cortelyou Road & Parkside Avenue
Take the Q to Cortelyou Road
7/2 afternoon
Upper Westside Team -- call Janet for details
7/3 TUE 7:00pm
"Iranian Women & Liberation--Neither Islamic Theocracy nor US Imperialist Domination."
Revolution Books
9 W 19th St.
Talk/discussion with Azar Derakhshan, longtime Iranian activist now living in Europe. She works to build opposition to repressive anti- woman laws and & punishments in Iran's Islamic Republic as well as to oppose US imperialist attacks on Iran. Followed by Q/A & discussion.
7/4-8 WED-SUN 10am-9pm Daily
International African Arts Festival
Commodore Barry Park
Downtown Brooklyn
Navy St. bet. Park Ave & Flushing Ave
(F to York)
Rain or Shine
7/5 THU, 7 pm - Talk/benefit: "New Face of State Repression."
W/Christian Parenti (Nation contributor, author, The Freedom: Shadows & Hallucinations in Occupied Iraq, The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America..., Lockdown America: Police & Prisons in the Age of Crisis). At 6th St Community Ctr, 638 E 6th St btw Aves B & C, Proceeds to Eric McDavid's legal fund (1 of 16 "Operation Backfire" defendants).
Info: David Segal, 718-844-9849.
7/7 SAT Live Earth
Giants Stadium
AFI + Akon + Alicia Keys + Bon Jovi + Dave Matthews Band + Fall Out Boy + John Mayer + Kanye West + Kelly Clarkson + KT Tunstall + Ludacris + Melissa Etheridge + Rihanna + Roger Waters + Smashing Pumpkins + The Police.
posted by Get Out Revolution - NYC/NJ/Conn @ 1:20 AM
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