Tag Archives: South America

Chavez was loved by his people, why?

Whatever you say about Chavez, one thing is certain. He won elections. He was popular. He is genuinely mourned. In other words, his people loved him. That may not be true for all his people.  Some voted against him, and, … Continue reading

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French terrorists vs Spanish insurgents

At the start of 1812, insurgents were big news in the French media. “We learn from Valencia that the small fortress that Marshall Sechet has left in his rear, blockaded by various corps of the army, have successively surrendered, and … Continue reading

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Dom Joao VI, The damned Prince, King of Contraditions

(This is Gargamelo’s first post with Ptara.)   April 1812, Rio de Janeiro, King’s Palace. 

The Regent and his two sons – meeting with their state secretary and top ministers – have just received the news that Napoleon’s troops have … Continue reading

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Are we different from the Conquistadors of 500 years ago?

According to Survival International, we may not be. Now, Survival International has a campaign to promote, but their message got me thinking.  How have our motivations changed over the past half a millennium?  What makes us different today than the … Continue reading

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Madison’s act of belevolence: the Venezuela Earthquake and 200 years of American foreign aid.

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison.

How ironic it is, that during his first term in office, Congress spent taxpayer money on uch an act of benevolence. Continue reading

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