Chávez Gives Obama Book on Latin American History

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

Chávez Gives Obama Book on Latin American History
By Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 18, 2009; 11:43 AM

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, April 18 -- With the media watching their every gesture, President Obama and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela continued their getting-to-know-you phase with a gift and another handshake, this one for more than one camera.

Before Obama began a closed-door meeting with the leaders of UNASUR, an association of the 12 South American nations, Chavez walked around the u-shaped table and handed him a book, "Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina," or "The Open Veins of Latin America." Cameras clicked, tape rolled.

The work, originally published in 1970, is probably the best known by Eduardo Galeano, an Uruguayan writer of socialist leanings. It explores the history of European colonization of Latin America and what Galeano believes is the malign political and economic influence the United States has exerted over the region in recent decades.

Galeano was persecuted in the 1970s by military juntas in Uruguay and Argentina, both recognized by the U.S. government. He now serves on the advisory board of TeleSUR, a South America-wide satellite channel based in Caracas, Venezuela. Chavez's communications ministry oversees the channel.

In an interview with the radio program Democracy Now! soon after Obama's election, Galeano said, "The White House will be Barack Obama's house in the time coming, but this White House was built by black slaves. And I'd like, I hope, that he never, never forgets this."



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/18/AR2009041801009.html

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http://mirarselombligo.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2007/10/eduardo-galeano.jpg

The author of "The Open Veins of Latin America," Eduardo Galeano

Interview on Democracy Now with Galeano.
http://www.democracynow.org/2006/5/19/voices_of_time_legendary_uruguayan_writer

Eduardo Galeano page, Third World Traveler:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Eduardo_Galeano/Eduardo_Galeano_page.html

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Galeano

[Judi Lynn]

1. Here's the cover of his book if you want to pick it up at a store, or online:

On edit, adding image of the book:
http://cambridgeforecast.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2007/09/galeanoveins.jpg

You won't regret reading this. I got it as a gift for Christmas.

[mix]

2. thanks for the post and tip, both great! n/t

[AlphaCentauri]

6. I'll get this book for my cousin

is there any book like this one updated with recent history events

[ohio2007]

17. Hugo had his boy in Caracas steal the mayors copy and gave it to Barack

nt

[AlphaCentauri]

18. I think Rosales was reading the Latin American Idiot by Vargas Llosa

LOL

[EFerrari]

26. Or maybe Tom Delay's masterpiece, No retreat, no surrender. n/t

[AlphaCentauri]

37. That's Ledezma's bible n/t

[Judi Lynn]

28. Maybe someone who sees your post will suggest something.

The copyright on this book was 1973, but it provides a crucial foundation, so it really is powerfully helpful.

I'm always looking for more books, like you. It's a HUGE subject.

[catzies]

34. To really oversimplify it, would you say it's along the lines of Howard Zinn's

People's History of the United States? Because there's so much most of America doesn't know about the US's true and dirty history of dealings in Central and South America.

[EFerrari]

41. "Overthrow" documents part of the history of the US overturning

democratic governments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overthrow_(book)

[bemildred]

42. Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA (Hardcover)

http://www.amazon.com/reader/038551445X?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

There are lots, but some are better than others. Books about US meddling in Latin America are a little harder to come by in English, but there are still plenty. Galeano is a great writer, and his translator is very good.

[Ghost Dog]

20. Exactly the right book. Everyone should read it.

Thanks for all your vital reporting, Judi!

[Judi Lynn]

29. Hi, Ghost Dog. Glad you've read it. He's a tremendous person.

I loved hearing his story of walking through a street in Latin America, and seeing something written on the side of a building:

"Let's leave pessimism for better times."

People desperately need to know what has been happening in the Western Hemisphere involving their own tax dollars, and their elected officials, and they need to loose their ignorance before they die.

What a shame so many are completely in the dark, and so easily and helplessly manipulated by cheap, emotionally charged propaganda. It's embarrassing!

[bemildred]

3. Galeano!

"Memory of Fire"

http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring98/galeano.htm

[Judi Lynn]

5. This also covers the Reagan era, which would be so good to see, coming from Galeano.Thanks. n/t

[bemildred]

32. I'm very fond of Mr Galeano.

I'm not dissing the other book, although I fail to see that going through the Raygun era would change the view much. I will probably pick this one up too, I've been looking for something good in history.

[flamingdem]

4. This book is the leftist bible for Latin America

and this brings back memories of reading it after traveling in South America. It's an intense read about the suffering of the people over the centuries. Chavez made a good call because by drawing attention to the book more people will seek it out and gain a solid foundation in Latin American history... from a left view but is there really any other way to see it?

[bemildred]

7. Obama Gets History Lesson From Latin American Leaders

April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Latin American leaders railed against the U.S. during President Barack Obama’s first trip to the region, turning what was intended to mark a new direction in relations into a history lesson that chastised “Yankee troop” interventions and U.S.-dictated economic policies.

Obama arrived at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday promising to “listen and learn” from regional leaders. He got an earful.

In the weekend’s first speeches, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner voiced grievances on issues ranging from the U.S. drug war to American support for counterinsurgency movements of the 1980s. Both urged Obama to end the 47-year-old trade embargo against Cuba, the only country in the Americas excluded from the 34-nation summit.

“For many years, there have been traumatic relations,” Fernandez said. “I want you to know, Obama, that this is in no way a reproach against you. It’s simply an exercise to look back at what happened.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aun_fNO0161g

[netania99]

8. Claro que si!

I was a Latin American Studies major way back when (graduated in 1983) and I'm embarrassed to say I only starting reading it this month! It's incredible.

[netania99]

9. Maybe someone else will give Obama a CD

So much to choose from: Silvio Rodriguez, Victor Jara, Violeta Parra ... etc., etc.

[Mika]

10. Or, The Buena Vista Social Club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JEdf7XsV5g

[Judi Lynn]

51. Wow! A world without those guys seems so bleak! Wonderful people. Thanks. n/t

[EFerrari]

11. And a copy of The Godfather 3.

[remedy1]

13. Bendita tu luz.

Bendito el lugar, y el motivo de estar ahí,
Bendita la coincidencia,
Bendito el reloj, que nos puso puntual ahí,
Bendita sea tu, presencia.

Bendito Dios por encontrarnos, en el camino,
Y de quitarme esta soledad, de mi destino.

Bendita la luz, bendita la luz de tu mirada,
Bendita la luz, bendita la luz de tu mirada,
Desde el alma.

Bendito ojos, que me esquivaban,
Simulaban desde que me ignoraban,
Y de repente, sostienes la mirada.

Bendita Dios por encontrarnos, en el camino,
Y de quitarme esta soledad, de mi destino.

[netania99]

14. Nice!

I just listened to a sample of the song on amazon. I'm always looking for new (to me) music - thanks!

[remedy1]

30. Para usted...

¡el Mana es el mejor!

Goce!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vxkVhxXtMA

[Ghost Dog]

39. Yeah, nice. On the subject of pop video art, any opinions on this one out there?

(I say pop because popular at youtube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwTBCvb_4zo

Salud.

[netania99]

44. Holy moly

That was disturbing.

[netania99]

45. Ruben Blades

Tiburon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQjJHVcFHWo

[Judi Lynn]

49. Anyone have time to watch a fantastically FAST Cuban salsa?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9yugsVjfnc

"Casino style" Salsa dancing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBQGoSShv54&feature=PlayList&p=EE4D88AB998B9279&index=30

Cuban salsa styling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS_i6I6DEDs&annotation_id=annotation_217106&feature=iv

[bitchkitty]

52. Cool videos!

I liked the last one. In the second one, the Chinese guy's ass didn't move much.

I want to go to Cuba!

[Judi Lynn]

53. Don't know how they do it! That dancer actually appeared to have mastered

the semi-boneless effect when he dipped his head around while his partner's hands were on his shoulders.

At no time do their feet leave their ankles! Amazing!

The Chinese guy really has that down, doesn't he?

I liked the spirit of the people themselves, too. They seemed so relaxed, and friendly, and completely engaged.

[Judi Lynn]

48. That song is beautiful. The video is intense, well done.

By the way, I saw a rerun of Omar Shariff's attempt to portray El Che, and in the background of this movie made many years ago was this same song which I had assumed was quite recently written. Apparently it's been around quite a long time.

Thanks for posting the video.

[Judi Lynn]

50. Here's a version of Nathalie Cardone singing the song on stage.

Saw this originally on tv.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86LSuXi5TLU

On edit, adding "Hasta Siempre Commandante" by the Buena Vista Social Club:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po09lcDxXIA&feature=related

[Judi Lynn]

47. Excellent. I saw some others not nearly as good as the one you posted. Thank you. n/t

[AlphaCentauri]

19. Alfonso Maya: El zonzonete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKzk20va2jM

[Ghost Dog]

23. ...Mario Benedetti...

eg. Hombre preso que mira a su hijo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56nDAGuHF7Y (recited by himself)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVsmIIkTcF8 (Sung by Pablo Milanes)

[Judi Lynn]

31. Excellent song, images. Powerful.

The hands of a survivor holding the tiny photo of a murdered loved one is heart wrenching, infuriating. Beautifully illustrated.

[Brother Buzz]

12. First Hugo promoted Noam Chomsky's book, now Eduardo Galeano. Cool!

What's next, Howard Zinn? I love it. Hugo should connect with Oprah and get some pointers on how to launch a book of the month club.

[RufusTFirefly]

21. I'll take a Hugo recommendation over an Oprah one any day!

He's a reader, and his recommendations aren't tainted by the demands of being a gigantic corporation.

[PufPuf23]

15. Now I have to get this book

Imagine Cuba and Venezuela as close friends like Canada.

That would be so cool. Most people just want peace and security.

The native peoples of the Americas have been so poorly treated by the Europeans.

Maybe this will change now.

[marshall]

33. Note that he gave Obama a copy that was in English

And is therefore useful because it's in the language the President understands.

Obama's gift staff would do well to follow Chavez's example and select gifts in the future that can actually be used by the heads of state to which they are intended.

[ohio2007]

16. White House Senior Advisor: Obama More Popular Than Chavez in Venezuela

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD -- In an interview with ABC News, Jeffrey Davidow -- a senior adviser to President Obama on Latin American affairs and director of the Summit of the Americas -- said that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rushed a photograph of he and President Obama shaking hands onto his government's website because Mr. Obama is more popular than Mr. Chavez in Venezuela.

"Every president and political leader in Latin America, and many in the rest of the world as well -- maybe not every one of them -- really sees political benefit in being seen to be associating with President Obama," Davidow said. "And whether Chavez has problems with us or doesn’t, and he does, and there is this strained relationship, it is in his political interest, he thinks, to be seen with our president."

Davidow, a former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, said "there is a sizable population in Venezuela, probably the very,very vast majority of Venezuelans who have a more favorable attitude to President Obama than they have to him."

Asked if he was saying that President Obama is more popular in Venezuela than President Chavez, Davidow said, "yeah."


snip


http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/white-house-sen.html

[EFerrari]

24. LOL That State Department holdovers are still trying to stir up sh!t.

[ShareTheWoods]

55. Right. Because nobody could ever be more popular than Hugo Chavez

All hail Hugo!

[EFerrari]

60. No, genius. Because this is a "good news" story and they frame it

as some kind of stupid contest. But, thanks for playing!

[Peace Patriot]

38. What an undiplomatic statement! Like a schoolyard bully trying to start a fight.

"My Dad makes more money than your stupid Dad...nyeah, nyeah, ne-nyeah, nyeah!"

I gather Davidow didn't get what he wanted--to demonize Chavez, to lie, to propagandize, to wield power, to control, to make war, to steal oil, to loot the poor. So he throws a tantrum and says something unpleasant, and truly stupid--not to mention uninformed, and without any factual basis. Chavez is enormously popular in Venezuela. I've been following his polls for more than five years, and his approval rating rarely dips below 60%. He is also enormously popular among the other Latin American leaders, and other peoples of Latin America. Obama may be, too. I haven't seen any polls on it. But what an utterly childish and dumb thing for Davidow to say. I hope he is gone soon. He reminds me of the sort of people Bush hired--just clueless and oafish.

[EFerrari]

40. PP, if you get a moment, could you lend a brain here?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=405&topic_id=14214&mesg_id=14214

I'm trying to track down the poll itself.

[jwirr]

22. Excellent. There is no better way to learn about a people than to read

the books they think are worth reading. I love the way this is going so far.

[Sabriel]

25. At least this president is capable of reading a book

I'm fairly sure no leader made the error of giving *ush reading material.

[EFerrari]

27. Chavez and his colleagues seem to be book exchangers.

Because this isn't the first time I've seen a mention of him giving one or getting one from the leader of another country. Of course, he never offered the Torture president one.

[Vidar]

35. Good for Hugo. Obama's capable of learning

[No Elephants]

36. Tapper just mentioned on ABC Tv that the book started today on

Amazon's sales count list at fifty-four thousand and something (I missed that) and is now at 14.

[Judi Lynn]

46. Wow! Now that's very interesting. Beautiful knowing there will be 54,000 learning what they need

to know! I hope Amazon will re-order quickly.

Thanks for the news, No Elephants.

[biopowertoday]

43. Chavez comes bearing gift

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/

Chavez comes bearing gift
Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2009 8:44 AM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD -- Happy Saturday from this island nation not far off the coast of Venezuela. Today's schedule for Pres. Obama at the Summit of Americas is one of those that has to have the chief executive secretly wondering what he signed up for.

The word "plenary session" appears quite a bit today. And as anyone who attends conferences knows, "plenary" is code for "long, windy and well, not very helpful." Ok, maybe I'm being harsh but I have to say I was stunned to see the phrase "plenary session" on his schedule; it's not everyday a Commander-in-Chief has to attend meetings like this.

BTW, in the first session, Mr. Obama and Venezuelan Pres. Hugo Chavez had another exchange with Chavez giving Obama a gift, a book. "Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina" by Eduardo Galeano. Translated: "The open veins of Latin America." Read about it on Amazon. Right now, it ranks #312,365 in the best-seller list. Let's see where this stands on Monday. (BTW, the English translation of the book currently ranks 54,295).

[Geek_Girl]

54. I almost feel sorry for Obama

It seems like the world wants him to rectify every horrible thing our country has done in the last 100 years.

[Judi Lynn]

56. South America wants to know that he will not be working to overthrow any of their elected Presidents

That's a very now-focused situation.

[bemildred]

57. Yup, that's it. Simple question. nt

[EFerrari]

59. Yes, he has a lot on his plate.

But you might be surprised to learn that even the angriest speaker (and with good reason, Ronald Reagan tried to kill him time after time and in the process, set Nicaragua back years and years over the bodies of the people) was careful to differentiate between that terrible past and our new president.

Those people want to like Obama and until he gives them a reason to do otherwise, they will treat him with respect and even affection.

[bottomtheweaver]

58. PIC:

Hugo Chavez gives Barack Obama a copy of Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina (The Open Veins of Latin America) by Eduardo Galeano during a meeting at the Summit of the Americas. Photograph: Ho/Reuters

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/19/obama-chavez-book-gift-latin-america