Very interesting and important story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/14/international/americas/14BOLI.html?th 

There is a lot to think about here. We are so obsessed with Israel, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, and the like that we forget about trouble in our own backyard.

Looks like the people of Bolivia are making a statement: we won't stand for exploitation from the first world developers and financiers. And their government (which was and continues to be supported by the U.S.) is killing protesters. Where is the international outrage? Where is the statement of condemnation from our leaders, congressional or presidential? Bolivian lives matter just as much as any of ours.

John

Would love to read it, but I refuse to sign up for the New York times website.

Any oil in Bolivia? X

"With proven reserves estimated at more than 880 million barrels of oil, potential reserves estimated at more than 4.8 billion barrels, and large unexplored sedimentary basins, the sector has strong potential for attracting foreign direct investment and providing needed resources for economic growth to Bolivia."

Souce: World Bank

On a related note, you should see the two 55 gallon drums of Iraqi oil that the UPS man just delivered on my doorstep. All that came with it was a note that read "Thanks for your support." Now I can look forward to a drum from Bolivia too! Looks like its time to go shopping for an SUV.

Never gave a rats ass about Bolivia ever since they murdered Butch Cassidy and Sundance. JonR

John,

That statement of condemnation would really foul up the workings of the Bolivian government. Palestinian terrorist groups blew up three Americans today in Gaza and we issued a stern statement of condemnation. There was international outrage to the attacks. The shockwaves from our stern statement caused all warring sides to lay down their arms and now there is peace in the Middle East. It was just that easy to solve!

Are you calling for our military intervention in Bolivia? Come on, just say the word! Don't forget that little Venezuelan protest/strike/coup/recall election a few months ago. We could send troops in there as well or just fax a statement of condemnation.

Perhaps you are right, we have been focusing on the more obvious threats like terrorists in Afghanistan, Iraq WMD, North Korea's claim to have nukes, and the Israelis and Palestinians and have ignored threats closer to home like Bolivia or even Canada.

Yes, Canada. 80% of their population and military are massed on our northern border. Are we prepared? Is there an imminent threat?

HockeyDad,

I did not mention military action. I did ask where the outrage is, where the sense of killing protesters in cold blood is worth our statement of condemnation, no matter the 'imminent threat.' Or, do you think we should ONLY be concerned with those affairs directly related to our economic interest? Or a 'terrorist' threat?

I guess I believe differently. When innocent lives are taken by a government, we should condemn that government. Especially when, as is the case in Bolivia, our government has been involved in supporting that government (as is the case with Boliva today). Human life is valuable and needs defending...even if that defense is condemnation and threatened withdrawl of foreign aid.

Why are innocent Bolivian lives worth less than others? That's my point.

John

X,

The issue dividing Bolivia is the building of a gas pipeline, so, yes, kind of...in response to your question.

John

Let the UN deal with Bolivia. We have our hands full already, and need to finish what we've already started.

National security related, foriegn affairs, should be our first priority, at this time...in my opinion.

Mag

John,

Is the world still interested in the United States forcing its moral values on everyone else? That gets us in trouble sometimes. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and we provide aid. Would cutting aid to Bolivia cause a financial collapse that would result in the uprising becoming a civil war or is the amount insignificant. Causing a civil war would result in innocent lives being lost and we would be forced to issue a statement of condemnation.

If we put together a list of nations that have at some point taken innocent lives of protesters, I'm not sure if any country would be left off the list. Once we put together the list, we could just issue a single statement of condemnation to save time. I'm sure everyone would agree with the statement wording. That should fix everything and we've done our part to protect human life.

By the way, reports have it that protesters are throwing Molotov cocktails. Are they still innocent? What about about the unsuspecting police officer or soldier hit by one of those Molotov cocktails...How about a statement of condemnation for him when he is killed?

By the way, one of the other issues is the government erradication of coca leaves has deprived poor farmers of a valuable cash crop.

We have a different value on human life than many other nations. We handle recall elections differently than many other nations. We can't always force everyone to play by our morals and rules even if we have any leverage.

Don't worry, your desired statements will be forthcoming. I expect phrases like "deeply concerned" and "troubling developments" from various nations that also provide aid to Bolivia. The Pope has already asked for civil dialogue. (The Pope isn't much for condemnation so you'll just have to take what you can get.)

John,

If your only point is the lack of public outrage, then you are correct.

But instead of asking "why aren't more people angry?", try instead to state your postition and wait for feedback.

Your post reeks of comdemnation for America rather than outrage towards the Bolivian government.

Tailgater, I do have condemnation of my country for this. We've really screwed up Bolivia and need to accept some responsibility. I hope we do something about it. See this:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=655&e=6&u=/oneworld/20031016/wl_oneworld/4536706161066331580 

Of course I hold their government responsible. But they are pawns of our government, so it is a shared responsibility. I hope Bush does the right thing and allows coca production and changes to the Bolivian economy...both of which don't benefit the U.S., but will benefit the Bolivian people.

What is my solution? Let countries run their own affairs, and help in a way that enables their autonomy rather than making them serve U.S. purposes. U.S. style free-market economies don't work in all countries, especially poor countries in Latin America. Yet we push that agenda. Why? Because it makes for cheap resources for you and me. That's unjust.

John

John,

You want the US to let them run their own affairs but you want the US to intervene in some manner now? That seems to be conflicting.

We could send in the troops. Are you calling for military intervention yet?

How about a real tangible plan of action? Not just rhetoric. What are the steps the world should take to fix Bolivia and if we should let countries run their own affairs as you stated, what basis does anyone have to step in to the situation? We got a real live crisis in Bolivia, solve it.

It is true, that we have been intervening, in Bolivian Politics, for some time now. As a matter of fact, for the better part of 2 1/2 decades. If we stop now, Bolivia will be shattered, by civil war, for several years, but if we continue to support the current Bolivian government, we can increase that by decades.

Later

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)