Presidente Quixote

[Minstrel Boy]

Posted to my blog here.



You want to know something? There's good magic, too. Venezuela's decision to print and distribute a million free copies of Don Quixote strikes me just that way: a banishing ritual of beautiful dreams that are only said to be impossible.

"To some extent, we are followers of Quixote," said President Hugo Chavez, as he encouraged Venezuelans to "feed ourselves once again with that spirit of a fighter who went out to undo injustices and fix the world."

I'm awaiting now Donald Rumsfeld to weigh in, as he did a couple of weeks ago regarding Venezuela's recent arms purchases, and say "I'm just asking, what in the world is the threat that Venezuela sees that makes them want to have all those books?"

One of the most heartening things of the Venezuelan miracle - and let's call it that - has been the symbology of the 1999 constitution. The sight of a mobilized populace, largely dark-skinned and underclass, waving copies of their own constitution, must make the hearts of oligarchs quail. It's easy to forget that history's most celebrated constitutions are revolutionary documents, but it's easy to see that the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is making living history.

Dawn Gable writes:

Article 132 states that everyone has the duty to fulfill his or her social responsibilities through participation in the political, civic, and community life of the country with the goal of promoting and protecting human rights as the foundation of democratic coexistence and social peace. Article 133 repeals forcible recruitment into the armed forces, but recognizes everyone’s duty to perform civilian or military service as may be necessary for the defense, preservation, and development of the country.

Article 135 says that the state’s obligation to the general welfare of society does not preclude the obligation of private individuals to participate according to their abilities. These duties describe participation much beyond the electoral process. They compel the public to see themselves as not so much the governed masses, but as active builders of their own society.

Meanwhile, the multi-generational campaign of intentionally dumbing down the populace, of encouraging public disengagement with the processes of governance, continues apace in the United States. There's something about a literate and educated citizenry that frightens tyrants even more than the right to bear arms. And when an informed and mobilized people compose a militia, it's the inclination of tyrants to back down.

Americans retreating from the public square and inhabiting purely private space has been called "cocooning." But cocoons are temporary utilities of metamorphosis. If you never come out to unfold new wings, and dry them in the sun, it's not a cocoon. That's your tomb.

[Mojorabbit]

1. Wonderful post. Thanks n/t

[babylonsister]

2. What a concept! A leadership encouraging

justice and a desire to fix problems instead of creating them! Great post!
Edit to add: And they want the populace to read as well? Wouldn't that be novel, no pun intended?

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Minstrel Boy]

5. thanks, mod. n/t

[UdoKier]

6. Never mind

I should have read the post more carefully the first time. Never mind.

[dxstone]

7. really well said, minstrel...

It's weird too, how the media's supported that "go after the French" thing to such an extreme degree, and it does seem to be an accurate reflection of the prevalent feeling out there. We laugh at them and their 'cowardice': but they'd never sit still while an impostor president was installed, they'd take to the streets; they were also one of the few countries to have the guts to tell Bush to stuff it on the Iraq war... the regular citizens of France and Venezuela, these are people we should admire... when is America gonna turn off the tv, go outside and have a look around, see which way the wind's blowin'?
They've got President Quixote, and we're stuck here with President Evil...



DXS
"I LOVE horror movies, man... I just don't want to live in one."

[Quixote1818]

8. Don Quixote was Thomas Jefferson's favorite book

Their are several copies of it at Monticello in different languages. They picked a good book to distribute as my handle would indicate. http://209.87.142.42/y/pr/p44.htm

[Quixote1818]

9. This is the most inspiring post I have seen in a long time. Thanks! nt

[Quixote1818]

10. Holy Shit! I learned something new today!!!

Don Quixote recently beat the likes of Shakespeare and Tolstoy to be named the best work of fiction in a survey of leading writers from across the world.

Thomas Jefferson had good taste.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/4455833.stm

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. This is terrific! Thanks - Recommended n/t