What a wonderful example of American imperialism! On a more serious note, Michael, what are the prospects for a recall?
Also, I suspect that everybody here is grateful for the serious information we have been getting about Venezuela. Thanks. By the way, Michael L. was one of the 2 original members of this list. Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 -----Original Message----- From: PEN-L list [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of michael a. lebowitz Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 2:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [PEN-L] new megafraud controversy raging in Venezuela: imperialism or Chavez Published: Friday, June 04, 2004 Bylined to: Patrick J. O'Donoghue Chavez Frias blamed for Miss Venezuela's poor showing in Miss Universe Analyzing the failure of Venezuela to figure in the final 5 candidates of the Miss Universe contest held in Quito, Ecuador, some Venezuelan luminaries are throwing the blame on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias. Beauty contest expert, Julio Rodriguez says political reasons dominated the exclusion of clear favorite, Ana Karina Anez ... "it's due to the tense situation between Venezuelan and the USA ... we must remember that it's a US-based event ... she should have been the last 5 ... I cannot see any other motive." Nidal Nouahied, who designed Miss Venezuela's national dress agrees that politics did enter the contest this year ... "we are talking about a US company that disagrees with the process developing in Venezuela ... Lebanon and Israel are always excluded for the same reason." Star Models Agency director, Elizabeth Linares complains that Ana Karina had everything it takes to win and showed plenty of security ... "tense and stringent relations between Venezuela and the USA will hinder everything we do in international contests ... beauty has nothing to do with politics ... but!" The exclusion of Miss Venezuela broke Venezuela's record of 21 finals ... three times as runner up: Marena Bencomo (1996), Veruska Ramirez (1997) y Mariangel Ruiz (2003). Ruiz says she's as shocked as the rest of the Nation because people were certain the Venezuelan girl would win ... money was no object in the preparing Anez for the event but she rules out the political factor, pointing to the non-political character of the contest. Linares revives the theory that Miss Universe tycoon, Donald Trump is getting his own back after the (Miss Universe Alicia Machado rumpus several years ago but other experts reject the theory outright. * Some people suggest that it is time to change the Venezuelan prototype, insisting that future Miss Venezuelas beef up on the question part and learn to speak English. Miss Venezuela organizer, Osmel Sousa admits he wasn't too happy with Ana Karina's performance ... "she was a bit nervous, a bit passive before the preliminary jury."
