As a supporter of Jill Stein and the Green Party, had I not fled North Carolina for France (i had my reasons, including threats of Homeland Security because of my liberal views- you do not want to be poor, black or a liberal female in the South- trust me on that!) I would have voted for Hillary. Although personally my politics are far more Left, for many reasons I have usually been a reluctant Democrat as their platform is not as repressive as the Republicans are. This last election was very ugly and sexist. Clinton may be corrupt, but she is far less corrupt than Trump, is far more intelligent, experienced and would have been a good President. This last Presidential election was frightening and felt like a witch hunt. We have taken two steps forward and ten back. There was no discussion or debate about the important issues. That needs to change. Not all Americans are greedy or stupid as many outside of the U.S. believe (and they have their reasons for thinking ill of us). Only through dialogue and respect for one another's views (however misguided or wrong the far right can be at times) can we begin to heal and move forward. Misogyny is a big problem for women as well as for men, who must grow up in a violent culture and suppress their emotions.
1
President Dilma was not deposed under corruption charges, but for accounting.
she was accused of paying subsidies for poor farmers before she paid rich banks (which she did pay a month later), when the economy soured. that was the official reason she was judged by the senate and deposed.
She was still inside her budget. but PSDB, the right wing party that controlled congress (and that lost 4 consecutive free elections for the presidency) accused her of doing a credit operation without authorization of congress. she said it was not a credit operation and that balancing the budget was not against the law. in fact every single president before her did just as much. the man who accepted the accusation in the senate, anastasia, and validated its merits, had done the same thing 9 times as a governor. the former president, fernando henrique, from PSDB, said 'sure i did the same thing when i was president, but in her case it was much worst.' talk about two weights and two measures.
she was not accused of corruption and was not deposed for it. it was a soft coup. a maneuver involving complicated accounting to make a smoke screen.
in the house of representatives one of the congressman, one who is now a presidential candidate, dedicated his vote against her to her torturer. to the military man who punched her in the face so strongly that she lost teeth, who tortured her husband in front of her, who tied her naked by hands and feet to a metal bar.
she was accused of paying subsidies for poor farmers before she paid rich banks (which she did pay a month later), when the economy soured. that was the official reason she was judged by the senate and deposed.
She was still inside her budget. but PSDB, the right wing party that controlled congress (and that lost 4 consecutive free elections for the presidency) accused her of doing a credit operation without authorization of congress. she said it was not a credit operation and that balancing the budget was not against the law. in fact every single president before her did just as much. the man who accepted the accusation in the senate, anastasia, and validated its merits, had done the same thing 9 times as a governor. the former president, fernando henrique, from PSDB, said 'sure i did the same thing when i was president, but in her case it was much worst.' talk about two weights and two measures.
she was not accused of corruption and was not deposed for it. it was a soft coup. a maneuver involving complicated accounting to make a smoke screen.
in the house of representatives one of the congressman, one who is now a presidential candidate, dedicated his vote against her to her torturer. to the military man who punched her in the face so strongly that she lost teeth, who tortured her husband in front of her, who tied her naked by hands and feet to a metal bar.
4
President Dilma was deposed in a soft coup to stop investigations on corruption. The people that did the coup were recorded saying as much. it is public knowledge (the one saying it is now president of the party in power). The coup had support from the white middle class and its weapon of choice was misogyny. The mainstream media in Brazil is mostly like Fox News here: right wing biased. A magazine had a cover photo of the president yelling with the caption 'hysterical.' people did not know that the picture was taken when she was celebrating a victory by the Brazilian team at the World Cup.
but most of the population supported her. the poor, the people of color, the people in the northeast (the poorest area). on her first term she had 93% approval rate, the highest ever. in her second term there was a concerted effort to sabotage her administration, led by PSDB, the right wing party that was second in the elections. They intended to grab power after the soft coup, with help from the judiciary. their efforts failed so far. president dilma's party leads by very large percentages in every poll and against every candidate in the polls for next year's election. hopefully there will indeed be free elections next year. she is a historical figure already for our american continent. as is bachelet. both were tortured by the dictators in their youth. idealists from the start.
but most of the population supported her. the poor, the people of color, the people in the northeast (the poorest area). on her first term she had 93% approval rate, the highest ever. in her second term there was a concerted effort to sabotage her administration, led by PSDB, the right wing party that was second in the elections. They intended to grab power after the soft coup, with help from the judiciary. their efforts failed so far. president dilma's party leads by very large percentages in every poll and against every candidate in the polls for next year's election. hopefully there will indeed be free elections next year. she is a historical figure already for our american continent. as is bachelet. both were tortured by the dictators in their youth. idealists from the start.
4
Why are we so fixated on symbolism? Having a woman regardless of ability in office is a sign of progress? Just ask the electorate in Brazil and Argentina who had to endure corrupt female presidents.
3
Interesting, in a continent populated with counties vastly rich in natural resources, wasted potential and systemic corruption, the single country run by a woman rises above all in success and integrity!
1
Totally wrong. Her family was involved in various cases of "insider trading" using privileged information from official sources to buy lands that later increases in price. Check CAVAL and later some other lands she bought at lower price for her daughter than increased priced after some permit form the government were issued.
Etc etc etc
Etc etc etc
1
The problems in LA are not caused by a gender gap leadership.
It is about an ingrained Portuguese-Spanish cultural heritage of corruption and the wrong economic approach model which has kept countries in the region in a perpetual state of development.
Since WWII, not a single country in the region has reached the state of developed and prosperous nations in Western Europe and US/Canada.
Incidentally, Spain and Portugal left under development and entered modernity and economic prosperity after joining the European Union in the 1980s.
It is about an ingrained Portuguese-Spanish cultural heritage of corruption and the wrong economic approach model which has kept countries in the region in a perpetual state of development.
Since WWII, not a single country in the region has reached the state of developed and prosperous nations in Western Europe and US/Canada.
Incidentally, Spain and Portugal left under development and entered modernity and economic prosperity after joining the European Union in the 1980s.
1
Bachelet keep talking about women, abortion and keeping the focus of the public opinion in not important issues. A research published in 2016 by the Universidad de Chile shows the loses for Chile in the mining insdustry of copper for us$120 billions from 2005 to 2014.
Non political parties , government or new candidates pay attention to this issue.
No mention the loses in market of futures by Codelco during 2005 and 2011 in the order of us$ 15 billions most likely for corruption The case is in the CDE, piling dust with no movements whatsoever. Now they keep the leftist song of gender rights or abortion but they don't care about the billions in loses for the government for poor regulations in royalties , which according to the mining report of the world bank of 2008 are some of the lowest in the world.
Non political parties , government or new candidates pay attention to this issue.
No mention the loses in market of futures by Codelco during 2005 and 2011 in the order of us$ 15 billions most likely for corruption The case is in the CDE, piling dust with no movements whatsoever. Now they keep the leftist song of gender rights or abortion but they don't care about the billions in loses for the government for poor regulations in royalties , which according to the mining report of the world bank of 2008 are some of the lowest in the world.
...Last woman standing in the Americas?
Who on Earth is picking these titles?
Who on Earth is picking these titles?
2
Not sure why this is worthy of being bad bad...women have broken the glass ceiling a long time ago, despite what feminists would have everyone believe. Many hold the fact that the US still hasn't elected a female president as a barometer of gender equality, but I think the fact that the US elected a black man with a Muslim middle name twice does not mean the country isn't racist or xenophobic. I say vote for the person who may be the best for the job- that is my dream. Otherwise it just boils down to a High school popularity contest (and we know who typically win those).
4
I think that this article omits an important piece of information: there is another woman, Beatriz Sanchez, who is a candidate to become Michelle Bachelet's successor - and she currently holds the second place in presidential polls. Given Chile's two-rounds system to elect presidents, she has a decent shot at becoming Chile's second woman president.
5
Quota System? Soon No Women was the point. How can 50% of the population be totally unqualified? It makes no sense whatsoever....
2
I think women would benefit enormously from simply picking themselves up from their defeats, dusting themselves off and trying again, much as men have done for centuries. Their (and the Times') constant laments about differential treatment are off-putting and do nothing to advance their cause.
Moreover, differential treatment may exist, sometimes, but it frequently benefits women as much as hurts them. Following revulsion again the warlike W, Hillary would clearly have been president in 2008, were it not for the even greater novelty of electing a black president.
Moreover, differential treatment may exist, sometimes, but it frequently benefits women as much as hurts them. Following revulsion again the warlike W, Hillary would clearly have been president in 2008, were it not for the even greater novelty of electing a black president.
2
Lol. Men have rigged the game so they were the only ones who could compete for centuries. Knock off the martyr complex; it's unbecoming.
Sorry that it hurts your precious man-feelings to hear that women receive differential treatment. Take it up with a therapist if it upsets you so much. We're not going to stop calling it out because it's annoying to you.
Sorry that it hurts your precious man-feelings to hear that women receive differential treatment. Take it up with a therapist if it upsets you so much. We're not going to stop calling it out because it's annoying to you.
4
Ah these doors swing. Tiny baby steps forward. Keep the pressure on!
Wow, people sure are touchy!
3
Dilma Rousseff was an incompetent politician who was put in power by an extremely corrupt party. Dilma's mentor, Lula, promised to use the profits from Petrobras to benefit the poor of Brazil. In reality, Petrobras, under the management of Lula and Dilma, was plundered for billions. Somehow, though, Lula and Dilma claim that they were totally unaware that the nation's riches were being stolen under their very noses. I'm sorry but I don't believe fairy tales like that!
Dilma says that the people who ousted her are even more corrupt than she is. But everyone always knew this about Temer - so why on earth did she agree to have him run as her vice-president? Obviously she needed the support of his party.
Dilma says that the people who ousted her are even more corrupt than she is. But everyone always knew this about Temer - so why on earth did she agree to have him run as her vice-president? Obviously she needed the support of his party.
3
The women who held positions in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
Argentina: massively corrupt Peronist Cristina Kirchner, now under indictment for a number of crimes and her assets have been embargoed. Seeking immunity from prosecution and imprisonment by running for congressional office. Believed to be involved in the assassination of a prosecutor investigating her crimes. Directly responsible for unnecessary sovereign debt default and assuring that Argentine bonds would be forever classed as "junk."
Brazil: massively corrupt former leftist terrorist Dilma Rousseff. Close connections with criminal organisations. Impeached for cause.
Chile: Leftist Bachelet, schooled in Communist East Germany. Socialist party, catering to populist interests at the expense of degrading the economy. Embroiled in the greatest degree of exposed corruption in Chile's recent history. Failed to address skyrocketing levels of crime. The worst performance of any Chilean leader ever recorded, at 18 percent approval. Even former dictator Pinochet had higher levels of approval.
These are the sorts of leaders that the sexist NYT gloats over.
Argentina: massively corrupt Peronist Cristina Kirchner, now under indictment for a number of crimes and her assets have been embargoed. Seeking immunity from prosecution and imprisonment by running for congressional office. Believed to be involved in the assassination of a prosecutor investigating her crimes. Directly responsible for unnecessary sovereign debt default and assuring that Argentine bonds would be forever classed as "junk."
Brazil: massively corrupt former leftist terrorist Dilma Rousseff. Close connections with criminal organisations. Impeached for cause.
Chile: Leftist Bachelet, schooled in Communist East Germany. Socialist party, catering to populist interests at the expense of degrading the economy. Embroiled in the greatest degree of exposed corruption in Chile's recent history. Failed to address skyrocketing levels of crime. The worst performance of any Chilean leader ever recorded, at 18 percent approval. Even former dictator Pinochet had higher levels of approval.
These are the sorts of leaders that the sexist NYT gloats over.
5
"Massively corrupt" must be dictated by an independent judiciary system rather than cried loudly by a circus setup by the establishment. It is very odd that people accusing of corruption the former female presidents of Argentina and Brazil lightly and without evidence are so implicated in corruption scandals themselves. Macri, the current president of Argentina, was found involved in offshore companies in the Panama Papers, has attempted to write off a 4,000 MU$S debt that a company owned by this family had with the state of Argentina, etc... Are those the people taking of corruption? Come on! It would be better to admit than political and economic interests rather than moral are at stake here. But then they would be unable to win elections!
4
actually, not even the other right wing people like you, accused her of corruption. on the cancelled records they said instead that she was 'too honest' and therefore needed to go. she was accused of account malabarismos, not corruption. she paid poor rural workers before she paid big rich banks (which she did pay a month later). that is the reason she was judged and deposed. they said it was a credit operation not approved by congress.
2
Rousseff was overthrow in a coup.
But pathetically, neither the U.S. nor Canada is capable of electing a woman.
But pathetically, neither the U.S. nor Canada is capable of electing a woman.
3
Get rid of the Electoral College and the overblown political influence of the redneck wife beaters of the red states and we could elect a woman president in America.
1
The backlash against this article is surprising. Diversity in government isn't about being politically correct. History has shown that people are more likely to get their views and interests represented by government when there are people who look like them serving in government. It's no surprise that the Trump administration is pursuing a health care policy that is hostile to women's reproductive rights: most of the members of trump's administration are men.
8
“I always make a soccer analogy,” Ms. Bachelet said. “If, of the 11 players, we only had half in the field, we would never win a game. The country, in order to develop, needs the skills of men and women.”
Wow--spectacularly bad analogy. The Australian national women's soccer team recently scrimmaged against a 15 year-old and under boys' team and got crushed 7-0.
Maybe voters just want the best team on the field.
Wow--spectacularly bad analogy. The Australian national women's soccer team recently scrimmaged against a 15 year-old and under boys' team and got crushed 7-0.
Maybe voters just want the best team on the field.
5
There is one part of the world where women have been 30% or more of elected bodies for several decades now, it's the richest, safest, most egalitarian and humanitarian part of the world — Scandinavia. It's not a coincedence those qualities came with proportional participation in politics. Yet Scandinavian's are human beings, like all the others with the same faults. If women in Scandinavia pursued politics and succeeded more than others it was perhaps that neccessity was the mother of their invention — Scandinavia's past was every bit as war mongering, mysogynist, corrupt, and elitist as any other part of the world's. For Latin America to reach it's social goals it will take equal amounts of female participation for a critical period. Only Latin women can decide they want that. Only they can do the hard work for themselves and their children. Female Executives are most often nopt the best role models, as they have to behave like the men to operate at that level. The legislators are the key to change and the voters.
1
The one thing the liberal press does indeed mostly get wrong in its adoption of "identify" political views, in that there are myriad reasons for men's and women's roles in societies, and that there is not some big all powerful nasty male bear ruling over all of it. The guilty liberal gambit worked to some extent in the struggle for African American rights and justice, but plays our rather weakly and insipidly in the coattails "movement for equal rights for women". That sort of stuff is what turned the nation to vote for D Trump. Find another way my friends, I know you must respond to the vocal few's clamoring.
2
Perhaps it would indicate that the traits associated with success in political leadership are not randomly distributed across gender? Not all factors leading to an outcome in human society are smoothly spread among all groups that are the current focus of advocacy interests. Seems like common sense then that outcomes are not spread like peanut butter among groups, either. Otherwise there would be more black country singers and white basketball players, and more female Presidents, and more strait men in fashion, etc. Where does preference end and bias start?
1
You do President Bachelet, who seems wonderful and sincere, no favors by mentioning her in the same breath as Rousseff and Kirchner. Both of those politicians happened to be women, they also both happened to embezzle billions of dollars worth of public funds with the help of the corrupt political parties they lead. Their exits from the scene were most welcome from anyone in Argentina and Brazil, on both left, right and center who value Democracy and the rule of law. The hard battle for equality is not advanced by women who break the law, that some people insult them for their gender, hardly makes them deserving of credit as leaders. They left their countries economies in ruins and their international reputations in tatters. Women can do better than that.
5
Should we have a quota system? It has been shown that women, like men, have been as successful and less so as men. Also, women have shown not to be free of controversy and corruption as men. The people will decide who they wish to be led by - male or female.
6
It's not about filling quotas. Studies show that a group of people are more likely to get their interests represented when there are people in government who look like them. A government that is run exclusively by white men is unlikely to create laws that are sensitive to the needs and concerns of people who are not white males. This isn't rocket science.
4
Although women have a higher average IQ than men, men have a much wider IQ range. Accordingly, there are more really smart men than really smart women and more really dumb men than really dumb women.
4
More identity politics. Who is working on the Editorial board these days? Did you grow up brainwashed or did you just decide propaganda was going to win the day. People vote for those they believe have their interests at heart. Be it male, female, black, white, or whatever. If you are insinuating that the globe should be led by 50% women and 50% men, and then within each gender the percentage of color and ethnicity that lives in that country, you are out of touch with reality. Truly, what flavor kool-aid is coming from your water dispenser?
17
When it came time to vote for a woman President of the United States in 2016, women didn't show up for her in the numbers they needed to. Women I talked to said, "Yeah, a woman President would be great. But not this woman!" We are in a post-feminist era where being a woman simply isn't enough to get the support of women voters.
13
Why should anyone vote based on the shape of a candidate's genitals? This obsession with gender is sick. (I'm female, Ian's wife).
2
This is front page news? Is there some kind of contest between men and women as presidents in Latin America and the home team is losing? Please New York Times, stop playing gender identity politics (as has become rampant in domestic news as well) and focus on such things as health, education, poverty war, peace, etc. -- minor matters like that.
21
The Times really needs to stop focusing on politically correct diversity quotas, and instead concern itself with who is the best candidate, regardless of gender.
The Times posted similar articles when the US was selecting a Chair of the Federal Reserve, when the world was choosing a Secretary General of the United Nations, and in many other situations.
What matters is finding the best person for the job.
The Times posted similar articles when the US was selecting a Chair of the Federal Reserve, when the world was choosing a Secretary General of the United Nations, and in many other situations.
What matters is finding the best person for the job.
15
I may be an outlier, but the shape of a person's genitalia have never had the slightest influence on my voting for them. The first politician whose campaign I worked on was a woman, and I have supported male and female politicians in races from City Council up through Presidential based on how well I felt they represented my interests only. I would have voted for a qualified female in the presidential race had one, for example Ms. Rice, run.
I am sure that there are many people who vote on the basis of gender or race, and they lie on both sides of the line. I have no more respect for someone who votes for a person because she is female than I do for one who votes against her for the same reason. Lets look for qualified candidates, nor ones who meet quotas.
I am sure that there are many people who vote on the basis of gender or race, and they lie on both sides of the line. I have no more respect for someone who votes for a person because she is female than I do for one who votes against her for the same reason. Lets look for qualified candidates, nor ones who meet quotas.
13
Yes, sexism is a fact of life in this part of the world, as it is most everywhere else.
Still, Ms. Bachelete's undoing (polling support hovers at or below 30 percent) was of her family's making. Folks were not pleased about her son and daughter-in-law's privileged, unsecured loan from the nation's wealthiest banker, Mr. Luksic, just days before Bachelet assumed office. And rightly so. We all expected more of Ms. Bachelet.
Still, another female president may well be on the horizon in Chile - journalist Beatriz Sanchez who leads the Frente Amplio coalition. Initially pooh-poohed by establishment press and talking heads, polls now show Sanchez has an excellent chance of a run-off berth against rightist millionaire Sebastian Pinera - a kind of Chilean Trump, lite, replete with sexist jokes, small hands and limited vocabulary.
If Sanchez does make the run-off, and then the presidency, let's hope your NYT writer makes a return visit to our corner of the world in order to update his story.
Still, Ms. Bachelete's undoing (polling support hovers at or below 30 percent) was of her family's making. Folks were not pleased about her son and daughter-in-law's privileged, unsecured loan from the nation's wealthiest banker, Mr. Luksic, just days before Bachelet assumed office. And rightly so. We all expected more of Ms. Bachelet.
Still, another female president may well be on the horizon in Chile - journalist Beatriz Sanchez who leads the Frente Amplio coalition. Initially pooh-poohed by establishment press and talking heads, polls now show Sanchez has an excellent chance of a run-off berth against rightist millionaire Sebastian Pinera - a kind of Chilean Trump, lite, replete with sexist jokes, small hands and limited vocabulary.
If Sanchez does make the run-off, and then the presidency, let's hope your NYT writer makes a return visit to our corner of the world in order to update his story.
6
"With President Michelle Bachelet of Chile leaving office next year, it seems nearly certain that soon only men will lead governments in North or South America."
Yeah!
Yeah!
4
Look at England. Two of best Monarchs were women. With "Men Only Need Apply" standing surely excellence will suffer.
2
Don't look at "England" but instead at Great Britain. And let's name names: Margaret Thatcher was one of the nation's more inspiring leaders in recent decades. She will be remembered for her steely resolve and leadership, rather than her skirts and gender trappings, which seem to fascinate the so-called progressive media in the colonies.
1
It would be good if in articles like this, The New York Times and other publications would make clear that Dilma Rousseff of Brazil was never accused of personal corruption or enrichment. In fact, she was impeached and thrown out of office primarily because she refused to stop an investigation into the corruption case of Eduardo Cunha, a legislator who no one doubts is massively corrupt. Ms. Rousseff was impeached on the flimsiest imaginable charges--manipulating government accounts--a practice that was not illegal and which many other presidents had engaged in before. Though she was the target of virulent misogyny during the campaign and the impeachment--one legislator dedicated his vote to impeach her to those who tortured her--she was removed for office for the purpose of dismantling the social safety net, weakening labor laws and selling off the country. In other words, attacking her as a woman was simply another way to achieve an ideological agenda. It is vital that the Times and other publications avoid suggesting she did anything whatsoever that was corrupt. That is simply not true no matter how much her reactionary enemies howl and assert it is.
11
"...presidencies — in Argentina, Brazil and Chile — made the region an exemplar of the global push for a more equitable footing for women in politics."
actual policies matter, not the 23rd chromosome of the titular representative of the populace.
nonetheless, when you do not like the results that elect the titular representative of the populace, you should first blame the voters, about half of whom have an XX chromosome.
p.s. appeal to sexual emotion and name calling occurs regardless of the sex of the candidates. for the species called homo sapiens, these tactics might be thought of as alpha manly or machiavellian, though probably not civilized and enlightened.
actual policies matter, not the 23rd chromosome of the titular representative of the populace.
nonetheless, when you do not like the results that elect the titular representative of the populace, you should first blame the voters, about half of whom have an XX chromosome.
p.s. appeal to sexual emotion and name calling occurs regardless of the sex of the candidates. for the species called homo sapiens, these tactics might be thought of as alpha manly or machiavellian, though probably not civilized and enlightened.
2
The article says, "Their presidencies — in Argentina, Brazil and Chile — made the region an exemplar of the global push for a more equitable footing for women in politics. And their moment came long before the United States, often regarded as less sexist than Latin America, even came close to electing a female president."
Yes, and the International Mafia Brotherhood - headed by the catholic church - are terrified that women will gain power and stop their centuries old corruption. They are right. Women Will.
Women in America will not go back to the 5th/15th centuries or the 1950s. They will not longer play the "game of thrones boys power plays" except on board games.
Blacks will not go back. Other minorities will not go back. Not now. Not ever again.
The International Mafia Robber Barons may have the money but WE THE PEOPLE have the votes. WE must use them like our lives depend on it. They do.
Yes, and the International Mafia Brotherhood - headed by the catholic church - are terrified that women will gain power and stop their centuries old corruption. They are right. Women Will.
Women in America will not go back to the 5th/15th centuries or the 1950s. They will not longer play the "game of thrones boys power plays" except on board games.
Blacks will not go back. Other minorities will not go back. Not now. Not ever again.
The International Mafia Robber Barons may have the money but WE THE PEOPLE have the votes. WE must use them like our lives depend on it. They do.
9
Ask black women in the USA what they think about the way that not only rich and not so rich white men, but rich and not so white women, have treated them since their forebears were brought across the Atlantic in chains, to be the slaves to their white masters AND to their white mistresses.
You might be dismayed to discover that the cosy sisterhood of all colours you imagine, does not and has never existed.
There is a hierarchy. At the top, are rich white men. Next, are rich white women. Just as men cannot claim to speak for women, white women cannot claim to speak for black women, and the rich and the well-heeled cannot claim to speak for the poor.
You might be dismayed to discover that the cosy sisterhood of all colours you imagine, does not and has never existed.
There is a hierarchy. At the top, are rich white men. Next, are rich white women. Just as men cannot claim to speak for women, white women cannot claim to speak for black women, and the rich and the well-heeled cannot claim to speak for the poor.
3
Meant to write: '... rich and not so rich white women ...'
Colenso: If your hackneyed intersectional drivel is true, how are you, a poor black female, possibly able to understand what a rich white male is or isn't able to understand? You can't. So just stop it.
2
To begin with, I am all for women's access to the highest echelons of power, and Michele Bachelet has earned the presidency based on her merits. She is so much better than her predecessor, a rich guy representing Chile's machismo quite well, to women's detriment, an abuse and a shame for us men. The only thing I regret, as Bolivian, is that the oligo-plutocracy in Chile has remained blind and deaf to the injustice perpetrated against Bolivia, by taking forcefully extensive land and converting Bolivia in a landlocked country, unable to reach it's potential. And Michelle Bachelet, as good as she is, was less than fortright in that regard. She could have done more, to restore our friendship, and to place justice where it belongs. A lost opportunity, for sure!
4
"by taking forcefully extensive land and converting Bolivia in a landlocked country,"
That's pretty funny. Bolivia and Peru started the war of the Pacific, they lost. Very very little of the land lost in that war originally belonged to Bolivia, most of it had been in Peru. And, Chile grants free access to ports on the Pacific via very well maintained highways which Bolivia uses day in and day out for import and exportation. Convoys and Convoys of massive trucks making use of roads maintained by taxes on the Chilean people. Chile also built a railway for Bolivia, which would take their goods straight to the Pacific port, but they don't even bother to use it. Read the "Ten Cent War", you'll learn something. Or, wikipedia.
That's pretty funny. Bolivia and Peru started the war of the Pacific, they lost. Very very little of the land lost in that war originally belonged to Bolivia, most of it had been in Peru. And, Chile grants free access to ports on the Pacific via very well maintained highways which Bolivia uses day in and day out for import and exportation. Convoys and Convoys of massive trucks making use of roads maintained by taxes on the Chilean people. Chile also built a railway for Bolivia, which would take their goods straight to the Pacific port, but they don't even bother to use it. Read the "Ten Cent War", you'll learn something. Or, wikipedia.
10
There is nothing funny about Chile's stealing Bolivia's land and exit to the Pacific. Chile, with help of the English, were exploiting Bolivian minerals (including guano and salitre) for a while'; and when Bolivia began taxing their exports, Chile invaded Bolivia and Peru to finish the conquest, and forced a peace treaty in 1904 so to stop further abuse in the future. Not as you mentioned; why should Bolivia declare war to Chile? They were not crazy, nor did they have the strength to do so. Please consult with independent, and truthful, sources before making statements devoid of weight. Incidentally, the port Chile allows Bolivia to use is Arica; currently in the hands of a private company, whose recent strike stranded more that 1,000 trucks on the road, a huge loss for lack of a sovereign port in Bolivian hands.
You are overplaying the gender card.
The proof:
Bachelet ended her first term as a popular president.
This is the reason she was elected a second time, after Piñera's presidency.
This second time, her performance and the honesty of her family, have run into many questions.
This is the reason she is unpopular.
The proof:
Bachelet ended her first term as a popular president.
This is the reason she was elected a second time, after Piñera's presidency.
This second time, her performance and the honesty of her family, have run into many questions.
This is the reason she is unpopular.
26
This is interesting, incredible in the twenty-first century!
2
The evidence is clear. Women are just as corrupt as men. Why should we care about whether there are women leaders. Let's focus instead on leaders who are not corrupt.
37
NO, Amy, that is not true. However, women are often used by their corrupt men to pretend women have power when, in reality, they do not.
Independent, socially conscious women will step up and take one-half the power in the world and it will change the world in a wonderful way. Time to put balance in the hate/anger/fear/WAR/LIES, LIES LIES world the International Mafia wants.
Independent, socially conscious women will step up and take one-half the power in the world and it will change the world in a wonderful way. Time to put balance in the hate/anger/fear/WAR/LIES, LIES LIES world the International Mafia wants.
3
To njglea,
Wake up and smell the coffee, girlfriend. I've spent most of my life working with and for women and have never contemplated the idea that they could be less capable than men, but this Kumbaya idea that women are not as potentially corrupt and authoritarian than men is pure sugar-coated propaganda. Let's face it: humans are a mess in general, regardless of gender, and when pushed by the forces of uncontrolled capitalism, the result is the overall ugliness we witness all the time.
Wake up and smell the coffee, girlfriend. I've spent most of my life working with and for women and have never contemplated the idea that they could be less capable than men, but this Kumbaya idea that women are not as potentially corrupt and authoritarian than men is pure sugar-coated propaganda. Let's face it: humans are a mess in general, regardless of gender, and when pushed by the forces of uncontrolled capitalism, the result is the overall ugliness we witness all the time.
1
OK. That's not a good or bad thing, it's just what voters want in each country at this moment in time.
23
This represents the clash of two incompatible yet fundamental rights: the right to equality for the sexes and the right to vote for whom you please. When the electorate votes for female leaders, they will be the leaders. Until then, any legislation telling the people that they must vote for this or that person because they are female is a fundamental violation of democracy.
16
And this is interesting why?
Perhaps you would be better served identifying what the critical issues are facing, say, Chile--or any where else--rather than simply focusing on whatever quota/goal you believe would best reflect perfection?
Perhaps you would be better served identifying what the critical issues are facing, say, Chile--or any where else--rather than simply focusing on whatever quota/goal you believe would best reflect perfection?
27
I would argue that one of the 'critical issues' facing Chile (as well as the rest of the world) is gender inequality and the fact that women are seen and treated as less than men.
Many women still do not have reproductive rights, are paid less than men for the same job, and their gender is given as an explanation for their shortcomings. Not to mention women make up more than half of the population but less than a quarter of government officials. Now, part of that could just be that fewer women actually want to hold elected office, but with a gap that large, gender discrimination is (in my view) obviously a factor.
Many women still do not have reproductive rights, are paid less than men for the same job, and their gender is given as an explanation for their shortcomings. Not to mention women make up more than half of the population but less than a quarter of government officials. Now, part of that could just be that fewer women actually want to hold elected office, but with a gap that large, gender discrimination is (in my view) obviously a factor.
7
Yeah.. THAT's a critical issue facing the world. Lets not mention north korea getting nuclear capabilities, China extending its military power all over asia, the possibility of europe breaking up in the midst of the rise of nationalism in the region, etc..
We should worry about the fact that people are too free to chose, so they only choose what they want, and not what they should. (sarcasm off)
We should worry about the fact that people are too free to chose, so they only choose what they want, and not what they should. (sarcasm off)
Ex-president Dilma Rousseff is guilty and her impeachment is completely legal ; "prosecutors and judges have uncovered a multibillion-dollar kickback and bribery scandal at the state-run oil firm Petrobras, the biggest company in Latin America until the scandal hit. Essentially, contracts were inflated so up to 3% of funds could be channelled to the three parties that previously formed a ruling coalition: the Workers party, the Democratic Movement party of Brazil (PMDB) and the Progressive party. The probe, however, has widened to include other parties and other projects, including the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Some predict it will lead to the greatest jailing of lawmakers in world history.The scandal has paralysed the government because bribes were essential for building coalitions. It has also choked business because prosecutors ordered the suspension of contracts between Petrobras and its major suppliers, which included almost all of the country’s biggest construction and shipping firms. In more than two years, 61% of Petrobras’ 276,000 employees have lost their jobs, according to local media. Many smaller firms that depended on its business have been made bankrupt." ( The Guardian ).