Venzuela

[Booty]

In consultation amongst it's members, The Psychiatric Association of Venezuela based on available observations has come to the common conclusion that Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, Presidente Boliviarianan Republic of Venezuela, is not exhibiting reactions consistent with those of a mentally competent individual.


May God help us, we have a madman in the chauffers seat.

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--] Venezuela: Export Volumes Fall Short of Official Claims, Sources Say
Dec 11, 2002

Venezuelan Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez said Dec. 11 that his country was resuming oil shipments despite widespread strikes that have brought the oil-dependent economy to a standstill. "We are already breaking the blockade and exporting oil," Ramirez said, adding that Venezuela planned to ship a total of 1.4 million barrels on Dec. 11. Stratfor sources on the ground, however, report a different situation.

They say only one tanker, a Russian-flagged vessel, has left. Sources say the tanker was steered by a retired captain and violated numerous international safety codes such as the requirement to dock with assistance from tugboats. That it was able to dock without the aid of tugboats suggests the tanker was small and not capable of carrying the volumes that Ramirez described.

Most important, the tanker drew oil from dockside storage facilities, not from PDVSA standard shipping lines. That is because Venezuelan oil production remains largely shut down. Total production -- including that of foreign operators and of synthetic crude from the Orinoco -- now is only 835,000 barrels per day, according to sources.

So long as the PDVSA strike holds, whatever crude oil and refined products that do get circulated or exported will come from stored stocks, whether at the docks or at the refineries. This means the Dec. 11 exports will be the exception, rather than the rule, while the country remains in the grip of the strike.
[/quote]

A few comments.

First Rafael Ramirez's full name is Lenin Rafael Ramirez who is the brother of Illych Ramirez. Perhaps these names mean nothing to you. Well Illych Ramirez, A.K.A. Carlos the Jackal is currently in jail in France for terrorists acts. Señor Chavez has been maintaining correspondence with Ilych ramirez in France and has publicly come out in suppport of him. His appointment of Lenin Ramirez to the Ministry caused quite a stir here, the man is in no way qualified and is a radical.

Second The safety violatioons documented and permitted here can seriously jeapordize our continued docking privileges in ports outside of Venezuela. Just as our commercial aviation is in jeapordy as well, to land a foreign airports we must have sustainable maintenance history.

While this government desperately tries to deny the extent of the strike, it is essential that the world know. Venezuela is not currently functioning as a nation.

[spurly]

Booty,

I saw this article on Yahoo, wondered what you thought of it.

Court Orders Halt to Venezuela Oil Strike
1 hour, 10 minutes ago  Add World - AP to My Yahoo!


By JAMES ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt Thursday to an oil industry strike that has crippled exports from the world's fifth-largest petroleum producer and strangled domestic gasoline supplies.

The court issued the order while it considers the legality of the work stoppage, which is part of an 18-day-old general strike against President Hugo Chavez. The strike has stopped oil exports from this key U.S. supplier and sent global prices above $30 a barrel.

However, it was doubtful the court could force workers back to their jobs. A spokesman for dissident executives at the state-owned oil monopoly, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or PDVSA, said they would disobey ruling.

"We won't go to work until the government decides to hold new elections," Alfredo Gomez told The Associated Press. "I and many of my colleagues have decided that we will exercise our citizens' rights to protest against the government. ... If they want to fire me, they can fire me."

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel condemned the workers' response. "The order is very clear, categorical: go back to work," Rangel told Union Radio.

Meanwhile, National Guard troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas Thursday at anti-Chavez demonstrators in the coastal city of Barcelona, said the governor of north-central Anzoategui state, David de Lima.

At least 15 people were wounded by rubber bullets and 12, many of them women and children, suffered the effects of the tear gas, de Lima said.

Carlos Ortega, leader of Venezuela's main labor federation and a leader of the general strike, called for further protests on Friday and said the stoppage would continue until Chavez steps down.

Felix Rodriguez, the oil company's production director, had sought the court order, arguing that the work stoppage threatened national security. Venezuela is losing $40 million a day in oil export income and could be forced to tap into its $15 billion foreign reserves.

The court said it will hear arguments within four days. In the meantime, it ordered striking workers and executives to resume work immediately.

Venezuelan and foreign tankers are idle, refineries are closed or operating at minimum levels and crews and dock workers are refusing to handle oil and non-oil cargos.

Oil production was down to 370,000 barrels per day — compared with 3 million barrels before the strike. Some oil executives fired by Chavez claim production is 200,000 barrels per day.

Chavez ordered soldiers to oil installations two weeks ago to prevent sabotage, pressure workers to return and force gasoline deliveries.

Gomez, the striking executives' spokesman, alleged that soldiers were "making people work at gunpoint" and many strikers feared for their safety if forced to return.

Gasoline shortages reached a critical stage Thursday. Most filling stations turned away motorists and officials said gasoline stocks were nearly empty.

In the western state of Tachira, authorities limited gasoline purchases to just over three gallons.

Angelina Martino, president of the Association of Gasoline Retailers, said 70 percent of gasoline stations in the Caracas area were empty.

PDVSA president Ali Rodriguez insisted the government was working to guarantee supplies for "many days."

Long lines formed at the few open stations. "I am annoyed because they (the strikers) are creating unnecessary chaos," said Claudio Cedeno, a 52-year-old truck driver.

In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) said Thursday the United States has presented some ideas to international mediators for solving Venezuela's political crisis.

He expressed concern about "the possibility of violence and deep political unrest and social unrest" and said both sides had been "intransigent."

Chavez's government is trying to keep Venezuela's transportation and economic infrastructures going and prevent more food shortages.

The government warned it will fine businesses hoarding supplies and will temporarily seize trucks, boats or aircraft to feed people if needed. But it insisted there were no plans to declare martial law.

The government also said it was opening a "megamarket" of food and other basics this weekend in Caracas.

The strike has curbed natural gas production intended for Venezuela's steel and aluminum industries. Vandals sabotaged an electrical substation in the eastern state of Anzoategui, temporarily cutting power to a natural gas plant, the state news agency Venpres said.

Opposition leaders called the strike Dec. 2 to demand Chavez call a nonbinding referendum on his rule, which they say has devastated the economy and polarized the nation. Chavez refused.

Strike leaders now demand early elections, which Venezuela's constitution does not allow, or Chavez's resignation. The constitution says a recall vote may be held halfway into Chavez's term, or next August.

Chavez's popularity has plunged since his 1998 election and 2000 re-election. But he still enjoys some of the highest approval ratings among Latin American leaders, VenEconomy magazine reported. His base is Venezuela's poor, who comprise 80 percent of the 24 million people.

Chavez claimed victories this week with declarations of support from the military. The Organization of American States and foreign governments have urged Venezuelans to find a constitutional solution to the crisis.

There were signs of a possible settlement. A group of pro-Chavez lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment allowing for elections next year, El Nacional newspaper reported. The amendment would cut the president's term from six to four years, said pro-Chavez lawmaker Guillermo Palacios.

[janine]

Thanks, your post gives us a handy fax-able or e-mail-able piece of information.

[Booty]

Janine,

As usual you have cut to the core.

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Our attention to weapons has no counterpart in your stories, though.[/quote]

I believe this is what is troubling me the deepest, Janine. Unlike many pacifists, I am intimate with weapons and their use. An intimacy that I purposefully have shunned.

But I am finding that the ideal of pacifism becomes harder and harder to support while you live in the chaos of anarchy. I have relaxed my stand somewhat and it troubles me.

Our home is surrounded by a three meter high wall. Very common here. The wall is now topped by barb wire, once again very common here. Two strands now carry current, once again common here. Uncommon is the Brojees touch, the two strands may carry 220, one 10000V DC and the other 110 AC, or both 10000 VDC. All depends on one or two jumpers at my control board. The engineer in me enjoyed designing it.

All ready to go, I just have not attached the first jumper.

The pistol that I disabled was brought over to me for safekeeping. Papa is drunk all the time now and like many drunks he is a nasty one. It rests tucked away with the knowledge that I could reable it readily if I choose. I am choosing not.

But Bunny and I saw a hand come over the wall to the side a week ago, her barking to no avail. A stout stick did wonders though. I thought long and hard about that pistol.

I know many of my brothers and sisters have managed to reconcile their faith in the Lord with weaponry. Many of you here that I deeply love have made the struggle and have come to the peace that the Lord would want you to use a weapon to defend your family. Janine, I know better than to think that you and Mike just said, "Well we're not doing anything else Sunday after services, why not go shopping for a hand held bullet launcher". I know from talking to him that Wiley bearing arms in his work did not arrive at the decision lightly.

I believe that in combination with everything else, or perhaps because of everything else I am being tested very strongly in an area I never thought I would be tested in ever again.

Bainton in his book Christian attitudes towards War and Peace quotes Spykman in the following:

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--] In man's idealism lies both his strength and his weakness as a fire. He can be made to fight for his personal and social survival, but it is easier to inspire him with a call to service for abstract values than with a promise of material gain. In terms of interest men divide, only in terme of the  defense of the moral order can they unite. Because man loves peace, it is always the opponent who is the aggressor, and, because he prefers decency it is always the enemy who fights unfairly and with cruel and dastardly means. National struggles inevitably become struggles between good and evil, crusades against sin and the devil. Modern wars can be fought successfully only in an atmosphere of unreality and make-believe.[/quote]  


The hand Buny and I repulsed, could it have possibly been one of the very people we are witnessing to? What degree of demonizing my neighbour will I have to do to attach those jumpers?

I believe it is a shame that evil people are not marked in some way that we can see.



NOTE: My GDA was wrong, two were killed in Caracas yesterday, they died last night. Details are still sketchy.



[!--EDIT|Booty|Jan. 04 2003,08:33--]

[nerdneh]

Brojees, have you thought about the Dominican Republic or the country of Costa Rica? These are both relatively stable at this time, and that may facilitate the sharing of the Gospel.

The Story of the GENERAL at the Coca Cola plant reminded me of the story Victor Frankl tells in "Man's Search for Meaning" about the SS Officer who just uttered a nasty curse word when Frankl asked him if he could keep his (Frankl's) PhD dissertation that, for some reason, he had on him when he entered the concentration camp.

Some persons are so devoid of humanity that a little Jack Russell terrier would be their moral superior.

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (janine @ Mar. 05 2003,10:23)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Oh, my.  At least the oil didn't run into the pothole & ruin the pig ... :yummy:

I hope that courtesy & tradition demand that the handstanding motorists get some barbeque out of the incident![/quote]
I don't know Janine, we are all too busy eating our own pigs!

[Booty]

0930 7 December 2002  (Your Pearl Harbour Day)

Last night they opened fire on the peaceful protesters in Plaza Francia Altamira. 12 wounded, 2 dead, a 17 year old colleen armed with a pot and spoon and a 40ish man armed with a flag. Plaza Francia is the center of the protest where the dissident military officers are gathered. We are calling this the Altamira Massacre. We had some 20 brothers and sisters here watching the telly and praying with us.

Our plaza is like the proverbial wake, people walking past glaring suspiciously at each other. Looks like the Shankill Road on 12 July. Too many are wearing jackets and the mercury is high 20s Celcius. Those bulges in the pockets are not their bleedin gloves to be sure!!
Charli and Josue turned up at the gate 0300 bleeding. We brought them in and did first aid. They went scouting on a borrowed motorbike and were knocked off. We have a lot of talking to do about prudence. Their father will be furious, I need to walk over there this afternoon and talk with him.

The shelves are emptying in the market, no petrol to be had. Electricity is intermittent and water stopped flowing in the pipes.

Communications workers may be going out as well, may not see you all for a time. Phonelines never have been that good and cellulars are hit & miss, but our Basic rent expired on both of our cells Thursday and their are no cards to be had to reactivate them!! I downloaded an article on Carrier Pigeons and hung it in Captain Nemo's cage!! Daft Parrot, he laughed so hard I was waiting for the neighbours to complain.

LOLOL!!!  Home post delivery never has worked so I set up with Mailboxes Etc. in Puerto La Cruz. LOLOL!! When I went by last, they are closed for the duration!!

The oil flow has stopped, suspect we finally are the subject of discussion in Washington D.C. What amazes me though is with South America erupting, the administration remains focused on Iraq.
But, Bunny is now back on LIMITED DUTY!! She still is too weak to spend the night out doors, but she has her bark back!! She raised a tempest she did when Charli and Josue showed up!! Thank you Lord.

God Bless all!

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (marc @ Dec. 08 2002,10:25)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]yeah, I've been praying too; I hope everybody has.  btw, do you know of any US media outlet that's giving the troubles in Venezuela good coverage? I just tend to hear bits and pieces.  I guess Booty's covering this for us better than we can expect from any other source.[/quote]
Marc and Ark,

Thank you for the prayers. We will be praying Wednesday night as well.

Marc, I usually balance my news with European press as well on the internet. They seem to miss a lot as well Perhaps it is just the reporters do not have time to find the facts.

By example, of the BBC, UK, reported thousands of Chavez supporters and thousands of opposition supporters protesting in Caracas. True, but here is more:  We have been watching buses roll by on the highway near us last week with flags flying identifying them as Chavistas. The unofficial count is 500 plus. These buses are bringing supporters from all over Venezuela.  The recruited protesters receive a sustenance for "Expenses". This is a very hungry country.

The opposition in Caracas is Caraqueños, the Chavistas are imported. In the interior, there are not as many Chavistas left to protest and the opposition clearly outnumbers them. Reading though just the BBC piece it would appear that the protesters ae equally numbered, this is not the case.

I did note one particular report from Yahoo that should clearly underline the gravity of the situation. About a year ago, Chavez's wife was photographed with deep bruises and then seperated from him to live in Barquisimeto with their daughter.  She has maintained a very low profile. Chavez has made very few trips to Barquisimeto, the little girl has not made any trips to Caracas that any one has reported here.

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Even Chavez's wife, Marisabel de Chavez, called on the president to listen to the demands of his people.

"President, please, in the name of your daughter, in the name of your family, in the name of the country, listen to the people," she said in a television interview, the couple's daughter sitting beside her. The couple is in the process of divorce.

Chavez said he would never step down.

"I swear they won't succeed," he said on his television program. "I swear by God ... that they won't drive me from the presidency."
[/quote]

I know his private life should be private, but I feel that in this case something of the character of our president is seen. Listening to the man on the telly and watching his mannerisms and mode of dress, I am convinced he is mad.

[janine]

Perhaps as a relaxation exercise we should list all the professions

(a) which we wish would go on strike any time, just 'cause we don't like them,  and

(b) which we may approve of, but if they went on strike everything would grind to a halt and good elections could be held.

Such as:  

"A" List:
soap opera writers
profane musicians

"B" list
Venezuelan Presidents
Venezuelan Presidential Advisors

Like that.

P.S. I love my brothers & sisters, even the ones whom I think must be insane for promoting the political people they do.  
{{{Prayers}}} for Omega.

What is that organization you asked if I belonged to Booty?

[janine]

Sometimes all we're left with is "life is so hard... but God is so good"...

[Booty]

Kevin and Bill thank you both, the prayers are very welcome. Bill isn't it nice when you can use Sunday sevices to share His love? I really hate it when I have to attend to "messy details" and preach on some issue we are trying to stop in the ground before it springs forth to damage our congregation.

Really need to talk to my brothers as well, whenever we are discussing our sermon plans, they always leave the "messy details" to my own self. We need to share this duty.

Last Sunday I also had to deal with a complaint. We had planted the Venezuelan flag where it can be seen during services when all this trouble started and we commenced our non stop lessons on peace. It was brought to my attention that the unconverted daughter of one of our sisters had commented on the flag as inappropriate. Amazing how someone who has never attended a single class, sermon, vigil or prayer session in our congregation or any other congregation could assume the position of telling us what is appropriate or not. But that is as it is, it was explained that the flag was there because it is Venezuela that we are lifting up to the Lord and that flag is the symbol of Venezuela. I do hope Maria talks with the lass, actually I pray the lass comes to me directly. We have more urgent matters to discuss than the presence of a wee flag!!

There are times when people simply amaze me with their audacity!

[janine]

Rather like that other quote... who said it?...

"Trust God but tie up your camel"?  "Trust God but lock the barn"?
"Trust God but chain up your ass"?


There was a National Public Radio report on the latest entrepenurial venture, those metal back-and-forth metal clackers to use in the casserola .  :crackup:  There are even CD's of pots and pans being banged, you can hook up your stereo speakers to blare it out of the windows.

[Booty]

It has been almost a month since I posted this:

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Just returned from Clarines. We talked long about the strong possibility that they will be assuming total responsibility for their services for a time as the last petrol pump in Piritu is now closed. We will guard the petrol we have for emergencies in the various congregations. If one or two of us can get there and back by buseta, we will.

Not sure of how that will be by Wednesday, our next class day. Jessica and Richard approached me and Jessica with Adell will be discipling Richard Monday and Tuesday to baptise him Wednesday. I offered to go to the river right then and there, but he said no he needed the two more days. Pray for them.
[/quote]

Remember? I do, oh do I!  We have been praying for Clarines. Our communication with them was lost as Marilu's phone was cut off. How were they doing? Were they meeting? How were they?

Last night our new deacon, Jesus, proposed that he mount an expedition to Clarines with Aricelis, his wife. We agreed and they were instructed to use our offering for their expenses if they could find transport.

Jesus and Aricelis just left and I have an announcement for all of you. They made it to Clarines and back (NOTE: Eliecer went with them. Omega, our Chavista, found them transport in a buseta that was carrying protesters....Remember Eliecer is very anti Chavez!!   They got a ride back with a National Guard officer.)

Please take the time to welcome the newest true congregation of the church of Christ, Clarines, Edo Anzoategui, Venezuela. The Pulpit minister is José Mulatto assisted by his younger brother Richard. Puerto Piritu would also like to announce that  as soon as the strike ends we will be shifting our Sunday evening services to Pueblo Viejo and the Clarines congregation will be assisting.

Now let's see if I understand this.  Mirvida, José's wife apparently told him that she would be baptisiing with Richard because there was a lot of work to do and they could not continue to depend on Puerto Piritu to handle everything.Adell and Jessica went into high gear and José finally started talking!!!  Dioseda has been directing the singing assisted by Keti.

And Brother Booty has learned a very good lesson. We have been actually conducting two services each Sunday, mornings in Piritu and evenings in Clarines. The Clarines services were always heavily populated with Piriteños and my, MY, pride and vanity was perpetuating this horrible paradigm that Clarines had to have us there each Sunday to survive. José didn't talk because Saint Booty wasn't allowing him the opportunity. Forgive me Lord this gravest of sins, I who always said I did not want the Church of Saint Booty in Puerto Piritu had created the Church of Saint Booty in Clarines. Forgive me Lord my horrible pride.

We started in Clarines because Sandi met a man from Clarines who sounded like he knew the Lord.... Oh did he.... he is back at the Jewish Temple now after spending time with the Jehovahs Witnesses after the Evangelicals after us after the Pentacostals after ......  But Saint Booty had this dream that this man, Yonathan would lead a congregation.........  Saint Booty's idea, not the Lord's.

Then for so long our only brother in Clarines was José who arrived humbly and remained so quiet. I prayed and I prayed for another brother who could talk, another brother who would dream, another brother who would ....well.... be another Saint Booty.

Instead the Lord decided to clip my wings, cut off the petrol and teach me a lesson. The Lord parked my famous people popcorn Jeep. I wanted to go to Clarines, but Jesus pointed out that assessing the spiritual health of the congregation and identifying their needs was his role as a deacon. He also pointed out that travel would be easier and safer for morenos, (Brown people) and not catires, (White people). Saint Booty got another blow to that horrible pride when all the men of Piritu agreed with Jesus.

And today Saint Booty sits here crying softly with joy at the wonders of our Lord, from the chaos of anarchy that is raging across this land has arisen a new congregation of the church of Christ formed from the ashes of the Church of Saint Booty, praise the Lord and forgive me Lord for I have sinned.

[Booty]

Many times Latin American generals tend to be nothing more than rows of gaudy ribbons and flashy uniforms. This man is not, he is a gentle elegant man with considerable command presence. I have heard him speak personally and were I in uniform, he is an officer I would gladly follow. I ask you prayers for him today.

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]The first political prisoner

Caracas, Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan police arrested National Guard General Carlos Alfonzo Martinez, one of 14 high- ranking officers who took over a Caracas plaza more than two months ago, Union Radio reported. Martinez's arrest occurred one day after Chavez vowed to use a ``heavy hand'' to break up a 29-day nationwide strike that has paralyzed the country's oil production, and created food and gasoline shortages.
[/quote]

[janine]

Honey, you be as maudlin as you want to. And if anyone can't cut you a teensy bit of slack when your posts get taut, ah well, we need to get a life.

We just don't want you to ever lose hope in the Lord, and we don't want you to beat yourself up too much when you fail to be a perfect carbon copy of Jesus 100% of the time.

How odd that Mike & I have mentally planned for years how to navigate "when it all falls apart"... and we've never yet used most of the know-how.

Things you tell us sound a lot like what we've planned & occasionally done... the stockpiling of non-perishables, the self-sufficiency of windmills and gardening and raising rabbits and goats... sewing, crocheting, tanning leather with and without fur... buying inexpensive small-denomination gold coins against a day when the paper currency becomes worthless... the interest in a good dog or two at all times...

Our attention to weapons has no counterpart in your stories, though.

One reason I am so grateful for the years "back home" since we left Iowa in '95, is that down here I know where to run and what to eat if "it all falls apart" and we need to take to the swamps!

Is that a lack of faith, that I'm grateful to be where I can provide for & hopefully protect my family (and any of the church family who will follow me  :alien:), if the need arises?

[Booty]

It won't make it past Miami Janine, I have mail backed up there now. We wait.

Sandi and I started crying today, something so silly but so profound that it just devastated us. They were showing the forced entry into the Coca Cola plant in Valencia. The Guardia General Luis Felipe Acosta Carlez was there himself. This is a very flambouyant, very macho type, very arrogant, very very arrogant. Looks like a gringo or a german.  We watched the managers and their lawyer literally being thrown from the property. Then we watched the locks being cut of and the Guardia entering.

They perm...No they commanded the press to come in. General, GENERAL Acosta then opened up a soft drink, a malta, while being interviewed, took a long drink and then belched long and hard right in the face of the reprters.

I'm sorry, those were ladie reporters. I am not a prude nor am I mach, I might even kid Sandi with a belch in private, but just like that , in the faces of the ladies, in the camera and in the face of each one of us watching them violate the sanctity of private property.

I felt my eyes well up and looked at Sandi, she was already sobbing. We just sat there hugging each other and cried our hearts out. A belch, a rotten, rude, crude, Bog Culchie belch!! From a man we expected to protect us.

Oh Lord please please please, we are trying to be strong. We are trying.

[janine]

At least a Jack Russell is straightforwardly terrier-ish.  Not much roundaboutation, not much guile.

A cat, now...

[janine]

Who doesn't love Jimmah Cahtah?  He & his wife are wonderful people.  I hope he & Gustavo caught an icechest full.

Possibility of some version of a war crimes tribunal for the piggish ones, later on?  (I know, it's hardly a war... but it feels like one.)

Animal Farm made my skin crawl when I read it as a child.  The old Bert Reynolds movie Deliverance, I cannot bear to watch.  (The only reason I know about some choice parts of it is thru interviews with actors and via some phrases that have made it into pop culture... "Squeal, pig!"... shudder...)

People with God have enough trouble being the best they can be.  People without God, mobs and hordes and Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras, are worse animals than any animal ever thought of being.  Even minks.  Lemmings.  Monitor lizards.  Blech.

[Booty]

Here in the pueblo we are hanging on, I have to go to Caracas tomorrow with more documents. I'll go by bus and come back the same way, no gas for the car.

Oh Bunny Wabbit is no longer a Señorita!!  King, a handsome German rottweiler won her hand and the wedding was today. Now hopefully we will have the patter of wee rottweilers baouncing around!!

After the government denied the Consultative referendum for a questionable procedural reason, the ooposition decided to have a "Survey" forms were prepared and only eligible voters could sign with their ID number and their thumbprints. No it is not "Official", but then the official process was denied us. But it is being conducted as honestly as possible.

It will not be binding, but the consultative referendum would not have been binding in any event. Certainly there may be fraud, but there may be fraud in official elections as well. The final results will take a while to tabulate.

The preliminary results indicate the possibility of more than 5 million signatures, possibly 6 million, maybe 7?

Now not all of these will be against Chavez as Chavistas can sign as well, but based on what I have personally seen, the majority of the people signing appeared to be wearing the traditional opposition Venezuelan tri colour, Yellow, Blue & Red.

Very interesting to speculate because it appears more have turned out for this "Survey" than turned out for any of the elections where Chavez was involved.

No it will not be binding, but along with the investigations requested in Spain and the trials initiating in Miami, an overwhelming censure of this man should increase pressure on him significantly.

[janine]

Oh, my.  At least the oil didn't run into the pothole & ruin the pig ... :yummy:

I hope that courtesy & tradition demand that the handstanding motorists get some barbeque out of the incident!

Booty, we will pray as hard as we can.  We will pray for you and your church family's safety.  We will also pray for peace as we come up on the Prince of Peace's birthday.   If there is anything we can do to support your safety or if you need assistance in any way you know that we are all available.  You are our brother and we care deeply.  only by grace, Julie

[Booty]

Special prayers please for Omega Cauriguaipano. Omega is my brother in Christ and has long been a staunch Chavista. I walked down to the plaza to visit him in his watch shop. He is one of the few shops open.

Omega has been missing services lately as his political activities have been consuming him. I happened to ask him what the rate was to go to Caracas and protest. He broke down crying telling me it is 50000 Bs., (1 Euro=1USD=1400 Bs.), they also supply your food, transportation and lodging. He told me he thought of going with his two sons, they need to eat, but something stopped him. I told him the Lord does not stop attending to you even though you may ignore Him. I also told him that his place now is with his spiritual family and not running around Caracas with ....Whatever...

We all have political convictions. My blood is screaming right now! For ages Irish have fought for liberty and justice in Ireland and around the world. Here in Caracas at the side of Simon Bolivar lies Daniel Francis O'Leary, Bolivars trusted aide from County Tyrone. Your own history is rich with Mc' s & O's who gave their lives for your freedom. Many other nations as well enjoy freedom paid for with Irish blood. Saoirse is more than a word in Irish, it is an ideal.

But my blood is paid for by His and His must prevail. I must silence the clamour of my blood and listen to His will. I must seek the peace as he instructed me. I must love my enemies.

I understand Omega, I understand his passion. I just pray in the end his passion is redirected to our Lord.


Irony rules, the tax collectors have joined in the strike.

Go bhfóire Dia orainn!  ¡Que Dios nos ayuda!
Brojees

[janine]

Oh, he idolizes Castro anyway, doesn't he?  He should jump at the chance.

Our Ginger is like that, about squirrels.  When she was a pup they would sit high in the walnut tree and throw shells at her.  Their aim was quuite good.  It was like having monkeys throw things at you.

Now, if we want what looks like a savage 60-lb pit bulldog to provide troublemakers with a reason to go elsewhere, we say "Where's the squirrel?"

I went back and added some more to my post above, so anyone who wished to respond to it may want to reread it.

[Booty]

Todays sermon was a cooking class based on a recipe sent by a special friend of mine. (I did of course modify it just slightly.)

I started with a large pot and in went the ingredients one at a time.

First a carrot tough and hard that I could even beat the pot with, (Now where did that idea come from?)

Then an egg, hard on the outside like unto a rock, but fragile and all soft and runny inside when broken. Even broke one to prove it.

Then a tea bag, soft and unassuming, humble you might say. (Yes the recipe was changed here just slightly!)

After a few minutes talking about how the boiling water in the miraculous giant Irish cookpot was like trials, adversity and tribulations in your life, like what we are currently experiencing here, the ingredients were fished out of the pot.

First the carrot which literally fell to pieces when I tried to bang the pot with it again, while the water remained the same. Then the egg which had turned all hard inside as well, while the water remained the same. And finally the soggy tea bag which was basically quite the same as it started, but the water had changed to become a proper cup of tea!!

We then commented on the messages of Luke 1:79, 2:14, 7:50, 8:48, 12:49-53 and finally Matthew 5:9

We have decided we are to be tea bags in the boiling water surrounding us.

Two of our tea bags, Eliezer and Omega sat and talked for some time after service this morning, for some time. They had been politely ignoring each other.

And I must say this,

Merci, Mon Ami, Merci bou coup.

God Blessed me richly when I met you my friend, that recipe could not have come at a better time.  
:kiss:  :kiss:

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Booty,

After reading your post, I find myself just a little envious of such rich church family fellowship that you enjoy down there. :alien:

Wish I could import some of that up here.

:christmas:[/quote]

I suspect Wiley it cannot be imported but must be grown domestically.

I know from my church history that Piritu is unique, but I also know that we have to work hard to heep it thus. When Sandi and I first started it took every ounce of faith we had to allow Him to take charge.

Myself from a Presbyterian background and her from a very "C"  CoC backgound. (Did I ever tell you, Sandi's original congregation is the Taliban of the Talibans!!). Nothing at all to the political quagmire I came from!! Church Polity was our number one obsession, the Church pews had the Bible, the Hymnal, The Church Constitution and Robert's Rules of Order all side by side!

In the beginning we disagreed quite a bit on what direction we were going, but each time we sincerely went to our knees in prayer and asked Him to step in and show us what He wanted. He did and has, WHEN WE HAVE ALLOWED HIM TO. We also have learned of the reason he brought us together. Sandi is strong where I am weak, my strengths are her weaknesses. We have learned to respect this. Sandi is the planner and I am the dreamer. Without my dreams, she has nothing to plan. Without her plans, my dreams would not be realized.

Our additions the Lord provided were the right ones at the right time. When we were starting He wisely blessed us with many more men than women. Sorry sisters, but when you are a new congregation and struggling to be taken seriously, the paradigms are against a predominantly female congregation.

Los Elius came at the right moment and with the right principals. Eduard was the reluctant one, now he is our ROCK our Cephas. Jesusito is our guide, our spiritual beacon. Hector is our spunk our spark. Eliecer, (Our Eliu that is not but is), is our walking contradiction. When you meet him you might expect this is an ignorant culchie....Heh heh....Be careful, he has an encyclopedic memory of scripture. Lisette is our wide eyed believer and her sister Karelys is our loving cynic. The twins, Damelys and Darelys are our mobile smiles, if one can not bring cheer to you, the other will. Amazing, but they are not actually close. While they do seem to exhibit all the identical traits and reactions, they actually each go their own way. It is not an animosity, but I suspect that it is more of a simple matter of how bored you would become with your own self if that is all you had.

Jesus and I warred literally, he has a penchant for gossip and I have a penchant to confront people. Now I turn the other cheek and he doesn't go whispering about it. Jesus our spiritual physician, he keeps his finger firmly on the spiritual pulse of our congregation. Luis is our tractor, he looks like a fire hydrant and has the resolve of a bulldog. When he has clamped his jaws into something there is no moving him until we complete it. Omega is our philosopher always trying to complicate the simple.

We have allowed Him to move us around the board like pieces in a chess game. He knows when it is time for Sandi and Luis to step in with the planning and dedication and when it is time for Jesus and I to attend to a need.

One thing we have done though Wiley that I cannot recommend highly enough to everyone....(And who would I be to preach to the choir? Forgive me!!)... we have intentionally empowered every single member to take charge of the work of the church. We have intentionally avoided allowing a power structure to develop. This comes from our backgrounds, myself with the politicos and Sandi with the Talibans. We do not have a power cell where you have to get permission to obey our Lord.

Many talk of equality in the Lord's work, but I am sorry, I know I will offend many when I say this... BUT ...   very few practice it.

Perhaps I am just a poor manager, here I am the preacher of a church and things are happening that I know nothing of. Well allow me to set that straight. I am just Brojees, another brother who has a limited talent to hold people's attention for a hour or so every Sunday. I am not the manager here, that would be Jesus Christ.

Wiley, brother let me say something to you with all sincerity. You need not import what you already have within you, within you in abundance. I've seen it, I know it's there. It shows.  Just relax and let Him put it to work. Oh you will offend some, no, you will offend many. But then so did He. (Chuckling now) So did Paul, Peter, James, John, Thomas, Stephen...etc. etc. etc.  [B[PRAISE THE LORD!![/B]

[Arkstfan]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (Booty @ Dec. 23 2002,11:57)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Summary of Francis of Assissi, "Pray to God and Lock the door!!"[/quote]
Summary of Nehmiah.

"Lord save us from our enemies"

Now go get those armed guards posted on the wall.

[spurly]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (Booty @ Dec. 25 2002,10:20)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--][!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Booty,

After reading your post, I find myself just a little envious of such rich church family fellowship that you enjoy down there. :alien:

Wish I could import some of that up here.

:christmas:[/quote]

I suspect Wiley it cannot be imported but must be grown domestically.[/quote]
Booty:

The statement you mentioned above is packed with truth.  It must be grown in each individual church.

And it will look different in each body of believers.

God loves for his church to be like the colors of the [span style=\'color:red\']R[/span][span style=\'color:orange\']A[/span][span style=\'color:yellow\'][/span]I[span style=\'color:green\']N[/span][span style=\'color:blue\']B[/span][span style=\'color:purple\']O[/span][span style=\'color:red\']W[/span]

Kevin

[spurly]

Booty, you definitely have a gift with words.  Keep up the good work.

Kevin

[patriciaredstone]

<<it is strange, but there is a real world out there that we are just resigning ourselves to without further protest.>>

Booty, even though you are in the thick of it right now, the above statement is true for all of us. Politics invade our lives so silently that by the time we are aware we are being followed, we've lost our wallet and even our lives.

There are a few of us who cannot relax, and there are few who are complacent, but most of us just want to get on with our lives and our work in peace with ourselves and our neighbor. That is perfectly normal. Unfortunately politics are abnormal.

[janine]

It is very, very crooked, the idea that a warehouse of entertainment drinks are somehow vital to the national security, so much so that the military, the protectors of the nation, need to break in and 'liberate' them.

Then on top of that, to see an authority figure be so... so... so "snot-nosed-schoolboy-proud" of it!

I probably would have laughed in derision & disgust, rather than crying, but then I haven't had my protective cynical exterior softened up by suffering as you two have these past months.

*********************************************
Abba, Your servants need a break.

We treasure our 'free will', Father, but sometimes we hurt so badly down here, that we wish You would just step in and clean up the mess we as a race make of things.  Please grant Brojees and Sandi some relief from the pressures they face, and fear of the horrors they may face later.

How You would manage that without violating Who and What You are, we cannot imagine.  But, being the Holy and Righteous One, we know You can help us.  You are limitless, Your love is limitless; if You consider the fall of every sparrow, and if it's true that "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints"... then we know You can give us what we ask for Sandi and Brojees.   

Please hold our friends up, encourage them, strengthen their hearts and their hands.  Surround their whole group, their loved ones, the churches they serve for You, with the impenetrable shield of Your Presence.

Blessed Father, they are in Your hands.  Help them to know this.  Help them to draw confidence from this.  Build them up.  Hold them close, Comforter, and encourage them with the feeling that You are there loving them.

Your servants the angels, Lord, who do Your will, place them around the homes of Brojees and Sandi and your people with them.  Discourage evil intent in all approaching hearts.  Break the very weapons in the hands of any who would harm them.

Make their home a beacon of Your peace, so that evildoers will be abruptly stopped and persuaded to change through exposure to the very atmosphere there!  Shield them, please, Lord; be present in so real a way that even the perception of dull godless humans can sense that something's up!  

Use Your willing people in Venezuela, especially the three churches we love through Booty's reports, to maintain Your light there.  Heal their land and take it over, please, Father.  Use the present turmoil to remake the land, so that the very civil government reflects You.  Turn them into a light for You.

We have no natural authority to ask this, to expect anything from Your strong hand... yet You allow us access to Your Son's authority, the authority of His precious name.  We are so grateful, thankful, so humbled, Father.  Thank You.
*********************************************
Amen, yes?

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (marc @ Jan. 21 2003,00:32)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Any thoughts on Jimmy Carter's visit to Venezuela?  Will it do more harm or good?  I haven't heard many details.[/quote]
Personally I love your President Carter, such a giving man. I believe in this case, President Carter has already been used to send a very strong message. Without the details, everyone here is talking about how he went fishing when he first got here with Gustavo Cisneros. Cisneros is the richest man in Venezuela and according to the Chavistas, Public Enemy Number One. I really wish I had more details on this, but if true, the message to the Chavistas is clear. It was Cisnero's plant the was raided by the belching pig.

Chavez does not want the USA in the Friends group that is to help mediate, but Brazil's Lula has rebuffed him on his proposal to replace the USA with other nations possibly more friendly to him. Also the Generals have called for the ouster of the belching pig, Gen. Acosta. Now these are not the officers in disobedience in Alta Mira, these are the generals still serving.

Sandi and I are praying that this all signals that the military is finally ready the oust Chavez. Please Lord let it be so. We also are seeing where apparently they are working up to shutting down the television stations. They showed up with official papers at RCTV and Globovision advising of Administrative Action. At Globovision they turned and left before they served the papers when the cameramen got shot's of their faces.

I strongly suspect after the stations clearly broadcast the face of the guardsman who grabbed the woman from behind and threw her to the pavement striking her head with the caption below his face, "This is a Hero of the patriotism?", that many officials now really do not want their faces recognisable for when all this is over. That gives me hope as well, for it tells me that they no longer feel as secure carrying out the mandates of this madman Chavez as they once did.  
I also sense if Chavez is ousted there will be really hateful reprocussions for many who have abused the people for this madman. Personally I would be more than glad to put Acosta over my knee and whack his bottom properly.

[Booty]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (janine @ Jan. 23 2003,10:21)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Is it apostacy to lean more heavily on the words of Jesus than, say, of Paul?

(Where's my devilish grin smilie?)[/quote]
Apostasy?  Hmmm..... You might think so for the reception the idea received!!

Or maybe it was the presentation?

Oh ...Use my avatar for the grin!