Say it! SAAAAY IT!!! ---Sam Kinison
General Electric Vox published a photo essay about the crises in Venezuela. The photos of the protests were picturesque but something important was missing. It was especially noticeable when the essay by Amanda Taub, 11 stunning photos of the protest movement sweeping Venezuela, touched on the dismal economy. Therefore the most stunning thing about the essay wasn't the photos but the very noticeable failure to mention a certain word seen all over Venezuela.
A certain S-word seen all over the walls and billboards of Venezuela. A word that the corrupt government in Caracas proudly hails. A word describing an economic system that took a nation with the largest proven oil reserves in the world and turned it into a basket case where basic commodities such as milk, flour, and toilet paper are scarce. So let us now join Ms Taub as she describes the Venezuelan crises sans a certain word highly noticeable by its absence:
Protests have exploded across Venezuela in recent days as citizens gather to demonstrate against the government's heavy-handed police tactics, its crackdown on political dissent, and the economic woes that have led to inflation and shortages of basic goods...
"Economic woes?" Gee. Did they just magically appear? Or were they the result of a certain economic system that dare not say its name in General Electric Vox?
Large-scale protests began in 2014, and have continued since then. The falling price of oil, combined with longer-term economic problems, has crippled Venezuela's economy, fueling the political crisis. The country is now suffering from rampant inflation, as well as shortages of basic goods ranging from food to auto parts.
"Longer-term economic problems?" Such as what? Of course the author knows its name. Go ahead. Say its name, Amanda. Say it! Oh well, enjoy the photos, especially those of empty store shelves. And how did the shelves in that oil-rich nation become empty? The answer is found in a certain taboo S-word that fails to appear in General Electric Vox.
Exit question: How many hours does one have to wait in line in Venezuela to get a roll of papel de tush?
