South of the Border

Watched this documentary recently.
Seemed gushing and lacked equal depth, concentrating more on Chavez than other leaders.
But it is informative and provides an alternate perspective to the US MSM narrative of South American politics, leaning leftwards now more than ever before in the second half of the 20th century. It's difficult to get an unbiased viewpoint in these matters, but if you have two extreme viewpoints at opposite ends of the spectrum one can often assume that the truth sits uncomfortably in between.
I especially liked Stone's monologue towards the end in which he says something to this effect "...this interventionist capitalism must be replaced by a more benign capitalism..."
Amen to that.

Easily offended

'End all economic and political ties with Australia...', read a placard. A bunch of protesters held a hastily made cut-out of Goddess Lakshmi killing Mahishasura. In a classic demonstration of a blend of artistic imagination and timeliness, the demon was drawn wearing what looked like Australian cricket team colors. When reminded that it was Durga who killed the said demon, he replied, 'Barobare, tumhala bhavana pochlya na?'

After an hour of slogan chanting, when the press had disappeared, the 'activists' began to disperse. One protester was seen asking another, 'Photo-bito baghitlas ka?'
'Chya maayla, lai maal hote ki nahi...'