Americas

=HAWK'S EYE on the AMERICAS=


 * The week of September 15, 2008: Chile, Venezuela, and Bolivia

By Alia**

This article centers on Chile, a country that used to be known for its social conservatism but is now known for its new sexual awakening. Chile’s teenagers are gaining a reputation for being sexually advanced while the country is still preventing ordinary sexual education. This article explains the many 18-and-under clubs where teenagers can go and makeout with as many people as they want to. Along with this period of sexual awakening, or to be blamed because of this, Chile is experiencing a new technological advancement with the internet and social networking devices, such as Fotolog, which is a place where teens can go and give out their pictures and plan parties.
 * Current Events: In Tangle of Young Lips, a Sex Rebellion in Chile**

The article goes into some background on Chilean society and government, such as the fact that this new sexual reputation is new to most of the teenager’s parents and grandparents because they were repressed by Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s regime. Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s regime, which began in 1973 and ended in 1988 was known for its severe human rights violations and suppressed liberties. Up until 2004, divorce was illegal, there were (and still are) severe restrictions on abortions, and sex education materials were banned.

This article brings up many important topics that have to do with sexual education in different countries. As the pregnancy rates are increasing in Chile, the sex education available is not. Along with this, the parents of these teens didn’t get proper sex ed either, which makes it all the worse because they have no one to turn to. It was interesting to note that someone interviewed in this article said that serious relationships were declining, which can have many negative consequences, such as more unplanned pregnancies, HIV/AIDs, and illegal abortions.

It was interesting to note that the article stated that Chile’s economy may have to do with such a spike in sexual awakening. The article said that Chile was a large consumer of digital technology, such as the internet, cell phones, and TV. Along with this sexual insurgence, the internet is becoming a larger source for sexual material and its getting into the hands of too many teenagers. The article brings up the issue of how a government should regulate the internet while allowing people to have their liberties. This issue is more challenging than US internet issues because Chile is a completely different country. The internet is universal, but at the same time, each government in the world is different, which makes it hard on how to regulate it. The globe is facing complicated issues that it has never experience before because of the extra issue of the internet. Other countries have issues of whether or not they should interfere because they have to maintain the country’s sovereignty, but at the same time, other countries don’t want to see an increase in HIV/AIDs to where it gets out of control like in some African countries. Although the article doesn’t bring up the issue of women’s rights and their option to choose to have abortions and/or birth control.

“Background Note: Chile”. US Department of State. 15 September 2008. . Barrionuevo, Alexei. “In Tangle of Young Lips, a Sex Rebellion in Chile.” The New York Times. 12 September 2008. 15 September 2008. < http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/world/americas/13chile.html?pagewanted=1>.
 * Works Cited**


 * By Stella

US Says It Will Oust Venezuela Envoy, and Names 2 Officials as Rebel Backers**

This article, published in the New York Times, describes the newest addition to escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Last Thursday, Hugo Chavez – “president” of Venezuela – expelled American ambassador Patrick Duddy in a surprising move, asserting that he had discovered plans for an American-supported coup to overthrow him. And, in classic playground fashion, the United State’s immediate response was to expel the Venezuelan ambassador, amid Treasury Department claims that Venezuelan intelligence was providing aid to terrorist group FARC in Colombia (how the Treasury Department got wind of this information is beyond me). And it only stands to get worse: at present, the US is considering the logical next step: labeling Venezuela a state sponsor of terrorism. The situation is further complicated by Venezuela’s recent security alliance with Russia, particularly their joint military exercises in the Caribbean seas.

This article is a mecca of global issues. It is an article of ‘what-ifs’ that have the potential to affect many more people than just the two players involved. The addition of Venezuela to the list of state sponsors of terrorists would have global repercussions including but not limited to further straining of US-Russia relations (something the US is not entirely sure it can afford to do) and economic stresses for those countries who rely on Venezuela for oil. Do not be fooled, however; the United States is not one of those countries. In fact, a halt of American-bound oil cargoes would probably end up hurting Venezuela a lot more than the US. This also comes at a time of great domestic upheaval in Venezuela: the falling of both international oil prices as well as the black market value of Venezuela’s currency, the Bolivar, has placed unwanted tension on an already tense and volatile country. If Venezuela blows, who knows what would blow with it. In the end, however, this entire situation could end up hurting Chavez more than he knows; the fatal mistake of so many leaders in the past has been to underestimate the long arm of American power and influence across the globe, and Chavez finds himself dangerously close to falling in that boat if he keeps this up.

For more information on Venezuela’s history of tension with the US: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Venezuela#The_USA_and_Hugo_Ch.C3.A1vez

For more information on Hugo Chavez:[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Chávez]

Bowley, Graham and Mark Landler. “US Says It Will Oust Venezuela Envoy, and Names 2 Officials as Rebel Backers.” New York Times. 12 September 2008. New York Times Company. 14 September 2008. .
 * Work cited**


 * By Ainsley**

Recently in Bolivia they called for a “state of siege” in an eastern province. In the eastern province at least eight people were killed, they was a battle between pro- and anti- government activist. When Bolivia called for this “state of siege” they made many rules for the Bolivians to follow. The troops took over the airport in Cobija. They would fire gunshots to make the protesters go away. The state of siege limits the citizens rights. They are not allowed to carry weapons and vehicles are not allowed on the streets. Many people have turned against Evo Morales, the Bolivian President, and he was told that other governors from the eastern provinces would revolt against him. After hearing that he said he would consider ending the “crisis.” This Global issues raised in this article is that the people and other government officials are not agreeing with the president and that there is a possibility of a revolt. The government is still trying to bring peace to the government and try to negotiate with the other parts of Bolivia to be peaceful.

Associated Press. "Bolivia orders state of siege in province." MSNBC. 12 Sept. 2008. 12 Sept. 2008. Carrasco, Gloria. "Bolivian 'state of siege' declared." CNN. 13 Sept. 2008. 14 Sept. 2008.
 * Words Cited**