LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Saturday, April 26, 2008

The U.S. 4th Fleet returns to the Caribbean & South America

Nor does one expect that either Clinton or Obama would pull it out if they got the White House, their mutual profound ignorance of the regions exhibited every time anyone thinks to ask one of them about policy there.

The first part of the article:

[ April 24 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Navy plans to re-establish its Fourth Fleet, disbanded in 1950, to oversee ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean and Central and South America, a Defense Department statement said.

Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, current commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, will lead the fleet effective July 1, Admiral Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, said in a statement. The fleet will be based in Mayport, Florida, coordinating efforts with the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, which also is based there.

``This change increases our emphasis in the region on employing naval forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests,'' Roughead said.

The U.S. Navy has been planning to build up its forces in the region. Admiral James Stavridis, who oversees military affairs for Latin America, told Congress on March 6 that he backs plans to designate a new fleet, led by a nuclear aircraft carrier, to patrol the waters of the Caribbean and Latin America in support of counter-terrorism operations.

The move comes as South American nations, including Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador, boost military spending to counter tensions and protect oil reserves. ]

5 comments:

Frank Partisan said...

Last weekend was a conference in Washington, DC about Venezuelan solidarity. JP who writes for my blog attended. He partied at the ambassador's house. JP is the nat'l chairperson of "Hands Off Venezuela." It is centered in the US in Minneapolis.

From what I gather, the new leader in Paraguay, is more progressive than he's letting on.

Foxessa said...

New Mexico's Gov. Richardson, has been in Caracas all weekend, meeting with Chavez, re the hostages held by the FARC.

It may not be such a slamdunk this time around, for the U.S. in the Southern Hemisphere.

Love, C.

Foxessa said...

There's this recent piece on Counterpunch, too, by John Ross.

Here.

Love, C.

Graeme said...

I could see a Clinton presidency taking Chavez on

Foxessa said...

I could too, since Himself is so hand-in-glove with the Colombian gummit re the trade agreement deal, and is royally po-ed that the POTUS campaign seems to have throw it into the sunlight, rather than kept it buried under a rock, outside of public view.

It would be a disaster though. Her ignorance of South America is beyond vast.

Love, C.