What is Going On?

I don't mean to turn the blog into a political one, but that is what is on my mind lately...please bare with me for a bit.

I read this in The Economist a few days ago: Uruguay’s Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a law that grants amnesty to military officials accused of murders and disappearances during the country’s dictatorship of 1973-85. The ruling came only days before an October 25th referendum on whether to scrap the law.

So I immediately (and excitedly) went to talk with a good Uruguayan friend of mine on the subject.

'How stoked are you?'
'There is a lot of work to still be done.'
'What??'

The conversation continued and according to them, and a few other things I have now read, the law is still in effect. This situation was only referring to one particular case. Ouch.

Oh yeah, there were not enough pink cards voted with to annul this law.

Un Video: La Ley de Caducidad

It's not in English (sorry), but these are a few Uruguayans and Argentines sitting in a studio telling a bit of their story and why this annulment is important for their lives and future. If for anything else, it's interesting to see an up close and real feel of some Uruguayans and their cousins.

Uruguay Elections in a Few DAYS!!!

On October 25th the long awaited elections will be held. "La Ley de Caducidad" will be voted for. A "Si" vote means that yes, the voter wants the law annulled, and the people involved in running the dictatorship will finally come to trial and meet their post-dictorial fate. Vamos arriba Uruguay!!!!!

Oh ya, and will it be Frente Amplio or the Partido Blanco winning the presidential battle?? The basic description is this: Frente Amplio is a group of liberal parties, bound together going against the old school conservative crowd calling themselves Partido Blanco. Almost sounds like a socialistic democracy against a democracy edging closer and closer to 100% capitalism.

Although, I could be off in my simplistic assessment of the parties and I would love to read some thoughts on this. And of course, thoughts on La Ley de Caducidad are always eagerly received.

CEIBAL - every child with a computer in school

CEIBAL (a Spanish acronym that stands for Basic Computer Connectivity in Education for Online Learning, but also coincides with the name of Uruguay’s national tree, the Ceibo), seeks to promote digital equality and to democratize knowledge.

For nearly a year this program has been in effect, but the computers have apparently been handed out to more and more primary school children until now (all 380,000 of them now have these small laptops). The computers are donated by an NGO from Massachusetts.

Tests on whether or not this has been working with the children's education are due to begin very soon.

Either way though, and once again, rock on Uruguay!!!!!

Uruguay 0, Argentina 1 - World Cup Hunt

Well, we almost got the win. But not quite. We still have a chance to make next year's World Cup showdown though, so the battling continues. Vamos Arriba Uruguay!!!!!

Dia del Patrimonio

Just this past weekend Uruguay celebrated their country's history, culture, and more with the "Dia del Patrimonio". I have a definite sweet spot for countries that celebrate as often as possible for whatever reason.

Acting freely, being stupid, laughing, and rejoicing in whatever cause (not that this cause is a small one, actually quite important for Uruguay!!).

The Peatonal Sarandi street in the old town was crawling with people and vendors for the weekend festivities...including these two clowns.

Good on you Uruguay.