Ok here it is a small, little piece I wrote on and about my Argentina. It really does mean something to me but if you all don't want to read such irrelevant and abstract writings then I totally understand, but if you would like to taste some of my work than dig in.
Its time to stop crying for Argentina and start working towards a better tomorrow. The corruption and crime that infests and bogs down Argentina today hinders the countrys ability to return to the magnificence of its yesteryears making it a very hard place to live in in recent years. Buenos Aires (the capitol city) for example has gone from being known for its beautiful European architecture and bustling nightlife to a place that tourists have been warned to avoid because of its crime. Much like a beaten down man who has lost all vigor and resolve for a better life, Argentina has slowly allowed the integrity to drain out of its body leaving just an empty shell of this once great and prosperous nation. Unfortunately, in the place where people once associated with the romantic and sensual tango, they are now being forced to dance around with crime and desperation instead, even the gauchos of the pampas have dwindled from sight being replaced by corrupt politicians and dirty policemen on every street corner to represent the country. This wasnt such a problem like it is now though, and then again some would argue that there has always been a problem here, be it out in the open like in the 1976 to1983 Dirty War or a more silent demon like the Buenos Aires police officers loading up their pockets with ugly ransom money. The corruption might always have been there. A corruption that has gotten so bad and so ugly that it is now considered just a normal and accepted way of life in Buenos Aires and in other major cities around the country. It is a sad state of affairs, but to think in a country where about 60 percent of the population is at or below the poverty line (Chicago Tribune), people could be pressured and put into a corner, where the only thing left to do is to sell their morals and integrity to the devil in order to feed their children. Along for the ride in this chaos comes those who are purely around for personal gain and greed, these are the people who have sold more than their own selves out, they have sold out their country, and maybe even hope itself.
If money is the root of all evil, we have a hell of an example on our hands here in Argentina. Apart from the dire economic woes, Argentina used to have a lot to smile about, even brag about one might say. There was a booming economy deeply rooted in the countrys beef industry, exportation was on the high end having a huge amount of goods being made inside the country, and people actually had money to go out and see our world renowned football (soccer) clubs. Now all that remains of Argentinas former magnificence is the World Championship football team and maybe a good steak. While this is all great and wonderful one can not live on football alone, so Argentines are left with an empty feeling inside hungering for a renewal of both their spirit and their pocketbooks. There is also an urgent need and sentiment to change the way things are, a need of renovation in the ideals of the people who are there to protect and to serve as public servants. To think about the elected officials that hold public office and at some point held the publics trust and respect now are mostly thought of as crooks and obstructers of justice. It is said that once you hear a lie over and over enough it becomes truth, well maybe that is what has happened here in Argentina, maybe truth and deception have morphed into a hybrid of sorts. I could only imagine losing all hope for a society and a way of life, having to look over your shoulder every time you go out just to go shopping, worried if the person walking behind you is on your tail preparing to mug you at your next corner or even worse being kidnapped and held for ransom. Not being able to trust anyone that is begging for your help in the street with their kids because they are brought up being taught to lie and not work for a living. Enough is enough, although some might say that there is no real hope for change or renewal of the spirit, there are and still remain beacons of hope amidst the chaos and dissolution that rots the country. One such example is textile engineer turned activist Juan Carlos Blumberg and human rights crusaders The Mothers of Plaza De Mayo who silently but persistently protested injustice during The Dirty War.
You would be hard pressed to find a viler, darker and more evil point in Argentinas history than 1976 to 1983 a period of time where many family members and friends of everyday citizens were taken away never to be heard from again. A well concocted coup of the Argentine government by the military took place on March 24th, 1976 (Jorge Rafael Videla and the Argentine Junta, Heroes and killers of the 20th Century) resulting in the installation of a military dictatorship to rule the land and stop freedom in its tracks. The coup was comprised of a 3 man junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla who was promoted to commander in chief just a year before. Along with Videla, the other members of the first Junta also included Brigadier-general Orlando Ramon Agosti, commander of the air force, and Admiral Emilio E. Massera, Commander of the navy. Though organized and brought forth to eliminate left-wing terrorism, the dictatorship gave birth to an unimaginable and far more despicable evil. The junta overthrew the then ruling president, Maria Estela Martinez de Peron who was grounded in the beliefs of the Peronist left. Instead of giving hope and power to the people it only created a massive public fear, a fear that was so bad some would turn in their own friends or family in order not to be brought in for questioning. My grandmother tells me the situation of a friends family whose son was abducted by the police in the middle of the night. The police said he had to come downtown to answer some questions and when the mother went to get him a coat because it was cold, one of the police officers mentioned that he didnt need one where he was going, undeniably insinuating the fate of not just this youth but of many like him. Under this military reign innocent civilians where illegally jailed, given no trial, tortured, and even given a free skydiving trip without the parachute. People were plainly put to death for sometimes just speaking out and voicing their opinions of the government. Along with civilians, the journalists of the day were severely persecuted limiting and censoring every word they said or published. The media was no longer the media it turned into right wing fascist propaganda and it seemed that no one was free to say what they truly believed. In an article written by Federico Guillermo Lorenzo he writes about Rodolfo Walsh who posted copies of his famous open letter from a writer to the Junta, in which he questioned the official version of the current situation in Argentina, Later on March 25th, 1977, he to disappeared. It is estimated that about 30,000 people have been killed or disappeared leading them to become known as Los Desaparecidos (The Disappeared) (Newsweek International The Dirty War Contreras). This period of time in Argentinas history from the year 1976 up until 1983 was called La Guerra Sucia, (The Dirty War).
As mentioned, todays Crime and corruption in Argentina is most predominant in the provincial police forces in and around Buenos Aires which commit crimes ranging form simple thievery, to intimidation in politics, to even murder. Thus is the case with the rising problems of random and premeditated kidnappings in and around the provinces most particularly in Buenos Aires. Even my own family has not been unscathed by the recent crime wave, recently in the past few months my uncle was kidnapped and held at gunpoint until he gave up all his money to his captives, twice before that he had all his hardware ransacked from his offices at work. People like my uncle are not just put through financial hardships that are compiled both from the normal and consistent cash flow of their jobs but they must also face the fear factor of everyday working and living. It is hard enough just getting up and going to a job when you dont know for sure if your employer is going to pay you this month, but to have to worry if you are coming home alive and with literally the clothes on your back, that is something else entirely. In another incident my cousin was robbed of his money on a busy city street corner in the middle of the city, pleading with his robbers one managed to make his way back to him and give him change for the bus so he could at least get back home. This might be one example of people being forced to do what they dont want to do, the people who truly feel bad about the choices that they are cornered into but end up making at the end. I have to admit that if I had no other choice than to steal some bread because my kids where going to starve if I didnt, well I am sorry to say people do things sometimes just to survive. This is not to justify their actions but it helps us to put ourselves in their shoes. To reiterate the people who are placed in places of trust and power however, need strict and swift reform.
There has been much talk and investigation into the link and involvement of the police and high ranking government officials with the epidemic of kidnappings in recent years. Many provincial police officers have been fired because of their conviction of crimes (Colin Barraclough). Also the newly appointed president, Nestor Kirchner has vowed to crack down and clean up the corruption that plagues the police force. Again though action will cash in on much publicized talk.
At his own sons funeral, Textile engineer, Juan Carlos Blumberg promised his then 23 year old son to fight against the injustice and corruption that has grabbed hold of this once prosperous state (La Cuarta). Here in lies some of he hope and change for the future. Here is a man bound by a promise to his son. A man with a fire inside himself that burns unrelenting, consuming all his thoughts pointing to one goal, and that goal is the reform of both the police and political corruption that feed of each other. This raises some important question that must be dealt with. Can this man be trusted with such an enormous and important task as this one? Will his work lead to aspirations of self grandeur, and could even Blumberg himself remain immune to the very corruption he has promised to lead a fight against? I suppose only time might shine light upon the payoff of his struggles.
Opposition, How could Blumberg, having such a great and noble cause, have any problem leading the citizens of the capital to a unified victory?? Why would anyone other than the corrupt ones not approve of his methods and trailblazing attitude for change? Lets think back a bit now. The people that live day in and day out the true Argentina are not ones to forget so easily what happened to them in the past. I mean although change is a great thing and very necessary, it might not be a very welcome idea to some of the public there. We are dealing with a country that went through five presidents in a week in its most recent crisis, one jumping ship after another, not sticking it out and giving the impression to the countrys citizens that its not worth the struggle. A country that has had leader, after ruler, after dictator thrust upon it with unrelenting fashion. From the left to right the country is thrown around the political ring like a heavyweight boxer on the losing end of a fight, stability and consistency are never given a chance to flourish and grow into something of its very own. Therefore in their fear and irrational formation of opinion some end up going as far as to label Blumberg as a fascist. Very often you will find posters portraying the humanitarian as a nazi officer fully decked out with swastika and Hitler mustache. People even write on these posters, We were better off with Videla, the lead killer during The Dirty War. They end up letting fear take over and dont ask, how can this get better? But instead bring back to life some of the countrys old demons and keep them fed and as powerful as ever. The anti-Blumberg movement is surely alive and out there. Sometimes the pictures and slogans seem filled with downright propaganda and nothing but. In all this fight against Blumberg I cant help but wonder why such a fight against a reformist who has not done anything but try to push for stricter and more deterrent laws? Where is this coming from? Is it fearing fear, as Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, or is this another scheme to dismantle ones credibility and to lead peoples real concern into an alternate universe where we dont remember what we were first fighting for? At the end of the day given the facts that are out there I for one can only be led to one conclusion that speaks truth to me, and that is that the people who have the most to lose by this mans struggle for change are the ones that leak the poison lies into the river of hope and reform. In other words dirty politics at its worst once again.
March 24, 2004. This day was to be the worst day of Mr. Juan Carlos Blumbergs life. His 23-year-old son Axel had just been killed after attempting an escape from his kidnappers who had held him captive for about a week. Axel, an engineering student, was just about to graduate with a degree in industrial engineering from the Technological Institute of Buenos Aires. This young man was a very bright student who also took second place in a contest to design an all-terrain vehicle among other accomplishments. He later wanted to study abroad in the United States at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He beyond doubt represented the potential of a budding youth. All of these dreams and promise for a wonderful and productive future were suddenly snubbed out without any thought by his captors. Since they were not going to receive the 50,000 pesos (16,000 dollars) if Axel was to get away, why not get rid of the young man by murdering him? Unfortunately the value of human life in Argentina has seemingly been devaluating in recent years like devaluing stocks that you just want to get rid of fast. Thugs and kidnappers seem to care less and less by the day and violent crime is on an unbelievable surge. Also to complicate problems is the involvement of the lack integrity Police and high ranking officials who have been investigated for their involvement in this case. Up until today a total of 13 police officers have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Axel. We have to throw these bad apples out of the police force, Blumberg said.
Out of terrible tragedies sometimes opportunities for greatness materialize and great leaders are born. Although Blumberg would more than anything want to be with his child again and enjoy the wonderful day to day moments of family, he now has a job and promise to keep to his son and country. With his oath at his sons grave and the foundation of Cruzada Axel, Blumberg has led hundreds of thousands of Argentines to Protest the governments inability to protect its citizens form the infestation of crime that spreads through Argentina like the plague, trampling everyone in its path. Blumberg has also pushed for judicial and police reform when he gathered 2.5 million signatures on a petition. Blumberg goes on to say, In Argentina, 80% of the people that are in jail are processed but are not tried and convicted. Less than 1% of them are ever convicted (Latin Trade). Blumberg also recently led a march to the congressional buildings last April with about 130,000 people joining together for a candlelight vigil. Cries of Justice! Justice, could be heard in one of the greatest demonstrations since the restoration of democracy to Argentina from what was the end of The Dirty War in 1983.
You cant deny the difficulty of having ones convictions prevail in the increasingly harsh moral landscape that we are all forced to dwell in. Everyone knows how easy it is to just lay down unnoticed on the sidelines in order to not draw unnecessarily any unwanted commotion. To ad to the challenges of speaking out comes the problem of leading by example. What happens when you cant even trust your top elected officials to do what is in the best interest of the people? I am not talking about George W. Bush, which is a whole other issue in itself. I am talking about for example Carlos Saul Menem, one of Argentinas presidents who on October 5th 1989 as part of a military appeasement policy, pardoned 39 of those convicted of Dirty War abuses. In addition, a year later in 1990 Menem goes on to grant amnesty to the leaders of the military junta that were convicted and jailed for atrocities to humanity at the end of 1985. Videla, Massera, and Agosti were all set free, reducing their sentences from life in prison to about only four years. Instead of pushing forward with sweeping reform and much needed crackdown Menem caved into the absurd demands of the military. The president himself decides it is ok to back pedal and falls to the floor thanks to his fleeting backbone which has suddenly taken a permanent vacation to the land of shame and no morals never to return again. I also learned about Menems privatization of just about every utility and public works of Argentina when I watched the movie The Take. In it it tells about all the goods and public arenas that he sold to the highest bidders outside of the Argentina ultimately selling out the country so other states now run and own most of the land.
I cant vouch for all people, but it seems to me that when you come down to it a lot of what we consider doing for reasons of both good or bad, a lot is determined by the actions of others. Take the examples of our leaders such as the Coes of companies such as Enron selling out all of their employees and running off with their money, or the leaders and people of trust like the politicians or police officers of Buenos Aires stealing away our confidence in the system itself. We are influenced a great deal by what we see happen and allow to become the norm. I for one would hate to see America go the way of our South American cousin and if we can stand up for what is right it could make all the difference needed to salvage us from disaster. If we dont have people like Mr. Blumberg to steer us in the direction that leads us away from moral decay well we are all just doing ourselves in quicker than we might think.
Its time to stop crying for Argentina and start working towards a better tomorrow. The corruption and crime that infests and bogs down Argentina today hinders the countrys ability to return to the magnificence of its yesteryears making it a very hard place to live in in recent years. Buenos Aires (the capitol city) for example has gone from being known for its beautiful European architecture and bustling nightlife to a place that tourists have been warned to avoid because of its crime. Much like a beaten down man who has lost all vigor and resolve for a better life, Argentina has slowly allowed the integrity to drain out of its body leaving just an empty shell of this once great and prosperous nation. Unfortunately, in the place where people once associated with the romantic and sensual tango, they are now being forced to dance around with crime and desperation instead, even the gauchos of the pampas have dwindled from sight being replaced by corrupt politicians and dirty policemen on every street corner to represent the country. This wasnt such a problem like it is now though, and then again some would argue that there has always been a problem here, be it out in the open like in the 1976 to1983 Dirty War or a more silent demon like the Buenos Aires police officers loading up their pockets with ugly ransom money. The corruption might always have been there. A corruption that has gotten so bad and so ugly that it is now considered just a normal and accepted way of life in Buenos Aires and in other major cities around the country. It is a sad state of affairs, but to think in a country where about 60 percent of the population is at or below the poverty line (Chicago Tribune), people could be pressured and put into a corner, where the only thing left to do is to sell their morals and integrity to the devil in order to feed their children. Along for the ride in this chaos comes those who are purely around for personal gain and greed, these are the people who have sold more than their own selves out, they have sold out their country, and maybe even hope itself.
If money is the root of all evil, we have a hell of an example on our hands here in Argentina. Apart from the dire economic woes, Argentina used to have a lot to smile about, even brag about one might say. There was a booming economy deeply rooted in the countrys beef industry, exportation was on the high end having a huge amount of goods being made inside the country, and people actually had money to go out and see our world renowned football (soccer) clubs. Now all that remains of Argentinas former magnificence is the World Championship football team and maybe a good steak. While this is all great and wonderful one can not live on football alone, so Argentines are left with an empty feeling inside hungering for a renewal of both their spirit and their pocketbooks. There is also an urgent need and sentiment to change the way things are, a need of renovation in the ideals of the people who are there to protect and to serve as public servants. To think about the elected officials that hold public office and at some point held the publics trust and respect now are mostly thought of as crooks and obstructers of justice. It is said that once you hear a lie over and over enough it becomes truth, well maybe that is what has happened here in Argentina, maybe truth and deception have morphed into a hybrid of sorts. I could only imagine losing all hope for a society and a way of life, having to look over your shoulder every time you go out just to go shopping, worried if the person walking behind you is on your tail preparing to mug you at your next corner or even worse being kidnapped and held for ransom. Not being able to trust anyone that is begging for your help in the street with their kids because they are brought up being taught to lie and not work for a living. Enough is enough, although some might say that there is no real hope for change or renewal of the spirit, there are and still remain beacons of hope amidst the chaos and dissolution that rots the country. One such example is textile engineer turned activist Juan Carlos Blumberg and human rights crusaders The Mothers of Plaza De Mayo who silently but persistently protested injustice during The Dirty War.
You would be hard pressed to find a viler, darker and more evil point in Argentinas history than 1976 to 1983 a period of time where many family members and friends of everyday citizens were taken away never to be heard from again. A well concocted coup of the Argentine government by the military took place on March 24th, 1976 (Jorge Rafael Videla and the Argentine Junta, Heroes and killers of the 20th Century) resulting in the installation of a military dictatorship to rule the land and stop freedom in its tracks. The coup was comprised of a 3 man junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla who was promoted to commander in chief just a year before. Along with Videla, the other members of the first Junta also included Brigadier-general Orlando Ramon Agosti, commander of the air force, and Admiral Emilio E. Massera, Commander of the navy. Though organized and brought forth to eliminate left-wing terrorism, the dictatorship gave birth to an unimaginable and far more despicable evil. The junta overthrew the then ruling president, Maria Estela Martinez de Peron who was grounded in the beliefs of the Peronist left. Instead of giving hope and power to the people it only created a massive public fear, a fear that was so bad some would turn in their own friends or family in order not to be brought in for questioning. My grandmother tells me the situation of a friends family whose son was abducted by the police in the middle of the night. The police said he had to come downtown to answer some questions and when the mother went to get him a coat because it was cold, one of the police officers mentioned that he didnt need one where he was going, undeniably insinuating the fate of not just this youth but of many like him. Under this military reign innocent civilians where illegally jailed, given no trial, tortured, and even given a free skydiving trip without the parachute. People were plainly put to death for sometimes just speaking out and voicing their opinions of the government. Along with civilians, the journalists of the day were severely persecuted limiting and censoring every word they said or published. The media was no longer the media it turned into right wing fascist propaganda and it seemed that no one was free to say what they truly believed. In an article written by Federico Guillermo Lorenzo he writes about Rodolfo Walsh who posted copies of his famous open letter from a writer to the Junta, in which he questioned the official version of the current situation in Argentina, Later on March 25th, 1977, he to disappeared. It is estimated that about 30,000 people have been killed or disappeared leading them to become known as Los Desaparecidos (The Disappeared) (Newsweek International The Dirty War Contreras). This period of time in Argentinas history from the year 1976 up until 1983 was called La Guerra Sucia, (The Dirty War).
As mentioned, todays Crime and corruption in Argentina is most predominant in the provincial police forces in and around Buenos Aires which commit crimes ranging form simple thievery, to intimidation in politics, to even murder. Thus is the case with the rising problems of random and premeditated kidnappings in and around the provinces most particularly in Buenos Aires. Even my own family has not been unscathed by the recent crime wave, recently in the past few months my uncle was kidnapped and held at gunpoint until he gave up all his money to his captives, twice before that he had all his hardware ransacked from his offices at work. People like my uncle are not just put through financial hardships that are compiled both from the normal and consistent cash flow of their jobs but they must also face the fear factor of everyday working and living. It is hard enough just getting up and going to a job when you dont know for sure if your employer is going to pay you this month, but to have to worry if you are coming home alive and with literally the clothes on your back, that is something else entirely. In another incident my cousin was robbed of his money on a busy city street corner in the middle of the city, pleading with his robbers one managed to make his way back to him and give him change for the bus so he could at least get back home. This might be one example of people being forced to do what they dont want to do, the people who truly feel bad about the choices that they are cornered into but end up making at the end. I have to admit that if I had no other choice than to steal some bread because my kids where going to starve if I didnt, well I am sorry to say people do things sometimes just to survive. This is not to justify their actions but it helps us to put ourselves in their shoes. To reiterate the people who are placed in places of trust and power however, need strict and swift reform.
There has been much talk and investigation into the link and involvement of the police and high ranking government officials with the epidemic of kidnappings in recent years. Many provincial police officers have been fired because of their conviction of crimes (Colin Barraclough). Also the newly appointed president, Nestor Kirchner has vowed to crack down and clean up the corruption that plagues the police force. Again though action will cash in on much publicized talk.
At his own sons funeral, Textile engineer, Juan Carlos Blumberg promised his then 23 year old son to fight against the injustice and corruption that has grabbed hold of this once prosperous state (La Cuarta). Here in lies some of he hope and change for the future. Here is a man bound by a promise to his son. A man with a fire inside himself that burns unrelenting, consuming all his thoughts pointing to one goal, and that goal is the reform of both the police and political corruption that feed of each other. This raises some important question that must be dealt with. Can this man be trusted with such an enormous and important task as this one? Will his work lead to aspirations of self grandeur, and could even Blumberg himself remain immune to the very corruption he has promised to lead a fight against? I suppose only time might shine light upon the payoff of his struggles.
Opposition, How could Blumberg, having such a great and noble cause, have any problem leading the citizens of the capital to a unified victory?? Why would anyone other than the corrupt ones not approve of his methods and trailblazing attitude for change? Lets think back a bit now. The people that live day in and day out the true Argentina are not ones to forget so easily what happened to them in the past. I mean although change is a great thing and very necessary, it might not be a very welcome idea to some of the public there. We are dealing with a country that went through five presidents in a week in its most recent crisis, one jumping ship after another, not sticking it out and giving the impression to the countrys citizens that its not worth the struggle. A country that has had leader, after ruler, after dictator thrust upon it with unrelenting fashion. From the left to right the country is thrown around the political ring like a heavyweight boxer on the losing end of a fight, stability and consistency are never given a chance to flourish and grow into something of its very own. Therefore in their fear and irrational formation of opinion some end up going as far as to label Blumberg as a fascist. Very often you will find posters portraying the humanitarian as a nazi officer fully decked out with swastika and Hitler mustache. People even write on these posters, We were better off with Videla, the lead killer during The Dirty War. They end up letting fear take over and dont ask, how can this get better? But instead bring back to life some of the countrys old demons and keep them fed and as powerful as ever. The anti-Blumberg movement is surely alive and out there. Sometimes the pictures and slogans seem filled with downright propaganda and nothing but. In all this fight against Blumberg I cant help but wonder why such a fight against a reformist who has not done anything but try to push for stricter and more deterrent laws? Where is this coming from? Is it fearing fear, as Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, or is this another scheme to dismantle ones credibility and to lead peoples real concern into an alternate universe where we dont remember what we were first fighting for? At the end of the day given the facts that are out there I for one can only be led to one conclusion that speaks truth to me, and that is that the people who have the most to lose by this mans struggle for change are the ones that leak the poison lies into the river of hope and reform. In other words dirty politics at its worst once again.
March 24, 2004. This day was to be the worst day of Mr. Juan Carlos Blumbergs life. His 23-year-old son Axel had just been killed after attempting an escape from his kidnappers who had held him captive for about a week. Axel, an engineering student, was just about to graduate with a degree in industrial engineering from the Technological Institute of Buenos Aires. This young man was a very bright student who also took second place in a contest to design an all-terrain vehicle among other accomplishments. He later wanted to study abroad in the United States at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He beyond doubt represented the potential of a budding youth. All of these dreams and promise for a wonderful and productive future were suddenly snubbed out without any thought by his captors. Since they were not going to receive the 50,000 pesos (16,000 dollars) if Axel was to get away, why not get rid of the young man by murdering him? Unfortunately the value of human life in Argentina has seemingly been devaluating in recent years like devaluing stocks that you just want to get rid of fast. Thugs and kidnappers seem to care less and less by the day and violent crime is on an unbelievable surge. Also to complicate problems is the involvement of the lack integrity Police and high ranking officials who have been investigated for their involvement in this case. Up until today a total of 13 police officers have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Axel. We have to throw these bad apples out of the police force, Blumberg said.
Out of terrible tragedies sometimes opportunities for greatness materialize and great leaders are born. Although Blumberg would more than anything want to be with his child again and enjoy the wonderful day to day moments of family, he now has a job and promise to keep to his son and country. With his oath at his sons grave and the foundation of Cruzada Axel, Blumberg has led hundreds of thousands of Argentines to Protest the governments inability to protect its citizens form the infestation of crime that spreads through Argentina like the plague, trampling everyone in its path. Blumberg has also pushed for judicial and police reform when he gathered 2.5 million signatures on a petition. Blumberg goes on to say, In Argentina, 80% of the people that are in jail are processed but are not tried and convicted. Less than 1% of them are ever convicted (Latin Trade). Blumberg also recently led a march to the congressional buildings last April with about 130,000 people joining together for a candlelight vigil. Cries of Justice! Justice, could be heard in one of the greatest demonstrations since the restoration of democracy to Argentina from what was the end of The Dirty War in 1983.
You cant deny the difficulty of having ones convictions prevail in the increasingly harsh moral landscape that we are all forced to dwell in. Everyone knows how easy it is to just lay down unnoticed on the sidelines in order to not draw unnecessarily any unwanted commotion. To ad to the challenges of speaking out comes the problem of leading by example. What happens when you cant even trust your top elected officials to do what is in the best interest of the people? I am not talking about George W. Bush, which is a whole other issue in itself. I am talking about for example Carlos Saul Menem, one of Argentinas presidents who on October 5th 1989 as part of a military appeasement policy, pardoned 39 of those convicted of Dirty War abuses. In addition, a year later in 1990 Menem goes on to grant amnesty to the leaders of the military junta that were convicted and jailed for atrocities to humanity at the end of 1985. Videla, Massera, and Agosti were all set free, reducing their sentences from life in prison to about only four years. Instead of pushing forward with sweeping reform and much needed crackdown Menem caved into the absurd demands of the military. The president himself decides it is ok to back pedal and falls to the floor thanks to his fleeting backbone which has suddenly taken a permanent vacation to the land of shame and no morals never to return again. I also learned about Menems privatization of just about every utility and public works of Argentina when I watched the movie The Take. In it it tells about all the goods and public arenas that he sold to the highest bidders outside of the Argentina ultimately selling out the country so other states now run and own most of the land.
I cant vouch for all people, but it seems to me that when you come down to it a lot of what we consider doing for reasons of both good or bad, a lot is determined by the actions of others. Take the examples of our leaders such as the Coes of companies such as Enron selling out all of their employees and running off with their money, or the leaders and people of trust like the politicians or police officers of Buenos Aires stealing away our confidence in the system itself. We are influenced a great deal by what we see happen and allow to become the norm. I for one would hate to see America go the way of our South American cousin and if we can stand up for what is right it could make all the difference needed to salvage us from disaster. If we dont have people like Mr. Blumberg to steer us in the direction that leads us away from moral decay well we are all just doing ourselves in quicker than we might think.