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The Rock Scene in Puerto Rico

David Sasaki · 22:58

Norenid Feliciano is a 19-year-old musician currently studying journalism at the Río Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico. The original post is available in Spanish at her weblog, Háblame de Música.

It's Friday, getting close to 10 at night, and in the “pub” begins the distortion of the guitars and the shrill sound of the drums. After a minute, it's impossible to not move and feel awakened by this music that synchronizes my feelings and makes me follow the beat and caustic poetry until I slip away into the agressive swaying of the solos. It's an outlet, it's a night of rock.

Each generation has its musical favorite and in Puerto Rico, we're no exception. However, our country is a crossroads of all sorts of genres and so it's not odd that we have been influenced by the most famous musical genre of the world: rock. Since the 1950's rock music has been heard on our radio waves and, just like the rest of the world, we were jolted by the dominating “Beatle-mania” of the sixties. In the seventies, a type of rock which was heavier and more charged with socially aware lyrics began to surge.

The Impact of MTV

With its founding on the first of August, 1981, MTV forever changed the North American music industry. And this had its effect on the Puerto Rican youth of the 80's. With the boom of the so-called “pop culture” a revolution was started that modified rock music. Thanks to MTV's broadcasts, we were introduced to groups like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Motley Crew, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Scorpions, Bon Jovi, as well as many others that developed “Metal” as a genre of rock.

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First Woman elected President to Chile

Rosario Lizana · 19:02

Michelle Bachelet, central left coalition, won today the presidential elections in Chile, with a 53.49 % over her contender, entrepreneur Sebastian Piñera with a 46.50 % from the Central right corresponding to the official results. He could not override 16 years of left coalition government, where its outgoing president, Ricardo Lagos, also from the central left, is ending his period with more than 70% of popularity.

Today was the second round election; the first one took place on December 11.

President Lagos, in open TV phone called Michelle Bachelet to congratulate and offer her “all his support,” and praised her by saying “your capacity will allow us to have a great government” Bachelet answered “Chile has demonstrated its republican tradition, people value the work we have done all these years”. They agree to have a working breakfast meeting Monday morning at her home. These were her first words spoken after the election results.

Sebastian Piñera thanked the people and said that “in democracy one of the things is to hear the voice of the majority”. As a member of the Right- Center coalition, he is committed to follow through the promises of his campaign, and offered to be a constructive opposition.

Celebrations at Michelle Bachelet command are taking place in Plaza San Francisco Hotel, near “Plaza Italia” one of the most popular sites in Santiago for big celebrations.

The new president will take office March 11, 2006, in the National Congress of Chile in Valparaíso. Michelle Bachelet has not had yet her first public speech.
For photos of the election process click here. Further results of elections in Chilean government.

Update:

Bachelet spoke in front of a big crowd, which was constantly supporting her by cheering her name, waving flags in a very joyful mood. During her discourse, she emphasized that in her government there will be gender diversity, equality, new faces and backgrounds. In addition, Bachelet mentioned that by 2010 Chile will have and Equality Plan; where her main concerns will be to tackle issues such as public health and the provision of more work opportunities for all Chileans.

Furthermore, Bachelet stated that her approach to governing will be based in a participative government, with a strong alliance between society and politicians.

The new elected president mentioned some of her difficult emotional moments in her life “violence enter my life destroying my loved ones”. This might refer, to when under the Pinochet regime; the death of her father General of the Air Force, Alberto Bachelet, while in prison, her mother and her own imprisonment, and later exile.
Dr. Bachelet, former Minister of Health and Defense, during Lagos period, added that her difficult background has shaped her into the woman she is today; deeply respectful of equality and justice.

By the end of her speech, Bachelet was joined on staged by her family; three children and mother with whom the sang the national hymn.

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The World Social Forum Will Be Naked

Iria Puyosa · 17:02

A week from the opening of the Sixth World Social Forum, the Venezuelan blogosphere is not paying much attention to the event.

Pro-government Aporrea blog is the only weblog publishing news about the WSF everyday. Most of such entries are quotations from the government news agency ABN. Meanwhile, the anarchist blog, Colectivo La Libertad is covering news about the Alternative Social Forum, that will be hosted by anarchist collectives in Venezuela the very same week of the WSF. Reste@dos is publishing notes about both the WSF and the Alternative Forum agendas.

The feeling among Venezuelan bloggers is that sixth WSF may not be authentically representative of the Porto Alegre spirit since military officers and presidential bodyguards are expected to take control of all the Forum facilities. Thus, the humble Alternative gathering is seen as more suitable for social-minded people to share ideas without “pledging fidelity” to the Venezuelan president.

The only activity related to the WSF that is catching the attention of Venezuelan bloggers is the open invite to be part of a naked crowd standing to be photographed by Spencer Tunick. At least twelve Venezuelan bloggers swear they will be there.

Tags: Foro Social Mundial World Social Forum