Bolivia: Evo Morales Laptops Generate Criticism

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivia's government is giving school teachers free laptops with a prominent detail that is generating criticism for President Evo Morales. A stenciled image of a smiling Morales is on the back of each computer.

Teachers union leader Jose Luis Alvarez in La Paz says that's just promoting idolatry. He says teachers will cover the image.

Education Ministry Roberto Aguilar said Monday that government officials originally planned to put on an image of Bolivia's nine-colored indigenous flag but manufacturer Lenovo recommended something simpler.

The government is handing out 130,000 laptops worth more than $50 million. They have Intel processors, Windows and Linux operating systems and 320-gigabyte hard drives.

Comments

[Vera Gottlieb]

10:40 AM on 10/12/2011

They have nothing better to worry about? Morales, just like Chavez, is trying to educate his people - so who cares about the picture.

[William Hearn]

01:08 PM on 10/12/2011

Please read my other replies. Evo has absolutely NO interest in educating his people. If he did, he would be purchasing books for the students. Heck.. he would be building schools. Instead he has made a law that no new licenses for schools will be issued for the next five years. Furthermore, Morales, just like Chavez, is working on creating a totalitarian state where he is the supreme dictator for life in control of every aspect of the economy. I personally would have little aversion to that except that the guy has absolutely no concern for the well being of any human other than himself. He is destroying this country one idiotic law at a time. He has a cocaine headed, mobster mentality. All his brain is capable of thinking is, "How can I get more for myself?" Whether it be by illegal decree, swindling, manipulation, strong arming or outright violence, Evo is landgrabbing and taking over private industry. The truly sad thing is that, he puts people in charge of industries (such as gas & oil, telephone, electric and water municipalities), who have no idea how to run them. Soon after the government takeover of any resource, we have serious shortages of that resource.

[Vera Gottlieb]

02:24 PM on 10/12/2011

Please! spare me the American propaganda lines! Both Morales and Chavez are trying to educate their people and not just those who can afford it. I am not very familiar with Bolivia, but as an ex Venezuelan, I do know what Chavez is trying to accomplish. As for the "land grabs", well the rich land owners just let the land sit there unproductive. Yes, land has been confiscated but the Chavez government has paid for it. Americans wished they had a president like Chavez, one who is more interested in the well-being of its citizens than the well being of Wall Street. And demonizing him and making false statements isn't going to help. You have a computer, you have access to internet then try reading foreign press instead of allowing yourself to be brainwashed by the likes of CNN and Fox News. For a change, try thinking for yourself instead of listening to BS.

[William Hearn]

03:10 PM on 10/12/2011

I don't watch CNN, Fox or BBC. I LIVE in Bolivia and know first hand. I'm an educator here printing books and teaching as many as I can how to better their lives. As for Evo, I am not "demonizing" anyone, but if the shoe fits.... Besides that... this land grab taking from "rich land owners (who) just let the land sit there unproductive", did you not read that the land Evo is grabbing belongs to the indigenous peoples and is a protected national forest as well? Did you miss the part about him forcing the natives out of their home lands to build a "cocaine highway"? A $400,000,000,000 US project. That could build a lot of schools with desks and books! Furthermore, you say that American's wish they had a president like Chavez? Look around.... THEY DO! American's are worse off now than ever with O'Zero in charge. American's need to stand up in the streets with signs saying, "I'll keep my house and job. You can keep your change!" BTW - Why are you an "ex-Venezuelan"? Maybe because that country has gone down the tubes?!

[Vera Gottlieb]

12:40 AM on 10/13/2011

My parents and I left Venezuela when I was 16 - it wasn't my doing. Venezuela down the tubes? You might be living in Bolivia but you are an American with "empire" mentality. For the rich, who for over 40 years stole all they could, yes...Vla is down the tubes. For the poor, who under Chavez are receiving education, free medical services, affordable homes being built, food subsidies...yes, just like in the US. The "American way of life" doesn't suit everyone one; and besides, the "American dream" has turned into the "American nightmare", not only for Americans but for the entire world...the "1 percenters" royally screwing the rest. But not for long.

[William Hearn]

09:05 AM on 10/12/2011

For those of you who think this is about computers or idolatry (as the article states), it is not. It is all about power and control. The computers are a bribe to buy votes. Evo is planning an illegal referendum that will essentially empower him to steal land from the natives of that area. The natives have already been forced out by Evo's supportive party of coca growers. The natives of that area are now on a march to try and keep their land. It is a vain effort. Evo has no respect for anyone but himself and his own selfish desire for more power. Through this protected land that he is gaining by force, he intends to build a highway that will destroy 10's of thousands of hectares of Forest in its path. This highway will be used primarily to transport cocaine directly from the area it is being grown and processed to Brazil and beyond. Regarding the computers... He has made this promise before for the previous election that gained him the presidency. We have yet to see even one laptop computer. OPEN YOUR EYES!!! Stop believing only what you read on the banners and headlines.

[LMPE]

11:59 PM on 10/11/2011

sounds pretty benign

[lightningbolt]

12:24 PM on 10/11/2011

A picture on the back of a computer does not promote idolatry.  It's just a picture on the back of a computer.  A statue of Jesus in a church, on the other hand, is most definitely idolatry, since people kneel and pray to the statue.  I don't see the teachers complaining about the very common statues of Jesus in churches all over Bolivia.

[grod805]

05:12 PM on 10/11/2011

That hasn't happened at all with the apple logo on the backs of their laptops.

[William Hearn]

09:09 AM on 10/11/2011

I happen to live in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. What we are experiencing here from this president is far from the benevolent leadership portrayed on the propagandized international news. Trafficking of narcotics has increased forty fold in the past three years. But, what can you expect from a leader who encourages the growth of coca? Before becoming president, Evo was a manager of the coca growers and that is all he knows what to do. The production and distribution of cocaine is his number one priority. He has nationalized private industries by military force. He has displaced natives from their home lands by military force. He has imprisoned or "disposed of" anyone whom he deemed "opposition". His followers do not call him "president". They refer to him as their "syndicate leader". Drug related violent crimes of home invasions and murder are the norm on the morning news. For all of you who think Evo is some kind of savior for the Bolivian indigenous people, ask yourself why they are marching to the capital to be heard and why they have been met along their journey with brutal force and tear gas? This man is a tyrant and socialist dictator who worships Castro. He created distress between the peoples of Bolivia as a means of control. The distribution of laptops with his face emblazoned on them is just another way of establishing his authority in the minds of children in his vain attempt to become a permanent dictator.

[Deparis]

11:02 AM on 10/11/2011

Yeah, sure. The indigenous's march has not been repressed in any way, shape or form. At least under President Morales, they can voice their concerns and angers and march from their villages to the capital to do so; under the former corporatocracies, they were simply arrested even before they set foot out of their villages and summarily executed or disappeared. El Presidente Morales is doing just fine under difficult circumstances and he deserves another term or two to finish the good work of leveling the playing field he has started.

Presidente Evo Morales, adelante!!!!!

[William Hearn]

02:13 PM on 10/14/2011

Not true at all. You obviously are either completely ignorant to the truth or just a propagandist for Evo. On the way to La Paz, 500 National Police waited for the TIPNIS and fired gas grenades at the people in the march, including women and babies. The police severely beat and arrested 21 people. One baby died from the tear gas (Check the local news "El Deber" for more on that story.). It is a peaceful march that has only come about because Evo Morales has displaced these people from their rightful land and refuses to hear them. You talk about people in the previous govt. being executed or disappearing? The same and worse is happening now. Anyone who speaks out or stands to run against Evo is either arrested, disappears or escapes to another country. Leveling the playing field? It is the indigenous who are suffering the most. Look into coca production and narcotrafico to see what Evo's true love is. Check your facts before stinking up the page.

[William Hearn]

03:18 PM on 10/14/2011

It is responders like you who perpetuate the evil crimes against the indigenous peoples who are suffering under the current govt.

Also check out what happened to Leopoldo Fernandez of Pando. He is one of many in jail or exiled for years now without being charged simply because he apposed Evo.

Check out this website from the local news:

http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-09-25/vernotaahora.php?id=110925172853

In brief, it confirms that dozens of peaceful marchers were were met on their way to La Paz, gassed, beaten, duct taped and arrested. Peaceful natives including women and children were gassed and beaten. Check your facts or keep your stupid opinions silent.

[UpBone]

02:32 AM on 10/11/2011

Good for all of them.

[fairwayhill]

02:23 AM on 10/11/2011

Evo Morales is a fine man doing the best he can for Bolivia.

[Deparis]

11:03 AM on 10/11/2011

You got that exactly right, dear!

Adelante, Presidente Morales!

[William Hearn]

02:14 PM on 10/14/2011

You are obviously unaware of what is truly going on in Bolivia today.