Blogging from the Bog

   South American revolutions have been widely covered in the media over the last few decades; but, apart from the headlines, there is very little we know of the day-to-day struggle that the people must endure.  After hundreds of years of exploitation and the abject poverty and misery it has left behind we tend to think that, like parts of Africa, the leaders of these nations are as corrupt as their European predecessors.  We hear the phrases "Banana Republics", communists, and sandanistas bandied about, we hear of cocaine cartels, juntas, and the rainforests and upon this scant information we base our conclusions.

   We here in Ireland have also of course heard of "Che" Guevara because his great-grandfather, Patrick Lynch, was from Galway and whose family was one of the famous Fourteen Tribes.  Another Irish connection is the popular depiction of "Che" done by Jim Fitzpatrick, an Irish artist born in Skerries, County Dublin.  Jim’s poster of "Che" is known throughout the world and is a recognised symbol of revolution.  But, have we heard of the Water Wars of Cochabamba? or of the continuing droughts? or of Evo Morales in Bolivia?  What of Hugo Chavez?, his recently defeated referendum? or of the barrio adentros in Venezuela?  No we have not.  "Por ahora."

   When Gil Scott Heron penned the words "The revolution will not be televised" he did not envision blogs.  The revolution in South America may not be televised but it is being blogged!  And a tremendous blog it is!  

   Written by an Australian woman named Tamara, A Gringa Diary, gives us an insider’s look at revolution and could well develop into the most extraordinary blog of 2008.  Started a mere five months ago, we can follow Tamara’s journey (best read from the beginning), from a taxi conversation on her arrival to Bolivia in August to a battalion council meeting in Venezuela in mid-December.  Part tour guide and part historian, Tamara writes with flair, of the people, places, and politics of the region from an on-the-spot and behind the scenes point of view.  This blog is a must read for everyone!