READERS WRITE
SHAMELESS FREELOADING
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has made big headlines again. It has transpired that, when she was president of Argentina, she was provided with the
Tango 01 Aircraft to be employed in her role of a head of state. However, she had the nerve to use it to ship her private furniture and furnishings to the hotels that she owns in El Calafate, Santa Cruz Province. Her action is despicable because it means that she took advantage of Argentines who literally covered the shipping of her belongings with the taxes they pay. It is also outrageous because, if found guilty, it would imply that corrupt leaders are ready to go any length to serve their selfish ends. There is evidence speaking volumes about her corruption so chances are that it will be difficult for her to disprove the new charge of having unlawfully used state property entrusted to her.
Adrian Insaubralde,
Santa Fe
ATSUNAMI WAITING TO HAPPEN With all the serious things that are taking place around the country, plus growing inflation mixed with a lousy administration which is rapidly taking us in the direction of an economic meltdown, the coming of a social political tsunami seems inevitable. The only doubt is when it will originate, and this could be anywhere: remember the street vendor victim of corruption who immolated himself in Tunisia, the event which gave rise to the Arab Spring, or the girl who recently was a victim of the Iranian police for not having covered her hair properly, which generated street protests that apparently still continue. Not that necessarily we will witness similar brutal situations, yet it is a distinct possibility that an individual happening could put in motion widespread protests.
Some might ask if Argentina could still stop this train and get out in time. The trouble is that, in my memory, never have our politicians, in their vast majority, missed the pot as they do nowadays. They are, in their activities, miles away from the citizens’ concerns, and are stuck in electoral ruts, not being pragmatic enough to be prepared for the tremendous changes we will face. They live scrutinising polls which are already anachronistic when they are published.
Unfortunately the elections are too far away for the right, practical, well prepared people (they do exist!) to take charge in time, a commodity of which we are running out. Yet miracles do occur, so let’s pray for one, because: “It’s the Republic, dammit”!
Harry Ingham, City
A couple of days ago I saw Argentina, 1985, directed by Santiago Mitre. Let me just say: it’s a must. Same as La Historia Oficial, directed by Luis Puenzo in (what a coincidence!) 1985 – another essential movie.
In Argentina, 1985 outstanding actor Ricardo Darín plays Julio Strassera, the chief prosecutor of the Trial of the Juntas. A brave man who defied the military leaders accused of brutal crimes committed during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. I can’t help but link Strassera with prosecutors Diego Luciani and Sergio Mola, who are also fearless and daring in the corruption trial against Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Darin’s character also reminded me of Alberto Nisman, the late federal prosecutor who was found dead a few hours before he was scheduled to report on his findings regarding the Memorandum of understanding between Argentina and Iran. Prosecutors who had to put
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Email: up with threats all along, flesh and blood heroes worthy of respect and admiration.
Trust me, you can’t miss Argentina, 1985.
Irene Bianchi, Ringuelet, La Plata
BATTLE OF THE BULGE: PART
Dear Sirs,
Interesting to note that Mr. William Maloney, Chief Economist of the World Bank, thinks that it is too early to speak of hyperinflation for Argentina. I wonder whether Mr. Maloney is familiar with the trite local saying: ‘Once you’ve been scalded with hot milk, you see a cow and you burst into tears!’ Baloney, Mr. Maloney. We’re on the verge of hyper, right now!
Guess the renowned Scottish historían Niall Ferguson was right when he forecast, in a full-page article in La Nación,
on May 31, 2020, that we couldn’t afford to implement an extra-long and extrasevere lockdown, on account of Covid19. We’re paying the price of that mistake, incurred by our tricephalous (mis)government, currently assailing us. Pity. David Parsons,
via email
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