Lies, Lies, Lies, Exagerations

Not to be outdone by the loonies in Santa Cruz, the Bush administration is now offering flights to U.S. citizens out of Bolivia--at cost. Citing increased political tension, it has yanked the Peace Corps out of the country and advises other U.S. to consider leaving. Why the U.S. is doing this--especially when there are dozens if not hundreds of airplanes flying in and out of the country every single day--is not clear from reports. Nobody, I repeat, NOBODY is stuck in Bolivia. Perhaps it has to do with the U.S. ambassador having been sent packing?

Coincidentally (because none of these actions are related the other, mind you), Bolivia just popped up on the U.S. drug blacklist.

Actually, you know, maybe this is all true, because if the Bush administration were to just invent all this it would look incompetent, and it's certainly done a fine job so far in foreign relations till now!

Also, more hysteria from Time. Civil war? I don't think so. The entire continent has rallied around Morales; Bolivia is a landlocked country. And did I hear "67%"? Yes, I did.

I think that a lot of these doomsday scenarios--particularly the ones coming out of Washington--are being used to exacerbate the crisis, nothing more. There is a crisis going on, but recent events have illuminated a peaceful way out. Information is what we need to understand what is going on down here, and, as usual, the U.S. government is covering something up. Call and write to your representative and senator and demand that all information be released as to what groups the U.S. is funding in Bolivia.
Update: Ten Percent sums it up so much better:

So this is how the Empire responds when its subversion fails, for the gullible public it is spun like goody US stands firm against evil druggie rabble (and so nice to smear both Bolivia and Venezuela by lumping them in with frickin’ Burma!). But the timing is clear, it is a response to Bolivia defeating the coup in the east and UNASUR standing in solidarity with Morales. But then no one could ever accuse -former? addict- Bush of not being a petty little shit.