There are 66 comments.

1. Inactive
   Timothy Patton

   @TimothyPatton

   Post author

   5:50 AM EDT ⋅ May 19, 2016

   To answer a few of the questions raised:

   1. Do I fear reprisal from the government writing about Venezuela? Not particularly. Venezuela’s State Security is not by any stretch of the imagination the STASI. Having said that, journalists and opposition members regularly meet with violence or even “disappear”. The government repression here is rarely systematic.

      It can also be hard to tell where the violence sometimes comes from. An attack against someone here could be random violence or a state sponsored action posing as random violence.

      Perhaps my somewhat casual attitude is misplaced, but its important to remember what can begin to seem normal given enough time to adjust to it. 

   2. Would I be willing to write more on daily life in Venezuela?  Absolutely, though while I live the daily grind like everyone else, my life has two distinct advantages from your average local. First, I have access to dollars which allows me to exchange for the local currency at the far favorable Black Market rate. Second, I leave the country every once and a while and am able to bring back luxury items like deodorant.

      I propose that the ricochet community would be better served if they heard stories from actual Venezuelans. For this I am reaching out to locals here to share their stories. I hope to post a series over the next couple weeks.

2. Contributor
   Titus Techera

   @TitusTechera

   5:53 AM EDT ⋅ May 19, 2016

   Thanks, Mr. Patton!

3. Inactive
   PHCheese

   @PHCheese

   6:12 AM EDT ⋅ May 19, 2016

   That’s terrific. Greatly appreciated Timothy. Stay safe.

4. Member
   Eudaimonia Rick

   @RickPoach

   6:15 AM EDT ⋅ May 19, 2016

   Timothy Patton:To answer a few of the questions raised:

   1. Do I fear reprisal from the government writing about Venezuela? Not particularly. … Perhaps my somewhat casual attitude is misplaced, but its important to remember what can begin to seem normal given enough time to adjust to it.
   2. Would I be willing to write more on daily life in Venezuela? Absolutely, though while I live the daily grind like everyone else, … For this I am reaching out to locals here to share their stories. I hope to post a series over the next couple weeks.

   Point 1: Stay safe.

   Point 2: That would be amazing. I look forward to your posts.

5. Member
   Kozak

   @Kozak

   

   7:37 AM EDT ⋅ May 19, 2016

   Timothy Patton: Second, I leave the country every once and a while and am able to bring back luxury items like deodorant.

   “You don’t necessarily need a choice of 23 underarm spray deodorants when children are hungry in this country,”

   Bernie the clairvoyant ….

6. Inactive
   Timothy Patton

   @TimothyPatton

   Post author

   2:04 PM EDT ⋅ Jun 7, 2016

   For all interested. The first of the promised perspectives from Venezuelans is posted.

   http://ricochet.com/venezuelan-perspectives-nationalized-misery/