Chile Forum

Overall when you look at the backgrounds, they are either economics or engineering academic backgrounds (e.g. civil, etc) of some sort or they are successful business people. They are already making jokes about it being the business cabinet. It really does look more like how you would stack a corporate board of directors, than a government.

Regardless of how you read those tea leaves, it definitely says Chile means business.

admin wrote:… There is still one big surprise coming I believe in the form of a new cabinet position, and we have a fairly good idea of whom and what it will be from the whispers in the wind; but, I unfortunately am not permitted to spill the beans on that one. Besides if I did, I would likly jinks it anyway and it would never happen.

Well damn me if I'm right but in my peaceful state after imbibing Chilean aguardiente and wine; consuming most probably Chilean grass-fed carne with Chile origin brown rice; and watching the news, it just dawned on me how Chile SO MUCH NEEDS A TECHNOLOGY MINISTER.

Time well tell how right or wrong I am…

While not an admirer of Pinera, I commend him on his cabinet selection ... most of whom have no party political affiliation. Furthermore, I hope he supports the proposed legislation just introduced by Bachelet seeking to de-link defense spending from the economic fortunes of Codelco.

No there is already a minister of communications.

A government of people with actual topical expertise, this is refreshing and raises my hopes. El Mercurio has good coverage:
http://www.emol.com/especiales/2010/nac ... /index.asp

john wrote:Furthermore, I hope he supports the proposed legislation just introduced by Bachelet seeking to de-link defense spending from the economic fortunes of Codelco.

He said he was during the campaign. I'm going to follow that topic if only because of my professional interest in the matter. Wasn't the legislation already lined up to be in front of parliament?

otravers,
Not sure if the proposed legislation has been formally submitted to the Legislature. Included in this proposed legislation is a provision that, if enacted, would consolidate all the military services under a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (who would report directly to the Defense Minister) ... the objective being to enable civilian control over the Military budget.
John

I was watching a series of the new talking heads making the rounds to the news programs last night, and suddenly it hit me that not only was I interested in what they had to say, but overall the accents were sufficiently mild and correct Spanish that I could understand what they had to say.

The last couple of administrations were so stacked with people that had nothing to say of any real significant about Chile or the World. Normally, after a few minutes of fighting through that kind of colloquial rambling run-on Santiago Spanish, my brain would just tune them out rather than bother mustering the concentration to follow what they were saying.

I watched a great interview last night (don't remember the ministers name right now), but she just slammed the news anchor interviewing her and at ever turn was two steps ahead.

At one point the anchor brought up the issue of everyone criticizing the new cabinet picks because they don't have any political experience. Without skipping a beat, "of course we don't, we have not been in power for 20 years".

Obviously the media in Chile is going to have to come out of brain dead mode also. That anchor on TVN just came off looking stupid and unprepared.

I'm waiting for them to school CNN Chile, a channel that was quite blatantly supporting Frei.

The Concertation was trying to prevent any of their members to join the Piñera cabinet and are calling the defense minister a black sheep for doing so. Then they complain about the cabinet being packed with right-wing businessmen? Way to knee jerk object. These morons are working hard to help Piñera start on the right foot.

Does anyone know anything about how the inauguration works? I'm roughly familiar with the process. You can see some work by El Mercurio on the sites below. (I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to post links. I'm not sure.) I'm curious about things that struck you as interesting. Admin (Charles, is it?) I remember your impressions of the elections (crazy journalism access, among other things) were dead on, and I thought perhaps someone else out there might have these thoughts too.

http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/d ... cia=213279
http://www.emol.com/especiales/infograf ... _mando.htm

To be fair, I'm working on a video piece on the cambio de mando, and I looking for interesting elements about it. Right now, I'm keen on role of the military, particularly the guardia de palacio.

Well, I recall watching the last one. Far from an expert.

I think chile has got the right person billionaire as president. He must be having lot of ideas for investments. Jobs creation and international relations.
1. First thing he should concentrate of language. Like all other European countries apart from own language they also have English as second largest official language.
2. I see English is very much essential in chile.
3. I have an idea please correct me if I am wrong.
a. With the idea it’s possible to educate even older people to read and learn in the everyday activities.
b. The idea is, suppose imagine in the very next week, all public offices like.
1. Govt. offices.
2. Banks
3. Public boards
4. TV channels in translation
5. Web sites both the language
6. Scientific discussions. Etc… All these applications printed both in Spanish as official language and English as second language in the same application. Then people can read understand and slowly can speak also…
4. I think this can make revolution in a span of short period. This will not require much investment also except printing cost.
5. Even this makes any foreigner to understand Spanish and learn soon also. But my experience in chile is language is big problem. And very much essential.
6. As I know many people can able to read in English but no speaking. This idea can help anybody…
What do you say…
Please reply…