Tuesday January 27, 2009, 4:31 am
Although this article is more neutral than I had anticipated from a main stream source, it of course fails to recognize how positive and progressive this new constitution actually is - instead it focuses on the President's term of office.

The new constitution recognizes that the well-being of the earth - Pachimama - must be considered in decision-making. It takes out mention of the Catholic Church, rightfully so ! And so absolutely wonderful: the rights and lands of the indigenous peoples are to be respected. The so-called "problems" are in the minds of those who have private interests.

To my mind, the Bolivians are ahead of us in terms of humane, political evolution. We should strive to be as just to our own First Nations peoples. We could use such backbone in this country to curb large financial interests. Well done, Bolivia - bravo !

Tuesday January 27, 2009, 10:18 am
Indigenous groups in Bolivia were only granted the right to vote in 1952. The win is not as simple as it seems. Regions of Bolivia want to secede because they don't agree with President Morales' socialist policies or his desire to redistribute the land (currently held by the elite minority). This is a big step for indigenous groups, but it may cause more strife. Read more in Care2 Causes' Human Rights Blog.