An equitable redistribution of daytime.
The great leader Hugo Chavez has decided to redistribute the sun's wealth more fairly within his small oil-rich nation. Is he taking steps towards reality or fantasy?
From Reuters:
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has changed his country's name, redesigned its flag and rejigged its coat of arms in his drive for a socialist state. Now the leftist reformer, highly popular for redistributing oil income, is seeking to move the country's time zone to offer a more equitable distribution of sunlight.
Venezuela in September will turn clocks back by 30 minutes as it switches time zones to boost the amount of natural light to residents, a government official said on Thursday. Next month Venezuelan clocks will be set at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) minus 4-1/2 hours, compared to the previous GMT minus four hours, Science and Technology Minister Hector Navarro told reporters at a news conference. He said the measure sought "a more fair distribution of the sunrise," which would particularly help poor children who wake up before dawn to go to school. (emphasis added)
What a guy, this Chavez. With his penchant for nationalizing everything else, redesigning the flag, and shutting down dissentious media outlets... I guess it was about time that he moved his country off the :00 axis too. Other nations' time zones are offset by :30, including one in the Western Hemisphere (Labrador). But it is odd, especially for a South American country. Just sets Chavez' little dynasty apart even more.