Politics, etcetera from South of the Equator

It has been a very interesting time so far. I have had the opportunity to learn a little more about Argentinian Politics. It is a very active populace, that loves to protest - I have sen numerous demonstartions on the street and on the news. I asked a cabbie if this was normal, and he said there are usually more, but everyone was on summer vacation. I think they just love being in the street yelling. It does not seem to be effective. It was also very interesting to see a huge police presence in the area of the presidential palace with a large supply of portable barriers - I asked a local what was going on, and he said that they were here on a daily basis - always ready ro move in if a demonstartion breaks out that gets too disruptive - very chiling.
That said, the majotiry of Portenos (the residents of Buenos Aires) just seem to go about their lives regardless of who is in power or how screwed up the govenment is. It seems that they have all been screwed up from the Spanish, through the Peronistas, and the current governmwent right now - but they are a really friendly, resilient people, with a great sense of humor. Just a quick example - there are more cabs here than in NYC, and they are very vey cheap. But a wierd thing is that when you get in a cab, the meter starts at 1.98 pesos - not 1.90 or 1.95, but 1.98. When I asked the cabbie why it was like this, it said "Ah, you know, it´s Argebtina"
Later!
PS - What has become of righty??????