DISQUS

The Moderate Voice: What May Matter Most about Honduras, Truly… The USA’s Long Involvement There

  • GreenDreams · 5 months ago
    Thank you, Dr. E. I have been uncertain what happened in Honduras last week, though I know the bloody history of the SOA.
  • kathykattenburg · 5 months ago
    I second that thank you. This piece is enormously informative and helpful in understanding these issues. I'm especially glad that you clarified the nature of that referendum -- that it would not have, in and of itself, allowed Velaya to run for office again; it would merely have put to the people the question of whether the Constitution should have been so amended to allow for a second term. And let me add that currently the president's term is four years, and that is the one term he or she is allowed. I don't think it's exactly dictatorial to consider the possibility of allowing a second term in office. How would we feel in this country if a president was only allowed one four-year term in office?
  • Ghostdreams · 5 months ago
    Doc said:
    "The US has sent mixed signals about the coup. In the latest statement, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made clear that the United States is not insisting that the President be restored to power."

    What a total rip off! Not "insisting??" ...
    Well, perhaps we can't "insist" but we sure the hell can say, "That's fine. You gotta do, what you gotta do but ..Do you know the definition of the words economic boycott?"
    I know. I know. That would make "everyone" (including the innocent) suffer but truly, something better than "no comment and no commitment" should be said! (Which, to me, sums up what HRC said).
    What is wrong with the politicians in our country?
    I guess this means Obama's big change to foreign policy only applies to countries in the Mid-east. :(
    Sometimes I am so filled with disappointment in our gov't system that I just ...suffer.

    Thanks for the update though Doc.
    South America is never fully covered in our news.
    At least I know I can check our your blog and get 1) Some decent info 2) educated.

    Ciao.
    Ghost
  • thezenhaitian · 5 months ago
    So coup-knapping is becoming the modus operandi for getting rid of inconvenient Latin American leaders who want to raise the minimum wage, profess an interest in social programs like education, refuse to privatize their country's industries -- not only did it happen to Venezuela, but the coup-knapping succeeded in Haiti against Aristide.

    The Lancet reports 8,000 murders and 35,000 rapes -- and that is the conservative estimate from THAT US backed coup d'etat. The coup happened on February 29, 2004. He was roused from his bed to face the US Ambassador to Haiti, James Foley, who pressured Aristide to resign or risk having the blood of thousands of Haitians on his hands. This coup-knapping was on the 200th anniversary of Haiti's successful revolution. We Haitians noted the timing as the slap in the face it was meant to be and took it as a reminder of all the struggles we still face to be free. Prior to 2004's coup, Aristide was ousted in 1991 only months after becoming Haiti's first democratically elected president.
  • tinydoctor · 5 months ago
  • archangel · 5 months ago
    dear thezenhaitian; thank you for adding these facts about Haiti to this article for our readers here at The Moderate Voice. Appreciate it. The order of religious nuns I'm an associate with have a large community in Haiti and they tell me the people are wondrous good. I hope to visit there someday. And thank you for taking the time to detail what occurred with Aristide. I am glad to know facts, and sad to know them too. Pls hang in there.

    dr.e
  • archangel · 5 months ago
    I think Ghost, that if you and I were president (quick lock up the kids and pull the shades...) It seems to me it's like having 280 million children who all want what they deserve to have, for certain... and they want it right now. Like yesterday would not have been too soon. Or decades ago.

    I think, hold faith some more Ghost; what is evident to a lot of people immediately, is not always obvious or actionable to those in 'power' as quickly. But, it seems we have to give a chance for 'leaders' to get it and act in some way that will be useful.

    I think tonight Prez B did finally speak out more strongly about the mal process of Generalisimo Vásquez Velásquez breaking into Zelaya's residence and forcing him out in his pajamas et al. The force Generalisimo used may not be constitutional.

    Meanwhile, people we are having a hard time hearing from in Honduras, as in other countries where there is huge upheaval, are the people who are impoverished. My contacts in C and S Americas are often nuns and priests in poor villages who have little access to electronic anything, but they write letters with info that come to the seminaries and mother houses. It's just that it takes time. And often in that time, the people who uphold one side or the other and have electronic access, flood the internet and airwaves with far more economically well-off... points of view. I'd just like to hear from all sides on this particular situation. Facts, as much as possible, even though people on all sides are extremely upset.

    I think the letters telling at gritty level about the actual situation --and with little ax to grind about what Chavez or anyone else 'out there' might maybe kind of sort of do in actuality to Honduras-- other than many Hondurans wanting food and shelter and decently paid and safe work, will probably make it here this week, that is... if Generalissimo doesnt decide mail service is subversive to his cause, and must be curtailed in addition to tv and radio, etc.

    We'll see more in the coming days Ghost.

    dr.e
  • archangel · 5 months ago
    thanks Green Dreams, I am heartened that you know about SOA. So many of our peers dont, or after all these decades they just recently realized it exists. Talk about hinding it in the people's backyard where it wont be seen... aye?

    dr.e
  • archangel · 5 months ago
    dear Kathy, thank you and as you know firsthand with your early posts, it was at first light really a difficult event to get clear cut info on. It seems so-called peaceful overthrows (isnt that an oxymoronic phrase) are truly like reporting from war battlefields. You may have no idea what actually occurred until weeks go by, and that's only if... as we see now in Iran with Ahmajinadad-- the ruling junta doesnt start putting out false stories to cover their tracks. Hang in there.

    dr.e
  • GreenDreams · 5 months ago
    Thanks for the links tinydoctor. A friend in the tourism sector there reports, not surprisingly, that tourism went from 60 to 0 overnight. Hard to see how a coup, or at least a coup-like military action against the president, is helping the country. My friend says it's dangerous to travel there now and has recommended canceling a planned trip for September. Sad
  • archangel · 5 months ago
    thanks for the links tinyD. Appreciate it.

    dr.e