Honduras: A Truth Stranger Than Fiction?
by Chris BurgardImagine an America in the not too distant future:
President Obama has entered into a special trade pact with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Once the treaty is signed doctors and teachers from Cuba and Nicaragua offer their services to help the American “poor.” As soon as they enter the United States and become embedded in the countryside, they immediately begin organizing and indoctrinating the “poor” as to how oppressed they are and how they are entitled to the same lifestyle, privileges and properties that the “rich” enjoy.
Honduran President Roberto Micheletti and Chris Burgard
The “rich” are now defined as anyone who has more than two bedrooms in their home. In this imaginary, future America, President Obama owns several mansions across the nation, yet he declares that it is the patriotic duty of every “rich” homeowner to turn their 3rd and 4th bedrooms over to the “poor.”
President Obama raises the minimum wage by 60% percent. The “poor” hail him as their champion. Unable to meet the federal minimum wage requirement, thousands of small businesses close. Overnight 7,740,000 Americans lose their jobs. The American economy slumps even further.
Taiwanese investors agree to build new hydro electric power plants to revitalize the failing American energy grid. However, they rescind their offer when President Obama begins to talk of nationalizing energy production. Other foreign investors take notice and foreign investment in America stalls.
Even though the country cannot afford it, President Obama starts to subsidize gasoline. He gives the” poor” free electricity. He then makes a deal with Hugo Chavez and the Iranians to give free tractors to the poor. In the most rural parts of America every public works project has a big sign on it: “This has been built for you by Barack Obama!”
The “poor” people love him for it.
President Obama also makes huge concessions to the labor unions. Teachers now get paid whether they are in the classroom or on strike. As a result instead of a 220 day school year, American public schools are now only open 70 days per year. Public school students are hit the hardest. They soon fall far behind the few American students who can still afford private school. However, with the teacher’s union in his debt, President Obama now has a ready demonstration force that can be mobilized for public rallies at a moment’s notice.
About this time, President Obama loses trust in the Secret Service and military personnel assigned to protect him. House minority leader, John Boehner and others believe that the President has his own private security force made up of Nicaraguans and other foreign nationals.
With the end of his second term in sight, President Obama decides that he doesn’t want to leave office. He banks on his charisma and the devotion of his cult followers to allow him to follow in the footsteps of Hugo Chavez.
President Obama declares that he will add a referendum to the ballots for the upcoming Presidential primaries. There will be a special box on the ballots that Americans can check in order to eliminate presidential term limits.
But Americans rise up against this attack on their Constitution. There is not a single printing company in the United States that will print the illegal ballots.
With the exception of only three legislators, the entire Congress votes against the President. Undeterred President Obama again turns to his friend, Hugo Chavez. Millions of illegal ballots are printed in Venezuela for use in the United States.
President Obama orders Joint Chief of Staff, Admiral Mullen to distribute the illegal ballots to every polling place across the nation. When Admiral Mullen refuses, the president fires him.
The US Supreme Court orders Admiral Mullen reinstated and the illegal ballots confiscated.
President Obama then takes his cause to the streets. Organizers, the unions and the “poor” rally to his side. The mob breaks into an air force base and seizes the illegal ballots by force.
In this fictional, future United States, there are no articles of impeachment, but the law does apply to all citizens equally, even the President.
Article 239
The citizen who has served as head of the Executive branch shall not serve again as President or Vice President of the Republic….He who violates this disposition or proposes its reform….shall immediately be removed from office.
The Supreme Court orders President Obama arrested. On a Sunday morning at 6am, Admiral Mullen and the military carry out that arrest warrant.
In this future, fictional United States, the office of Vice President is vacant. Vice President Biden had recently resigned, so according to Constitutional succession the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, is sworn in as President.
World reaction is swift. Within hours, the Organization of American States, the European Union and the United Nations all stand against Nancy Pelosi’s administration. Putin, Calderon and Gordon Brown stand in solidarity with the Castro brothers, Daniel Ortega and Hugo Chavez, in demanding that Barack Obama be reinstated immediately.
With the exception of Germany, Panama and Israel, the United States stands alone against the world.
There is reported troop movement on the US Southern border. Hugo Chavez threatens to move in with Nicaraguan and Venezuelan troops in an effort to “restore democracy” and help Barack Obama avoid a civil war. Americans live in fear of foreign invasion.
Foreign operatives and paid organizers spread cash and chaos wherever television cameras are likely to be found. They threaten American citizens.
Americans are afraid to leave their houses.
The pro-Obama factions immediately take to the streets. The rallies number in the hundreds and sometimes thousands. The demonstrators call each other “comrade.” Posters of Che Guevara are predominate among the protesters. Red bandannas and clothing are every where. Communist leaders from the 1980s direct graffiti artists to blanket the capitol streets in propaganda. The protesters burn diesel fuel and tires in the streets. They carry a blind old lady off of a bus and then torch the vehicle. They fire bomb a Popeye’s restaurant while there are still women and children inside. At one demonstration, they cut holes in an airport fence and charge government forces. A young man is killed.
In response, pro-Constitution rallies soon pop up. The demonstrators wear red, white and blue clothes. They don’t litter. They don’t burn things. They don’t attack security forces, vandalize or burn businesses. The pro constitution rallies number in the tens of thousands. The biggest rally hits one hundred thousand. But the Main Stream Media focuses almost exclusively on the Obama rallies and the violence that they create. The outside world never knows the full extent of popular support that the US Constitution carries within its borders.
Fortunately for us this is a purely fictional future United States. I do not believe that President Obama would ever do these things. Unfortunately for the people of Honduras, this is their reality. Ex President Manuel Zelaya did all of these things. The story you have just read is true. The President and the country were changed to put it into an American perspective.
I spent two weeks in July and August covering the events in Honduras for Pajamas Media. I interviewed, spoke and traveled with campesinos living with no electricity and dirt floors, teachers, military officers and enlisted personnel, missionaries, business leaders, national police, the House Minority leader, the Chief Supreme Court Justice, the ex First Lady: Xiomara Castro, hard core ex president Manuel Zelaya supporters, community organizers, militant revolutionaries and the current Honduran president: Roberto Micheletti.
I lost count of how many times I heard…”We never thought this could happen to us! We are a democracy.”
Hondurans were shocked when their democratically elected leader, Manuel Zelaya, began shifting dramatically to the far left and began to adopt the policies of Hugo Chavez.
After Manuel Zelaya was arrested and removed from office, Hondurans were stunned when President Obama called this a military coup. Within hours, President Obama stood in solidarity with Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers in demanding the return to power of Manuel Zelaya.
Manuel Girbal, a retired Honduran Army officer wanted me to know that the Honduran military swears an oath to the Constitution, not the President. In his eyes, by protecting the constitution, the military was protecting the people.
Chief Supreme Court Justice, Magistrado Presidente Rivera explained to me that the Honduran Constitution does not have articles of impeachment, but that the law applies equally to all men, even the president. Manuel Zelaya broke constitutional law and that is why the Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant and ordered the army to serve it.
Later, as Honduran troops deployed once more to guard the Presidential Palace and the Marriot Hotel from pro Zelaya demonstrators, I was asked by an Army Lieutenant why the United States had abandoned their friends in Honduras. Honduras gets a lot of criticism from its neighbors for leasing Soto Kano airbase to the Americans. Soto Kano is strategically located and plays a huge part in stopping the flow of drugs into the US. This lieutenant had served five months in Iraq because President Bush asked him. He wanted to know why President Obama had now abandoned them.
From the president on down to the peasants, from the right to the left, Hondurans are asking their Northern cousins to come and see for themselves what is going on in Honduras.
Unfortunately for them, Michael Jackson died the same week that Manuel Zelaya was removed from office. It was Michael Jackson that dominated American television screens.
Regular Honduran Presidential elections are scheduled for November 29. Hondurans are hoping to have free elections and a new president. According to the constitution, President Micheletti is ineligible to ever hold the office of president again.
The EU has cut off over 90 million dollars in aid to Honduras. The US has cut off military aid and suspended diplomatic visas. All joint US/Honduran narco/military operations have been suspended. Labor unions across the planet have demanded that longshoremen refuse to unload Honduran fruit and coffee cargos. Between this and the US tourism warnings, the Honduran economy is taking a huge hit.
In spite of all of this punishment, Honduras is standing tall. Everyday that they do not cave into international pressure brings them one day closer to their Presidential elections.
Over and over Hondurans told me that they would rather have six months of hell, than a lifetime of communism.
In the two months since Manuel Zelaya was arrested, Daniel Ortega has declared that Nicaragua needs to change their constitution in order to extend his stay in power.
Oscar Arias, the president of Costa Rica and the man that Hillary Clinton put in charge of mediations between Zelaya and the Micheletti administration came out last week with similar demands on the Costa Rican constitution.
There are lessons to be learned here and there are friendships that should not be forgotten.
Those of us who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. Those of us who do not pay accurate attention to the plight of our friends and neighbors may not fare much better.
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132 Comments
We need to form a Honduran Redneck expeditionary force.
You knocked it out of the park with this one, Chris – made it relatable. Bizarre how unconcerned the US is, and how how in-the-dark are we the people.
Boy, you really had me going there! Great way to personalize the Honduran plight. Like many others, no doubt, the media's lack of attention on this subject has left me woefully ignorant of what's going on, and your great article has inspired me to look deeper and discuss with my friends.
Sorry, but I think you're wrong. I think this is exactly what Obama would do if he thought for a nanosecond that he could get away with it. He's a socialist pure and simple and would install himself as our ruler…"for the common good" in a skinny kenyan minute given the chance. People bled and died so that we might be free from that sort of government, if we are not paying attention and are not willing to defend our freedoms….then Obama is exactly what we deserve.
Over and over Hondurans told me that they would rather have six months of hell, than a lifetime of communism.
14 months to the 2010 elections and we can put an end to communism up here!
What a chilling vision. Yes we can say we don't believe it will happen here, but just like the Hondurans you might have to wonder. How many times have we wondered what this president is really thinking since he is a congenital liar in his public speech. Sometimes one could even wonder if he would actually love to do it if he thought he could get away with it.
I wonder if that nonsense would've gone that far in Honduras if they had a 2nd Amendment like we do…..
I'm not sure if Obama himself would actually attempt something like this, although I could see him wanting to. His followers, though, already are by attempting to abolish term limits:
http://www.end22.com
Notice how they include Reagan in there to seem non-partisan.
I lived in Central America for two years. The marxists are always there ready to cause trouble. The tire burnings are a signature of sorts fot these left wing groups.
The issue is I my semi-informed opinion that the people are, in so many cases, so desperate financially that any strong man with good sounding promises can sway them. Hunger is a powerfull motivator.
I was able to witness elections while i was down there. People's votes would shift in some cases by the group that was giving away the best t-shirts.
Until the economies improve, I'm afraid this will be a constant threat. I thought Costa Rica was different.
He wouldn't attempt it only because the ObamaCare debate has shown him that we won't just sit around while he takes control of our lives. I'm sure he's wandering around the Oval Office muttering to himself wondering why we don't love him and why we don't see that he just wants the best for us…social justice and all that. But he would do it if he thought he could be successful. Luckily for us I think he understands, but bemoans the fact, that the American People would rise up (and I mean that in all the ways you can think of) and put a stop to him.
It's our turn !
Better late than never
Costa Rican people are different. Politicians are the same. Costa Rican politicians see the shift and they are in survival mode. Our President is doing the Domino-effect in reverse. Our Constitution did not predict the speed in which our Congress and President could do such world harm so quickly.
Excellent article! How can we help keep Honduras a democracy? I have already written my Congressmen and even the state department. What more can we do? I'm asking because I'll do it if it is possible. Could we have a pro-Hondurian democracy rally here?
Funny you bring up hunger, the progressives are trying to shut down the farming in CA to "save" the delta smelt…..
If they get their way we'll be paying through the nose for scarce produce and fruit.
Maybe send this excellent piece to everyone you have in your address book TODAY! That is a start.
Can we hear a little round of "Das Internationale"?
BHO & Co. would masturbate while reading the first few paragraphs above, like it was a letter to Penthouse…
Man…when you think about how badly the Democrats want to take away gun rights, and the agenda of this administration, it is obvious what their intent is.
Docile helpless masses under the Bill Clinton's one-world government.
yeah because they loved Reagan when he was in office.
I'll consider their proposal if we have a balanced budget ammendment drafted up.
The one thing you did not mention in your post was the expotential increase in crime in Honduras under Zelaya.
I'm an American with Honduran residency, and it was really getting scary. Kidnappings for ransom had become commonplace. They had even started kidnapping school children from private schools. Zelaya's reaction: The media is making a big stink out of nothing just to make me look bad.
My wife had a three second rule for our kids. They had three seconds to get from a store or restaurant to the inside of her car!!. No way to live. Getting rid of Zelaya was the best thing for Honduras.
But just to set the record straight, Zelaya is not a socialist, he's merely an opportunist.
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Got that right. The 2nd Amendment was put in there to protect every other right we've got from being taken away by our own government. Our founding fathers weren't dummies.
one thing i'm sure of is, we, the people of honduras, will always hold the deepest and most sincere feeling of gratitude towards all of those who've stood up not only for the sake of freedom but true brotherhood as well… thank you chris and GOD BLESS!
The US is going to cut off aid
/spit
Powerful lawmaker urges US aid cutoff for Honduras
WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (Reuters) – The United States should formally declare a military coup took place in Honduras and cut off most aid to the government that replaced ousted President Manuel Zelaya, an influential U.S. lawmaker said on Thursday
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/i...
/spit
I wish there was more we could do. Our president has been a disgrace in regards to your country.
we are in agreement- a most excellent post…
And, even knowing it to be a simile about Honduras the hair on the back of our necks stood up- because Obama and his radical underground would delight in this… they already show no concern for plummetting popularity other than attacking FOX for exposing reality. They have the power, and intend to use it.
The Hondurans are standing tall. We salute, and stand with them. Will we be willing to do the same for our own country?
I second that.
An absolute, unequivical disgrace.
I wish I had your faith in President Obama. I'm not as sure as you are about his intentions. I believe that if he could become another Chavez, he would. Dictators do not see themselves as evil; they are fighting for their own version of the truth– helping the poor, providing jobs, redistributing wealth, etc. Democracies, term limits, constitutions are barriers that get in the way of the progress of social justice.
Finally, I appreciated the article very much. It is good to see first-hand reporting done by someone without a liberal agenda to follow.
your president and my president as well as many other presidents throughout the world have been a major disgrace to their own people. good thing is, change's been brought about by these events and so many of us have finally realized the true and deep value of real democracy… guess it's better late than never…
http://www.hondurasthisweek.com
if you're interested, this a weekly honduran newspaper but from the perspective of american and british expatriates living in my country
I would suggest Curious George, but that might be construed as racist instead of just insulting….
Can there be anything more incredible, more jaw-dropping, than that an American President would *actively support* an attempted Castroite coup against a Latin American democracy?
This is the horrifying truth about Back Obama: his entire education and mindset are third-world and Marxist. He genuinely believes Chavez, Ortega and the rest are actually the Good Guys! After all, they're simply People of Color rising up against White Capitalist Oppression. Yes, I'm afraid that the leftist tripe formerly confined to college campuses has taken over the Oval Office. Un-frickin'-believable.
Hang on, democracy- it's going to be a rough ride.
I've bookmarked it, thanks for the link.
Thanks for posting the link.
We keep good thoughts and wish good things for Honduras.
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nothing but the best to you as well. Barry boy at the Oval Office looks like massive tons of fun!!!
and i DO mean that IRONICALLY!!!!!
BTW…. did i mention the fact that we've got some of the most beautiful dive spots ever?????!!!! talk about good things….hahaha
Thank you for caring and actually taking the time to do something about it. Our history has been intertwined with the US since the early 1900's. My husband is american and I went to school in the US and for me as a Honduran, it is very hard to understand the US position when it comes to ex-president Mel Zelaya. The world's outrage at Honduras trying to remain a democracy is very disappointing. But, it has helped us unite as a country regardless of economic status. And yes, it is true "we would rather live in 5 months of hell than eternity in communism". We hope Americans will keep us in their prayers and that President Obama will recognize his mistake.
It is amazing how in eight short months this administration consistently chooses to be on the wrong side of history… Honduras, Iran, Iraq, and soon to be Afghanistan. It's almost as if we elected an African Socialist leaning ideologue with out any experience who wasn't fully vetted.
Very perplexing…
Tremendous reporting, Chris – thank you!
Finally the truth is getting out, I urge everyone to please share this report with your social media networks, Honduras needs your support more now than ever, Chris we are grateful for your courage and committment, when you return to Honduras give me a call, cheers
WOW! I am a Honduran but grew up in the States. Lived there 10 years for my elementary and half my highschool end even more so in DC. So I grew up valueing my freedoms and rights and democary and it has really hit hard to see how the World and especially the US is treating us. We are in the streets defending our laws and our freedom and everyone is against us even the country that has internationally simbolized freedom and democary and who supposedly runs to help whereever it is threathened. Your article was so strong to me it literally made me cry in front of the computer. Becasue that is how we FEEL. Thankyou
Hussein Obama did it
US cuts aid to Honduras in support of ex-leader
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration on Thursday cut all non-humanitarian aid to Honduras over the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya, making permanent a temporary suspension of U.S. aid imposed after he was deposed in June
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9AFVMV00...
I'm in! I have relatives down there.
THANK YOU So very much for this article. I am in no way as articulate a=or even good at writing this type of thing but if i were i would write what you did.
My mom's originally from there. Many cousins, uncles and aunts still live there. I think all of Central America is on the chopping block for socialist takeovers.
My mom's originally from there (Costa Rica). Many cousins, uncles and aunts still live there. I think all of Central America is on the chopping block for socialist takeovers.
and put dire needed protection and aid to Honduras on our platform.
Actually, I'm all for one-world government. And when the rest of the countries start applying for statehood in the US, then we will have it.
Hell if Darkwolf is going then count me in too…..
I say thee nay……………I happen to like Curious George. More than I can say for "Oh Oh".
Agreed!!!
I hope some of Berman's constituants give him an earful. He doesn't bother to address all the things Zelaya tried to do in getting the constitution changed, like none of that mattered. The guy broke the law and was dealt with in the manner their constitution demanded. How can anybody see this any different? Oh, wait, I forgot about the "change" that was voted in……
God Bless you all for standing up to attempts to form a socialist dictatorship, unlike…several other countries in this hemisphere. While I'd read that Micheletti and others didn't quite observe the letter of the law themselves in ousting Zelaya (don't quote me on that), this article seems to clear some of that up. I just hope the Honduran people know that the hearts of most American people are with them in all this, even if our so-called leader is not. Good luck.
Your lack of "faith" is merited. Even now Obama is trying to emulate the North Korean dictator and his own Banana Republic cronies by establishing a "Cult of the Personality" venerating him. This address to school children and the idolization of "the President" can only inspire that narcissist sociopath that is Obama in his quest for absolute power. If the banana republic "leaders" can establish themselves as "Presidents for life" then why not Obama. Here the Obama administration is supporting the caudillo principle. If he supports it for others, well why not install him?
The worst part is, despite the headline, I was halfway through the post before I realized this wasn't actually about America. Welcome to The Twilight Zone.
Another reason not to elected socialists.
Ashamed that the government in my name is oppressing the right to be free people of Honduras. I support the people of Honduras and not the puppet that Obama wants.
I prayed for your country this morning and will continue to do so. God bless.
Brilliant, simply brilliant….
He's not really all that curious, though. He already has all the answers.
What a beautiful country. I am afraid any south of the boarder country is in trouble including all of South America. Thanks to our stance Honduras. You have seen the articles on the President of Costa Rica I am sure. Sad.
Indeed, sad and troubling.
thank you Chris.
truth at last.
If Honduras can overcome this constitutional crisis, we might want to buy some land down there with the purpose of setting up an ex-pat outpost in case things here get crazy. I am only half kidding. I suppose it is good that most of us will feel desparate to fight for our country because there is simply no other place on this planet to go that isn't already more socialist than we are.
affluence vs. underprivelage is an unnecessary conflict . Think. Care about the rest of humanity. The "poor" don't need to be isolated behind those pitiful quotes. What is life for? You are part of a larger whole and each of us has a responsibility to nurture this. Polemic only divides us. Reunite mankind
The Honduran people rose up and he is trying to put a stop to them.
Please help us. Take a stand and demand a change of polciies.
Please write your legislators and tell them how wrong Obama is.
The author was not joking this is exactly what happened in Honduras
This is a shame that we truly do need to apologize for.
And these Hondurans are some of the bravest people I've seen in my life. They are right, we are wrong. So wrong.
Great article!!! I am a Honduran citizen and I hope that this article helps the american people to open up your eyes and ears and really see and listen for yourselves what has erally happened in my beautiful country!!! And thank you very much "Kipling", anythig you can do is welcome and very much appreciated……..
Liberals believe it is acceptable and noble to do anything at all- murder, rape, lie, steal, disenfranchise- all in the name of "the greater good".
Of course, "the greater good" is whatever they wish it to be.
Obama has never had anyone say "no" to him. He has been surrounded by fawning fans and yes men his entire life. He has never entertained opposing views as legitimate, despite all his talk of being a "uniter". He is a Chicago thug. He is immature.
He is finding out that he cannot charm us, and now he is lost. He doesn't know what to do if he hasn't charmed you in the first few minutes. He resorts to bully-tactics after that. And when THAT doesn't work, he will probably start the tantrums.
Gosh, where is LaRaza's outrage?
Guess they support socialists….
Don't be fooled. Obama will get his way.
All he has learned from the healthcare debate is that he can't get things done out in the open, or with all us meddlesome Conservatives standing in his way.
Therefore, he will have to get us out of the way.
Nathan says this about Obama: "He's not really all that curious, though. He already has all the answers."
To have all the answers you have to have honesty and the facts — which Obama has little of.
That makes Karl Marx the Man With the hat.
That was one of the most powerful articles I have read at BH. Thank you for sharing this with us. I learned volumes, and I thought I was pretty atuned to Honduras' state of affairs. It saddens me deeply to think about how many Neda's died there, too.
Thank you Chris,
Of all the issues that this President of the United States and I differ on, to me his actions is the most VILE as it comes to Honduras. And yes Costa Rica looks to be next. His action is beyond un-American it is Perverted!
Thank you very much for your article. We hondurans consider the United States our big ally. President Obama and secretary of state Clinton betrayed our country, which has always been by your side in good and bad times. Please help us get the recognition we deserve, and tell everyone you can the truth about Honduras. Most of us hondurans believe that this is a new beginning for our rich but poor country. With the help of our friends (the american people, not the american government now in office) we can overcome this moment of hardship for our beloved country. Once again, thank you very much.
Excellent piece.
From the outset, without knowing the details in the first few days, simply knowing Chavez and the rest of the SA dictators were condemning Honduras for removing Zelaya was enough to know Honduras was doing something right.
Add to that, in spite of every fact to the contrary, the MSM such as AP, kept trying their best to get people to swallow the 'coup' thing even though Zelaya's removal was in concordance with the Honduran government and their Constitution.
But to have Obama side with Chavez and Ortega really ran up the warning flag that the person currently occupying the Office of the Presidency has no interest whatever in sovereign nation or in personal liberties.
Obama, his backers, and handlers will attempt the same tactic here for which Zelaya was removed in Honduras as soon as they think they can get away with it.
This administration – Obama, Pelosi, Reid – should be removed by legal means at the earliest opportunity. Yesterday wouldn't be soon enough for that to happen.
"Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves." ~~D.H. Lawrence, Classical American Literature, 1922
Great article. It really drives home the lack of perspective the left has on the Honduran situation. I don't know if they don't realize it or don't care, but by trying to force Micheletti to step down and Zelaya to return, they are asking the Honduran people to break their own laws and violate their own Constitution. International sovereignty is only good when it fits their agenda.
Edit: And thanks for pointing out that Daniel Ortega and Oscar Arias are trying to expand their powers and terms. There is very a good reason why Latin Americans are concerned with limiting the powers of one man in the executive branch. If allowed to return, it will be license for the expansion of power in the hands of would be dictators through out the region.
Honduras is a democracy. Their last leader was democratically elected. He tried to change the term limits (like Bloomberg did to remain mayor of New York) and was booted out of office in a military coup. (And yes I realize what he did was unconstitutional, but that is the point, he tried to change the constitution through an election).
Honduras will be having free and democratic elections again soon. There is nothing you need to do.
Did I miss something in the article? The Honduran Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant, the military removed the him from office, and leadership of the nation was turned over to the constitutionally appropriate member of the government. HOW is that a military coupe? Generally a military coupe involves the military retaining power and taking over leadership of the nation. As presented, that didn't happen.
Do I have my facts wrong?
Enrique, God Bless you, your family and your country. You must know that the majority of Americans stand with you, even though it's only symbolic. Our President is a disgrace and I apologize for it, even though I didn't vote for him.
My family will keep you and yours in our prayers. I hope it all turns out okay.
God Bless!
it bears repeating:
<a href="http://epicnathan.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”>http://epicnathan.blogspot.com
Not that I'm suggesting anything, of course, but maybe Obama should compare himself to some other historical Georges, instead of just the one that he "inherited this mess from."
In case you missed it, it was made clear that any President attempting to change the constitution in a way that would end term limits was to be removed from office at once. Zelaya was constitutionally elected and he was then constitutionally removed. While I was also a bit disturbed at the way in which it occurred, it seems clear from this post, assuming all the facts are straight, that this may have been their best choice. I also think this points out the contradictory nature of such terms as "democratic socialism."
The next POTUS will have the unenviable job of another world apologizes tour.
Starting with the brave people of Honduras and Iran.
I'm deeply ashamed of this current administration.
Carlos,
Thank You for not hating the American People over this. I do not know if I would be so gracious. Many in the states have started looking at our "leaders" with Vile content due to this issue and others. When you see an article on this web site and others that you can spin a reminder regarding the Honduran issues then be sure to write a post.
I will never forget how the US of A treated Hondurans over this issue. It will always be a shame I will have to acknowledge.
Honduras This Week Online
Part 4: Conclusions
The Constitution of Honduras contains 379 articles, all which can be reformed or removed except for seven of them. These seven articles are known in Spanish as “articulos petreos”, meaning that they cannot be altered or reformed in any way; they define the form of government, the national territory, and the extent and limit of presidential terms. So, 372 or 98.15% of the articles in the Constitution of Honduras can be legally reformed. So then, why did Mr. Manuel Zelaya so desperately insist on summoning a National Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution? The answer is simple; he wanted to change the 7 irreformable articles and extend his presidential term, imitating Presidents such as Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Rafael Correa of Ecuador. These irreformable articles or “articulos petreos” exist as the necessary consequence of the historical political instability in Latin America, where throughout its history many leaders have sought to stay in power indefinitely.
Read More >>
http://www.hondurasthisweek.com/
Yes, in comments today he said that he is not 'dogmatic on his approach'. So, he's dogmatic on the results, but not how he sneaks it past us. We can't trust this Kenyan/Indonesian immigrant farther than he can be thrown.
One bow (to the Saudi King) is worth a thousand worthless words.
Hungry people are much easier to control.
Impressively written, and cogent. I hope and pray that this article gets the attention that, so far, Honduras has NOT gotten. I don't know how we can possibly get the current administration in the United States to recognie the extent of it's failure to comprehend, and the severity of it's error in judgement. Our American government has, shamefully, betrayed a true friend in Central America.
I've never forgotten watching Nightline back in the mid 80's. Ted Koppel was interviewing Eliot Abhrams (then assistant undersecretary of state) and a spokesman for the Sandanistas. At one point Abrams shocked them both by saying to the Sandanista, "We're not going to stop until you people are gone". I almost stood and cheered. Reagan was in charge, and we weren't playing BS games with communists.
A week later there was a picture in the paper of John Kerry down in Managua, shaking hands with his buddy Daniel Ortega. I understood then that the Vietnam era Democrats were fundamentally anti-american at their core.
Excellent article, I have been following Honduras closely, including latest development that a Bush Appointee at the IMF may have given Micheletti the $150 million lifeline they needed to survive Obama-Chavez-Clinton: Bush IMF Appointee Saves Honduras: http://gregcontreras.blogspot.com/2009/09/bush-ap...
I am a Honduran…I wanted a way to convey my sentiment on this issue to the United States of America, leaders, and specially to President Obama and his Secretary of state, Mrs. Clinton, but was never able to capture all what I was trying to say in a simple form. So I kept re-starting it over and over…never sending it cause it was never finished to my satisfaction. Today I CAN SAY "Here are my thoughts in someone elses words!!!!" Well Done!!! And I truely Hope this gets to the White House because this is the way you judge! Please get into our shoes and then condem what has been done!!! Don´t sit nice and pretty in a corner office and point fingers at anyone when you DON¨T KNOW THE FACTS!!! Mr. President you are being iladvised on this issue in particular!!! There is still time to come around don´t let us down!!
That is kick-ass journalism!I hope this is passed around schools and universities post haste!
As a Honduran living abroad I’m outraged that the Obama administration is trying to re-instate a wanna be dictator in Honduras. I always believed that the US was a country that loved and fought for democracy and freedom. It’s clear now that the Obama administration is trying hard to help real dictators and freedom haters to stay in power. This is just not right and right down shameful. Shame on you Obama and Hillary Clinton! I certainly hope that this will cost the democratic party the latin vote in the next US election.
Correction, Honduras is a constitutional democracy which means that it is a democracy with rules. Zelaya tried to make his own rules and suffered the consequences. Constitutions are not change by elections. Would you not have a problem with Mr. Obama running for a thrid term without changing the Constitional prohibition on more than two terms?
Not everyone is against you. You have many in support of you. Stay strong. We will figure this out together. Hondurans, let us know how us citizens can help! You have Media support from folks like: Chris Burgard, Dennis Prager we will get this back on the front burners of news.
Forward Chris's article to everyone you know!
Awesome article, Chris. I have been following this closely since it occurred and this is the most in depth piece I've seen so far. I have been proud of both Micheletti and the people who would not be bought or swayed by international demands, hoping that they could hold on long enough for the elections to take place. Unfortunately, it now seems that the results of those elections may still not be recognized by the international community:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9AG3GUO0...
I'm disgusted with obummer who is showing his true colors on this one by not stepping up to support the people of Honduras in their fight against a dictatorial regime. WAKE UP AMERICA.
I am both appalled and ashamed that your struggle has not been recognized as a fight for democracy and has received no support from the current administration. I fear that we will be facing the same struggle in our own country before all is said and done.
Stand strong. Our prayers are with you.
The president is not ill-advised…he really does stand on the side of the communist thugs. I'm sad and ashamed to say that, but it is the truth. Most of our media also has not reported accurately on this, so there many people here do not understand what is happening.
Those of us who have been following this closely are praying for your success. Bush would never have allowed this to continue or tried to penalize you as you fight for your freedom. Unless something changes in the near future, we will be fighting the same battle here in our own country
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Emelie, you have a beautiful country in Hounduras. It holds a special place in my heart as I had the privilege of being stationed at Soto Kano (originally called Palmerola) air base twice during the '80's.
Many more Americans stand with you than the media will report. Real Americans do understand the difference between acting to preserve the constitution of a free nation and an outright coup.
I, for one, refuse to apologize for the actions of the current administration. However, know that the people of a free and just nation stand with you in your current fight. God bless.
I was born and raised in Honduras, came to the USA when I was 15 and although I am a Citizen of the USA and have renounce my Honduran citizenship, I know this… no matter what country you are in if you basic liberties are threaten, you will fight, to the death if necessary.
I believe it was Emiliano Zapata who once said… ¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado! Which translates to…It's better to die upon your feet than to live upon your knees! I keep constantly telling people to get involved. Voting is no longer the only tool need it, SPEAK UP AMERICA! ORGANIZE, DON’T LET THOSE WHO REPRESENT YOU COMPRIMISE YOUR VOICE, SPEAK UP!
Honduras stands alone in the world right now, the USA has cut all but humanitarian help as means to pressure the country to let Mr. Zelaya back in power, but Hondurans are by nature brave warriors of Mayan ancestry, they fight hard to the end. They will show the world that when it comes to freedom they fight as well as anybody else.
We in America are not exempt from something like this happening!
The Facts, watch Honduran Democracy step by step
http://www.laverdadenhonduras.com/index.php/video...
Watch The truth about Honduras
http://www.laverdadenhonduras.com%2Findex.php%2Fimagenes... target=”_blank”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da9etL5uqy8&eu...” target=”_blank”>http://www.laverdadenhonduras.com%2Findex.php%2Fimagenes%2F&feature=player_embedded
exellent work…. is nice to read it and see that someone got it!
i am leaving tegus tomorrow and return nov 28
feel too bounerable here…
thank you!
I am a Honduran citizen and I would just like to thank the author of this excellent article! He really has written this not only based on true facts of SOME of the illegal actions Z-liar performed but also has managed to compose it in a way US citizens can relate to it and imagine it happening to them. What would you have done if this tyranny had happened in your country?
How can you help us? I believe writing to your congressman is a great start but also I believe you can help informing the TRUTH to more people around the US and the world. Please forward this article to all your friends and family. We need more freedom loving people understanding the facts!
I am a Honduran citizen and I would just like to thank the author of this excellent article! He really has written this not only based on true facts of SOME of the illegal actions Z-liar performed but also has managed to compose it in a way US citizens can relate to it and imagine it happening to them. What would you have done if this tyranny had happened in your country?
How can you help us? I believe writing to your congressman is a great start but also I believe you can help informing the TRUTH to more people around the US and the world. Please forward this article to all your friends and family. We need more freedom loving people understanding the facts and raising their voice in support!
Great commentary! I am a Honduran-American and have been so disgusted by the way the Honduran situation has been handled by the American government. ZELAYA IS A LIAR!!! He is a very corrupt man.
Thank you Chris for this article that shows the real story of what happened in Honduras and not what the sensationalist press is spreading around. We are people of peace, during Zelaya's administration crime, kidnappings, homicides, drug dealing and other bad things increased, he broke the law and hondurans are trying to set a precedent "No one, not even the president is above the law".
I appreciate the solidarity of lots of you, please write your congressmen if you will. Yesterdar United Stated decided to cut off its economic help to Honduras, the really poor in Honduras are the ones paying for this wrong decitions. God Bless America and all of you and give honduras sthrenght to keep fighting for their democracy and constitution.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Chris!!! We Hondurans are confused and cannot understand this Administration's stance on our country's political crisis. Hell, Obama and Hillary have made it much worse!! Could there possibly be some ulterior motive for supporting these dictators?!?! I humbly ask all of you Americans who love democracy and live by it to please write to your Congressmen/women, governors, or whoever, to let out the truth or get a real explanation of why they part with Chavez and Zelaya.
Chris, you are pure genius! I live in Tegucigalpa and work at the Embassy. I am so saddened by what is going on and can only hope that Roberto Micheletti stands fast. I could say more but shouldn't. I just hope that the support of Honduras, The Little Country That Could continues in the US and that President Obama and Hillary Clinton choose to take a second look at the situation.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU… REALLY… AND BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN TO YOUR COUNTRY. I GOT FAMILY AND FRIENDS THERE AND AM VERY AWARE OF THE IMMENSE SUPPORT COMING FROM ALL OF YOU… SPECIALLY THROUGH PRAYERS WHICH ARE MOST NEEDED RIGHT NOW, SO KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING AND MY PRAYERS GO TO YOU AS WELL
ENRIQUE
Truth is, Zelaya's actions was what got him into trouble. fortunately for us, the fathers of our constitution foresaw these kinds of eventualities. long story short, what you saw was nothing but democracy at work, of course, through our laws, not the UN's, chavez's or anyone else's… fortunately. i have to admit that i do feel proud because all of the awareness brought about by all of this mess… Honduras has really set the example for once….
http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA579.html
Chris, this is really excellent, I'm from Honduras, but I'm also an American citizen. You make me cry my heart out; for it is divided; sad because my people in Honduras are suffering and the USA government is acting so irresponsible.Thanks a ton, Judith.
Thank you very much Chris, for putting our plight in a very comprehensible way so that it can be easily understood by the USA citizens. As a Honduran, is it wrong to ask the international community to let us Hondurans decide for ourselves on what we believe is best for us? The best help we could have is for somebody to keep the the thugs and terrorist from destroying our country.
A very good piece which explains, in language that Americans can understand, what is really going on in Honduras. Besides the traitor Zelaya and his corrupt mentor Hugo Chavez, the deeper problem remains that Honduras is a very poor country with many social problems. If the United States continues to deny assistance to Honduras it will only make the problems bigger. And guess what? 1. More Hondurans will emigrate illegally to the USA, thus causing a bad illegal immigrant situation to get worse, and 2. There will be more Zelaya-style traitors coming your way, not just from Honduras but other countries in Latin America. Do you really more Nelson and Cristina Kirschners inviting your Iranian foes to make themselves comfortable in your back yard? Do you really want a whole group of ALBA/Chavez-led nations to give safe haven to your terrorist enemies from the Middle East? Because that's what's coming unless the USA takes a good look at how to really help our Latin American nations survive with some dignity. The United States should seize on this and help Honduras become a model of what small democratic countries can and should become.
Thank you Chris, you got it all right. I am Honduran and live here, most of the world simply just don't get it. Its easy to comment when you are an outsider. Please make sure this report gets to higher levels.People should know the kind of president we had. You still missed the latest, millions spent on personal stuff. His spending was outrageous. !!!!
Excellent form to open the eyes of many suppoused wel informed decition makers americans. Unfortunatelly those people are informed by the same people that said president Bush that Sadam Husein had a lot of weapons of mass destruction. The most obvious reason for such an idiotic decition on part of the US government is that they really know they made a mistake by condemning Honduras for a virtual Coup. The problem is that for a inmature mind is very difficult if not imposible to recognize their mistakes.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS! FINALLY SOMEONE GOT IT RIGHT! You were in Honduras and you were able to wtiness what is really happening, instead of being biased. Obama promised change, but it seems the wrong kind of change.Mel Zelaya was goign to turn into a tyrant dictator. He got what he deserved. Hopefully more people will open their eyes to the real situation in Honduras thanks to articles like this one. KEEP ON WRITING!
[...] Honduras: A Truth Stranger Than Fiction? [...]
Im Honduran, I live on the capital city of Tegucigalpa. I personally know the Zelaya-Rosales family very well since one of Manuel Zelaya is a friend of mine and a classmate..of course Manuel Zelaya is a "poor" guy in which they pay Honduras's most expensive private school. His son, a fellow classmate as well has a different car for each day of the week and parties, expensive vehicles such as porsche, BMW, Cadillac, mercedes Benz and similars..He wears new Gucci sneakers every three days.
On the other hand, Manuel Zelaya lived near my house and hes has over 20 horses ranging from $40,000 to $230,000, wears a pair of $5,000 boots and takes all their family on vacations with the presidential creditcard to Orlando, Florida. I dont get how..after he was expulsed from honduran territory he was able to lie to the WHOLE WORLD maying he couldnt even take he cellphone..but he was able to take the presidential creditcard…
So..I guess he really is part of the "poor".
PLEASE get your facts straight. Zelaya never called for a box in the ballot that would increase his term limit. Had people voted in favor of reforming the constitution- which is very different than increasing term limit- that change wouldn't have occured until the next elected president was in power. There are several other misconceptions in your 'story', but that one on its own kind of turns your interpretation of things on its head.
I'm NOT a Zelaya supporter, but I can't stand when people are misinfromed. What a shame.
Thank you so Much ! I'm Honduran, I live in Honduras
From San Pedro Sula. We are standing still ! we will not tolerate any communist to impose their system in our country. And as we say: we may not have Oil, we may not have dollars but we have guts !
and as someone mentioned: we rather have 7 months excluded by other living a hell than a lifetime in communism.
God bless u all !!
Nope, you are correct. No coupe here. We Celerate our Independence Day tomorrow. The first time it will seem very REAL!!!
A Honduran
The facts are correct. There is no democratic socialism…that a big load of crap!!!
Thank you for spreading the truth of our situation.
I am Honduran and live in Tegucigalpa. It amazes me how the US govenment is cutting off aid to a, by far, much more honest govenment, but is willing to bring back the biggest thief and traitor in our history to give him the millions of $$$$ in aid. That money would never reach its destination. Zelaya would keep it all, like he did for the last year and a half.
Can someone explain this to me? Is Obama gaining something from all this? I CAN NOT believe he is doing this NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
Dear Elana,
Yes you are a Zelaya supporter. Did you know that he never planned for this elections to take place. His Costituyente was going to take over the day after the referendum. He had letters with the results of the referendum…it had not even taken place. He had everything ready to be published in the La Gazeta; official newspaper of the Honduran government. For your information once it is published in that newspaper it becomes law. We were that close. He was not going to increase term limits he was staying forever.
Don't just agree–Do Something About It!
Invest in Honduras. I did and will continue to do so. This is the kind of place I want to own assets. They are going the right direction while the US is heading in the wrong one. Call me at 804 775 1097 if you want more information.
HELP US!
THE BIG PROBLEM IS HUGO LORENS, the US ambassador in Tegucigalpa, he is involved in bussines with Chavez and Zelaya…
Please write your legislators (democrats specially) and tell them how wrong Obama is.
The author was not joking this is exactly what happened in Honduras !
I live her! my family live here! we do not want Chavez in Honduras, we love democracy and peace!
When the US need our mens to go Iraq, we were there! Why you US abandon us when we need you?
How much did the golpista in the picture with you pay you to write this article?
Strange how all of the citizens, teachers, dock workers, etc.. are striking to bring back their democratically elected government. You failed to mention that the raise in the minimum wage was only required for multinational or huge companies, and increased it from 25cents per hour. People could not even afford food with their slave wages.
He was not willing to allow his government to pass by on the otherside.Do you know where this statement comes from?
I wish for you the same treatment Michelleti and his minions have in mind for the poor of Honduras. MS-13, or Salvatrucka gangs, and these golpistas are responsible for the violence. Not Mel Zelaya.
Read NarcoNews and Borev.net, research the truth from there. You won't find it here. Capitalists have the same in mind for you and me as time passes, educate yourselves out side of this bubble.
Thank you for helping us. The medias is attacking Honduras and reporting lies. Zelayistas are threating us and looting our workplaces and homes. We need your help getting the truth out.
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