Healing Honduras (Subtitle: We’re Not Through with You Yet, Honduras)
[Guest post by DRJ]
Despite all the dangers America and the Obama Administration face in the world, this recent State Department briefing shows the Obama Administration is not through with Honduras:
QUESTION: Well, I just want one on Honduras. I mean, isn’t it a little besides the point now? I mean, you’re going to kind of implement the San Jose process. You already have a president-elect. You have an inauguration coming up. You’ve already pretty much said that you’re going to accept and deal with the new government. So what is this kind of symbolic box-checking of making sure that you implement the San Jose Accords before the new government —
[STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN IAN] CROWLEY: Well, I don’t think it’s symbolic at all. I mean, obviously, what happened back in June represents a breach in the heart of Honduran society, and to some extent that tension is still there. So yes, you’re right; there is a new government that will be installed on January 27th. The real question is: Can that government be a vehicle through which you begin a healing process and you have a situation where the Honduran people can unite behind this new government? That is our primary effort here: How do we help Honduras move forward and to overcome the clear tension that resulted in the actions taken last June?
QUESTION: Well, but the tension was from Zelaya’s rule and the people that wanted him back in versus the people that –
QUESTION: Why?
QUESTION: Whatever.
MR. CROWLEY: That’s true. By the same token, our interest here is in seeing a true restoration of constitutional and democratic rule, and to see Honduras advance as a stable and contributing member of the international community.
QUESTION: But – I understand that, but if you undo what you —
MR. CROWLEY: And, oh, by the way, we do have some decisions to make in the future about the future nature of our relationship. As we said back in November, the election was a step forward. We felt that the results did reflect the will of the Honduran people. That said, the election by itself was not enough to – we have some decisions to make in terms of the nature of our relationship, the nature of assistance in the future.
So there are still steps that Honduras has to take, and we are encouraged by comments by President-elect Lobo, but we are there to continue to move this process forward not only to get to January 27, but most importantly, to see that government advance once it’s in office.
QUESTION: Well – I’m sorry.
QUESTION: Is that —
MR. CROWLEY: Is that —
QUESTION: Well, I’m sorry. No. I have a couple more questions on this.
MR. CROWLEY: Okay.
QUESTION: How – I mean, I understand about moving forward, but how by undoing what you did – not what you did, but what was done in Honduras at the absolute last minute right before the inauguration of this new president that you – by this new president repairs the constitutional breach that took place? And why would you need to reevaluate what kind of relationship you need with Honduras going forward? This was all about the interim government and the former deposed government. And why would you punish this new government for what happened before that?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, remember, not only do we support a government of national unity that reflects all of the components —
QUESTION: For a day or a couple of days?
MR. CROWLEY: Right.
QUESTION: Sorry.
MR. CROWLEY: Well, no – we support the formation of a national unity government that represents broad interests in Honduras. But most importantly, you need to have this truth commission that is part of a healing process that has to occur if Honduras is going to advance. So it is – there are a number of steps in the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accords. Some of them have been implemented, but not all, and this continues to demonstrate our commitment to the people of Honduras and to the future relationship between the United States and Honduras. But there are definitely – Craig is there to communicate clearly to a variety of parties that there are still things that Honduras has to do.”
The healing process? The Obama Administration is supposed to represent America’s interests. Instead of being the leader of the world or even the world’s policeman, an Obama-led America sounds more like the world’s therapist.
— DRJ
The next President should apologize to Honduras during the Inauguration speech, just so the cameras can catch Obama when she does it.
Kevin Murphy (3c3db0) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:52 pmOnce again Ibama is hesitant to interfere in the internal affairs of a country like Iran by criticizing its leadership but is willing to pund the dhit out of country like Honouras based on a wrong-headed reading of its constitution. What a bunch of complete asshat hypocrites.
daleyrocks (718861) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:53 pmBTW, what happens if the “Truth Commission” brings out the truth and not the lies that Obama wants to hear?
Kevin Murphy (3c3db0) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:53 pmHe really hates people what stand up to the dirty little socialists.
JD (636015) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:58 pmAnd remember, they cancelled the visas of the Honduran leadership instantly, but just couldn’t seem to find the time to cancel the visa of the KnickerBomber until two-weeks after he attempted to blow up an aircraft over Detroit.
AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:01 pmHillary’s doing a hellofajob.
America is a mean country.
daleyrocks (718861) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:10 pmAnd to think that we actually acted shocked when bombs go off on planes, in front of federal buildings, tourists and reporters are kidnapped, etc. etc.etc…….
TC (0b9ca4) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:14 pmHonduras has absolutely shamed the administration. They stood hard for the Freedom and Liberty of its people.
What a low moment for our country. All because President Obama did not get his way, and thwart the Constitution of Honduras. He is going to punish the Honduras Supreme Court, Congress and People for daring to follow there own laws, resisting a coup, and electing a President. Pure genius!
As an aside, Iceland also stood by and for its people too (01/06/10):
—
Britain is going to punish Iceland and the US is going to punish Honduras. And of course the jackal’s from all over the world will assist.
Have we really come to this? Maybe, as a nation, we can relearn the Principles of Freedom and Liberty from these two small countries. Maybe in 2012 we can retake what was once ours, and make it ours again.
Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:14 pmThat’s some good shit you’re smoking tonight, Pons.
AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:20 pmHonduras should demand reparations from the dirty socialist man in the White House is what it should do.
daleyrocks (718861) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:22 pmPons is right. The concepts of freedom and liberty are truly foreign to these people.
JD (636015) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:24 pm#1,2,3,4,5,6…
Yeah.
Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:49 pmMr. Crowley
who knew?
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:41 amJust more of the liberal tradition of promoting socialism or Marxism in Central America, circa ’70’s & ’80’s (Nicaragua, El Salvador)… same as it ever was… same as it ever was.
GeneralMalaise (68a574) — 1/8/2010 @ 3:40 amMiiiiiiiiister Crowley….what went wrong in you head?
Avatar (263b16) — 1/8/2010 @ 5:10 amState Department spokesman Ian Crowley said:
A breach in the heart of Honduran society? Honduras held its presidential election, on the previously-scheduled date, and, with significantly higher turnout than occurred in the 2005 electing won by Manuel Zelaya, Hondurans voted for “Pepe” Lobo, the candidate of the major center-right party, by a significant majority. Former President Zelaya’s former party, came in second, while the Zelayista candidate received a whoppong 1/7% of the votes.
The Honduran Supreme Court had voted unanimously to depose Mr Zelaya, and the Honduran Congress had voted to do the same, 125-3; Mr Zelaya’s party held the congressional majority at the time.
The clear majority of the people of Honduras approved deposing President Zelaya, as is evidenced by the votes they cast in a free and fair election, but our own State Department can’t seem to see that.
The Dana who isn't in the State Department, but seems a lot smarter than the idiots who are in there (474dfc) — 1/8/2010 @ 5:11 am‘nice little country, you got there, It’d be a shame if something were to happen to it’ as Luigi
ian cormac (cd6b99) — 1/8/2010 @ 5:32 amPricotti might say. Yes, this doesn’t only apply to Honduras
This is incredible.
Obama ran on the fact were not going to meddle in the internal affairs of foreign nations. And here we are requiring a government of national unity? And a “truth Commission?”
Why on earth is the Obama administration plyaing up to the Chavista elements that tried to make Zelaya el presidente for life, in vioaltion of Honduras’s constitution?
Need I ask.
Corky Boyd (a311f8) — 1/8/2010 @ 6:17 am“Inconceivable!”
What this administration should focus on is healing America and start listening to its own people and quit meassing with its own Constitution.
MD in Philly (d4668b) — 1/8/2010 @ 6:35 amThey want a truth commission for this country, lets not forget, bringing back the Church and Rockefeller
ian cormac (53eaa0) — 1/8/2010 @ 6:46 amCommissions, their hey day
Obama and his minions are really something new in our history. We’ve had imperialists back in the 19th and early 20th century but that was the era of “the white man’s burden” and a lot of people were sincere. Now, we have people whose concept is leftist dictatorship and Bolshevism. At least Dodd, one of the major props to leftist dictatorship in Central and South America, will be gone.
Mike K (2cf494) — 1/8/2010 @ 7:20 amTruth Commission: Again, why are they giving KSM a public trial if not to try the Bushies indirectly?
Kevin Murphy (3c3db0) — 1/8/2010 @ 7:58 amWe need a Truth Commission on ACORN – an honest USAtty and a Fed.Grand Jury would do nicely!
AD - RtR/OS! (946807) — 1/8/2010 @ 10:15 am@9 — AD
That’s some good shit you’re smoking tonight, Pons.
yeah, but i didn’t inhale 😉
just kidding–
I don’t smoke AD, anything, really. Maybe indulge in a beer occasionally.
This Honduras situation has me more riled-up than anything else. I suspected President Obama would prove somewhat incompetent overall. His domestic agenda is no surprise and his ineptitude at foreign policy, again, no surprise. We elected him and we get what we deserve.
But his attempt to use American power to bend Honduras to his will…(and for Zeyla???). That and the fact that Honduras is so invisible to the American people, well, I feel like a bully — hate it!
That, and perhaps last night was one of those occasional nights.
Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/8/2010 @ 10:39 amA “Breach in the Heart” of a democracy? OooooK. But when confronted with Iranian unarmed women being gunned down and dying on video in Teheran – the Obama-mites say” “Well, that is a private matter – who are we to impose our views on a foreign domestic matter?……”
[WH: Yes yes – but now the important question, how will all of this affect us personally, in apolitical sense, in this administration?
Californio (9b0d11) — 1/8/2010 @ 11:00 amSoon to be floated by Richard Wolffe on MSNBC: Perhaps Ian Crowley is one of those underlings who has an agenda of undermining this administration, you know, to “make them look bad”?
GeneralMalaise (68a574) — 1/8/2010 @ 11:16 amZelaya had the results of an election that hadn’t occurred yet, stored in his computer. An election to enable him to be president for life.
How is it that Obama is critical of an administration that isn’t even in power yet, but has nothing to say against an obvious attempt to destroy democracy? Obama should come out hard against Chavez, Zelaya, and Castro conspiring to ruin freedom. Why won’t he? He clearly has no problem meddling.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/8/2010 @ 11:22 amWhy won’t he?
Because it’s not good to bite your masters.
AD - RtR/OS! (946807) — 1/8/2010 @ 11:34 amOy, this whole thing is giving me a headache.
Seriously, wtf is going on here.
I think the most charitable explanation is that his entire administration is so isolated from any criticism they have no idea how wrong they are on this.
I mean I initially assumed that Obama got it wrong, maybe in part jumping to conclusions because this was a south American country after all. But then he would figure that out and find some way to at least drop the subject.
But he keep doubling down, and doubling down. Its mystifying. Add that to the fact that at the same time he seems to think that when the government in question is a radical Islamic regime, he doesn’t question those in charge, well, seriously, wtf.
Its either he is so isolated that he doesn’t hear enough of the criticisms to realize he is doing anything wrong. Or he prefers dictators to democrats. Those are the only two options at this point. And neither one makes me feel particularly good.
Another reason to hope that republican in Mass. pulls it out. That just might be dramatic enough to get his attention, to clang him on the ears and say, “hey dipshit. You are f—ing this up.”
A.W. (e7d72e) — 1/8/2010 @ 11:35 amThe Obama Administration wouldn’t question its failed policies even if the Founding Fathers came back to life and marched up Pennsylvania Avenue singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
These people are immune from voter expectations, their own campaign promises, the provisions of the Constitution, the laws of the land, the rules of the Congress, and the Golden Rule as well. Hell, they even tax us without representing us, and thumb their noses at our puny objections.
The American Ship of State is adrift in heavy seas, our captain is a landlubber, we’re overloaded, rudderless, taking on water, infested with stowaways, and under attack.
Everything that’s been tried has failed, and all we get is calls for more of the same. Viewed from shore, it looks like the captain has determined the best course is to run the ship aground.
The example of Honduras stands out in sharp contrast and demonstrates the strength of a functioning democracy while at the same time it exposes the hollow shell of a failed one.
ropelight (83de47) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:49 pmZelaya had the results of an election that hadn’t occurred yet, stored in his computer.
Don’t forget he also had his minions printing up ballots outside of the country’s official auspices. Funny how that incovenient truth is never mentioned.
Dmac (a964d5) — 1/8/2010 @ 1:50 pmI could actually understand the Administration trying to get involved in the Honduran situation — even if they were really on the wrong track — back in the summer. But it’s January 8th, the elections have come and gone, and a new, duly elected president will take office in just nineteen days. The Obama Administration hasn’t been able to accomplish anything that they’ve set out to do yet in Honduras — other than look like fools — in the six months of the Micheletti “interregnum,” so why would they want to step into this minefield again? There is nothing that they would like to accomplish that they could accomplish before January 27, so why try anything, why say anything?
I don’t think that the situation was a problem before, but even if the President did, it has already been repaired. Sometimes it’s best to just shut up and let things happen the way that they are going to happen, if you don’t have the power to change them.
The Dana who thinks that if it ain't broke, don't fix it (474dfc) — 1/8/2010 @ 2:56 pmThe Department of State: beating it’s head against a wall, for no good reason…
We still have another three years and twelve days of the Obama Administration and its naïve foreign policy. I sure hope that in that three years and twelve days, some of these noble idealists will grow up, will become adults. Right now, their pitifu….
Common Sense Political Thought (73d96f) — 1/8/2010 @ 4:41 pmNaive foreign policies have usually resulted in “gardens of stone”.
AD - RtR/OS! (946807) — 1/8/2010 @ 5:21 pmI hope that it can be limited to that, without any mushroom infestations.