Lopez Obrador Rages in Mexico City at Yesterday's Decision of the Electoral Tribunal (Translation)

eluniversal.com.mx ^ | September 6, 2006 | El Universal redaction ( translated by self )

[StJacques]

The 10 Points of AMLO's Message

Redaction EL UNIVERSAL.com.mx
El Universal
Mexico City
Wednesday 6 September 2006

After the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation (TEPJF) gave its qualification of the presidential election and declared Felipe Calderon President-Elect, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in his informative session [said the following]:

1. He accused the magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation of submission, "they did not have the courage, the dignity, the pride, the arrogance to act as free men," in ratifying the triumph of the PAN candidate.

2. He stated that he will not recognize "whoever pretends to flaunt themselves as head of the executive branch without having a legitimate and democratic representation."

3. He summoned a revolution of conscience, "the revolution of mentality, everything which we have come here to do since one month ago, this peaceful civil resistance, this teaching-learning process."

4. He assured everyone that the sympathizers of the For the Good of All coalition are "the foremost citizens" and [that] the "upper classes, have already shown their true face: classist, racist, authoritarian."

5. He reiterated his proposal that the Democratic National Convention will constitute a government "which counts with the necessary legitimacy to found the Republic anew and to reestablish constitutional order."

6. He indicated that like the governments of Victoriano Huerta and Carlos Salinas,¹ his opponents will seek to legitimize themselves abroad, "they are going to begin to receive the recognition of foreign governments."

7. He said the hand kissing and the bringing into line of business corporations and other associations who will manifest their adhesion to the new government will continue.

8. [He deplored] "the subordination of the Communications Media into burning incense for the candidate of the right wing; the spurious, illegitimate President, the puppet they want to impose upon us. Special interviews, and now they're saying "I can now officially say President-Elect, true?, because the Tribunal has now decided."

9. They will seek to confuse people with spectacular deeds, "so they can say that they are going to be different and that things are now going to change," and among the humble people, they will distribute breadcrumbs.

10. He assured everyone that in this political script, which has been followed for years, his adversaries will address "by all the means they have that which they call dialogue and negotiation."

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Translator's Note:

¹ Victoriano Huerta was the Mexican General who came to power in February, 1913 in a coup d'état in which he killed the elected President Francisco Madero, setting off the violent phase of the Mexican Revolution. Carlos Salinas de Gortari was the President of Mexico from 1988-1994, who is viewed by the Mexican Left as having come to power by means of a fraudulent election.

[StJacques]

"Restore constitutional order"....say what???

Well; AMLO is continuing to rage as usual. The news in the Mexican press is basically that most are coming together around Calderon as President-Elect while Lopez Obrador, the PRD, and their allies are saying they will never recognize him, that they will not permit the "imposition" of Calderon as President, that they are going to continue with their "Democratic National Convention" on the 16th of September so that they can set up "a legitimate government," etc. I think you all get the picture.

As a special note here, I think that most of you should expect to see fewer posts from me in the future, though I will be keeping an eye on the upcoming "Convention" and the tension surrounding Mexico's Independence Day celebration, the expected removal of the protest camps from Mexico City, and any problematic events which surface. I think we have crossed a finish line of sorts with the certification of Calderon's victory this week. I do regard AMLO's "Convention" and the prospect of a "parallel government" as something particularly serious, and I will keep an eye on that, but I must say that I am beginning to see a certain resignation among many leftists in Mexico that he is going too far. There will of course always be the fringe radicals who will continue to rage no matter what, but I have the feeling that all of this may not become the serious meltdown so many of us feared for so long. But if it turns out I'm wrong, trust that I will step in and keep everyone informed. It is just my expectation that the need to do this will be less in the future.

[StJacques]

A Mex-Elex ping for you all.

Anyone wishing to track the other translations I have posted on the post-election controversy in Mexico may do so using the forum's "keyword" search option with the unique keyword -- STJTRANSLATION

[Joe Boucher]

Algore Obrador?

[theDentist]

You sure this isn't an Al Gore speech from 2000?

[redgolum]

Prayers for you. Keep safe and keep us informed.

When is Obrador supposed to set up his parallel government?

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks for the work.



"2. He stated that he will not recognize "whoever pretends to flaunt themselves as head of the executive branch without having a legitimate and democratic representation."

Kerry, Gore, or Obrador?

[StJacques]

"When is Obrador supposed to set up his parallel government?"

The "Convention" will supposedly "elect" them on September 16 and, according to other statements Lopez Obrador has made, they will be "installed" in their new "offices" according to the regular transition schedule established under Mexican law.

[CedarDave]

Lopez Obrador Rages ...

Appropriate title. Thanks again for all you have done.

[California Patriot]

From my ignorant perch, this looks like an attempted revolution, headed by a rock-hard Leninist revolutionary who will stop at nothing. It may not matter if their public support dwindles. If they have enough willpower and the forces of democracy don't, they can win. I think you may be too optimistic.

[StJacques]

Mexico is far too advanced a country for them to win. But that does not mean they cannot cause significant trouble, because in some ways, they are already doing that. And it could get much worse, especially in light of the near chaos in Oaxaca and a steadily destabilizing situation in Chiapas.

[California Patriot]

It isn't hard to make "significant trouble" even more significant. The left specializes in this.

[A CA Guy]

News says the bad guys won't quit and will keep this up.

It will be time to shoot them soon I guess.

[monkapotamus]

[chapman55k]

StJacques,

We have family in Monterrey and have followed your translations through this election. You have been great at finding these articles and translating them through the whole election. I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts. There were a good number of us out here who really appreciated all this.

[shield]

IMHO, I can't see how he could even begin to set up a separate type government. Besides as you said, the left in Mexico now thinks enough is enough and any further is too far.

[Enchante]

He's just as deranged and dishonest as most leftists.....

[hermgem]

Down the road, but not too far off, U.S. elections will escalate into boosted up Al Gores with Mexican flavors and spices added.
What's acted out down South is a foreplay of things to come.
On top of it politicians of the ilk of Kerry fight for not requiring personal I.D's to voting which will multiply Democrat's take home to capture representations from State to Congress to President no, no, not in Mexico its taking place right at the home base.

[StJacques]

"It isn't hard to make "significant trouble" even more significant. The left specializes in this."

Yes they do CP. And I submit that's about all they're capable of doing.

[StJacques]

Thank you chapman, I appreciate the kind words.

[StJacques]

"I can't see how he could even begin to set up a separate type government. Besides as you said, the left in Mexico now thinks enough is enough and any further is too far."

One development I expect to see if AMLO continues on this path will be the splintering of the PRD. I am almost ready to predict we will see a new political party emerge out of all this, leaving the left weakened even further.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[Reaganez]

Why does no one report on FR that the newly elected Governor of Chiapas says he will respect the tribunal's decision and work with Felipe Calderon. Deteriorating?

Oaxaca is bad. You have a radicalized Marxist teacher's union trying to overthrow a corrupt PRI Governor.

CONVERGENCE PARTY SAYS THEY WILL REPECT THE TRIBUNAL DECISION.

That is rather important. They were part of the Coalition for the Good of All. They have 22 seats in congress. This is the city slicker social democrats.They say they will accept Felipe Calderon is President.

All this hyperbolic talk of Huerta,Madero and a Second Mexican Revolution is a bit silly.

Mexico circa 1910 was alot like the American Old West: Everyone had a rifle or a pistol.

Mexico circa 2006 not only are guns illegal but so is ammunition.Only government personnel and those connected with police have permits for weapons.

Yes there are the Drug Dealers. Yeah, Narco-Millionairs want to overthrow the current regime and install a Leftist authoritarian government. That would be good for business. Even better if they lose.

[GOP_1900AD]

I wonder if the CIA still does black bag jobs? ..... 'nuff said ....

[Salvey]

There will of course always be the fringe radicals who will continue to rage no matter what...

Yep, we have them here, too.

[JCEccles]

You've done amazing work on this issue. Really first class.

[shield]

Hmmmm...what great news.

I've listened to Mexicans interviewed here in Houston now that the President-elect has now been certified...coming out stating they went back to Mexico to vote and they all voted for Mexico's President-Elect. So all the crapola put out by the left in Mexico appears to be just that...lots of crapola.

Thanks for all your updates and analysis.

[StJacques]

Before I get to the Chiapas situation, some other comments...

You have nailed Oaxaca. The PRI Governor Ulises Ruiz is genuinely corrupt and the teacher's union has undergone a metamorphosis since it began its protests back in May. Ruiz has evidently organized some paramilitary units that have not been too active lately, but which really aggravated the situation. We are now seeing every kooky leftist gravitating towards Oaxaca. There have been no fewer than 10 so-called "guerrilla groups," I personally think most of them are nothing more than three or four kooks with a computer printer, show up in the state over the past few weeks and they have begun stopping buses to distribute propaganda and more. Oaxaca is clearly the most dangerous situation in Mexico right now and unless Ruiz steps down I believe it will get worse.

I have posted two translations on the Convergence Party's decision to recognize the decision of the tribunal, here's one, I cannot find the other, which was the official statement of the party which I posted within someone else's thread who evidently did not use the "Mexico" keyword because I cannot find it now:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1696687/posts?page=24#24

The Huerta etc. talk is all Lopez Obrador's. Of course it's silly.

Now; on Chiapas. The PRI, the PAN, the PVEM, and Nueva Alianza have all said they will challenge the Chiapas gubernatorial results before the national electoral tribunal. While this challenge is underway there have been instances of violence, not numerous I'll admit, but still there and associated with the election. And the offer of the newly-elected PRD candidate to recognize Calderon is an attempt on his part to get everyone else to recognize his victory, which they are not doing. There is the major problem of the 40 or so zapatos, the casillas in which the PRD candidate received either all the votes -- at least one was over 400 to 0 for the PRI candidate -- or so few, as in less than 5, that the entire election is likely to be annulled because taken together, they amount to a vote total greater than the final difference. This situation could become more grave as time goes on.

[livius]

Thanks for keeping on top of this!

I don't think Obrador and his Stupid Party have the faintest chance of doing anything - this time. But what they will do is keep on making life difficult for the actual elected government, and I suspect they will also shift their focus to regional elections. These are easier to influence but can have a broad impact - in the case of Spain, for example, flukes of the regional elections prior to the Civil War were what enabled the left to claim that they were actually the elected government, but it only happened because they had reduced Spain to virtual ungovernability prior to this by their policy of assassinations and mini-riots.

So I would say there's going to be a lot of instability in the future of Mexico, with a sustained, multi-pronged attack on the new government, but one that is going to be extended and is more intended to lay the groundwork for the collapse than to march into the presidential palace in December and take it over by force.

[tet68]

I want to thank you again also, your translations and insight were a great help to us.

Tet68.

Aren't they just like the democrats though, only someone
like them could turn "dialogue and negotiation" into bad
things.

"He assured everyone that in this political script, which has been followed for years, his adversaries will address "by all the means they have that which they call dialogue and negotiation."

[Racehorse]

Ping.

Sonido corto y metálico. (?)

[Graymatter]

"the revolution of mentality...this teaching-learning process."

What a warm and fuzzy revolution that will be!

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

Coming to a country near you. Soon.

As soon as Libs figure they can do this, it'll get done. They'll figure that American's will rather let them have power this way than face a full-scale civil war ejecting them.

If ALMO gets away with it, our Libs will try it.

[kanawa]

Just want to add my thanks for all the translations and analysis you have provided.

[jocko12]

Hey Goreador you lost.Get over it.

[Chode]

HA ha...
and the mexiRATS take another one in the...

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

My thanks! I have taken the time to read most of your translations and your commentary.

I think that they better confront Oberdore at some point, even if he has support. They need to protect their electoral process and shouldn't let anyone mess with it.

[Founding Father]

One development I expect to see if AMLO continues on this path will be the splintering of the PRD. I am almost ready to predict we will see a new political party emerge out of all this, leaving the left weakened even further.

I agree that the PRD will likely splinter,but I wish you would elaborate as to why you think the left cannot merge into a new and stronger party.

[Texan5]

Thank you for your great work in providing translations. This is not looking well.

[SusaninOhio]

I think it is actually a speech from the Eveready Bunny -

[Rembrandt]

I don't know the Mexican equivalent of Katherine and I don't know the Mexican equivalent of Harris, but I'm sure Gorebrador will invoke her as the villain in this charade. This is like another tiresome re-run of Algore or John F'n Kerry.

At least George Burns knew how to get some Grace.

[norton]

Q:
Does anyone know the percentages of Tsarists versus Mensheviks versus Bolsheviks in 1917?
The actual number of Patriots versus reformers versus Tories in 1776-90?
How many Brown Shirts did Hitler actually need to gain power?

I hope you are right.
I hope we lock the border anyway.

Please stand by in the event hopes are not sufficient.

[A CA Guy]

Thanks for the compliment.

Mostly it is just using 2% of the capability of some good drawing and photo programs.

[StJacques]

"I agree that the PRD will likely splinter,but I wish you would elaborate as to why you think the left cannot merge into a new and stronger party."

There are several reasons:

--AMLO: Lopez Obrador is a messianic leader who is not about to step aside. Since he is the main impetus of the split among the Left, a developing union among them so long as he is in the picture is out of the question.

--Ideology: The Mexican Left runs a very wide gamut; all the way from the moderately Socialist Convergencia to the truly radical Labor Party, in addition to many small splinter groups. The ideological differences between these various groups are at times pronounced and the only unifying force has been the PRD, which if splintered, leaves everyone else adrift.

--Regionalism: The Left in Mexico is really strongest within the central and southern areas of the country, which generally speaking are less well-developed than the more advanced and industrialized North. If the PRD falls apart it is going to be very difficult for northern leftists to see a common bond of personal interest with those in the south, who they genuinely look down upon to be honest.

--The Latin American Left vs. the Mexican Left: This is something that is really quite new in the current situation. For a very long time the Mexican Left went its own way among the Latin American Left. They really looked down on Castro, they actually saw the Soviet Union as a threat during the Cold War, and even now a lot of them do not like Chavez and his whole "Bolivarian Project." The leftist tradition in Mexican politics is one in which they had their own ideologues and, generally speaking, the Mexican Left feels that the rest of Latin America has failed to appreciate their unique contributions to leftist thought. But AMLO has formed very close ties with Chavez, Cuba, and others elsewhere in Latin America and, if the PRD should split, this will continue to be a divisive factor.

--The effects of good government: Contrary to what many people will tell you about how terrible conditions are in Mexico, they really are a lot better than many people think. In fact, Mexico is really poised at a take-off point. There are still genuine challenges of poverty confronting the country's leaders, but compared to the shape of the country in the 1990's, when you had double-digit inflation, almost zero growth in GDP, sky-high interest rates, poverty rates approaching 60% (they're now near 40%); things have improved considerably. And if they continue to do so that must be considered hope for the future.

But the big worry we all face on this last issue is that AMLO may learn from the Left in the rest of Latin America and implement a plan of "Miserification," to destroy the country so that he -- or someone else on the Left -- can save it. Even this evening I watched the news on Univision and heard a new term which is now coming into use; Lopez Obrador y la vida imposible (Lopez Obrador and the impossible life). I think you get the idea. But I am personally convinced that the responsible people of Mexico can only be pushed so far before they strike back.

And I did get your other msg, and will respond when I get the chance.

[StJacques]

"Thank you for your great work in providing translations. This is not looking well."

Texan5, there are still things to be concerned about, but it is my opinion that it is looking a lot better than it did. When you and I first began exchanging commentary on what the future holds for Mexico AMLO had a very strong following supporting his challenge to the elections. That unifying body of support has almost disintegrated now and, even though he can still cause real trouble, I am not nearly so concerned as I was a while back.

But if I see anything that looks serious you will be hearing from me.

[Rumple4]

Hi, soy Lopez Obrador, y era el presidente siguiente del México

[AnimalLover]

PING

[gleeaikin]

Regarding trouble in Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Whatever happened to Subcomandante, what was his name, Marcos?, I was not paying much attention for several of the past years, and lost track of his activities.

Regarding the north of Mexico looking down on the south. Of course they look down as the proportion of pure "Indios" is much higher in the south, some even continue to wear their tribal dress. [Personal note: in 1960 I visited Chiapas and stayed at the home of Franz Blom, a noted anthropologist. He told us that the people living in their traditional style were actually better fed and healthier than those who had adopted European/Spanish ways. While there our group rode horses 6 miles to visit an isolated village. We asked the Mayor for permission to visit and walk around. He and his two deputies were the only people who spoke Spanish. The rest spoke an Indian language.]

Regarding the Mexican left vs. the Latin American left. To what extent was Mexico influence by Trotski. Also, do you remember what that argument was that got him assassinated in Mexico? Has that argument influence the Mexican left.

[Recall]

Thanks for your hard work!

I have no dog in this race but personally, I think they should recount the votes. If Calderon won he should be happy to set minds at ease instead of watching Mexico split in two.

[Codename - Ron Benjamin]

"they did not have the courage, the dignity, the pride, the arrogance to act as free men,"

"And by free men, I mean that they do everything I want them to do!"

Uhmm... Arrogance?