Coups, interference, and the shifting standards of Obama; Update: Coup or ‘military impeachment’?

Hot Air ^ | June 29, 2009 11:28 am | Ed Morrissey

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It’s difficult to make sense out of the foreign policy coming out of the White House under Barack Obama.  On the one hand, Obama insisted that he could not interfere with the internal politics of the “sovereign government of Iran,” refusing for days to even condemn Iran for its flagrantly violent repression of dissent.  When Honduras’ military staged a coup, though, Obama apparently had no such reticence in involving the US on behalf of deposed President Manuel Zelaya — a close ally of Hugo Chavez:

In an unusual concurrence of views, the Obama administration and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said they still recognized Mr. Zelaya as Honduras’ president. The State Department called the events an “attempted coup” and urged Mr. Zelaya’s “return and restoration of democratic order.”

U.S. officials said they were engaged in multinational efforts to resolve the crisis, through the Organization of American States and European allies. At the same time, Washington wants a resolution “free from external influence and interference,” a senior official told reporters during a conference call organized by the State Department.

The official, who spoke on the condition that he not be named, said the U.S. Embassy in Honduras was “consistently and almost constantly engaged in the last several weeks working with partners” and that U.S. officials were “in contact with all Honduran institutions, including the military.” However, the military stopped taking the embassy’s calls since the coup attempt, the official said.

The Wall Street Journal also reports Obama’s eagerness to “interfere”:

The Obama administration and members of the Organization of American States had worked for weeks to try to avert any moves to overthrow President Zelaya, said senior U.S. officials. Washington’s ambassador to Honduras, Hugo Llorens, sought to facilitate a dialogue between the president’s office, the Honduran parliament and the military.

[FromLori]

He also seems to have NO PROBLEMS with interferring with Israel.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sorry for the heavy pings...but this article really says it...about the current Foreign Policy...of Obama...and Hillary...

Where is Joe Biden...anyway?

[freebird5850]

Recognizing his roots, he hates America and wants us overthrown and be “granted” to be king and follow the rules of socialism.

[Ikemeister]

It’s pretty clear that Obama is lining up to support his fellow Marxists in Honduras and Venezuela.
Hopefully, our Supreme Court and military will be prepared to take the necessary action when Obama pulls the same kind of stunt.

[paulycy]

“It’s easy for a president to dismantle a democracy if he is intent on doing it.” - Charles Krauthamer re: Honduras

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Amen to that....

[khenrich]

0bama claims the coup was illegal. Aren’t all coups illegal? Why would a country write a law into their constitution that legalizes coups? Why is Hillary holding off on her determination the coup was illegal?

These two “lawyers” apparently don’t understand the law.

[jdfromny]

So much for not interfering with other countries, ‘rats.

They lie about every issue.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another thread:

Obama admin meddles, demanding “full restoration of democratic order” in Honduras

[Nervous Tick]

Have any of our intrepid journalists asked Gibbs about this at a press conference?

I wouldn’t expect anything but dissembling, of course... still, watching that douchebag squirm and mumble his way through it should be good for a laugh or two.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Talk about a hanging curve ball...

[okie01]

It’s difficult to make sense out of the foreign policy coming out of the White House under Barack Obama.

Actually, it's quite easy to understand the foreign policy direction of the Obama administration. Specifically,

1. In Iran, the administration refused to stand up for freedom against an Islamic dictatorship.

2. In Honduras, the administration has stood up in favor of a would-be Latin American dictator, opposing a freely elected government's constitutional actions.

Seems to me that this administration is clearly a.) pro-tyranny and b.) anti-freedom.

[Tarpon]

Anyone have Obama on tape saying the word freedom?

Sort of odd for an American President don't you think?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See this thread for more of his antics:

Obama's FCC pick happens to be daughter of key House Democrat Clyburn

[SpaceBar]

My thoughts exactly. Obama’s policies make perfect sense to those not in denial about his goals.

[Arizona Carolyn]

The movie Pelican Brief keeps coming into my mind.

[gusopol3]

in an unusual concurrence of views, the Obama administration and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said...

The "concurrence of views" consists in believing the socialist "president" is not constrained by quaint notions such as a limited term of office.These buzzards all squawk the same tune.

[rvoitier]

...but this article really says it...about the current Foreign Policy...of Obama...and Hillary

This one, too.

It's not surprising that chavistas throughout the region are claiming that he was victim of a military coup. They want to hide the fact that the military was acting on a court order to defend the rule of law and the constitution, and that the Congress asserted itself for that purpose, too.

IT WASN'T A COUP! Oblahblah is a CHAVISTA!

[rvoitier]

Good post, okie01.

Also in the Mideast, TOTUS gives $900M to Hamas (so far) and zero's out $1.5M for Democracy in Iran Projects out of the State Department Budget.

Not difficult at all to figure out.

[AlaskaErik]

"We believe that the coup was not legal and that President Zelaya remains the democratically elected president there," Obama said.

Well, Barry, neither was the 1979 coup by the ayatoilets, yet you don't seem to contest their legitimacy today.

[kromike]

It’s difficult to make sense out of the foreign policy coming out of the White House under Barack Obama.

Actually, it's not difficult at all. Apply the "Vote Present on Everything" Template to Obama's Foreign Policy (if you can call it that & keep a straight face) and confusion just melts away and you're left in a state of calm euphoria.

Just like Obama voters/Jacko fans.

[Enterprise]

My analysis, such as it is, is that the military was able to determine that the President was illegally occupying the office, and he was summarily “impeached” and removed.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Very odd.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the article...we have this link:

U.S., Venezuela condemn Honduran coup

**************************EXCERPT**************************

Monday, June 29, 2009

Carmen Gentile and Nicholas Kralev THE WASHINGTON TIMES

MIAMI | The Honduran military on Sunday ousted leftist President Manuel Zelaya and exiled him to Costa Rica - an action rejected by much of the world, including the United States and its sometimes foe, Venezuela.

The apparent catalyst for the coup came last week when Mr. Zelaya decided to go ahead with a nationwide referendum on whether he could purs(u)e a second term in office. Honduran electoral law limits leaders to one four-year term.

Though the referendum vote was neither sanctioned by Honduran congressional leaders nor deemed legal by the country's Supreme Court, Mr. Zelaya scheduled the vote for Sunday. He further antagonized the country's elite by trying to fire the head of the Honduran military, which promptly retaliated against him.

[Rebelbase]

“Where is Joe Biden...anyway? “

On an SR-71 headed to Tegucigalpa.

[TigersEye]

When Honduras’ military staged a coup, though,...

Unfortunately not all of what it says is accurate. The military did not stage a coup.

FWIW my hopes that Special Report w/Bret Bair might be the only MSM outlet to shine some truth on this story were just dashed. Pathetic regurgitation of the State Run Media line was about all they had.

[arthurus]

It’s difficult to make sense out of the foreign policy coming out of the White House under Barack Obama.

Just how is it "difficult" to make sense out of Barrack Hussein's foreign policy? He is a marxist. He believes America is the source of all the world's problems. He believes no good can exist in countries that are actual friends and allies of America. His foreign policy follows logically.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From this thread and the linked article we can find a map....

Barack Obama and the Honduran "Coup"

*********************************

[bert]

The panel, especially Charles Krauthammer laid it all out and in substance refuted much of what was reported earlier.

Interesting to me was that it was the end of a process.

At issue is why was the president not allowed to serve out his term that is about over. Why could they not rely on the ruling of the court disallowing the unconstitutional referendum on expanding the term limit? It seems the action was taken to forestall a coup by the president to have a rigged election.

The full facts are yet to come out, especially a detailed time line of recent events prior to loading the guy on an airplane.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Where is Joe Biden...anyway?"
Perhaps he was told to just shut up already. Besides he breaks teleprompter boxes to easily.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ROFL!

[JaneNC]

The guy wants to toss the Honduras constitution and remain in office much like OBama wants to....
PEAS IN A POD

[Marine_Uncle]

On a more serious note E. Perhaps, zero and his handlers do not want Joey boy to be tossing in some statements that would go totally against the behavior patterns of zero, where issues of foreign policy are involved. Biden probably would have supported strong backing of the Iranian protesters and would in different circles applauded the efforts of the Honduran congress to adhere to their constitution.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

He needs to take some of the 3 am calls....would be better I believe.

[TigersEye]

Charles laid out the truth, as he usually does, but I thought he could have been stronger. He still called it a coup which is nonsense. The initial report before they went to the panel was MSM boiler plate. No mention at all of the democratic process that took place.

I suppose they showed Zelaya the door because he tried to subvert the Constitution. It makes sense to me that when you find an employee with their hand in the till you kick them out the door.

[Marine_Uncle]

For all we know perhaps he already does as zero lays half stoned after a hard night of doing things.
What a mess. And the far left world with glee just grin and let things play out.

[shield]

This could happen to BO, easily.

[PapaBear3625]

Using Google Translate to translate the Honduran Constitution brings up some interesting points:

ARTICLE 373 .- The reform of this Constitution may be ordered by Congress, in regular session, with two thirds vote of all members. The decree for that purpose the article or articles to be reformed, should be ratified by the legislature subsequent ordinary equal number of votes to enter into force.

[my comment: Amendments need to be made by Congress by 2/3 vote, and then ratified in the next term of congress, again by 2/3 vote]

Article 374 .- It may be reformed, in any case, Article, this Article, the constitutional articles which refer to the form of government, the national territory, the presidential term, the ban to be new President of the Republic The citizen who has played under any title and refers to those who can not be President of the Republic for the subsequent period.

[The length of the presidential term is not subject to amendment]

ARTICLE 42 .- The quality of citizen is lost:

5. Incite, encourage or support the continuity or re-election of President of the Republic,

[my comment: Article 42 would indicate that Zelaya's citizenship was forfeit from his illegal actions regarding attempting to extend his term of office, and thus his expulsion from the country was legitimate]

(Hat tip to Wendya on LittleGreenFootballs)

[PapaBear3625]

Article 42 also has “4. For the freedom to vote, electoral documents adulterate or use fraudulent means to circumvent the popular will;”, so election fraud would also result in loss of citizenship.

[SunkenCiv]

Whoops, thanks Ernest for both pings to both versions.

[smokingfrog]

"Military Impeachment"

Kind of has a nice ring to it, eh?

[dervish]

Obama wants this to go thru. He’s going to try it here next. Remember his comment

“”Obama told a Face the Nation audience yesterday that “the objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki or President Sarkozy or others who I expect to be dealing with over the next eight to 10 years.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/07/obama_wants_to_be_president_81.html

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Excellent ....thanks.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

who I expect to be dealing with over the next eight to 10 years.”

Well...DAMN!!!

[nuconvert]

I guess he let that slip

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I bet he still believes it though!

[Marine_Uncle]

Perhaps he is just playing around. Says things to piss off the conservative and Republican side.

[wiggen]

everything we’re reading says it was done legally. so it was a legal transfer of power. bingo. democracy works. No,can’t have that. have to make something else out of it. can you imagine if Bush said this? All the crys of Yankee imperialism that would be heard across the land? Is this not interventionist? is this not imperialism?

[Publius6961]

BUMP!