http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/chavez/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 10:42:46 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286365/posts Senior administrator officials tell Fox President Obama received up-to-the minute briefings on ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya's attempt to land Sunday in the capital of Tegucigalpa. Officials had no direct comment late Sunday on the tense standoff, in which military troops loyal to new Honduran President Roberto Micheletti cut off access to airport runways and threatened to arrest Zelaya if he landed. Zelaya, flying in a plane supplied by Venezuela, abandoned efforts to land, flying instead to neighboring El Salvador. The White House sent word to Zelaya on Saturday that it would be a "mistake" for him to return to... Fox News - WH View http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286365/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 10:42:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286299/posts A national strike by thousands of rain-forest Indians is spawning accusations of a proxy war involving Venezuela and an emboldened peasant movement seeking to undermine Peru's pro-U.S. president. For more than two months, thousands of natives have been protesting land reforms issued by President Alan Garcia. The laws -- required by a U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement -- open vast tracts of rain forest to private energy and agriculture investment. In April, natives angered by the new laws donned war paint and grabbed spears, overran roads and rivers, seized control of jungle oil facilities and blocked rural airports. Mr. Garcia initially... washington times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286299/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:40:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286249/posts Last Sunday, Honduras removed its would-be dictator, Mel Zelaya, who flouted court rulings by using intimidation to try to get Hondurans to change their constitution to allow him to extend his tenure in office. The country's Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for Zelaya, which the military enforced by seizing Zelaya and kicking him out of the country. The country's legislature then voted almost unanimously to replace him with its legislative speaker, in accord with the country's constitution. Now, Obama, who knows nothing about Honduran law, is ignorantly claiming that Zelaya's removal was "illegal," and demanding that Zelaya be reinstated... dc scotus examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286249/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:25:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286250/posts Thought Experiment/Explanation on the Situation in Honduras. Imagine this scenario. A parallel universe if you will: It is late 1975. The impeachment Trial of Richard M. Nixon is in full swing. But Mr Nixon has already stated that regardless of the result of the trial he is going to remain president. What is more he is calling for a referendum, to be held next Sunday. This referendum will call for the establishment of new constitutional convention. This constitutional convention will be elected through a special urn set up at the next presidential election, from candidates hand-picked by the president himself.... Hondurassituationblogspot http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286250/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:30:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285828/posts It took the Obama administration less than eight hours to side with Cuba's Fidel Castro, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega over the ouster of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras. As we have come to expect, Mr. Obama got it wrong again, but this time, nobody noticed. The U.S. news media, preoccupied with the sudden demise of Michael Jackson, ignored the event in Central America. For those who care about things more important than the passing of a "pop music legend," here's the rest of the story: Manuel Zelaya, a wealthy rancher and agribusiness executive but self-described "poor farmer," won... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285828/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 10:22:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286050/posts TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya prepared to fly back home on Sunday, setting the stage for a possible confrontation as the interim government that has defied international pressure said it would not let him enter the country. Honduras' interim government, slapped with suspension from the Organization of American States over its refusal to reinstate Zelaya, said it would refuse Zelaya permission to land... Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, a leftist ally of Zelaya's, said U.N. General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto would accompany the ousted president on his planned return to Honduras. "There is a great mobilization of people... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286050/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 19:20:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285924/posts TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 4 -- Although the U.S. government knew for months that Honduras was on the brink of political chaos, officials say they underestimated how fearful the Honduran elite and the military were of ousted President Manuel Zelaya and his ally President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. Rumors were buzzing in the capital that the fight between Zelaya and his conservative opponents had reached the boiling point, but diplomatic officials said the Obama administration and its embassy were surprised when Honduran soldiers burst into the presidential palace last Sunday and removed Zelaya from power... The overthrow, and the new Honduran... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285924/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 14:38:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285787/posts Venezuelan official: Radio licenses to be revokedThe head of Venezuela's telecommunications regulatory agency said Friday that 240 radio stations will have their licenses revoked for failing to update their registrations with the government. Critics warn the move could be aimed at punishing radio stations that are critical of the government. A total of 86 AM radio stations and 154 FM stations have failed to turn in required documents, said Diosdado Cabello, who heads the telecommunications agency. He said "an administrative proceeding is being opened immediately" and will lead to the "recovery of all those concessions by the state." Cabello, a... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285787/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 06:22:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285660/posts "...The OAS “tried to impose unilateral solutions. The government of Honduras repudiates such attempts to impose unilateral solutions and reaffirms its sovereignty,” de Casco said in a nationwide address. “The OAS is a political organizatioon, not a court of law. … There is no institutional crisis here.” Fausta's blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285660/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 23:14:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285634/posts Ousted President Manuel Zelaya has vowed to return to Honduras on Sunday, despite being threatened with arrest. In a speech on the regional TV channel, Telesur, Mr. Zelaya said he woul arrive along with several other presidents. Mr. Zelaya, who was forced out by the military on Sunday, criticised the leaders of the interim government and described them as traitors. The Organization of American States is holding an extraordinary session and is expected to vote to suspend Honduras. "I am organising my return to Honduras....This is the return of the president elected by the soverign will of the people," he... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285634/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 21:49:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285573/posts WASHINGTON (AP) — The Organization of American States is meeting in Washington to consider suspending Honduras' membership because of the military coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. The group's assistant secretary-general, Albert Ramdin, said Zelaya planned to attend Saturday's emergency meeting. Zelaya is expected to address foreign ministers Ramdin says the OAS does not regard the current Honduran government as legitimate — so it can't withdraw from the OAS. Ministers agreed Tuesday on a 72-hour ultimatum for the Honduran government to reinstate Zelaya or face an OAS suspension. But Honduras' interim president calls the OAS "a political organization, not a... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285573/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 19:28:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2285371/posts Celebrate Dependence Day If You Are A Lib. Others may celebrate what Independence we have left. When I was medevaced out of Vietnam in 1970 my life ended and it ended for some time. Many of us felt worthless - for some time. But, eventually we learned "But By The Grace Of God Go I." There are many vets from all wars, as well as patriotic non-veterans, wondering why we did it and what is the use when the sneering, non-patriot types (I'll be kind, today, July 4th, and just call them libs)seem to have taken control of our government,... JoeClarke.Net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2285371/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 12:29:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285167/posts The Obama administration faces its first real Latin American crisis. Let's hope Team Obama is aware of the goals of democracy's new-found but fickle friends. Honduras presents the Obama administration with its first real Latin American crisis. Since the 1981 return of civilian rule, Honduras has regarded itself as a friend of the U.S. In the '80s, it allowed the Nicaraguan Resistance or "Contras" to operate from base camps there. It lent troops for Operation Iraqi Freedom and continues to support a small U.S. military presence on Honduran soil. Economic ties are strong. Now those cordial relations are in jeopardy. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285167/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:07:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284715/posts Here's an interesting and surprisingly realistic take on Zelaya and his good buddy Chavez from the Voice Of America, of all things! By Carolyn Presutti Washington 02 July 2009 The coup in Honduras that ousted President Manuel Zelaya has been widely condemned by the international community. The United States and other countries around the world are calling for his reinstatement. Among the most vocal advocates of the ousted president is Venezuela's populist firebrand leader, Hugo Chavez. Hondurans continue to protest in the streets. Pitting supporters of exiled president Manuel Zelaya, against those favoring interim president Roberto Micheletti. Soldiers forcibly expelled... Voice Of America http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284715/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:23:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284653/posts WASHINGTON — It took the Obama administration eight days to figure out whether Iranians being gunned down for protesting a fraudulent election and demanding basic civil liberties deserved to be acknowledged by the president of the United States. It took the O-Team less than eight hours to side with Cuba's Fidel Castro, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega over the ouster of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras. As we now have come to expect, Mr. Obama got it wrong again, but this time, nobody noticed. The U.S. news media, preoccupied with the sudden demise of Michael Jackson, ignored the event... Creators Syndicate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284653/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:08:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284606/posts Congratulations, Hondurans! Many of us wish we could have done what you are doing before the Marxist thugs working for Castro and Chavez enslaved our countries. AntonioSosa http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284606/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 03:27:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284604/posts To say that people in Latin America are sensitive about military coups would be an understatement. Due to the often tumultuous and bloody histories of their respective countries, they have a strong aversion to anything that looks like military interference in civilian politics. Recent events in Honduras have struck many Latin Americans as a return to the bad old days when power-hungry generals routinely dislodged elected officials and stomped on democracy. Yet upon closer examination, the removal of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya bears very little resemblance to traditional Latin American military coups. Indeed, it was not really a "coup." Rather,... Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284604/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 03:23:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284563/posts WASHINGTON (AP) - South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is defending the ouster of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and says the rule of law is working in Honduras. krdo.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284563/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 02:03:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284426/posts Any time a bunch of soldiers break into a presidential palace, pick up the president and put him on a flight to exile, as happened in Honduras last Sunday, you have a "coup." But, unlike most coup targets in Latin America's tortuous republican history, Honduras's deposed president, Manuel Zelaya, bears the biggest responsibility for his overthrow. A member of the rancid oligarchy he now decries, Zelaya took office in 2006 as the leader of one of the two center-right parties that have dominated Honduran politics for decades. His general platform, his support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement with... WaPo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284426/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:32:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284314/posts It was the coup heard around the world. No sooner had the Honduran military overthrown the country’s leftist president, Manuel Zelaya, than the international community erupted in outrage. The United Nations General Assembly condemned the military’s intervention, and called for Zelaya to return to power. The World Bank is temporarily suspending loans to Honduras. Venezuela and Ecuador have threatened military retaliation if their embassies or staff members are harmed. Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez has even threatened war, warning that “I’ll do everything possible to overthrow” the transition government. Even President Obama has joined the international chorus denouncing the coup as... FrontPage Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284314/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:07:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283702/posts The headlines were bold, "Military Coup in Honduras" and the stories told about the evil Honduras military swiping power from the democratically elected president. Even the President of the United States angrily rebuked the power grab. This tale told in most of the mainstream media has very little to do with what actually happened in Honduras. Truth be told, President Manuel Zelaya was trying to use his friend Hugo Chávez's methods of bullying through the law in order to retain power. Honduras’s military acted under judicial orders in deposing the President according to Supreme Court Justice Rosalinda Cruz said: “The... WSJ/The Lid http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283702/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:02:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283537/posts I asked an expatriate living in the Honduras about the current situation and whether the media reports we're receiving are accurate. Here's his answer... Yes there was coup but, unlike those in other countries, control was assumed by civilians not military. Zelaya felt he was above the law and his proposals were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court and this was upheld by the military. Zelaya then fired the head of the military and he continued to press forward. The Supreme Court voted to have him ousted and directed the commander of the armed forces to do just that. The... Email correspondence http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283537/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:20:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283498/posts The people of Honduras are pleading for media fairness and understanding of how they saved their democratic system of government from an international conspiracy based in Venezuela and Cuba. In desperate messages to the outside world, Hondurans want America to know they do not want former President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya returned to power through the intervention of the United States and the United Nations. On Tuesday the leftist governments of Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez sponsored a United Nations resolution that condemned the people of Honduras for resisting the spread of communism by evicting a would-be dictator. Many people in... Accuracy In Media http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283498/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:45:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283437/posts “We believe that the coup was not legal,” the president told reporters on Monday, “and that President Zelaya remains the president of Honduras, the democratically elected president there.” The administration has not yet officially designated the overthrow of Zelaya as a coup d’etat, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “We do think that this has evolved into a coup.” The official view of the transition makes a difference to the amount of U.S. aid that can be sent to Honduras. Regardless of the official position, however, the president apparently enjoyed saying the word coup, perhaps to show off his... The Constitutional Alamo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283437/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:21:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283292/posts He joins Castro and Chavez in criticizing the overthrow of looming dictatorship in Honduras! Mata covered the Honduras story here. We had another dictator for life, in the mold of Castro and Venezuela's Chavez seeking to turn that small country into another tinpot dictatorship. The Army, the courts and the Congress acted and tossed the bum out. And yet, Obama, who refuses to meddle when people in Iran are dying in the streets is peddle to the meddle to join some of the worst violators of human rights in the Western hemisphere in condemning Honduras. The cartoon above says it... Flopping Aces http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283292/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:07:40 GMT