http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/democracy/ en-us Sun, 5 Jul 2009 14:38:06 GMT Focus Forum 15 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-bloggers/2285595/posts After insisting that it is not the United States’ place to meddle in the internal affairs of other nations in the case of Iran, US President Barack Obama demanded that Honduras restore Manuel Zelaya to the presidency of that country. Zelaya was removed from office by order of the country’s supreme court with the concurrence of the legislature when he attempted to illegally implement a proposed amendment to the nation’s constitution. According to the Honduran constitution, Zelaya was to be barred from reelection by its term-limit provision. Rather than seek to amend the constitution through methods specified in the document,... A Semi-News/Semi-Satire from AzConservative http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2285595/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:38:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285548/posts Editor’s note: The following letter was written by Somerset County native Chester Thomas of Honduras and sent to relatives and friends to present his perspective on the coup that resulted in the ouster of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya. Thomas, of the Hollsopple area, is executive director of Project Global Village, a multi-church-affiliated organization that responds to natural disasters, operates health clinics and constructs housing, among other things, in Honduras. Our warmest greetings to you from Honduras. Many of you are well aware of what is happening in Honduras, although a lot of the information being transmitted is being twisted by... The Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285548/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 18:30:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285357/posts Senator defends U.S. overthrow of Zelaya. DeMint, a conservative Republican, described Zelaya as a "dictator in the style of Chavez," referring to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Senator Jim DeMint on Thursday defended the toppling of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, said that now is still the rule of law in the Central American country. Zelaya was overthrown by a military coup, after ignoring an order from the supreme court, seeking to avoid a constitutional reform, which according to many Hondurans, was to allow for re-election. DeMint, a conservative Republican, Zelaya described as a "dictator in the style of Chavez," referring to... Diario La Prensa http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285357/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 11:52:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285096/posts TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras' Supreme Court rebuffed a personal appeal from the Americas' top international diplomat Friday, refusing to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya before a Saturday deadline. Jose Miguel Insulza, who heads the Organization of American States, flew to Honduras in an attempt to persuade the forces that ousted Zelaya to take him back in the face of overwhelming international condemnation and economic sanctions. He met for two hours with Jorge Rivera, president of the Supreme Court that authorized the military to seize Zelaya on Sunday and fly him into exile. "Insulza asked Honduras to reinstate Zelaya, but the... Google News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285096/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:06:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284351/posts The people of Honduras have struggled too long to have their hard-won democracy stolen from them by a Chavez-style dictator. The Honduran Congress, the Honduran Supreme Court, and the Honduran military have acted in accordance to the Honduran constitution and the rule of law. For weeks leading to his arrest, Zelaya flouted the constitutional authority of the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court, and claimed for himself extra-constitutional control of his nation’s military and political institutions. Every institution from the Electoral Tribunal to the Supreme Court ruled that his actions were unjustified and illegal. Zelaya’s open defiance of democratic norms has... Red State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284351/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:54:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-rlc/2284275/posts Democracy -- or rule by majority vote -- is a genuine political good. So is republicanism -- or rule by legitimate representatives. Both have considerable social and economic value to the individual and the nation. Similarly, autonomy and self-rule are governmental goods and values which a given society finds very much worth having. And it's even worth while for that civilization to enjoy non-violation of their national soverignty and non-interference in their internal affairs by non-citizens. But none of these political goods and values are anywhere near as important as freedom. In the life of the person and his nation,... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-rlc/2284275/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 18:14:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284137/posts NetRight Nation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284137/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:35:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283989/posts World: Please ask yourself these questions and then ask your own media outlets why they aren't reporting anything from the Honduras newspapers, the Honduran television, or the Honduran man on the street. Why are they not reporting the Honduran bloggers, Twitters, and Facebookers (who are not being censored)? They do that for Iran. La Gringa's Blogicito http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283989/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:35:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283869/posts What is wrong with this picture? Obama: Honduras Coup "Not Legal" What is wrong with this guy? You have a sitting president who is literally pulling an Andrew Jackson and defying his own Supreme Court, and he gets removed from office (rightly) and this coward takes the side of the Stalinist dictator?!? Did I miss a meeting or something?!? Well Hoo Ray for the people of Honduras I commend and respect you and your Supreme Court for fighting the Dictator and the scum bags at the United Nations! Now only if our O-Mussolini and the Banana Republic Dictators at the... blueloriblogspot.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283869/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 04:51:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283698/posts Hondurans have united like never before and have stood up to the world to protect and defend their democracy no matter what. Today I saw a large group of brave men and women stand side by side yelling, singing, dancing, cheering, clapping, and making their voice be heard all over the world. The big peaceful manifestation that Hondurans put up this morning in Tegucigalpa’s Central Park in support of their new Constitutional Government has set an example to the world, that even though it is a small and one of the poorest countries in the world, it will not fall... Honduras This Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283698/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:51:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282773/posts The New Republic splits from the Obama administration and scolds Barack Obama over his response to the removal of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras. Francisco Toro accuses Obama of “fetishizing” the presidency and ignoring the facts on the ground. The military may have conducted a coup, but it did so at the unanimous behest of the legislature and the Honduran Supreme Court — and for good reason (h/t HA reader Desmond L): Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282773/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:19:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282689/posts The Industrial Revolution (1820-1870) ushered in significant advances in agriculture which resulted in an increased supply of food and raw materials. Developments in technology resulted in increased production, efficiency, profits, commerce, both foreign and domestic. Industries directly affected were textiles, coal mining, iron, transportation, and steam. The United States was second only to England in the production of wealth and export of goods. The American economy was strong and the dollar was gaining global recognition and nations were waiting in line for America’s exports and the American currency. But this rapid growth began to decline around the turn of the... humbapes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282689/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:25:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282473/posts RABAT -- If you want an antidote to the photographs of police officers beating demonstrators and girls dying on the streets of the Iranian capital, take a drive through the streets of the Moroccan capital. You might see demonstrators, but not under attack: On the day I visited, a group of people politely waving signs stood outside the parliament. You might see girls, but they will not be sniper targets... Welcome to the kingdom of Morocco, a place which, in the light of the past two week's events in Iran, merits a few minutes of reflection. Unlike Turkey, Morocco is... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282473/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:40:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282390/posts During the past 3 1/2 years, my country has lived through a sad satire of governance. Influenced by the No. 1 promoter of 21st-century socialism, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, our ex-president, Manuel Zelaya, took us down the road of social divide, propaganda and the absolute void of checks and balances with one end in mind: to stay in power indefinitely... Running a campaign disguised as promoting change for the people and true direct participation of the masses, Zelaya started to promote this project with all his might. The judicial branch deemed this project illegal, as did our electoral tribunal and... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282390/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:47:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282169/posts The more one sees President Obama in action the more you realize that the leader of the free world is not a big fan of democracy. Take a look at his foreign policy, with few exceptions he has positioned the United States against the force of democracy in the world. He has insulted out close allies in Great Britain by dissing their Prime Minister when he came to visit; no state dinner, no press conference and to top it all off President Obama gave the Prime Minister a crappy take-home gift, old DVDs. Then he insulted France when he refused... The LId/Fox News/WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282169/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:59:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281628/posts Seven years ago, Reuel Marc Gerecht looked into the best crystal ball in all global strategy and wrote down what he saw in the pages of the Weekly Standard: If the United States stays in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein and his Baathist regime, and ushers in some type of a federal, democratic system, the repercussions throughout the region could be transformative. Popular discontent in Iran tends to heat up when U.S. soldiers get close to the Islamic Republic. An American invasion could possibly provoke riots in Iran--simultaneous uprisings in major cities that would simply be beyond the... Commentary Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281628/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:49:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280430/posts "America is still the abiding alternative to tyranny. That is our purpose in the world." Ronald Reagan "Freedom's never more than 1 generation away from extinction We didn't pass it to children in bloodstream it must be fought for" President Obama's weak response to Iranian government's reign of terror against its own people, not only goes against the most basic of American values, but it has also struck fear in the hearts of those looking to bring freedom and democracy to the Middle East. Not Just in Iran, but in the Arab world also. The democracy activist is afraid the... Washington Post/The Lid http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280430/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:17:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280273/posts Islam is, undeniably, a major source of inspiration for terrorism, oppression and barbarism. Many would even say the very nature of Islam is nothing but sheer evil and among these gainsayers of Islam we find plenty of well educated and highly literate individuals. Personally speaking, I can't say that I've grown more tolerant of Islam the more educated I've become. But could Muslim nations that today are run by advocates of pure evil eventually be transformed into well functioning democracies? Will Iran ever become a true democracy? Will Iraq? Will Saudi Arabia? - Or will Islam hinder such a development?... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280273/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:01:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278574/posts At Tuesday’s press conference, Barack Obama finally condemned the Iranian regime for brutality that “appalled and outraged.” But as forceful as some of Obama’s language was, he left the door open for engagement with a repentant mullahcracy. He was asked: “[I]s there any red line that your administration won’t cross where that offer [to talk to Iran’s leaders] will be shut off?” He responded in part: Commentary Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278574/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:02:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278012/posts The young woman who last weekend emerged as a powerful symbol of opposition to the Iranian government embraced life in many ways, but there was little about her that would have led her friends to predict she would become a martyr, one of them told CNN. Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, rose to prominence within hours after a crudely shot video documenting her final moments was uploaded to the Web shortly after she died Saturday from a single gunshot wound to the chest. "It's heartbreaking," President Obama said Tuesday in Washington, referring to the video of the woman the world has come... CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278012/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:43:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277232/posts TEHRAN, Iran - It's not just young, liberal rich kids anymore: Whole families, taxi drivers, even conservative women in black chadors are joining Iran's opposition street protests. They say they want something simple: their votes counted and their voices heard. What they will settle for — or push for — is a far bigger question. MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277232/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:25:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276852/posts Should President Obama condemn the actions of Iran's government? Yes No CNN.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276852/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:44:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276672/posts Iran Democracy or Dictatorship? It hurts my heart to see the Iranian people going through this anarchy for Democracy and a Free and unbiased election process. The Iranian people need to be free and able to put in power a President of their chosen by a majority vote. How could the current administration call their government a Democracy when they do not let the people’s voice be heard? This is not Democracy, this is a Dictatorship. A Dictatorship that needs to be over thrown, I believe the only way for a free Iran is Civil War. The Iranian people cannot... Veterans In Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276672/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:28:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2276617/posts New Poll: Is the West doing enough to support Democracy in Iran? A Daily Poll Comments welcome on the site. A Daily Poll http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2276617/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:24:35 GMT