But it is insightful. If I had a little more time I'd dig through and fact check both sides claims here. We can see the rhetorical strategies each side is employing very clearly here. If I had to guess I'd err on trusting the professor mainly because he seems perplexed by a highly aggressive and even hostile Lanny Davis who is clearly fine with being a lobbyist, and points out his arguments aren't his own point of view but his employers, for Honduran corporate entities.
But...there are facts in there to check if someone has the time.
Agreed. I didn't like some of the things that Grandin said, but in general I thought his views were more representative of what is actually happening on the ground, re. military crackdowns. I started laughing when Davis tried to drag Chavez into the discussion and Amy would have none of that.Originally Posted by Brian Rucker
You also had Davis ignoring the fact the entire world seems to be calling this a coup, all the regional neighbors whether they like Chavez or hate him are calling it a coup, and then stating he didn't believe there was any crackdown on the media.
To anyone who's been following this even a little he comes off as distorting the facts. I would like to find out more about the allegations Grandin made about Honduras as a "captive state" of its monied elite as well as Davis' description of Zelaya's leading a mob against an airforce base to liberate imported ballots.
Juan Gabriel Figueroa Tomé, 30 years old, construction worker and member of the national resistance, kidnapped by armed men 2 nights ago and killed, shot in the back of the head.
I really don't know how ANYONE can say, with a straight face, that we are not suffering from human rights violations since the coup. That Davis guy is a lying scumbag who is ok with taking money to defend a goverment in a situation in which at best he knows nothing about what's really going on.
Today we have groups of people arriving in Tegucigalpa from all over the country, they started walking from their towns some days ago, thousands. They will gather today in Tegucigalpa and tomorrow I hope we will have another massive demonstration in the streets.
Stay safe, Juan.
Fighting today in Tegucigalpa, again. At least one demonstrator shot.
Popeye's restaurant got burned down, as I mentioned earlier, if this signals de start of the franchise wars Pizza Hut is totally gonna win.
Curfew again, from 10pm tonight to 5am tomorrow.
Is Zelaya part of the pro-Popeye or anti-Popeye faction?
When queried on the matter, he cryptically uttered "Soy que yo soy," leading many people unfamiliar with Spanish to speculate on his allegiance with a P.F. Chang's splinter group.
???
Statement does not parse.
C:\>
Also, mucho cuidado Juan.
(With corrected translation)
I knew it! Zelaya's workin' with the spinach eaters. It explains so much.
Ok guys 28 jailed last night. Among them: Alex Matamoros (Human Rights worker), Frank Mejia (Journalist) who was also beat up. Luís Vallecillo (teachers union leader), Amado Flores Mendoza (photographer).
Goverment is leveling charges of TERRORISM against them.
Also, today goverment announced they are considering bringing back forced military conscription. Sons of bitches.
Huge demonstration going on right now in Tegucigalpa and at least 7 other cities, we are fighting damnit. I am heading that way and will post when it's over.
Last edited by Juan Rayo; 08-12-2009 at 11:26 AM.
Is there some way to put cracks in the military authority behind the regime Juan? That seems like the likeliest manner of stopping the coup. I'd be increasingly careful as, if your reports are as events are, the regime seems to be consolidating their position.
I don't know man, honestly don't know.
Today's demonstration ended real quick. I burned to catch up and as I was getting off my motorcycle I heard the first shots and soon had people running away.
Some 50 thousand people in Tegucigalpa downtown, army and police are going more and more heavyhanded and disolved the demonstration by beating the hell out of people. Now, as I wasn't there, I can't speak much for facts, I am getting reports of lots of injured being taken to hospitals.
Police just entered one of the University campus and are beating and arresting people. Mr. Davis should eat a load of shit.
I am so tired.
Juan, is there anything people outside the country can do at this point? I've been making sure that those around me stay pretty informed that this is still going on, but that doesn't seem like it would matter much in the grand scheme of things. Are there any non-profits/humanitarian organizations we should donate to? If you can think of any groups that are making a difference but could use support, I'd love to get something organized around here.
I don't know, but I'll find out.
Slept a bit and feel better. Wake up to more depressing news: congressman Marvin Ponce (UD, leftist) badly beat up and currently in a hospital. Another 60 jailed, including 2 other journalist from local radio stations.
We keep on going.
Today they are starting trials against some of the detainees. Charges are Treason, Terrorism, sedicion, conspiracy to destroy public goods and stuff like that.
Only witnesses in the trials will be POLICE.
We taking to the streets, yet again, today. In the afternoon I'll meet some of the people from the national resistance front and will ask them what, exactly, can people from other countries that want to help do.
Yay
Today's demonstration ended and my people didn't get their heads bashed in.
Congress has introduced a law project to limit "electronic media". They are gunning for all our freedoms.
To add some context: mass tv and media, with few exceptions, are heavily controlled by new goverment or just by their owners, who in Honduras also happen to be the top 5 most powerful families. In that scenario, we've been using the internet, mail lists and blogs to spread info and get the word out on whatever is happening.
This is, I think, what the new government is trying to put a limit to.
And on that note:
some pics from yesterday
Edit: some of you guys mentioned you wanted to help. Please send me a pm if you are still keen I have some info for you.
Last edited by Juan Rayo; 08-13-2009 at 05:50 PM.
Up the thread a little I posted the e-mail responses I got from my two senators regarding the Honduran coup. Today I got a letter back from my Republican Rep. Steve Buyer. All emphasis mine.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the political situation in Honduras. I appreciate hearing from you.
On June 28, 2009, 27 years of uninterrupted elected civilian democratic rule in Honduras ended when, pursuant to a court order, the Honduran military detained President Manuel Zelaya and flew him to exile in Costa Rica. Zelaya's removal was brought on by his insistence in pushing for what has been deemed an illegal referendum to remove presidential term limitations from the Honduran constitution. His efforts were recognized by the other branches of government as a direct threat to their democracy and his removal was called for by the Honduran Supreme Court and National Congress. Upon Zelaya's departure they selected Roberto Micheletti, the head of Congress, to fulfill the rest of his term.
Zelaya and Micheletti have since participated in talks mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to resolve the issue but both sides maintain their reservations and have not yet agreed upon a final course of action. Additionally, general elections are scheduled to be held in Honduras on November 29, 2009. The elections are anticipated to go forward regardless of whether Zelaya is returned to power, as both Zelaya and Micheletti have asserted that they only intend to serve until the winner of the presidential election is inaugurated in January 2010.
You may also be interested to know that Congressman Connie Mack introduced H. Res. 619 on July 8, 2009, a resolution that expresses the support of the House of Representatives for the people of Honduras. Furthermore, this legislation condemns Zelaya for his unconstitutional and illegal attempts to alter the Honduran constitution and calls on all involved parties to seek a peaceful resolution that is both legal and complies with their constitution. H. Res. 619 was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for further consideration.
Substantive debate that leads to lawful change is a characteristic fundamental to successful free societies and, at times, must be aptly defended to ensure the preservation of liberty. Be assured, I will keep your concerns close to mind should this resolution be considered for a vote on the house floor.
OK I just came back home from a demonstration, it keeps going but sadly I have to work. We are trying to get more control of people so as not to respond to police provocation, as you can imagine, tempers are high atm and it's difficult, but when we respond and it gets violent, two things happen:
1. We get beat up, arrested.
2. People get afraid and stop showing up at the protests.
Even as the Tegucigalpa protest has been peaceful, our brothers in Choloma, San pedro Sula and Santa Barbara weren't as lucky and have already been attacked by police.
We are now counting 26 political prisoners, people that have been arrested and under charges of treason.
As I write, right now, lots of choppers flying above, and I fear they are getting ready to attack tegus march as well.
Cubit, thanks for writing to your senators. I can't believe they keep on saying that, clearly trying to justify the coup.
Check out this video of 2 days ago. Notice the journalist getting beat up early on the vid.
Last edited by Juan Rayo; 08-14-2009 at 02:14 PM.
Glenn Greenwald rips Lanny Davis, the spokesmen for the coup backers, and offers a litany of other examples of his "whoredom."
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwa...9/08/18/davis/
I've really grown to enjoy his column over the past few months. He's brutally honest, attacks the main-stream media for not being left/right, but essentially corporate media, and goes after Rep. & Dem. Sure he is "liberal" but he has no problem going after Senate Dems or the President if he thinks they are wrong/disingenuous on an issue.
I've got a big Ron Paul libertarian at work here and even he likes Glenn Greenwald (mostly) for the reasons you cite.
That's pretty good I am translating it right now.
At the moment we are all very busy with the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights visiting the country. Micheletti has ALREADY said they will not recognize the commission findings because they are "lefties".
Argentina has broken diplomatic relations with Honduras.
I am traveling to Costa Rica on thursday to participate in two events against the coup, the second one at the Central Universtity (UCR), then I burn back home on friday to catch up in events here.
Sunday we are planning a masive, international concert "voices againts the coup". WE've manage to get bands from all over latinamerica to come in.
Good luck, Juan. And stay safe.
Before I leave, couple of organizations called GLOBAL EXCHANGE and Nonviolence international are going to try to gather some video camaras to send to people in Honduras so the can documento the stuff going on. While videocamaras might seem weird, the fact is police and army have broken so many of ours that we DO kinda need them.
If any of you can try and help that, it'd be appreciated, I don't know much about the organization itself, so you guys decide if you feel you can trust it.
Their websites
http://nonviolenceinternational.net/?page_id=25
http://www.globalexchange.org/
After discussing it with the National Committee (the coordination of the National front against the Coup in Honduras) I have told them I will NOT ask for monetary donations directly to us, but rather ask people they donate to organizations helping us out, if they so wish.
Both organizations published an in situ report of human rights violations in Honduras, I don't see it on either website yet but we at least already have it. It's rather long to post here so I hope it goes up on their websites later.
Ok, leaving for Costa Rica to try and get something organized in there, wish me luck!
That's a good idea. I've got an older but still good video camera I never use; I'll look into it.
Costa Ricans have been so kind to me I cannot describe it. We had trouble financing this little trip but it's been worth it, as everywhere I go people commit to join up a costa rican committe to help the honduran resistance.
It's been touching really. From Honduras, I hear our courts already condemned 6 of my people to hard time, wish they would be so quick and tough with common thugs and drug dealers.
I am also reading reports of a massive demonstration today, and it amazes me that 2 months after the fact my people just keep on going out. It amazes me, and it would you if you know some of our history. It also feels me with fucking pride.
I go back home tomorrow real early, been having meetings in 6 towns in Costa Rica, giving lectures and explaining to people and media about our point of view. Landing in tegus tomorrow to go pick my trusty motorcycle and then head to the international concert, that will last from 9am to 9pm.
International comission on human rights has given their report. As expected, goverment is saying is bullshit, but we feel (or most of us feel) its pretty fair. They do not document ALL our claims but they do document tthe most obvious cases of human rights violations, and for now that'll have to do.
Now, just to get it out of my system and because I would end up saying it anyways: la resistance lives on! :)
Edit: also, do not ask me why cause I really have no idea, but right now I really, really wish I was watching Aliens.
Last edited by Juan Rayo; 08-22-2009 at 07:07 PM. Reason: Hudson man, Hudson
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/105a0584-9...44feabdc0.htmlAn alarming pattern of widespread abuses and restrictions of civil liberties has emerged in Honduras since the June 28 coup, a leading human rights organisation reported at the weekend.
Preliminary findings by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights following a five-day visit last week uncovered "disproportionate use of public force, arbitrary detentions and the control of information aimed at limiting political participation by a sector of the citizenry".
The report comes just a few days after Amnesty International, the UK-based human rights organisation, published a damning report documenting repression and physical beatings carried out by Honduran security forces on supporters of Manuel Zelaya, the president, who was removed from power by soldiers on June 28.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009...uras-Coup.htmlTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- Foreign ministers from seven nations launched a direct, high-profile attempt on Monday to persuade Honduras' interim government to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya.
The delegation from the Organization of American States was the most prominent group of officials to visit Honduras since Zelaya was arrested and hustled out of the country on June 28, prompting outrage from governments worldwide.
The foreign ministers -- from Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and the Dominican Republic -- made no public comments on arrival, but Mexico's Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa told the Mexican newspaper Reforma that they want to hear from Hondurans before deciding what steps to take next.
Striking photo from the concert here:
http://s.wsj.net/media/0824pod09.jpg
Concert's official website (Spanish Language Only):
http://www.vocescontraelgolpe.com/
The US has announced is has suspended all VISA request from Honduras now, all of them, tourist and what not sd a way to pressure the defacto goverment and support the OAS mission in the country. HELL YEAH GUYS thank you!
Now, some updates:
Concert was great, great stuff, but we had less people than we expected, some 15thou prolly, most of them coming and going during the day (it lasted from 9am to 9pm).
Trip to Costa Rica was a success, got lots of support and the Ticos are organizing and getting in touch with the Resistance front in Honduras. Radio Globo and Channel 36 in Honduras are both consistently transmitting against the coup, they got both knocked off the air yesterday as their instalations were sabotaged. Radio Globo was back on today but channel 36 was still out.
We are now dennouncing the systematic rape of women participating in demonstrations by police and army. There's a couple striking, dramatic interviews with some of the girls already in the net. We are also yet to free "the six" that have gotten hard time accused of treason.
Micheletti says "honduras can survive an economic embargo by the US and the rest of the world just fine" which again proves to me he is an idiot, and not quite the planning head of the coup.
Taxi drivers union had a nice demonstration the other day, a long, long line of taxis just slowly forming a caravan 3 kilometers long. 60 of them got detained by police, their cars impounded. They clearly want to hit people's jobs and livelyhood so we stop with the protests.
We are getting a lot of international support, but as the front wasn't originally organized for a long term struggle, we are having to re-think our strategies and organization.
ALSO: need help translating a document. A spanish judge made a good analysis of the legal stuff surrounding the coup. It's fairly long, I don't want to puch Tankero as he already did heavy work in the last document, any help would be appreciated. 11 pages in word, I was thinking to divide them between all that can help.
Last edited by Juan Rayo; 08-25-2009 at 10:34 PM.
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