Honduran thought experiment...
Let's say, just for the sake of argument that the following events had transpired;
April 2003: Following the spectacular celebration in Al Firdos square, and the electrifying images that accompanied it, Rush Limbaugh takes to the airwaves and circulates the idea that George Bush should be eligible to be president for unlimited terms. At this point in time, GWBs approval rating is close to 70%.
May 2003: Having sparked a huge debate in America regarding the wisdom of keeping Presidents for more terms due to the long nature of insurgency warfare, senior members of the GOP suggest that a non-binding referendum should be held on changing the constitution to allow George Bush to be President for multiple terms. The results will be tabulated only amongst state legislators as 'a representative sample.' The US Congress issues a law making it illegal for non-binding ballots to be printed for such a referendum, fearing that it could be used, should the results favor the President, to retrospectively declare a constitutional ammendment.
Early June 2003: Right wing factions from Europe and Israel ship ballots for this referendum to the United States. Upon hearing of this, the Governor of Virginia, where the boat containing the ballots is docked, activates the Virginia National Guard and seizes the ship and its cargo.
Late June 2003: Right wing groups begin mass demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience, stating that the freedom of speach is being threatened and that they are being disenfranchised. George Bush starts taking to the airwaves along with Hannity and Rush proclaiming that Freedom is at stake, and making thinly veiled threats that there will be civil unrest and blood in the streets if the vote is not permitted.
July Fourth, 2003: In an emergency session in congress, President George Bush is impeached and removed from office. Dick Cheney then issues orders to the FBI, in conjunction with the US Special Operations command, to arrest George Bush and fly him out of the country.
The Prime Minister of Israel, along with Right wing factions in Europe demand that George Bush be reappointed as the President of the United States.
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Now, imagine that instead of this happening in the US, it is happening in Honduras, and instead of it being a head of state from the right wing, imagine the head of state is from the left wing. Well, you don't really have to imagine it, because that is what is happening. If George Bush were to try to undermine the constitution in order to become President for life, and he was stopped only at gunpoint (but with the full backing of the law guiding those guns), how the Hell would you feel if the UN demanded he be put back in power? This is precisely the situation that Honduras is in now. This is not a military coup. This is a tyrant in the making who has been stopped by people, even from his own party, who believe in the rule of law more than they do the man.
I find it disgusting for Obama to be relatively okay with a theocratic fascist state gunning down people in the street who desire democracy, but incensed that a man, legally relieved of power because he is trying to undermine the constitution of his nation in order to become head of what will become a totalitarian state, is removed from office.
To Honduras, Israel, and all the other nations who find themselves scorned by the current US President; do the right thing. Obama rewards the recalcitrant despot, and abandons the people who yearn to be free.
Respectfully Submitted,
-doc Russia