Jun 30 2009
Chavez, Morales and Correa a Hat Trick for Latin America
For some time the US has had most of Latin America in check but the times they are a changing. We now see leaders willing to speak truth to power, leaders willing to resist US/IMF/WB domination and do what they think best for their country. The threat of a good example is increasing and the puppet masters in Washington are slowly loosing control.
A recent coup in Hondouras is being widely condemned by leaders throughout the region. The US has OVERWHELMING influence in Hondouras and in the Hondouran military. If the US refuses to accept the new government it will fail, but will they? There have been tepid statements of support for the overthrown President but no real resolve from US leaders to bring their power to bear and restore the President. Washington has had their hand in more than one coup over the years. Were they party to this? Who knows? What we do know is that in region after region from Korea to Viet Nam to Iraq and even in the colonies in Latin America, US hegemonic aspirations are being thwarted time and again. The limits of power are becoming increasingly obvious. Having the most powerful military in the world is insufficient to resolve the complications of political instability. Washington will eventually be forced to recognize that war is not the magic spell that turns dictatorships into democracy’s nor does it provide political stability to nations vanquished by superior fire power. Someday soon the piper will need to be paid and the US is already overdrawn. All empires fall, the
US will be no exception. But I do wonder will it come hot on the heels of a defeat in Afghanistan as it did in the case of the former Soviet Union. Sit tight things are getting more interesting everyday. Oh and if you wanna see a good interview with Correa the President of Ecuador you can find it here. http://www.democracynow.org/2009/6/29/ecuadoran_president_rafael_correa_on_global The entire show was worth a listen but hey if you wanna hear it I think you’ll figure it out.
peace
Shoots amendment made courtsey of tailback, I had a brain fart and put Guatamalan rather than Hondouras. Correction.
When are we ever going to learn? We don’t just have a strong relationship with the Honduran military-we train them. Gee-sound familiar? I feel the military was a bit heavy handed in their approach to this. Depending on who you believe: President Zelaya was merely seeking a referendum to do away with term limits in order to stay in office. This is akin to proposing am amendment to our constitution.
Your assertion that we have been involved in a number of coups, especially in South and Central America (among others), is by no means a secret any longer. Even when some of these “banana dictatorships” are overthrown; we tend to side with these sadistic dictators. Do you ever get the impression that we intentionally piss of the rest of the world? I do!!
“Having the most powerful military in the world is insufficient to resolve the complications of political instability.” No truer words were ever spoken. One need only look at the political climate in Iraq presently to see disturbing evidence of that. All hell is going to break loose and we should accept our fair share of the blame for that one.
Great piece.
Respect my friend
Clearly, the US government has made mistakes in Latin America and we are currently reaping the bitter rewards of those actions. I read the entire transcript and President Correa likes what he sees in President Obama. So maybe there is hope!
Here some solutions:
1. Stop the War on drugs…make all drugs legal
2. Pull out of all foreign bases
3. Stop all of our foreign aide support including government sponsored humanitarian aide
4. Stop spreading democracy…let each country sort it out
5. Seal our borders, Stop all illegal immigration, and deport them
6. Offer foreign labours limited work visas with an end date
7. Use our military for our defense only.
8. Comprehensive health care for US citizens
9. Put a $10 a gallon gas tax and use the money for a mass transit system that works
10. Provide homes and food for all homeless people
11. Release all non-violent drug offenders from jail
12. Make jails not for profit
13. End Nasa
Adopt a new motto “don’t ask us…’cause it sucks being you” and Don’t fuck with us because we don’t give a shit … we’ve used nukes before and we will use them again if you do fuck with us.
tailback,
Yea lessons come hard in Washington DC just sucks that so many working people have to pay the price of their lethargy.
KonaD,
You sound a tad angry brah. Ok I will address yoru points.
1. Stop the War on drugs…make all drugs legal
There is no war on drugs it’s a war on us and to legalize them would reduce profit margins of the dealers which is why they don’t.
2. Pull out of all foreign bases
Good fuckin’ idea
3. Stop all of our foreign aide support including government sponsored humanitarian aide
Well Im down for ending all military aid as for humanitarian aid Im not sure why we dont want to do that but hey, thats what you want cool.
4. Stop spreading democracy…let each country sort it out
WTF? We don’t spread democracy we undermine democracy, but yes it would be better to let each country “sort it out”
5. Seal our borders, Stop all illegal immigration, and deport them
Whatever; I dont have a problem with “illegal immigration”, I think people should have freedom to move anywhere they see fit.
6. Offer foreign labours limited work visas with an end date
Yeah cause someone has to do those shit jobs Americans wont ehh.
7. Use our military for our defense only.
So we can cut the budget to about 1/5 of its present size?
8. Comprehensive health care for US citizens
Single payer now!
9. Put a $10 a gallon gas tax and use the money for a mass transit system that works
Here here.
10. Provide homes and food for all homeless people
Why the fuck not, Im down.
11. Release all non-violent drug offenders from jail
Automatic.
12. Make jails not for profit
Agreed.
13. End Nasa
Agreed.
Adopt a new motto “don’t ask us…’cause it sucks being you” and Don’t fuck with us because we don’t give a shit … we’ve used nukes before and we will use them again if you do fuck with us.
Now that angry rant is just beyond me. I do give a fuck and I would never suggest using nukes they are immoral WMDs and there is no justification for using them. Get a hug and simmer my brother.
My brother,
Yes, I’m fuckin’ angry!!!
Government aide always has some strings attached…I’m not saying that Americans or anyone else can’t directly support aide organizations but not through government agencys.
As far as threating to use nukes why else have them? I’m saying clearly that if you threaten our nation we are not going to send our young people to die we are going to end it in one fell swoop. I think the policy of all in or in it to win it would be an effective policy.
We have argued this point before but here goes if they enter the country illegally they should be booted out…no mercy, no quarter, no compassion. If they enter through legal means we should welcome them with open arms…that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
kd
LOL I don’t expect you to change your mind KondD. But I simply find nukes to be immoral and think we should get rid of them not use them. As for “illegal immigrants” I have never been a big fan of immigration laws… I dont see why I should have to check with any government to move wherever I please.
Stay angry my brother