Underlying all the rhetoric about a military overthrow are facts. Simply put, coups do not leave civilians in control over the armed forces, as is the case in Honduras today. Neither do they allow the independent functioning of democratic institutions -- the courts, the attorney general's office, the electoral tribunal. Nor do they maintain a respect for the separation of powers. In Honduras, the judicial, legislative and executive branches are all fully functioning and led by civilian authorities.
Coups do not allow freedom of assembly, either. They do not guarantee freedom of the press, much less a respect for human rights. In Honduras, these freedoms remain intact and vibrant. And on Nov. 29 our country plans to hold the ultimate civic exercise of any democracy: a free and open presidential election.
Facts? Nice try. It all makes perfect sense and it should convince our State Department that Micheletti is correct. But this argument won't work on our government.
Our administration only responds positively to eye-bulging tirades against us and not reasoned discourse. I remain ashamed that our government officially backs Zelaya in this confrontation.
I guess we'll see a lot of the good guys having to win on their own for awhile as our government votes "present" on the great and small conflicts of the day.
I hope the Hondurans win this one. One day we'll come to our senses, and I hope we still have friends left when that day arrives.
