Honduras Gets Three Days, Bitches!

The Organization of American States gave Honduras three! Three days! To restore their deposed president, Manuel Zelaya, or face suspension. (Even though he is inconveniently holding up only one finger in this picture which was taken as he stood in front of the United Nations today.)

The Organization of American States, in case you live in a hole, or are an American, is the group of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, (minus Cuba), that met during the Summit of the Americas back in April. They’re also the group that, when George Bush met with them at the 2005 Summit of the Americas, had certain members (cough! Hugo Chavez!) leading stadium-filled protests against his administration. Obama’s presidency has created hope, for everyone involved, to redefine the United States’ relationship to Latin America. How we act during this current political crisis in Honduras will set a tone for our future not only with that country, but with Venezuela, Hugo Chavez and Latin America in general.

For now, the United States finds itself on the side of Hugo Chavez, supporting President Zelaya because he only wanted to take a poll to see if perhaps, maybe his constituents might be of a mind to re-elect a president–not neccessarily him, but some president–to a second term someday when everyone had a chance to get comfortable with the idea. But the problem, you see, is that Zelaya has been very chummy with Hugo Chavez of late and the people are afraid he is trying to turn their country into a hippie commune. Or worse, that he, too, will sing to them on the television for 12 hours straight. So, they woke Zelaya up in the middle of the night and forced him to flee to Costa Rica in his chones. The whole world has stood by Zelaya’s side and said, “You bitches have lost your minds,” but the interim Honduran government is currently sticking its fingers in its ears and going, “La la la la.” Will they give a rat’s about being suspended from The Organization? We shall see.

Honduras Gets Ultimatum From American Nations [New York Times]