8/14/09 - President Obama – While in Mexico the other day you said people could not have it both ways when it comes to U.S. intervention in Latin America. I agree with you, however I don't believe taking extra steps to force the illegitimate government now in Honduras to allow their elected President to return would be wrong. America needs to sever all ties with the illegitimate government. Removing the American Ambassador and American Military and cutting all financial and trade support should be done immediately. Furthermore the Honduran troops being trained at the infamous School of the Americas should be sent home now.

Taking these steps will only be looked down upon by a handful of Honduran elite and their American corporate supporters. Assisting President Zelaya to return is in the best interest of America and all other countries in North, Central, and South Americas. Honduras elections are already scheduled for November and they will then have a chance to elect a new president. In the meantime Hondurans deserve having their democratically elected president to lead them. If he returns and the Honduran courts wish to charge him with some crime, so be it. At the very least he deserves to have his day in court in Honduras.

Allowing the situation to remain in a status quo position can and will only harm America's already tarnished reputation as an imperial power. You need to take steps now to help solve this problem. If Zelaya is not returned you will soon see other elites attempt coups in their countries. They will do this because they see that America is once again unwilling to support democratically elected governments.

As one who has witnessed with his own eyes the terror inflicted by many Latin American dictators, I can tell you that I hope to never see a repeat of those days. You were elected on a strong platform of Change. I don't see that happening in Honduras. Do something!

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Return