FIU Experts: Honduras is Obama’s first major test in Latin America

These experts are nothing but U.S. elites who have no idea about the realities in the region. They fail to understand that the oligarchy on Honduras has a stranglehold on all Honduran policymakers. They fail to understand that the constitution in this country was written by and for the elites under Ronald "Indigenous killer" Reagan. an ingenious constitution. Written in a way that states that the people in honduras can not even talk about having a referendum? No ones questions this premise. This is not how you create a democracy. Its how u straight jacket one. The U.S can not play a positive role because the U.S. always supports its corporate masters. This coup happened because Zelaya supported the poor. He pushed for a minimum wage. Zelaya challenged the oligarchy and so they saw an open to bring in the school of the Americas Honduran military (a subsidiary of the U.S. military) to go and remove him. How come someone with a real alternative view was not called to be on this panel??? Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

July 12, 2009

Knowing facts is very important before judging.

First, you need to understand that even though we are among the poorest nations in all of America, we do have a Constitution, a law system, and a Congress. No one is above the law. You continue to refer to this as a "military coup" because you rely on past writings, know nothing about our Constitution, or about the events that lead to this deposition. Come on… you really think you know better than those of us who have ACTUALLY read the Constitution, and then seen how Manuel Zelaya broke many of its laws? Do you honestly, with all your heart, think you can rely on what the public says about this so-called coup? Do you, like many nations, pass on judgment for defending our country from the likes of Chavez?

The Events

Manuel Zelaya argued that his "consult" to the public was to ask if they agreed or not to place a 4th ballot box on November's elections to see if a new Constituent Assembly was called to reform the current Constitution. He argued that it was "not binding," meaning it was not official and did not represent any "danger;" however, on June 25th, 2009, Zelaya published a decree that changed the status of this "consult" (already deemed illegal by the other 2 branches of government) into a binding question, which constitutes an act of treason. Please log on to http://www.honduras-info.com for the scan of the actual decree page of Honduras' official newspaper.

On January 25th, 2009, Manuel Zelaya attempted a "legit" coup when he tried to sabotage the election of the Supreme Court. Should this have taken place, Honduras would have immediately fallen into a de facto state, and Manuel Zelaya would have had absolute authority to depose the actual Constitution and write one according this his (Chavez's) plans. That very night, now president Roberto Micheletti hung up on Zelaya and opened Congress's session where they elected the official judges. They were elected just a few hours before deadline. Of course, you will read very little about it since it happened during the time Zelaya was president.

One can only wonder why a man like Chavez, a tyrant and power-thirsty man who has attacked and insulted the US on and on and on and again, has so much interest in defending Zelaya's illegal position. Could the fact that recent findings show that Honduras has oil have anything to do with it? Why does the world condemn us saying there's been a coup when what's really happened here is a legal and correct deposition of a corrupt and crooked president? Does it not scare anyone that Zelaya was dealing with an open lawbreaker like Chavez?

I am surprise. I am disappointed.

Many question the decision of sending Manuel Zelaya outside national territory. My answer is simply: so far, only 1 death has been reported in relation to the political situation. Unfortunately, one man had to pay with his life, but 1 is better than 10, or 100, or 1000 deaths. Should Manuel Zelaya had been held prisoner at a local facility, there would have been chaos, and the military would have been obligated to use lethal force, something that would have been regrettable and would have left Honduras grieving, therefore raising more tension within the population against the Armed Forces. It was a wise decision that has saved lives from both sides of this conflict, the people and the military.

Many others outside Honduras mock and question the decision of not allowing Zelaya to come back to Honduras. The answer is, again, very simple. The decision is based on the lesser of two evils.

The Law

It is also important to know our laws before passing judgment.

ARTICULO 239.- "El ciudadano que haya desempeñado la titularidad del Poder Ejecutivo no podrá ser Presidente o Designado.

El que quebrante esta disposición o proponga su reforma, así como aquellos que lo apoyen directa o indirectamente, cesarán de inmediato en el desempeño de sus respectivos cargos, y quedarán inhabilitados por diez años para el ejercicio de toda función pública."

ARTICle 239.- "A citizen who has performed as head of the Executive Branch cannot be President or Designee.

Anyone who breaks this disposition or proposes its reform, as well as anyone who supports directly or indirectly, will immediately cease to function in their post, and shall be disqualified for ten years of the exercise of public office."

This article is exceedingly clear, but for the sake of clarity, let me just say that Constitution FORBIDS re-election, or even the PROPOSAL of a reform of this article. Consequently, the president is now disqualified to be president or hold any office for a period of 10 years. This ban ends on June 28, 2019. Please refer to article 374 below.

Deposition, not a military coup

In direct response to claims about a "military coup," let me first say that in order for it to be a military coup, the military would have to be in charge of the country and our constitutional order would no longer exist. The military simply carried out a JUDICIAL ORDER issued by a competent court. Second, they are NOT in command of the country. THIRD, our country's constitutional order never seized to exist; we still have functioning and united Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches. Fourth, as states ARTICLE 239 above, the Constitution itself deposed Manuel Zelaya the moment he PROPOSED a reform. No, it was not Micheletti, or Congress, it was the Constitution itself. Congress and the Supreme Court simply executed the orders given by the Constitution.

Now, on to the what the law says:

ARTICULO 313.- "Los Tribunales de Justicia requerirán el auxilio de la Fuerza Pública para el cumplimiento de sus resoluciones; si les fuera negado o no lo hubiere disponible, lo exigirán de los ciudadanos.

El que injustificadamente se negare a dar auxilio incurrirá en responsabilidad."

ARTICLE 313.- "The court require the aid of Public Force for the fulfillment of its resolutions; it aid is denied or is not available, they will demand it from the citizens. Anyone who unjustifiably denies such aid will incur in responsibility."

The Armed Forces (aka Public Force) of Honduras OBEYED an order dictated by the Judicial Branch; therefore, they did not incur in a coup. As the article says, the court REQUIRES the aid of public force.

The role of the Supreme Court in this deposition

ARTICULO 319.- "La Corte Suprema de Justicia, tendrá las atribuciones siguientes:

2. Conocer de los delitos oficiales y comunes de los altos funcionarios de la República, cuando el Congreso Nacional los haya declarado con lugar a formación de causa…"

ARTICLE 319.- "The Supreme Court will have the following attributions:

2. To know about official and common crimes of the Republic's public office holders, when Congress has declared them as forming cause…"

The Supreme Court was told by Congress that Manuel Zelaya's "consult" was illegal. After being informed by Congress, the Supreme Court declared the "consult" as illegal. By law, Zelaya should have stopped any efforts to continue with his referendum of the Constitution. He did not.

The supreme court is also the only body competent to emit judicial orders. In this case, because the Judicial Branch requires the aid of public force to carry out their orders, the military was told to proceed against Mr. Zelaya.

About public office restrictions/duties

ARTICULO 321.- "Los servidores del Estado no tiene más facultades que las que expresamente les confiere la ley. Todo acto que ejecuten fuera de la ley es nulo e implica responsabilidad."

ARTICLE 321.- "State officials do not have more faculties than those conferred to them by law. All actions executed outside the law is are null and imply responsibility."

Manuel Zelaya went farther than allowed by law on many occasions, particularly when he entered the Air Force base in Tegucigalpa with a civil mob the week before he was deposed. As head of the Armed Forces, he is allowed to enter the perimeter of a military branch; however, in his continuous challenge of the law, he abused his faculties and allowed civilians into restricted territory.

ARTICULO 322.- "Todo funcionario público al tomar posesión de su cargo prestará la siguiente promesa de ley: "Prometo ser fiel a la República, cumplir y hacer cumplir la Constitución y las leyes.""

ARTICLE 322.- "When taking office, all State officials will vow the following promise of law: "I promise to be faithful to the Republic, obey and make obey the Constitution and its laws.""

Clear and practical enough, did Manuel Zelaya OBEY and MAKE OBEY the Constitution and its laws? These laws state that he CANNOT be president again; therefore, he is a liar because he vowed something and did not fulfill his promise.

ARTICULO 323.- "Los funcionarios son depositarios de la autoridad, responsables legalmente por su conducta oficial, sujetos a la ley y jamás superiores a ella."

ARTICLE 323.- "All officials are depositaries of authority, legally responsible for their conduct, subject to the law and never superior to it."

This is probably one of the clearest articles in the entire Letter, and it applies to the president as well. The Constitution places the burden of responsibility over those who infringe it, and Manuel Zelaya played with the Constitution, thinking he was above and beyond the law.

Why then did Micheletti take Zelaya's place?

Contrary to pop belief and culture, our Constitution indicates the course of action in cases where the country is left with no president. One can understand that a deposition, death, or resignation applies.

ARTICULO 242.- "Si la falta del Presidente fuere absoluta, el Designado que elija al efecto el Congreso Nacional ejercerá el Poder Ejecutivo por el tiempo que falte para terminar el período constitucional. Pero si también faltaren de modo absoluto los tres designados, el Poder Ejecutivo será ejercido por el Presidente del Congreso Nacional, y a falta de este último, por el Presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia por el tiempo que faltare para terminar el período constitucional."

ARTICLE 242.- "If the absence of the President is absolute, the Designee that the National Congress elects shall exercise the Executive Branch of Government for the time pending of the Constitutional period. But if the Presidential Designees were absent in an absolute way, the Executive Branch shall be presided by the President of the National Congress, and in absence of the latter, by the President of the Supreme Court for the time pending of the Constitutional period."

Important highlights:

1. Elvin Santos, the vice president, resigned his post because he did not agree with Manuel Zelaya's course of action, consequently,

2. In order to run for President, Elvin Santos was obligated to quit his position as vice president. Today, he is the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party.

3. Because there was no vice president to take the place of Manuel Zelaya at the time of the deposition, under Constitutional duty, it was Roberto Micheletti Bain, the President of the National Congress, the man responsible to take office.

4. Mr. Micheletti was invested as President on June 28, 2009, therefore continuing with the Constitutional order.

More important articles and infringements of the law by the former Executive Branch.

ARTICULO 367.- "El proyecto de Presupuesto será presentado por el Poder Ejecutivo al Congreso Nacional, dentro de los primeros quince días del mes de septiembre de cada año."

ARTICLE 367.- "The Budget project will be presented by the Executive Branch to the National Congress, within the first fifteen days of the month of September of every year."

Beautifully written, but we're in July 2009 and the former Executive Branch sabotaged the 2009 budget by… well, not presenting anything. Even though the law also states that in the absence of a budget for the current year the budget from the previous year may be used, this is proof of Mr. Zelaya's incompetence to manage the country.

Did you know that, allegedly, over L. 200,000,000.00 were used in the illegal campaign? That's US$ 10.5 MILLION. No budget, but there is time and money to put together an illicit consult.

ARTICULO 373.- "La reforma de esta Constitución podrá decretarse por el Congreso Nacional, en sesiones ordinarias, con dos tercios de votos de la totalidad de sus miembros. El decreto señalará al efecto el artículo o artículos que hayan de reformarse, debiendo ratificarse por la subsiguiente legislatura ordinaria, por igual número de votos, para que entre en vigencia."

ARTICULO 373.- "The reform of this Constitution can be enacted by the National Congress in ordinary sessions, with two thirds of the votes of the totality of its members. The decree will signal the effect of the article of articles that will be reformed, pending the ratification by the subsequent ordinary legislation, by the same amount of votes, for it to become effective."

Zelaya was trying to depose the actual Constitution to be able to write a new one that allows him indefinite re-election. Congress is the only body empowered to reform any part of the Constitution, except the "petrous articles," described in article 374 below. Zelaya was aware that Congress would never vote in favor of his motions, so he needed to go above the law.

———————–

Probably among the most important sections and articles in our Republic, if not the most important.

TITLE VII: OF THE REFORM AND INVIOLABILITY OF THE CONSTITUTION

CHAPTER I: OF THE REFORM OF THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICULO 374.- "No podrán reformarse, en ningún caso, el artículo anterior, el presente artículo, los artículos constitucionales que se refieren a la forma de gobierno, al territorio nacional, al período presidencial, a la prohibición para ser nuevamente Presidente de la República, el ciudadano que lo haya desempeñado bajo cualquier título y el referente a quienes no pueden ser Presidentes de la República por el período subsiguiente."

ARTICLE 374.- "The above and present articles may not be reformed under any circumstance, as well as the Constitutional articles that refer to the form of government, national territory, presidential period, the prohibition to be President of the Republic by a citizen that has performed as such under any title, and the one that refers to those who may not be President of the Republic on the subsequent period."

This is called the "petrous articles," because they do not allow anyone to reform or remove them. They are rock-solid articles that guarantee peace and order.

CHAPTER II: OF THE INVIOLABILITY OF THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICULO 375.- "Esta Constitución no pierde su vigencia ni deja de cumplirse por acto de fuerza o cuando fuere supuestamente derogada o modificada por cualquier otro medio y procedimiento distintos del que ella mismo dispone. En estos casos, todo ciudadano investido o no de autoridad, tiene el deber de colaborar en el mantenimiento o restablecimiento de su afectiva vigencia.

Serán juzgados, según esta misma Constitución y las leyes expedidas en conformidad con ella, los responsables de los hechos señalados en la primera parte del párrafo anterior, lo mismo que los principales funcionarios de los gobiernos que se organicen subsecuentemente, si no han contribuido a restablecer inmediatamente el imperio de esta Constitución y a las autoridades constituidas conforme a ella. El Congreso puede decretar con el voto de la mayoría absoluta de sus miembros, la incautación de todo o parte de los bienes de esas mismas personas y de quienes se hayan enriquecido al amparo de la suplantación de la soberanía popular o de la usurpación de los poderes públicos, para resarcir a la República de los perjuicios que se le hayan causado."

ARTICLE 375.- "This Constitution does not lose effect nor stops its fulfillment by act of force or when supposedly deposed or modified by any other means and procedure different from the ones it orders itself. In these cases, any invested citizen or non-authority citizen has the duty of collaborating in the maintenance or re-establishment of its effectiveness.

According to this Constitution and the laws expedited in conformity with it, those responsible of the appointed acts in the first part of the previous paragraph, as well as the main officials of the governments organized subsequently, shall be judged if they have not contributed to the immediate re-establishment of the rule of this Constitution and of the authorities constituted in accordance to it. Congress can decree, with the vote of the absolute majority of its members, to seize all or part of all the assets of those very people, or those who have become rich by the protection of the supplantation of popular sovereignty or of the usurpation of public powers, in order to compensate the Republic of damages caused to it."

There are various investigations going on about Zelaya's administration. Many of the men and women who held office during his time as president have fled the country. Of the arrest warrants emitted, only Marcelo Chimirri, former head of Hondutel, the government telecommunications company in Honduras, and main suspect in the LatiNode scandal has been apprehended. Others like Flores Lanza, Secretary of State, have fled. Flores Lanza is wanted for several charges, including the extraction of L. 40,000,000.00 (US$ 2.1 MILLION) used for the illegal consult (called Cuarta Urna).

The unfair

Honduras has been banned from the Organization of American States, condemned by the UN and EU, and many countries have rushed to judge what happened in Honduras, charging against us with labels such as "coupers." But we have been patient. Like no other time in our nation's life, men and women of all ages, race, and backgrounds have united in prayer, asking God for mercy and justice. Early in June 2009, the first of many public manifestations took place in San Pedro Sula, gathering a number people that ranges from 50,000 – 80,000 people rallying in the streets. This rally was lead by church leaders, who also united to fight injustice and the danger of falling into communist hands. We are not going to stay quiet and see how Honduras ends up like Venezuela or Cuba. After this clear sign of unity of the majority, many other sectors chose sides. Sadly enough, the world has seen how respected organizations have failed to be impartial and give us the chance to explain with evidence what truly happened. My friends, evidence… what a word!

Unfortunately for our poor nation, news networks once deemed professional like CNN have taken sides with communism. I was surprised the other day to hear on CNN that a huge rally taking place in Tegucigalpa was in favor of Manuel Zelaya. People like Patricia Janiot and Krupskaia Alis have deliberately painted a picture to the world that Zelaya is favored in Honduras. It is a brutal attack on the truth we actually live. The distortion of the facts has come to a point where people around the world believe we are getting massacred by the military. The truth is that we respect and love our military more than we did ever before. We are proud of them. But Chavez keeps insulting our authorities. Just because several nations on Earth do not want to listen and/or recognize our new government does not give anyone the right to insult us.

Regarding Obama's stand in all of this, we are disappointed to see how he shakes hands with a corrupt person like Chavez, while looking away from the atrocities being committed against the people of Venezuela. Curiously enough, men like Chavez and Castro dare judge us and say this has been a coup, when they assumed their leadership under real coups. But President Obama seems to be leaning to the left. We have been lead to believe that the US does not negotiate with terrorists, and even though this could be out of context, befriending terrorists is also negotiating with them.

I am amazed at how men like Miguel Insúlza of the OAS walks into my country and looks down on us, passing judgment and closing his ears and eyes to the truth. We have proof, abundant proof, that says we deposed a corrupt president the right way. We only need a microphone, a camera, and people willing to listen without prejudice. Maybe he needs several votes to be re-elected. Anyone thinking about Chávez and his employees?

Today, Honduras continues its life. Commerce, schools, and medical centers have continued their journey through 2009. Public schools are still suffering, unfortunately, because several leaders of the teachers syndicates took money from the ALBA to support Zelaya. Many do not want to remain like this, but they have dirt in their hands. They have threatened to sabotage the 2008-2009 school year. The ones who suffer today are the children and adolescents who will fall behind. Tomorrow, Honduras will suffer. No matter what is said and done outside our borders, we remain calm, waiting on the Lord to clear up everything and make our justice shine as the sun. He will also bring out the evil ones, even the ones who are doing the right thing right now, to justice.

No matter what happens, Honduras remains polarized. However, we the people who want justice and a free country are the majority. We remain united. Both the National and Liberal Parties, the 3 branches of power, the private sector, and the Justice Department remain close to each other in the defense of our nation.

We are not rich. We do not have petroleum drilled from our soil. We do not have a railroad system. But we are united under God. We are Honduras. We are the nation.

Douglas, you must be a communist (and a complete idiot) saying that these countries have democracy? Who the [heck] are you, anyways?? Go live in Cuba or one of those rotten countries if they are so good like you say…

I will respond to your critiques in the FIU beacan…if they even publish it of course. Your brainwashed by your anti-communism to understand the contours of U.S. empire and how the U.S. and the oligarchy operate and subvert those who wish to change the lives of the poor. If the U.S. didn't want an angry chavez well they shouldnt have attempted to kidnap and kill him several years ago with the help of the venezuelan oligarchy.

Many in Miami supports the June 28th coup undertaken by the Honduran military against President Zelaya in Honduras. They cite Zelaya’s attempt to alter the Honduran constitution and his desire to form a closer bond with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as legitimate reasons for removing President Zelaya from power.However, FIU Professor Eduardo Gamarra and his FIU panel of “experts” fails to truly understand the events that led to this coup in the first place. Their biased analysis, fueled by a strong hatred for anything hinting at communism, ignores the behavior of the Honduran oligarchy and the U.S. Empire in fueling Zelaya’s push for greater social and economic justice in Honduras.

The Honduran oligarchy, together with the U.S. underwrote an extremely limited and biased constitution in Honduras in 1982 during the height of Ronald Reagan’s genocidal war against the indigenous people of Latin America. The constitution was intended to protect the power of the upper classes in Honduras. The overall goal was to crystallize the economic and political power of the rich and their self-serving economic trade agreements with the U.S. It even calls for a one-term presidency. Now does anyone even question the logic of having an executive possibly elected for just one-term? Why? The reason why is because the oligarchy in Honduras did not want to have the people of Honduras elect their own FDR who would push the drastic changes that are necessary in Honduras in order to really improve the most impoverished nation in Central America. It gives them time to remove a “populist” should one come to power. An executive becomes a lame-duck immediately.

Some say that this is alright because ultimate power lies within the legislature (which ironically all belongs to Zelaya’s political party)? Upon closer inspection, you will find that the overwhelming majority of those in the legislature are tied to the U.S. or the Honduran business classes. They are also supported by USAID, the International Republican Institute, and various other U.S.-backed civic organizations whose goal is to undermine the poor and keep the elites in power. In fact, lost in this entire ordeal are the roles of these U.S.-backed organizations and their role in helping this coup come to fruition. These organizations provide significant funding and logistical support to the oligarchy in Latin America. The U.S. media is also not covering the role of Otto Reich in this coup. Mr. Otto Reich, a former State Department official, has a history of helping the oligarchy engage in repressive military actions against the poor in Latin America.

Something else that is lost in all this is the ties of the Honduran military to the U.S. military. All of the top officials of the Honduran military were trained (and “educated”) by the U.S. military in its military complexes in Georgia. It is famously called the School of the Americas. More than that, the Honduran military is completely beholden to the U.S. for its funds. These tied explain how the U.S. knew about the coup and was warned about it but did nothing.

In the end, Zelaya was removed because he shifted his positions away from the oligarchy. He began to support the poor and the peasants in their country. Zelaya pushed for a higher minimum wage and other constitutional changes that would enshrine more rights for the lower classes. This all came to a boil when Zelaya pushed for a non-binding referendum for constitutional changes.

In my view, regardless of the tedious legalities of the referendum, how bizarre is it to have a constitution that says it is treason to even attempt to change the Constitution? How democratic is that? What is next in the right-wing line of thinking, the oligarchy is going to ban thinking? If the constitution bans referendums to change the constitution, then it is undemocratic!

Zelaya also pushed Honduras closer with Venezuela and the Alternativa Bolivariana para las Americas (ALBA). He pushed for an alternative to the neo-liberal market economics that have failed Latin America. Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia are pushing ALBA and the U.S. and the oligarchies are upset. In Honduras they used a coup. The U.S., the oligarchs, and the oligarchic media also tried to overthrow Chavez in 2002 through outright lies. In the rest of Latin America, the U.S. and the oligarchy use pseudo-civic organizations and the private and oligarchic local media to finance a propaganda war against ALBA nations. The goal is to divide and create disharmony and disunity in their target nations.

Overall, Chavez, Morales, and the populists are trying to push for greater and social justice in a democratic way. However, if they turn a more authoritarian route you should blame the U.S. and the oligarchs. The U.S. Empire has a history of making it extremely difficult for countries with alternative economic frameworks in mind to survive. This often forces populists to achieve their goals in other ways. Go ahead and research U.S. destabilization campaigns and you will find the truth.

An Open Letter to President Obama and Mrs. Clinton from Honduras

Dear Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton;

I am a missionary here in Honduras for the past 13 years. I am also a retired Air Force Master Sergeant of 22 years. My pride and devotion to our country, I believe, is unquestionable. However, you have made me ashamed, not of my country, but of its leaders, specifically you. How could you possibly make such a rash and irresponsible decision to support a “would be” dictator and Hugo Chavez follower without taking even a moment to investigate the overwhelming evidence that repudiates his lies?

You are, by your irresponsible statements of support for this man, bringing the whole world against a country that has modeled itself after the United States and is doing everything it can to prevent Mr. Chavez from having another foothold in Latin America. It seems as though you want to help a dictator instead of a lawful, democratic government that has been a US ally for generations. What are you thinking?

Mr. President and Madam Secretary please take some time and see that you are on the wrong side of this? If you follow the current course you will destroy a wonderful, free, God fearing, democracy that has lined itself up with the same values as you preach. This is a matter for the Honduran government to handle not you! They followed their constitution to the letter and have the right to continue in the way that they decide, not what the UN thinks.

If you will take a moment and look you will see that Mr. Zelaya was given the opportunity to face his accusers in court, but he chose to resign and go to Costa Rica. He was not sequestered! Most of the “rioters” that have been seen on the news are not Hondurans, but people coming in from Nicaragua to stage things for the cameras. Eighty to ninety percent of Hondurans are behind their government and do not want Mr. Zelaya back here. Would you want him as your President? He is just another puppet of Hugo Chavez.

I listened to another American friend yesterday who has been here for many years longer than I. He said that the Generals were simply following orders of the Congress and they are devastated that the US, you Mr. President, has turned its back on them. He said that these Generals had tears in their eyes as they realized that what they had believed about the U.S. was not true.

There are many other Americans here, Sir, that are extremely disappointed and angry with you two. You are not only on the wrong side, but you have put us in danger. For the most part the Honduran people are a loving and caring people.&n bsp; They have accepted and even loved us into their culture and family. However, there is a minority of folks here that will see us as the enemy just because of your statements backing this man.

I have married a wonderful Honduran lady and we have two great kids here, but you have put all of us in a position of defending your actions that have no defense. Even if my son comes in and says that someone hit him, my first question is “why, what did you do to provoke the action.” Did you even give Honduras that respect by asking Mr. Zelaya what he did?

All that I and the rest of the American here, along with seven million Hondurans are asking is that you investigate what happene d before you make any more rash statements and that you not allow Mr. Chavez to try and put Mr. Zelaya back in office by force. This will cause a backlash that could cost you a lot more than just having to read my letter.

Honduras does not have the biggest Armed Force in the world, but I know many of them and I know that they are ready to fight to defend their country Mr. President.

Please Mr. President and Madam Secretary think before you speak. You influence the entire world with your words, sometimes it is for the good, but this time it was for the bad and you must stop it before disaster comes to Honduras!

Sincerely Disappointed,

J. P. DuBose,

MSgt, USAF, Retired

NOTE: This message was sent to Mr. Obama directly at the White House. You are free to use it if you wish to share with your congressman, senators or other goverment officials