The non binding referendum had nothing to do with extending the sitting president’s term…it was about discussing convening a constitutional convention…this wasn’t about the vote…its about Michelletti, who installed himself as president, A. being pissed that he did not get the party nomination for the upcoming election; b. being fearful of the threat the populist coalition being built by the sitting president brought to the two party system, and C. his ability to demonstrate that he controlled te military before the January election, thus effectively making Honduras a dictatorship like Iran. THer are no term limits on senators (which he is), therefore, Michelletti could control the country indefinitely with the president’s position being a puppet.

The coup leaders cut off all electricity and communications to the counbtry to prevent spread of knowledge and have kidnapped cabinet ministers at gun point and taken them out of the country–many are still missing or unaccounted for, as are a number of elected officials whose municipalities held votes anyway.

CItizens are protesting in much bigger numbers than reported across the country and cutting off transportation, there is now fighting within the military. Yes, the legal government is leftest, the coup leaders are more leftest and assumed they would have CHavez’s support…since the Latin AMerican nations had recently signed an aggreement to condemn military coups, Chavez is respecting the treaty that his nation, and HOnduras, signed only a few weeks ago.

There are good people I have worked with who are missing or in danger. Despite that, it is never a good thing when a democratically elected government is overthrown illegally. THe US should take sanctions against the illegallyt self-installed government. I am surprised any of you would be in support.

Incidently, because the kidnapped president was taken through an airport that had a US military installation AND because the US ambassador had their cell phone off during the entire time period of the initial overthrow, many in HOnduras think that the US supported this action.

Honduras has been a democracy for 30 years, any suggestion that the current president was making a power grab is propaganda.

Perhaps others should be paying close attention to the tactics of those not taking kindly to thugocracy obstructing the democratic process.

Ballots are good, when legitimately cast, accurately counted, and their results are fairly implemented. With ACORN involved, can free and fair elections be assured?