OPINIONS & EDITORIAL |
| Monday, November 24, 2003 Online Edition 46 | ||
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The warnings of the deputies rang out from all quarters, stating that it isn’t just a question of winning elections but of legislating well for the future of the country. In this sense, the liberals have been sharper. In the heat of the moment, they achieved a better understanding of the country’s social organization. Drunk with power, the current government found just one formula by which to rule the country, and that is to direct their government to the ends of self-benefit. They forget that once instituted, a government no longer belongs to its party, but to its country, and that its possibilities of continuing in power depend on the extent to which it understands and attends that country. “It is not a question of a party struggle, it is that we have to offer a promising future to future generations,” declared the Vice President of National Congress Gilberto Goldstein. Resisting submission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become the new flag for the present National Congress, which alleges that we have the worst of economic cabinets. The National Congress, which has supported the present administration, sees its alliance moving further away because it is not willing to sacrifice Honduran finances, which have already been impoverished to unspeakable limits. The National Congress has taken on belligerence. On the inside, there are three forces: Ramos-Lobo-Goldstein have come together, binding with the will of other parties. The consent of the liberals in this dispute gives the National Congress total credibility in its demand to stop the IMF’s mad and critical demands. IMF functionaries channel their demands toward depriving “beneficiary” countries of their sovereignty as a punishment for poverty they themselves imposed. This organism - Satan personified - will go down in history because of its constant mocking of humanity and its extreme cowardice at hitting the defenseless poor. No one’s hunger must be played with. Once this essential demand is satisfied, the rest is negotiable. Also clear is that the current regime’s economic team lacks creativity and has followed guidelines established by the IMF, but without managing to balance the country’s finances. They work without teams to answer the permanent calamity posed by the IMF. No, we are not going to accept that the bank be superior to society and we are not going to accept that the banking system give us guidelines to establish exactly zero growth. Yes, it is true that the IMF has not managed to reach an understanding through negotiations with the current cabinet’s economic team, but it is also true that the IMF must attend and reason with the National Congress to find the best approximations to guarantee a decent future with development possibilities. The nationalist congressmen have gone out into the street to protest against a “hard” government, which is not very dynamic and does not have answers. First, we must understand the needs of our population, and, having obtained this non-negotiable understanding, we can negotiate other things with the IMF. The IMF plagues our accounts. All the countries of the world must agree not to pay them anything... they are playing with our children’s blood...
Info about medicine man needed I am writing to obtain information about a man that has a alternative medicine clinic in Honduras. The clinic is the place where Lisa Lopez was visiting before her passing. It's been said that he has cured people of all types of diseases. Is it possible you can email me his name and the name of the clinic? I have friend who has cancer and I've been told he may be able to help her but I don't remember his name.Thank you for your assistance. Renay L. Butler Renay249@comcast.net ECONOMIC REPORT TO BE RELEASED Sirs: The Chamber of Commerce and industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT) invites the media and all those who may be interested to the official presentation of the Economic Report, where the behavior of the main economic variables in the country and their trend for future years will be reported. The main officers of President Maduro's Economic Cabinet will be presenting this document. The event will take place next Tuesday November 25th in the Salón Real I and II of the Hotel Real Intercontinental. Given the importance of the subject, we request for the attendants to confirm their assistance to telephone 232 4200. Jose Maria Agurcia President of the CCIT A NEW READER Hello My name is Edy Straube I read Honduras this week I felt so happy to see all the wonderful places that my country has. This is the first time I see this page. I will show this pictures to my coworkers. We have a lot of beautiful things. Bye Edy Straube
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Caleephonya, here I come By ANNE ONYMOUS California has a knack for innovation - ideas, proclivities, idiosyncrasies and eccentricities that capture the popular imagination then sweep the nation and the world like wildfire. Viewed in its broadest historical context and as an expression of the state’s knack for political ambiguity - not to say buffoonery - the impromptu October 7 election was as bizarre as it was unsettling. An actor (and a bad one at that) lacking any political experience, heretofore more engrossed in muscle building than nation building, was handed the keys to the governor’s mansion on the silver platter of an electorate clearly animated by exasperation, not conviction. This alchemy, fatal for incumbent Gray Davis, was instrumental in ensuring Arnold Schwarzennegger’s bewildering victory at the polls. A centrist Republican, he exploited the moderating ideological influence of the Kennedy clan in which his wife, Maria Shriver, was born. A political greenhorn, the “people’s governor” also surrounded himself with an elite of moneyed and influential conservative advisors. Last, he cleverly parlayed America’s fascination with rags-to-riches sagas into political hay. None of this should matter. What troubles many in America is not “Arnie’s” victory but the permutations that made such victory unavoidable. California is a blessed land from which sprouted Hollywood, Stanford and Silicon Valley. It continues to attract, despite myriad social and economic woes, millions of Latin Americans and Asians. California is a fountainhead of intellectual resources, of creativity. A perpetual phoenix of self-regeneration, the state continues to be the envy of the world. And yet, here is a realm where millions of dollars can be raised to remove from office a governor barely 11 months in office. In the wake of countless judicial contortions, California voters found themselves pondering two paradoxical questions: To recall Governor Davis; and, if so, with which of the 135 self-anointed gubernatorial pretenders? Typical of electoral opportunism in America, these questions appeared on ballots as defective as those used in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. Sadly, no lesson was learned from this well publicized fiasco. California is the nation’s premier laboratory. In the past 20 years newfangled agendas swathed in referenda and populist initiatives have fortified direct democracy at the expense of representative democracy. Thus, like his predecessor, Arnold Schwarzennegger, unwitting victim of constraints brought on by endless referenda, will most likely find himself powerless to deal with the state’s colossal budgetary problems. Much has been made of Schwartzennegger’s unexpected appeal among Hispanics. In fact, his core of support among Chicanos and other Latin Americans is slim at best. Most regard him as an obstructionist. His open antagonism toward undocumented aliens, they say, is a proof of his political conservatism and commitment to anti-progressive agendas. Once the dust settles, it will become eminently clear that the governor elect’s resounding victory was more the result of a widespread anti-establishment revolt than a clear vote of confidence for the celluloid-jingoist-Terminator-turned-self-styled-populist-politician. Like their fellow citizens across America - perhaps like voters around the world - Californians often adopt a “least worst” approach to their political choices. Only time will tell if instinct and rancor ever triumph over reason. Let’s hope Arnie makes good and delivers on his promises. If not, as the fickle and recall-crazed Californians have demonstrated, it’ll be “hasta la vista, baby.” Anne Onymous is a pseudonym.
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| Monday, November 17, 2003 Online Edition 45 | ||
The Search for Decent Politics We have not managed to find a political identity in the country. Like Francisco Morazan achieved one with his liberalism. The exalted and sublime Morazan did not want to represent a party in Central America. Beside Morazan: Jose Cecilio del Valle was the decisive director of independence, representing a thousand artisans, or the industrial unions of Central America in that time. That is to say, for the time of independence, the party represented independence from Spain and the oppressive Catholic Church in the heat of European liberalism. The country passed then to be part of the political decisions of Guatemala, where the political and military powers resided. Honduras grappled with the arrangement and thus ended the century on an inspired route without politics. How nice. The nightmare began at the beginning of the twentieth century when the international companies began imposing power in their favor, so as to ensure land ownership and tax evasion: the paradise... Thus the National Congress was established in the bar of the Paris Hotel in La Ceiba and in the La Lima golf club, in sessions directed by the Vaccaros, the D’Antonis, the Commodores, the Vanderbilts, Samuel Samuray and others, who openly imposed Presidents on the country like Manuel Bonilla and others. The history of Honduras in the hands of foreigners. This is not the worst part. The worst part is when these foreigners only look to benefit themselves and others, but never the country... a history that has not been overcome. At the beginning of the last century, small groups or gentlemen’s politics emerged emulating the liberator of Central America... but without principles: at the shout of “long live Molina,” the dynasty was tyranny... hard licor, horses, guns and shouts... “Viva Molina”... With the source of wealth in the country quite reduced and the tendency for ownership of property concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, the political independence of the partisans was reduced to small feuds. The historical focus came with the political disasters as in 1924, and the banana strike of 1954. The tragedy is that of the evolution of those who ignore laws so difficult to comply with that even after 50 years they are still not respected, on the contrary, many are disrespected by habit. The Honduran politicians, given to accepting all that their partials propose to them, are amorphous to the extent that they take power and begin to talk nonsense. All for profit and nothing good for the country. Our attempts to give them credibility are many, but we don’t trust those who wear shorts in the morning and then in the afternoon put on the suit of a man. We have not been able to swallow various sociology gurus like Jardina, who seek to squeeze into a corset what fits into a trunk... Moreover, we greet all that smells of socialism with much distrust... like an illness without a cure. Things continue without improving. As we have noted, we would like to respect our politicians because we want our tribunals to be full of good options... but man will continue being man and his imperfections are infectious. Some of the resumès of our doctors, engineers, lawyers, economists are worn. We need new faces of the quality of newcomer Lula da Silva, President of Brazil. He has won the trust of international powers because, being of syndical origin, the first thing he did was to take away the privileges of those very syndicates. Now, Brazil has a new and improved face now, it is more competitive. Emulating this enthusiasm and avoiding the mistake of Venezuela, the partisans of world economic terrorism sacrifice humanity to enjoy their own capital. The thing is that the ways out are not very political and do not solve the problem. For a short time the few popular organisms of popular resistance have been heard with pressing insistence. Society irritates because its proposals do not have responses, it’s economic deterioration and blood sucking. But, being as they are, sensitive to many national problems, they will be able to offer options to a disillusioned electorate. Their formula will be valid if they find poorly gathered individuals interested in reaffirming values already valid in the country. They have left us without direction, we don’t know in whom to believe. Now no one gives us anything to respect. In this time, it is that tyrants are born, they say it is out of necessity. I do believe the tyrants were born like the powerful and ambitious who still erode the power of a decent country. |
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| Monday, November 10, 2003 Online Edition 44 | |||
Standardizing salaries or putting a roof over public administration? The stabilization of salaries by means of neutralizing the statutes, collective contracts from the state and the civil service law has been the new executive demand of the International Monetary Fund and the new goals of the government. At the margin of this situation there are also work benefits like extra hours, thirteenth and fourteenth month salaries, travel expenses, cellular phones, international calls, use of office equipment and personnel for personal effects, paid leaves, unpaid leaves, abuse of power and retirement bonus, among others. There have been officials that, in their participation, have put millions of Lempiras in their pockets. All because, during legislation, a particular event was overlooked and becomes a roof in the exact moment when abuse from both sides begins. The effects of past tyranny from union members are beginning to be felt by workers losing their jobs and employers who cannot trust their workers. If it is true that the work is consuming and profitable for the employers, it is also true that the worker has not lost the right to create his own company. The current working trend is to possess without merit the companies their charge and it is notorious that the benefits paid by the companies have already absorbed their budgets. What if all the public employees suddenly asked for bonuses? We would need some 600 billion Lempiras to pay them all. If we take into consideration this reality, the State is an incapable social individual. The current state’s vision is to confront this kind of Utopias. Without any doubt the international organizations have seen this as the result of considering the future realistically. The current trend is to conduct business in a rigid, firm, resolute manner, and with enough versatility to change rapidly, all of which is necessary for subsistence or survival. This versatility implies trying hard adhere as closely to the law as possible. No doubt these think tanks have treated private and public enterprises equally, underestimating the particular function of public administration. The solution has not yet occurred to the negligent and dizzy assistants of President Maduro.In the meantime we can begin by establishing a salary roof of, say Lps. 15,000 and paying workers’ benefits on a monthly basis. Also, people making more than Lps. 30,000 could pay their own insurance, removing that burden from the state. Besides, the state job market has to be set according national salaries. The civil service law is a principle that was acceptable at the beginning. Then came those who tried to violate it with the subsequent civil service chaos. As a result, we no longer know what to call those who work in public office. The Civil Service Law is very broad and gives secure protection to both parties. Ignoring this lack of clarity is dangerous. To reestablish the law is a good way to organize this governmental mess. Current officers should not be happy about these measures. We have already learned that anyone who fires workers who are owed bonuses for party-related reasons should have to pay those workers. |
A Letter to Our Editor... Mr. Editor, While looking today for a website to buy some banner space for my company I came across your so called newspaper. At first, I thought this would be a great place to place my ads, but unfortunately for you the link took me straight to a list of your editorials. I could not believe the tone and sentiment behind each and every single one of them. Who are you and furthermore what is your agenda? Do you think that by criticizing this country in every editorial you are doing good to anyone? Yes, you have all the freedom of speech to express all your frustration, obvious resentment and angst of living in this country, but you also have a responsibility as a journalist to report an accurate and fair portrayal of this great land to your audience. Readers from around the world who are curious about this country are unsuspectingly reading and forming opinions from your resentful, biased and frankly bitter words. It is appalling and shocking to read the amount of hyperbole and blatant out lies in your editorials, I.E from the Oct. 13, 2003 edition. : "In the center of Tegucigalpa, you will find the traffic situation totally uncontrollable, with more than 250,000 cars driving through the same four streets. This situation has been this way for more than 50 years." We live in a great country filled with natural beauty and wonder, truly humble people with good hearts and hope of building a better tomorrow. There is no such thing as perfect democracy or society but the natural blessings of this country are as close to perfection as I've ever known. Did it ever occur to you to write about these once in a while? It is a true shame to see your words in a publication called 'Honduras This Week.' Not only will I never get close to anything related to this denigrating junk you pass as a newspaper, but I will personally start telling everyone I know of your ' mala calana.' And furthermore if the country is so "unlivable" as you state in many of your pieces, why not just leave? Sincerely disgusted, Salvador Chacon |
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| Monday, November 3, 2003 Online Edition 43 | |||
The Oil Coast With Nicaragua and the 12th Parallel The Councilor of Nicaragua, Norman Caldera, affirmed that Nicaragua will not permit the plundering of their continental platform. They reclaimed resources and an economic zone exclusive in the Caribbean sea area in a dispute with the Republic of Columbia in the International Court of Justice at the Hague. This affirmation was sentenced before the National Assembly of Nicaragua, denying in every case direct negotiation as the first source of recourse of the civilized countries of the world. The sea was given by the councilor of Guatemala, Mr. Molina, in 1828, with the reason being that the administration of the seas for Central America was difficult and that a float composed of just five boats was not enough to supervise the sea. Therefore, they gave the administration of the sea and the Atlantic islands to the Republic of Colombia, who of course, managed it at its whim. Subsequently, various things occurred in the history of the maritime border with Nicaragua, including the sentence of King Alfonso XIII, who established the frontier now put in doubt by Nicaragua. But confirmation of the existence of a very important oil mantle has stirred up the Nicaraguan Council like never before, and now it is trying to widen its claims as the Republic of El Salvador successfully did with our lands. On this occasion, El Salvador claimed zones which not even in their dreams they would win, but The Hague decided, in a Salomonic trial, to give them sovereignty over completely Honduran land, islands and sea, leaving the wise Honduran jurist-consultants jumping up and down with joy, wrapped up in their cruel complacency. The case continues and gathers weight. To have lost so much territory to El Salvador gives a bad example because it is contagious and now Nicaragua wants their piece. The Hague is always at the service of the world to demonstrate their Salomonic choices, which have left us without sea access. In this tug of war, we, anticipating the actions of the Hague, will say the 16th parallel is the divide between Honduran and Nicaraguan waters, but... let us continue analyzing... The insistence of Honduras in maintaining a position of minimum claims has allowed our territory to be reduced in size, because just as The Hague expounds, we must claim too much in order that we obtain our true territory. As happened before, through this prevailing thesis, it is necessary to re-expound the Honduran claim and show that the 13th parallel is historically Honduran, consequently the wise people of Holland will decide the 15th parallel is correct. THE BUSH FAMILY AND HONDURAN OIL The interest of the oil industry in the framework of money is modified and organized just to suit one thing; the power of oil, which today is mixed with politics. There are four companies involved in oil drilling in Nicaragua. One of these belongs to the Bush family is run by Jeb Bush. As a personal friend of Ricardo Maduro, we can imagine hypothetical agreements such as: Ensuring his brother wins by means of the subtle participation of the Honduran Judge Miguel Angel Estrada in the historical decision of the Miami election. In return: Jeb supports the candidature of Maduro in Honduras and, moreover, guarantees his oil investment in Nicaragua, affecting the two Honduran parallels. “Business is business.” To secure the maritime frontier negotiated in the times of President Carlos Roberto Reina he has his argument in terms of brotherhood between the Sandinistas and Jorge Arturo Reina, of whom it is said he used to work in the integrated ideological brotherhood. In a hypothetical summary, we say that the part of our territory that we lost to El Salvador was given by bad judges to the Salvadorans and that the 15th parallel we lost equally to give thanks to the Bush family for their support for their associate the President of Honduras. The unacceptable part of the above is that also in the infernal mess - “chinchorro” to our friends from Puerto Cortés - we find nothing less than the investor Grupo Robles-Pomas. This group is very well known by the rich and famous of Honduras with whom it maintains links and does the business of buying and selling Guatel. This agreement of love for Central America was signed in blood, in the style of the Japanese Mafia, and has been declared inviolable. This is the true globalization of the economy of the rich. How they are right, those who say our world is changing and... territorially, there are no obstacles. |
From Editorialist Lazarus Mario: Your article “The Angry designate” is a true hit, it states clearly what many do not dare say. It clearly details the real situation surrounding Maduro and “leaves no saint standing”. I congratulate you. A strong hug. Gloria Leticia Pineda de Lazarus Via internet Question from abroad As a Gringo that has lived in Honduras( and will again) , but who is currently stuck living in the States, I am hoping either HTW staff or their readers might help me out. Year after year, I hear discussions/plans/ rumors of completing a coastal highway between La Ceiba ( Jutiapa) and Trujillo. The road seems in various states of improvement. I know several new bridges have gone up west of Balfate, and I have heard that some construction has begun from the Trujillo side(?). So far as I am aware, there is still no road between between the Rio Coco on the west and San Antonio on the east. Any information from knowledgeable persons along the route, or actual government plans would be greatly appreciated. I so enjoy keeping up through HTW. Many thanks for such great and consistent coverage! Respectfully, Bill Lockman Via Internet
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