Everything I ever read about Aristide was that he was sort of a tin-pot despot in a poor, poor country. A former priest who started out with the best of intentions and became a bit despotic as time passed. But, all that not withstanding he won an election or two, and so "met" the test for a "democratically (s)elected" government. Except when Preznit Bunnypants says otherwise.
Aristide said he left in a car with the Americans, who said they could provide security. "But instead of moving from where we were at my house" to meet with news media, Aristide said, "we went straight to the plane," which he described as an unmarked white aircraft with an American flag.
Aristide said he was obliged to board the plane, and was followed by a number of U.S. troops in full combat gear, who changed into civilian clothes and baseball caps once they were aboard the plane. Also on board with him and his wife were 19 members of a private security company contracted by the United States to protect Aristide.
Aristide's account was supported by two witnesses present on the evening of Feb. 28 and the morning of Feb. 29. One was Franz Gabriel, a pilot and aide to Aristide; the other was an American security guard.
I wonder if Snake-Handler Johnny, "My-Lai" Powell and Auntie Donnie are warming up a cell for Aristide in GITMO. Not out of the realm of possibility, after all, he's got a "strange" religious affiliation (he's not a Suthr'n Babdist), and he's, well, as Preznit Shrimpy McShrub might say "not one of us", you know a liberal kind of guy.... I remember GITMO being sort of Caribbean Temperate this time of year when I was there on the Ike...I hope he gets a cell with a view.
posted by Jo Fish on 03.16.04 at 12:08 AM
Comments:
As a matter of fact, Aristede won 2 out of the 3 free elections that have been held in Haiti. He won the last one with about 90% of the vote. Questions were raised about the senatorial elections, so the questioned candidates resigned, and they tried to hold new elections, but the "rebels" supported by Bush refused to take part in elections.
It is truly pathetic to remember the storm of indignant comments when a black Representative critcized our Haiti policy as rascist, and compare them with the lack of comment here. Feels like collecting comments at the scene of a mob assassination-nobody knows anything and nobody saw anything.
A nice crowning touch is describing Aristede as "despotic". Some despot- no army or police force to enforce "despotic" decrees (like the one that would have made the minimum wage there $2.00 a day). The incoming gangster rulers murdered thousands in their support of the last dictatorship, but they're not described as "despotic".
Watching calmly while Bush and the Iran-contra plotters overthrow a neighboring democracy cannot be a good thing.
posted by: serial catowner on 03.16.04 at 06:00 PM [permalink]
Yep, and the new American Puppet from Palm Beach County Florida has been working as an international business consultant in Miami and hosting a television program. One of his daughters works for the IMF and another for the World Bank. Lucky Haiti can now be structurally adjusted by the kids. Just they kinda guy the 1600 crowd likes to work with.
