Happy 4th of July

This is the 7th time I have been here in Honduras on the 4th of July over the past 8 years and this time I appreciate the democracy that our founding fathers started more than ever.

Things here are still very, very calm, but part of that is due to the removal of several constitutional rights. The pro-Mel (ousted president) people have not been allowed to protest anymore. The new government got rid of the right to assemble in public and have prohibited them from passing on highways towards the capital for rallys. The press has been 100% in favor of the new government, very different from what I hear here in the neighborhood. They covered extensively a big rally in favor of the new government yesterday that the military did not break up as they have with the pro-Mel rallys the past 3 days. I am trying not to take any sides in this, but the taking away rights from one side and not the other is very bothersome. Both sides need a voice in any democracy for it to be legitimate.

Imagine Obama coming to office and getting rid of all Bush supporters in the congress, state and local governments and prohibiting people from rallying in support of Bush. Or imagine the impeachment of Clinton taking place in secret one night without him there nor the media and the result carried out by the army at 5am the next day, and Clinton supporters not being allowed to protest against this.

I didn't like Mel as a president and still don't, but even more I don't like the way he was taken out and the current system denying basic rights of the people to express themselves and travel freely in this country. Let freedom ring. God bless the USA and our great form of government, lasting over 230 years now. Sure there are problems and issues at times, but those founding fathers way back when really got it right. When you look around the world at all the other countries and how they are doing it, some places may have a few things better here and there, but overall we have it great and are the shinning light on the hill for all the world to see and try to emulate.

Happy 4th of July. Give thanks for our wonderful form of government and pray for Honduras.