Justice in Honduras

Regarding the opinion column "Injustice in Honduras" by labor lawyer Dan Kovalik (Midweek Perspectives, July 22): On July 4, I returned from Honduras proud of my former host country. I lived there for a little over three years; first serving as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and then working in the private sector. During this time, I witnessed ousted President Manuel Zelaya evolve from a centrist to a radical leftist who wanted to amend the constitution illegally in order to stay in power. What occurred in Honduras wasn't an illegal coup, but a perpetuation of democracy.

When an elected official breaks the law and goes against the Supreme Court, Congress (including his own party) and the people, he deserves to be removed from power. While it was a bit messier than expected, Mr. Zelaya's extradition fell in line with Honduras' constitution. Unfortunately, some officials in Washington have forgotten what it takes to protect a constitution.

Mr. Zelaya had aligned himself with Hugo Chavez and the other socialist/quasi-dictators of Latin America. Every other week you can read about Hugo Chavez and friends crushing political demonstrations, shutting down media outlets, nationalizing businesses and/or removing elected officials who don't hold the same political ideology. Mr. Zelaya was planning to emulate what Mr. Chavez has done in Venezuela -- that is, amend the constitution to allow himself re-election and strip away the powers of the judicial and legislative branches.

After refusing to listen to his own government and the people of Honduras, Mr. Zelaya received exactly what was coming to him. Let's hope one day the rest of Latin America will follow suit and stand up for democracy.

THOMAS McINTYRE
Oakmont