The Nov. 28 News Tribune Opinion page featured two columnists' pro-and-con opinions of the Nov. 29 election in Honduras. The U.S. should reject the elections, Mark Weisbrot argued, while Ray Walser disagreed but ended his column with an urging to "hold the applause."
My husband is from Honduras. He and I live in northern Minnesota. I lived in Honduras for seven years. I am tired of media organizations, research groups and other so-called professionals in economic development making statements based on research when such research does not include actual reports from the Honduran people. Often those commenting haven't lived in Honduras.
From our experience, and based on input from family and friends still living there, this so-called coup and this defiance (as some have called it) is exactly what has been wanted to make a stand against dictatorship, corruption and future oppression. Honduras has been known for its corrupted state and people want a change. Deposed President Manuel Zelaya was not that change.
The media have not taken the time nor have they displayed any want for gathering both sides of this story. All we've heard is torture, beatings and arrests from those against Zelaya. That is not fair. My husband's hometown is peaceful and going about its daily lives as normal; other towns are as well. Zelaya and his Chavez alliances have used the media to make them out as innocent. Anyone can easily do that when they have power and resources.
People may not really care about Honduras -- many may not even know where it is -- but I love Honduras and am proud this stand took place. It may not have been the best of situations. But when you have lived there and have family there you want people to know there are two sides to a story.
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Dawn Niemi
Virginia
