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Dividing Lines Between Rich and Poor in Honduras Never So Stark

TEGUCIGALPA -- On one side of town near the presidential palace, a river of people wearing neatly pressed jeans and new white T-shirts waved kerchiefs as they ``defended democracy and peace.''

Across town, throngs of scrappy, shouting pickets -- some with kerchiefs around their faces -- hurled insults at the military that ousted their beloved president, Manuel ''Mel'' Zelaya.

''The coup-plotters were responsible for dividing our people,'' said Daisy Chávez, a middle-school teacher who was among thousands who turned out this weekend to demand Zelaya's return. ``Just look at them, with their nice little shirts and neatly styled hair. Us? Mel supporters? We come to the protests looking just like we did when we rolled out of bed.

``You can see how divided Hondurans are by just looking at us.''

Last week's overthrow of Honduras' democratically elected president threw this Central American nation of 7.5 million people into chaos and underscored deep divisions in a polarized society. Never before have the lines between rich and poor been so stark. Never before have unions, peasants and teachers been so visible, their voices so loud.

These days in Honduras, there is no middle ground.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1127742.html

By miamimike on Jul 5, 2009, 01:36 in Off Topic.

goin_south says on Jul 5, 2009, 01:42:

pretty interesting, what's happening there.
I think, likely, it's an example of what will happen in some other South American and Central American countries in the next 5 years or 10. Honduras might be a MICROCOSM of Change. It will be interesting to see what happens here. I don't think Chavez will intervene. He's just another WINDBAG. This is very interesting though, as I have to think NO POLITICIAN AT ANY LEVEL, LIKES TO SEE THIS HAPPENING.... It's only a forecast that it could in fact happen to them.

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

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goin_south says on Jul 5, 2009, 01:48:

associated press
updated 11:32 p.m. CT, Sat., July 4, 2009

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Ousted President Manuel Zelaya said Saturday that he would return to Honduras to try to retake office following last week's military-backed coup, despite warnings of a potentially bloody confrontation and the interim government's vow to arrest him and put him on trial.

Honduras rebuffed demands by the international community to reinstate Zelaya in the name of constitutional order, thrusting the poor Central American nation deeper into political crisis and isolation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31736694/ns/world_news-americas

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

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