Collins Report

By Bruce Karlson

The “stronger foe” referenced above is Honduras. As is obvious, its strength is not in force of arms, population, or economic clout. The Hondurans and their recent president, Roberto Micheletti, had spine, commitment, and principle.

Obamites, and Democrats in general, are unfamiliar with these attributes and usually simply pay obeisance to or pay off dictators of all persuasions. It should be noted that said dictators need not have their fiefdoms off shore.

Andrew Stern of the SEIU, the current head of the misnamed National Education Association (education is far down the list of interests for this bunch), the Teamsters, UAW, etc. can depend on government largesse ad infinitum from Obamites. All they need do is pay up and vote as required.

In June of last year the Honduran military, after being ordered by the Supreme Court, forced then President Manuel Zelaya out of office. He immediately left the country with the approval (encouragement?) of the military. Prior to being deposed, Zelaya attempted to hold an illegal vote that could have changed the Constitution to allow him to become president for life. After all, his new buddy, Hugo Chavez had done it, why not he? Hugo aided Zelaya as he wanted another vote in his Latin cabal and desired an alternate route to run drugs.

This perfectly legal and necessary action (there is no Constitutional provision to remove a sitting president) caused huffing and puffing around the globe. The huffing was most pronounced in Turtle Bay as unctuous UN officials denounced it as a coup and demanded that Zelaya be retuned to office. Most reasonable persons thought this odd as the presidency instantly passed to Micheletti by constitutional mandate. After even the most inept coup, the military is ALWAYS in charge.
The world joined in the chorus and waited for Micheletti to either take a bribe, or simply be “wowed” by the size of his opponents. When that did not happen, the Obamites led the charge to starve this already destitute nation into submission. Micheletti HAD to succumb, didn’t he? Obviously not. Further, the world’s grandees said they would not recognize the results of the regularly scheduled election held November 29th.

Weeks turned into months and, as Zelaya made a complete buffoon of himself; no one blinked. In desperation the State Department finally saw that it had met its match and surrendered. The full force of the US could not beat down a small country trying to preserve its fledgling democratic government. In October, the US “demanded” that the Honduran Congress agree to hold a vote to determine if Zelaya should be returned to office. All knew that the Congress would not meet prior to the election. Sun Tsu’s axiom that one should always leave his opponent a path of retreat was probably on Roberto’s mind when he signed off on this sham.

The election happened, and as expected the candidate from the RIVAL political party won. The US has recognized the result as have many Latin nations. The Obamites hope that their despicable behavior will be soon forgotten. It very likely will but all should be heartened in that, for once, decency overcame indecency, and right conquered might.

What have you done to be like the people of Honduras and stand up for your freedoms?

The latest Rasmussen Presidential Index has Obama at -18.

About Bruce Karlson: Born New Jersey, enlisted in the Navy 1960, discharged in 1964, Kean College – BA, Fordham University – MBA. Sold computers in NYC’s financial district, retired 1992. Divorced, two high school aged children. Interests include bridge, history, politics and cooking.

This day in history January 2

1492: Muhammad XI the leader of the last Arab stronghold in Spain surrendered to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Because this military effort to kick the Muslim’s out of Spain was so costly, Ferdinand and Isabella had to sell their jewels to take a chance on Christopher Columbus’s plan to find the new world which he did. This saved the Spanish crown and led to the establishment of America.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

It is not often that decency and perseverance overcome the ministrations of unctuous leftist frauds and their masters at the UN,OAS and US State Department. All the world was allied against those in Honduras attempting to maintain a fragile republic and adhere to its Constitution. (Americans would do well to take note as we may soon have to defend our own Constitution from the same bunch.)

Nevertheless, the news from Honduras is good.

Briefly, on June 28th of this year Manuel Zelaya was deposed by the order of the Supreme Court of Honduras. Among other things, he specifically violated the clause regarding any attempt to negate the one term limit for president. He was attempting to force a plebiscite on changing the Constitution, the modification of which may only be done by the legislature.

Prior to this he had become an ally of Venezuela’s Chavez who had mastered the art of overcoming pesky restraints on absolute power and was helping his new friend along. Chavez also desired another jump off point for his traffic in illegal drugs…a marriage made in heaven.

Once he realized that even his own party wanted him out, Zelaya arranged to get passports to several hundred Venezuelan and Nicaraguan thugs. They were to be the vanguard of his street supporters. In order to pay them, he stole 2.2 million dollars from the treasury a few days before his ouster.

After his removal by the Army, he was flown out of the country and Roberto Micheletti, the constitutionally mandated successor, took over as president. Zelaya visited all the Central and South American countries with dictators for life and generally made a buffoon of himself.

In any event, the UN,OAS, United States government, all European governments, virtually every nation and world organization “demanded “ that Zelaya be reinstated, describing the new temporary Honduran government as a coup, which is nonsense.

There were endless meetings and flying about but Micheletti stood firm as did the legislature and the Court. The US cut off aid as did many other nations. Honduras is a poor nation to begin with so Obama, Kerry, and Clinton can be proud that, if nothing else, their despicable behavior caused privation and perhaps starvation.

Elections had been set for November 29th and all of Honduras’ oppressors were adamant that the results would not be recognized. Micheletti simply hung on, making his case and waiting for right to prevail.

Someone had to blink and it was the US government!! There was a deal struck for a unity government with Zelaya but both sides knew it was a sham and served only to allow the US some dignity.

Sun Tsu’s recommendation that one should always give his enemies an easy retreat was never more true. On November 5th, the State Department spokes person announced that the election results WOULD be recognized… in the spirit of moving on. Leftist sleaze balls never lose, they simply decide to move on.

One hopes the Honduran people find the grace to forgive the US government.

About Bruce Karlson: Born New Jersey, enlisted in the Navy 1960, discharged in 1964, Kean College – BA, Fordham University – MBA. Sold computers in NYC’s financial district, retired 1992. Divorced, two high school aged children. Interests include bridge, history, politics and cooking.

This day in history November 7

1874 A cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly is considered the first important use of an elephant as a symbol for the Republican Party.

Note: Nast is also credited with creating the fatherly figure we have used as Santa Claus for 140 years and he we known for depicting Abraham Lincoln as an ape.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

Last week Honduras’ former president Manuel Zelaya slipped back into Honduras in the trunk of a car and ran into the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Zelaya’s return was as sneaky as he is, so it was quite fitting.

Not a five star hotel

The Embassy apparently has no shower and limited kitchen and bathroom facilities, so since moving into “Brazil” his personal hygiene and that of his “in house” supporters has declined severely.
This hasn’t stopped him from using the Embassy as a platform for exhorting his dwindling number of local supporters and paid foreign “volunteers” to revolt.
Honduran authorities take a dim view of this attempted insurrection by a criminal, and have advised the Brazilian government it must quickly declare Zelaya’s status. Since Brazil has suspended diplomatic relations with Tegucigalpa and Brazil claims she had nothing to do with his return things are further complicated.
President of Brazil Lula da Silva, a fervent supporter of all left wing gangsters, nonetheless decry’s “coup mongers” etc. and demands Zelaya’s return to power. Hugo Chavez, the capo di tutti capo of the operation continues to rant and make demands which he won’t back up because he can’t. Were he to try anything military, his own army might find a way to get rid of him and install its own general.
The Brazilians have a week to respond to Honduran demands to explain the status of Zelaya. It is unclear what will happen if it is not forthcoming.

Right over might

Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senate Foreign Affairs Chairman John “war hero” Kerry have stated the US will not accept the results of November’s regularly scheduled election. Maybe; maybe not.
At this point it looks like democracy and the rule of law will prevail in Honduras and Zelaya will not return to power.

More good news

The non partisan Congressional Research Service determined that Zelaya’s removal was legal but his exile was not. Ergo the organization spit in the eyes of the State Department leftists and their Congressional counterparts. Not a moment too soon.
The exile, however, was deemed necessary by the Army/government. Perhaps it was ham handed, but that is the way dictators have been treated for decades in Latin cultures. It avoided either the dictator being lynched or attempting to create a civil war while in custody.
Meanwhile President Roberto Micheletti does his best to cope with an obdurate hostile world and make sense of the cacophony. The United States is attempting to starve Hondurans by cutting off promised aid but even that will not work. The constitutional government of Honduras will simply not sell out.
Through it all, the world’s grandees remain in lockstep with Chavez, Obama, et al. to perpetrate a real coup in Honduras by restoring a criminal tyrant to power. One wishes there was hope that a change of mind was in the cards. Possibly but hardly likely.

Regardless, the Honduran Republic will survive and set an example for the entire world.

This day in history October 3

1990 East and West Germany were reunited ending the Col War.

About Bruce Karlson: Born New Jersey, enlisted in the Navy 1960, discharged in 1964, Kean College – BA, Fordham University – MBA. Sold computers in NYC’s financial district, retired 1992. Divorced, two high school aged children. Interests include bridge, history, politics and cooking.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

Immediately after Manuel Zelaya was deposed on the order of the Honduran Supreme Court, Hugo Chavez, blustered, fumed and threatened an invasion. Daniel Ortega, head thug in Nicaragua, pledged to be his “bff” (“best friend forever”, for those without teen aged children). Hugo did manage an invasion. He was complicit with the Brazilian government in spiriting Zelaya back into the country in car trunks.

An invasion of one.

Since Zelaya will be arrested the moment he is found on Honduran soil, he moved into to the Brazilian Embassy. In any event, his return has caused some perturbations in Honduras. The capital was shut down for a day and some of his ginned up and dwindling supporters were arrested. If Zelaya intends to keep up the front that he has support in country, he needs to part with some of the money he stole or get Hugo to pony up. These “protesters” expect to be paid (it is unclear if medical benefits are included in the standard payment for protest package).

Meanwhile at the UN, Zelaya’s choice for ambassador, Carlos Reina, has been seated. This is a tad bizarre as Reina’s US visa was pulled in 2006 after it was discovered in the late seventies or early eighties, he set bombs in an effort to kill US servicemen serving in Honduras. It’s commonly believed one of his botched efforts killed several Honduran base employees. Naturally neither Kerry nor Clinton have commented on this as they are reluctant to publicly criticize “leftist” tyrants. Mr. Reina will fit right in with the other criminals at the UN.

The UN and OAS are Hell bent on restoring thief, tyrant and buffoon Zelaya. His claims that Isreali mercenaries are poisoning the air apparently do not bother any of his coteries of international cheer leaders.

That suggestion is bizarre but consistent with his increasingly odd utterances. He compared himself with Jesus Christ earlier in this saga.

The grandees at the UN, OAS, and US State Department apparently have never met a man like Honduran president Roberto Micheletti. He actually has principles and has no interest in selling out his nation. This is simply not in the script. Heads of State in all small poor countries are supposed to accept whatever the bribe of the day is and cave in.

Further, grandees world wide have stated that they will not recognize the results of the regularly scheduled election in November. This is truly disgraceful as President Micheletti will allow international election monitors, and this offers a painless way out of this mess. Secretary Clinton and “war hero” Kerry were emphatic on this point. President Obama, however, never missing an opportunity to vote “present”, opined that recognition “would depend”. Which is it United States?? Perhaps a meeting to avoid mixed signals is in order.

The new leader of the Western Hemisphere, Panama, however, broke from the herd and stated that it would recognize the election results. Panama demonstrates world leadership while the US votes “present”.

Truly frightening…

About Bruce Karlson: Born New Jersey, enlisted in the Navy 1960, discharged in 1964, Kean College – BA, Fordham University – MBA. Sold computers in NYC’s financial district, retired 1992. Divorced, two high school aged children. Interests include bridge, history, politics and cooking.

This day in history Sepember 26

1789 Thomas Jefferson was appointed America’s first Secretary of State.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

On June 28, the Honduran Supreme Court ordered the arrest of then president Manuel Zelaya. In a clear violation of the Honduran Constitution, Zelaya had attempted to have a plebiscite on the Constitution. His idea was to modify it, Chavez style, to negate the one term restriction and enable him to serve multiple terms. It’s a clear violation of Honduran law for a president to even to suggest such a change, something only their Congress can do.

The Supreme Court and the military chiefs warned him to no avail. Only after Zelaya made clear moves to have the vote, (ballots courtesy of his new friend Hugo Chavez), the Supreme Court had to take action. It ordered the Army to arrest Zelaya and give him the option of trial or exile which he took.

The constitutionally next in line to be president was Roberto Micheletti, “Speaker of the House”. He has attempted to maintain Honduran democracy.

Nevertheless, the world aligned itself against Honduras and demanded the return of Zelaya, the wannabe dictator for life. Micheletti has been adamant Zelaya will be prosecuted if he returns. He vows no amount of pressure can reinstate Zelaya.

Things have been tense but calm for Honduras for July and most of August.

American Left to Zelaya’s rescue

The Obama Administration has cut off $16,000,000 in military aid, referred to the Honduran government as “de facto” or “interim”, but avoided formally declaring the circumstances of Zelaya’s removal as a “coup”.

On Thursday Obama ratcheted up the pressure and threatened to formally designate the Honduran government as a “coup” even though the events do not fit any normal definition of a coup.

If so designated, all aid will cease and a nation struggling to retain a fragile democracy, will likely go the way of Venezuela.

I am sure Hugo will call up Barack to cackle about how they made the Hondurans cave in. I’m equally sure Hugo will be quick to “help Honduras in her time of crisis.”

In response Micheletti has offered Zelaya an amnesty allowing his return as a private citizen, but nothing more. In spite of not having anything to offer instead of this generous gesture, the Organization of American States immediately rejected the pososal. If Zelaya is remotely the patriot he claims to be, he would quickly accept the offer and end this ordeal for his country, but he won’t. Why should he when he has Barack Obama the most powerful man in the hemisphere carrying his water?

There is hope

It’s likely the Hondurans will hold out as the world piles on. My guess is their only hope is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom I believe has resisted the “knee jerks” to date. She is certainly tough enough to buck the bureaucracy, but may lack interest.

The tea leaves for the Honduran people are forbidding but they will not sell out cheaply. Pray for them.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

Americans enjoy pretending there’s only one level of care, available to all. I hope no one reading this column believes the rich and/or the politically connected would not receive care, both superior to, and faster than, the rest of us in a socialized system.

Accepting the obvious

Government run health services can provide healthcare for those groups that historically do not have it without breaking the bank. All but the poorest countries in the world provide some level of care to virtually all their citizens. They simply accept the fact that there are, and always will be, multiple levels of care (see: above).

In Honduras or Mexico, for instance, a nominal fee (~$100/yr) usually paid by an employer, allows individuals access to truncated basic, but decent, health services. Those that can afford it, of course, use private clinics and those who have no coverage queue up at the nearest “poor” facility, where the care is very limited.
(Even the clinics, since not required to suffer US style regulations and lawyers, are amazingly cheap: My son caught sometimes fatal hemorrhagic denge fever in Honduras several years ago and spent 3 days in a first class clinic. The bill for physicians, drugs, semi private room, etc: $500!)

In a tiered system, medical outcomes would be different, sometimes vastly different. They are now, but Americans prefer pretense, an activity more appropriate for young children.
The point is that in order to provide some level of service to all, and not drive the nation to bankruptcy, we must accept the obvious: A socialized system must be multi tiered and unequal, with concomitant unequal outcomes. That acceptance takes more honesty than we can, or likely will, muster. Ergo, the charade will go on until we open up the system and reduce third party payment or, the system is socialized, the treasury emptied, or both.

Honduras and Mexico supposedly backward countries have no trouble accepting the truth, i.e. health services will vary as to ability to pay. Americans seem to prefer Pied Pipers that sing mendacious and self serving songs of equality. Nevertheless, as Orwell observed in his “Animal Farm”, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

We must open health insurance coverage across state lines, encourage individuals to own and manage their own employer based or individual policies, go to a British style civil law system (loser pays BOTH sides’ legal fees), encourage inexpensive high deductible policies, and remove the mandate requiring hospitals to treat anyone that manages to stagger to the front door. Those of us with high deductibles are much more likely to ask a provider questions regarding necessity and cost, definite cost containment.

The net of this is that when one hears “denial”, he/she should not think of health services but of truth. Denial of truth is always costly, and this particular denial could cost us our health and our nation.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com

By Bruce Karlson

On June 28th Honduran troops, with orders from the Supreme Court and the acquiescence of Congress, awoke then President Manuel Zelaya. He was escorted to a plane which took him to Costa Rica. His VP, Elvin Santos, having resigned several months previously, Roberto Micheletti, (Speaker of the House) was declared president.

Prior to this, Zelaya had developed a close relationship with Hugo Chavez and other Latin gangsters. Consistent with his new “homies”, he wanted lifetime tenure. Ergo, he needed a new Constitution and began an effort to create one via an illegal vote, as the current one forbids any such activity by the president.

Prior to his removal an aide was filmed taking 2.2 million dollars, in cash, out of the treasury (presumably for the illegal plebiscite). His own ruling Liberal Party voted to remove him with the concurrence of the court. (Would the Democrats impeach President Obama for ANYTHING?)

Hugo had printed and sent ballots which were seized by the Army. Zelaya led a mob to forcibly take them from a warehouse. (Zelaya had also created, Chavez style, the “results” on a computer which was discovered after his removal.)

The UN, OAS, and virtually every country in the world condemned the action as a “coup”. Since it clearly was not a coup, both the ignorance and the bias of these over stuffed frauds are apparent. There was unctuous huffing and puffing to reinstall Zelaya. Meanwhile the vilified and mystified Hondurans were attempting to MAINTAIN the democratic process, while the organizations that supposedly were in business to support democracies opposed them. Zelaya made one grandstanding attempt to return on one of Hugo’s jets, which was thwarted. He then made buffoonish attempts to return via Nicaragua, with the help of Daniel Ortega, another amigo.

The grandees at lunch

It is not hard to imagine polite table conversations among the self important about the events in Honduras. Because they know nothing about genuine democracy they might go like this;

“Micheletti will fold, won’t he?” “Of course, try the poached bass and cucumber soup. I had it yesterday after the conference on inequality and world hunger.”

“After all, we can starve them out.” “On second thought, I think I’ll try the herbed salmon and vichyssoise.”

To date the bullying has not prevailed. Amazingly, the wheel is now turning toward the Honduran position. Micheletti has made it clear that Zelaya is a criminal and will be arrested and tried if he returns, obviating the grandees’ “demand” that he be reinstated. The OAS is now going to meet with Micheletti ON HIS TERMS. To wit: Jose Insulza, head of the Organization of American States, who has been most outspoken about reinstating wanabe tyrant Zelaya, may attend but may NOT speak.

Honduras is now reasonably stable and elections are scheduled for November (Micheletti will not run). After democracy has prevailed, the frauds, poseurs, leftists, Hillary, et al. will need a new opportunity for a cheap shot, preferably a country, organization, or person too weak to fight back.

Occasionally principle meets up with a stubborn man who knows he is right. This time, that combination challenged world and is prevailing!!

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.