Human Rights and Perpetual Presidents in Latin America
I’ve spent the last few days in the great state of Maine with one of my best friends (I took the pic on the right). He called me at the beginning of the week and asked me if I wanted to escape for a few days and – seeing that most of the work I do these days is online – I jumped at the opportunity (my buddy’s “camp” has wireless internet, cable TV, and a field stone fireplace.) So, it’s been a great few days of being “away” yet “connected.”
It’s also given me the chance to create a few new features on RandallHMiller.com. For example, you can now see exactly which professional services I provide. In addition, I’ve listed a number of ways that you can support this blog. Take a minute to check out both pages and please feel free to pass them along.
On to business…
U.S Re-engages the International Human Rights Community
This week the U.S. was elected (and took its rightful place) on the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Economist declares:
The United States was elected to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, a 47-member UN body much criticised since its inception in 2006 (and ostracised by the Bush administration) for letting serial human-rights abusers set much of its agenda. Other newcomers were Belgium, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Norway.
This is a welcome change in U.S. human rights policy. Clearly the system is broken and far from functioning – but how was the Bush administration’s policy of non-engagement going to help? Having a seat in the room seems like a good start to me. Then again, I’m a bit miffed at President Obama’s decision not to release more photo documentation of U.S. torture in the GWOT (Global War on Terror).
More Perpetual Presidents in Latin America
Ever wonder why Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is so popular in Latin America. Easy, because he acts as an inadvertent guinea pig for the rest of the region’s pseudo-democratic leaders. His battle for endless reelection (and lack of a response from the international community) has obviously inspired others. The Dominican Republic’s Leonel Fernandez (and self-proclaimed smartest man on earth) is the latest to follow suit. DR1 reports:
President Leonel Fernandez and former PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado have sealed a political agreement that goes beyond the re-election issue. As reported in the Listin Diario, they agreed that the Constitution would be modified to allow that Fernandez can again be a presidential candidate in 2012.
Need more evidence of the avalanche? Colombia’s President Uribe (a notorious conservative amongst a sea of leftists) is on the same track. Yahoo News reports:
BOGOTA – Colombia’s senate has delayed a vote on scheduling a referendum that could let President Alvaro Uribe seek a third term…Colombians previously underwent a similar experience that allowed Uribe’s 2006 re-election. Uribe is a U.S.-backed conservative with high poll ratings. He’s widely popular for humbling the Western Hemisphere’s last remaining rebel army (The FARC – added by RHM). But his presidency has suffered from alleged Army killings of more than 1,600 civilians, a collapsed pyramid scheme, a wiretap scandal and allegations his two 20-something sons may have benefited inappropriately from a land investment.
Thank God we have presidential term limits in the U.S.
Then again, would you like to abolish the restriction?
Should U.S. Presidents be able to serve as long as they continue to get elected?
Leave your thoughts here.
Thanks for reading.
See you next week.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Cynthia | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Nice article.
While I do not agree with Bush’s policies, I have to digress about any new membership or tie to the United Nations.
While established largely by American posers, the UN is openly anti-American and rules against the U.S. the majority of the time. The UN was always intended to be a vehicle for world government and its leadership is always helmed by Communist/Socialists.
At the founding meeting, Communist Alger Hiss was its Secretary General.
The UN has an extensive record of human rights abuse including many UN organizational leaders who have participated in child pornography industries. At one time, its UNICEF organization recognized NAMBLA, a pederast organization as legitimate until this was exposed. They still maintain ties with NAMBLA although not openly. NAMBLA’s mantra is ‘eight is too late.’
Since the founding of the UN, America’s military has never been allowed to win against a Communist enemy. The UN always directs these manufactured wars from all sides and ensures the US will only reach a ‘truce’ stance against its Communist enemies. (Korea, Vietnam, etc.) Any involvement with the UN is and always will be detrimental to the U.S. If it were up to me, I would remove the U.S. from the United Nations, boot its headquarters out of our nation and stop funding it.
gpalmer | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Term limits are important as a practical matter, in order to check an imperfect system. Conceptually, allowing a politician at any level to remain in office by popular vote is the purest form of democracy. Allowing a successful person the opportunity to continue to drive policy and progress just seems common sense. However, the very nature of politics today perverts the process and allows for gross manipulation and power mongering that makes term limits an absolute necessity.
Frank the Tank | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Keep the term limits for President and enact term limits for Congress. No professional or lifetime politicians.
@Cynthia,
Excellent point about the UN. But be careful, I think by being against and questioning the UN, we might be labled “terrorists” or “extremists” by Obama’s Department of Homeland Security.
Mirador | May 15, 2009 | Reply
“Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them” (Mathew 7:20)
David Cobb | May 17, 2009 | Reply
Gpalmer is right. In a perfect system, term limits would be unnecessary. We’re far from perfect. In Virginia, the Governor is only allowed one term. Great idea. Make room for some new guys…maybe me.