George Bush hates democracy -- only look to Nicaragua

[beachmom]

First of all, no I am not pleased that Ortega has apparently won. But this was a fair election, and the U.S. tried to influence it, which I think was just one of many mistakes they continue to make.

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/389510

An icon of the international left in the 1980s when his Soviet-backed Sandinista government battled U.S.-financed Contra rebels in a civil war that killed as many as 50,000 people, Ortega has dramatically toned down his rhetoric, portraying himself as a peace-loving, God-fearing democrat.

But Washington still views him as a dangerous leftist with close ties to Cuba's communist President Fidel Castro and Chavez, and warned it would reconsider bilateral relations if he is elected.

Calling Ortega "a tiger who has not changed his stripes," U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Paul Trivelli has been vocal in urging Nicaraguans to defeat the former revolutionary president, making it clear Washington favored Montealegre.

Trivelli, who headed U.S. President George W Bush's electoral monitoring team, warned an Ortega victory would lead to "the introduction of a Chavez model" in Nicaragua.

Chavez has delivered cheap diesel to the energy-starved Central American country through mayors of the Sandinista party, and said more would be forthcoming if Ortega is elected.

Venezuela's Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel Sunday lashed out at what he called "an attitude of blackmail by the United States," and said he hoped the electoral process would be democratic and "without foreign interference."

Voters interviewed in Managua were particularly angry over statements by U.S. lawmakers who suggested blocking remittances sent by Nicaraguans living in the United States, a crucial source of funds in this Central American country of 5.4 million people, where almost half the population lives in poverty.

"The 'gringos' have no business here," said construction worker Antonio Castellon, 49, pointing to the Managua polling station where he cast his ballot.


Good editorial on USA Today:




http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2006/11/hes_baaack.html



One more note: my friend was one of those election observers in Nicaragua. I'll be eager to talk to him and get the scoop.

[Democrafty]

1. Todd Mitchell had a good post on this today:

http://articleofaith.blogspot.com/2006/11/party-like-its-1986.html

[beachmom]

2. Hey, I didn't even know that website

Really good post!