Contrary to preferred myth, it’s quite natural for political elites to despise democracy. Democracy threatens their wealth and privilege therefore it is to be avoided at any cost. The historical evidence for this assertion is overwhelming. From the overthrow of Iranian democracy in 1953, Guatemalan democracy in 1954, Chilean democracy in 1973 or Haitian democracy in 1990, there are few principles in international relations as enduring as this. Even the Founding Fathers made known their distaste for democratic norms. James Madison, one of the framers of the US Constitution, defined the purpose of government as “[protecting] the minority of the opulent against the majority.” John Jay, author of the Federalist papers, asserted those who “own the country ought to govern it” while Thomas Jefferson endorsed the concept of a “natural aristocracy” as “the most precious gift of nature for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society.”
It therefore should come as no great surprise that the Obama administration embraced this tradition in its refusal to raise a critical word when Ukraine’s democratically elected President, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed in a coup. Less surprising is the fact that the Obama administration welcomed Yanukovych’s successor, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, into the oval office as if he were Ukraine’s legitimately elected leader. Whatever one thinks of the legality of Russia’s invasion of Crimea and the referendum to determine its national status, one cannot take seriously the statements coming out of Washington. President Obama’s statements concerning international law and “illegal elections” not only invites ridicule in lieu of the historical record but current events as well.
Showing posts with label El Salvador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label El Salvador. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Huge profits on offer in El Salvador prison economy
An intelligence investigation has revealed the pricing structure for goods within El Salvador's jails, which are now not only finishing schools for criminals but sources of income for organized crime as in many parts of Latin America.
A cellphone worth about $20 outside prison sells for up to $200 inside, intelligence sources told La Prensa Grafica, while SIM cards and chargers worth $3 and $5 outside fetch around $6 and $50 inside.
The cost rises according to how hard it is to get the item to the buyer -- for instance a smartphone would cost $800 in a regular prison compound but up to $3,000 in a maximum security section.
A cellphone worth about $20 outside prison sells for up to $200 inside, intelligence sources told La Prensa Grafica, while SIM cards and chargers worth $3 and $5 outside fetch around $6 and $50 inside.
The cost rises according to how hard it is to get the item to the buyer -- for instance a smartphone would cost $800 in a regular prison compound but up to $3,000 in a maximum security section.