Suspension of Free Speech

Martha Chávez: Courageous and Correct

================

PNE Opinion:

It appears the suspension of democracy and inequality of justice are already surfacing and readily accepted by the Humala Administration as business as usual. Congressperson Martha Chávez has been discordantly suspended for 120 days because she dare protest the unannounced switching of the old 1979 constitution (which has no protection of private property rights), for the 1993 constitution currently in force, during Huamla’s inauguration. This from Humala who swore on a Bible and in writing during his campaign that he would not change the current constitution.

Humala's first vice-president Marisol Espinoza (the one who talks out of the side of her mouth), on Primera Noticia TV news this morning, actually justified Humala’s position by saying that unequal application of laws is in every administration. She said this while explaining why congressperson Martha Chávez was harshly and inexplicably suspended for 120 days. While Alexis Humala (Ollanta’s brother) was investigated in closed door meetings in which the findings of the so called investigation will not be publicly disclosed. Then he was simply allowed to apologize for taking a secret trip to Russia and allegedly presenting himself as representative of his brother’s government in energy dealings with the Russian Government. When questioned about this inequity, by Álvarez Rodrich of Primer Noticia, first vice-president Marisol Espinoza said it was common for the party in power to discriminate in favor of their side. When reminded that no such discrimination occurred during the previous administration she had no answer.

Humala deliberately and boorishly created the classless cheap shot  “conflict of the constitutions” during his inauguration, challenged by constitutional lawyer and congressperson Martha Chávez, by not prudently and democratically presenting this change in the swearing in ceremony to congressional officials before the inauguration. Thereby allowing for input and debate before the ceremony took place.

In my estimation a gracious democratic leader would reject such harsh punishment of a sitting congressperson for simply protesting verbally a controversy purposely created to evoke such a reaction. I suppose it should have been obvious that this president does not fully comprehend freedom of speech when during his campaign he swore he would restore free speech rights that were never missing during Garcia’s presidency. They were never missing until now! A disturbing beginning.

For me it is personal insights like this into Humala’s thinking, telling much more than gratuitous appointments to appease the stock markets, that show how future policies decisions will be made. Indecorous presidents are not only annoyingly worrisome but dangerous.  

=============

Afterthought:

Don’t you think a new president taking office would have more meaningful issues and concerns, that are impacting the daily lives of people, rather than the distraction of the inconsequential and provocative juvenile stunt of swearing in on an out of force constitution, that is inferior in so many ways to the current in force constitution? It just strikes me as stunningly undignified, ignorant and ill-mannered. As were the behaviors and actions of the vice-presidents at the inaugural ceremony. It’s all so petty and extremely disappointing comportment from people at this high level of government. 

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Hugo Chavez Workout Video

Should Richard Simmons be worried?

Oh! My! Sweaty Men!

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Humala evokes the 1979 military constitution in his oath

Off to a radical start.

Humala evokes the 1979 military constitution in his oath. Lima-Ollanta Humala, a leftist roots retired military, on Thursday became the new president of Peru, a country that boasts one of the highest growth rates in the world but still carries a large social deficit.Humala ruled Peru for the next five years after swearing before Congress with Bible in hand and before the eyes of 10 Latin American presidents and the Prince of Spain.During his oath, Humala evoked the 1979 Constitution of a military government, not the current 1993 as amended by former President Alberto Fujimori.This provoked a strong protest Fujimori legislators shouting "Let him go" just minutes after he placed the presidential sash.The new president, which dramatically slowed their nationalist ideas throughout the campaign that led to the presidency, succeeds Alan Garcia, who completed his second term after having ruled Peru between 1985 and 1990.

English Translation of Humala’s Inauguration Speech

In a public declaration signed a few weeks before the second round, Humala promised to respect the constitution and freedom of the press. Both the ministers of defense and the interior will be civilians. He will defend the separation of powers. His main thrust will be policies with sustained growth and inclusion: economic, social, ethnic, geographic and cultural, especially of the most poor. In this thrust he will have the support of Toledo who had made the redistribution of the benefits a key part of his program.

====================

Consider Humala's promise on the inaugural dais to abide by the national constitution—not the current one, but the prior version, drafted in 1979. The reference was a swipe at the 1993 charter written during the tenure of AlbertoFujimori, the divisive dictator who closed congress and ruled with an iron hand.Humala has a point. Though drafted by legislators and approved by a national referendum, the current constitution was heavily influenced by Fujimori. (His opponents boycotted the election of the constituent assembly that wrote the charter). But it also sanctioned economic liberties—privatization and rolling back state interference in the market—that untethered the economy and transformed Peru from a chronically dysfunctional nation into a model for Latin America.The result has been the most spectacular jag of growth in the region. Surfing the commodities boom, Peru's economy has expanded for the last 12 consecutive years, with low inflation and nearly $47 billion in international reserves. With jobs in mining and construction on the rise and better social spending, the number of Peruvians living in poverty has dropped from nearly half to 31percent, in a decade. And another $42 billion in foreign investments are reckoned to be in the works in mining alone.
 

=========================

PNE Opinion:

Humala signed a promise not to change the constitution. So why the deliberate and unnecessary agitation? Unless he plans on breaking that promise. Humala also outlined a socialist redistribution plan that will definitely hurt small businesses, infrastructure projects and lose jobs. Humala's plan would make even Barack Obama blush. Seems Humala is interested in starting a political war and economic upheaval rather than governing through constitutional incremental change. Although, I must admit, the stick in the eye approach to governing would seem appropriate for a man of Humala’s limited abilities.

And the condescending and dismissive treatment, by the TV news creeps (Nicolás Lúcar, etc.), of Congresswoman Martha Chavez came off as astoundingly chauvinistic. I guess Perú media has not moved past adolescence. They still have a lot of pimples!


Looks like we are off to a radical start. Pray for us!

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Alejandro Toledo: "Without us, Humala cannot do anything."

Alejandro Toledo: "Without us, Humala cannot do anything." Toledo visibly angry with Humala’s rejection, blames other’s (not himself) for his miserable failure to attract voters. Toledo defiles the honorable and amicable PPK with the label of “traitor.” Toledo was used and made a fool and now he is throwing a tantrum illustrative of his boorish manner and mentality. It is a shame to see a divide develop between these two “anything to win” egomaniacs, because Toledo and Humala deserve each other.

Nicolás Lúcar picking winners on Punto Final?

Why would a person lacking integrity who makes a pact with another person lacking integrity expect that pact to be fulfilled with integrity? Narcissistically fueled stupidity perhaps? Neither Humala nor Toledo have remained true to their original representations or principle beliefs. Humala, for pure political gain, changed campaign positions more than the deceptive chameleon changes colors. And Toledo (whom Humala said should be overthrown for being anti-democratic), for pure political gain, backed away from every dire warning he espoused about the extreme dangers of a Humala presidency. Liars expecting liars to keep promises is always horrifyingly amusing when it pertains to people who can make life altering decisions for millions.

These two ethically challenged men teamed up to defeat the honest, consistent, coherent and intelligent campaign message of Keiko Fujimori and class-act supporters Luis Castañeda and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. It ended up a case of two conniving, despicable and coreless personalities winning the votes of the gullible and ignorant to defeat quality leadership appealing to the intelligent and informed percentage of Perú’s population. Now we have a president-elect who even the most optimistic observers say, “We must wait and see how he governs.” This rather than a president-elect that would have immediately moved the economy forward with the doubtless confidence and support of the producers of Perú’s recent and fabulous economic advancement and poverty reducing success story. A disappointing situation indeed.

But to somehow act surprised or indignant, at the acrimonious dealings between two scoundrels, as (unproclaimed Humala supporter) Nicolás Lúcar did in his highly prejudiced presentation on the Punto Final broadcast last night (July 24, 2011), is laughing in the face ludicrous. Nicolás Lúcar frame this back-stabling political dust-up as purely Toledo’s ill-mannered and unrealistic expectations of Humala. He did this without the slightest mention that Humala used Toledo (whose campaign plan was completely at odds with his own) on the campaign trail and stage to disingenuously siphon off Toledo’s voters with promises of political inclusion and influence. That's why Toledo is understandably angry about Humala's now dismissive attitude toward Toledo's "Perú Posible" party. I certainly have no problem with choosing sides, but I have a large disdain for ideological partisans presenting themselves as unbiased journalists. Maybe in the end Ollanta Humala will turnout to be okay, but I don’t think playing Russian Roulette with Perú’s future is the optimal choice. 

OPINION BY PNE

Also read related post, "Strange Bedfellows Indeed"

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Time To Support Perú, But ...

 It is time to support Peru, but observers should keep an eye open to authoritarian temptation

We have yet to pass the start-line and it's a long way to the finish.

 ======================

The following are excepts from Carlos E. Ponce’s Article "Is Ollanta Humala the New Autocrat Apprentice?" I think it is a good read for anyone interested in Perú’s future direction. I like Humala’s opening moves, he appears to be distancing himself from his lifelong authoritarian radicalism, but he is not even president yet and it is much too early to “write a blank check.” It is difficult to derive a history of leadership abilities and integrity from a man who is in every sense a wild card.  

====================

He (Humala) comes from the military and he has no government, business, academic or administrative background, so for him the democratic game will be really hard to play. Humala will try for sure to change the constitution in two years to seek for social changes (maybe reelection) and he will be also tempted to reduce the influence of other political parties, including Toledo’s, in his administration. He will have the inclination, as Alberto Fujimori did, to instigate a confrontation with the Parliament to gain control.

Civil society will be a key factor in controlling Humala’s behavior, but it is also time to motivate youth movements to participate in politics and in civil society organizations. Youth will continue to be a countering force in Venezuela and other Alba Countries. Young people are also a critical force in countries on the fence between the two realities, and they will be important to keeping Peru free and democratic and force Humala to keep his promises of a true democratic ruling. Youth movements can become a force for positive change—a voice to hold Humala to his promise that he wants more freedom and democracy, not less.

The Peruvian elected president had a meeting with President Barack Obama and promised to respect free trade, now he will have the challenge to fulfill his words. But his actions distanced himself of such promises when he also visited the long lasting tyranny of the region. When Ollanta Humala made a suppressive trip to Habana to meet Raúl and Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez he is just mapping his way to a new autocracy in the Americas. He is supporting tyranny and autocracy in Cuba and Venezuela. He is just trying to play a game of power, but it is not a good game for an apprentice.

It is time to support Peru, but not with a blank check. Observers should keep an eye open to authoritarian temptation in and leader’s appetites to seek unending presidential terms or to follow the example of Cristina and the late Nestor Kirchner of Argentina. His trip to Cuba is a strong message of the new times for Peru.

When Gambling, "Keep Your Eyes On The Cards."

CLICK HERE FOR REACTIONS FROM INVESTORS AND FINANCIAL ANALYSTS TO HUMALA'S  PICKS.

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Impressing Investors

Julio Velarde to remain as head of Peru's Central Reserve Bank

from living in Peru

Peru’s President-elect Ollanta Humala has stated that the head of the country’s Central Reserve Bank, Julio Velarde, will remain in office. Current President Alan Garcia commented by saying it was a “wise decision” that would give Peru "immediate trust in international markets."

==============

PNE Opinion:

This is a good decision. It points to a more measured approach, rather than the radical rhetoric of Humala’s past campaigning. As for Congressman Javier Diez Canseco’s comment, that this move was only to reassure investors, reassuring investors is just fine with me. As will be any future decisions by Huamla that show deference to the investment and business community. I don’t care what the reason is, what I care about is that Humala’s agenda remains controlled by real world circumstances and ramifications. If at any time that changes it will negatively impact, not only my opinion of Humala’s leadership, but also the opinion of the world investment community. This is a hopeful sign that Humala not only understands that fact, but that he is willing to yield to it. The only path to opportunity and a prosperous future, for all residents of Perú, is through continued foreign investment.

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.

Tripping in Russia

Brother of Peru's president-elect speaks about controversial trip

 

"Ollanta had no knowledge of the trip. Even I only found out about the agenda when I arrived in Europe. I think he only found out when the news broke in the media," the younger Humala said.

He said that he deeply regretted not consulting with Humala's transition team before making the trip. "I acted in an imprudent manner, it's true, but there was nothing under-the-table or unethical," said Alexis.
From Living in Peru

Peru's Humala falls in poll before inauguration

His rating plummeted 29 points to 41 percent just days before his July 28 inauguration, according to the survey, which appeared in El Comercio newspaper. The previous Ipsos Apoyo poll, which came out on June 19, had Humala at 70 percent.
From Reuters

Comments posted here may be copied to the Peru-N-English Discussion Group site.