Hello Friends! indiegogo/projects/honduras-human-rights-and-election-monitoring-delegation I want to write to you all about something really important happening in Honduras right now, and ask you to consider giving a small donation to help the country. On November 24 Honduras will hold a general election which could be the first fair election since the military coup in 2009. There has been an election since the coup, but it was boycotted by over 60% of the population and a great deal of underhanded tactics were used by the unelected party in power. This November brings second chance but there is serious risk of cheating again. One of my friends from years ago, Jane Keir, has volunteered to go to Honduras to help make this election a democratic one. In my direct experience, and according to lots of documented history, it helps to have people watching and witnessing international events like this unfold because: - When international witnesses are watching and recording what occurs it really helps to get the truth out if anything fishy happens. After the elections in Honduras, other countries will have to decide if they recognize the results, and if any cheating is well documented then those who abused their power of office will have a much harder time getting away with it. - The fact that the world is watching directly deters cheating because people know about the above point. It is often harder and more dangerous for local citizens to spread the news than it is for an international witness because the international has political protection from their home government, as well as contacts to send news to. Also, they often bring specialized skills and knowledge about political systems. A great film that shows attempts at deception and the value of documenting truth in an election situation is The Revolution Will Not Be Televised about a coup attempt in Venezuela youtube/watch?v=Id--ZFtjR5c. Jane is really great for this job because she speaks fluent Honduran Spanish. Shes a US citizen, she studied international development, and she knows people personally in Honduras. Also, I know her and can tell you she has tremendous courage and a deep affection for Honduras. You cant ask for a better witness than that. In order to make this happen, she needs at least $2000. Shes already raised over half that with the campaign, which is awesome. Jane has (courageously, I might add) chosen a career which is ecologically and socially responsible but makes it very difficult to come up with this much money. The way I see it, she is already making the largest contribution of all by dedicating her skills, time and taking the risk to go to Honduras. I think thats a very generous thing to do and thats why Im dedicated to helping her raise the very modest amount of money she needs. So, if you can spare some money and care about achieving a democratic world, please consider helping to see that the election in Honduras this November is a fair one. Check out Janes campaign on Indiegogo and send her some money, indiegogo/projects/honduras-human-rights-and-election-monitoring-delegation Im psyched also to follow her updates about where she will be going and what she will be doing. All the best, James P.S. For more details about the situation in Honduras: counterpunch.org/2013/09/13/honduras-on-the-brink-of-change/
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 01:25:49 +0000