Free Republic

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The government billboards and graffiti in this sultry city tell a visitor a lot about the ideological battle racking Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega Saavedra beams from the billboards, promising “Citizens Power” as a solution to Nicaragua’s endemic poverty. “The world’s poor arise!” the signs say. But beneath the billboards, on walls and benches all over town, others have scrawled “No to CPC. No to dictatorship.” The graffiti alludes to Citizens Power Councils — or C.P.C.’s. In December, Mr. Ortega established the neighborhood committees, which are controlled by his left-wing Sandinista party and administer antipoverty programs, despite a...

MONKEY POINT, Nicaragua — The second military helicopter in as many days hovered over the jungle and then landed to a most unwelcome reception from several dozen angry Rama Indian and Creole villagers. Rupert Allen Clear Duncan, a leader of some 400 Creole who live along the shoreline, confronted the foreigners dressed in suits and military uniforms that day in March and demanded to know the purpose of their aerial trespasses. "This is our land; we have always lived here, and you don't have our permission to be here," Duncan spat, when refused the courtesy of an explanation. Not until...

ITHACA NY--The first soldier jailed for not returning to fight in Iraq discussed his struggle to participate in a war he did not believe in yesterday. Camilo Mejia spoke out against serving in a war he calls "a corporate war for oil." Mejia said it is extremely difficult for soldiers to say they disagree with war on moral grounds, as this is perceived as unpatriotic. "No one wants to make the unpopular decision and say 'This is not a good war'," he said. "Out of fear of challenging U.S. leadership, people just go along." A soldier's sense of right and...

With much of the focus of the Administration geared towards solving the world’s Iranian, Syrian and North Korean problems, we have a deepening problem in our own backyard. As Robert Novak points out, Chavez is using his power to install new friendly regimes in neighboring countries. The installation of Gen. Omar Halleslevens, a hard-line Sandinista, as chief of the Nicaraguan army, shows how strongly the Sandinistas are in control of the country. It also appears that the Sandinistas are using strong-armed parliamentary tactics to return former president Daniel Ortega to power. According to Novak, Ortega is collaborating with the disgraced...

Some familiar echoes from 20 years ago: Giving aid and comfort during Vietnam was bad enough. But it was more of the same in the 1980's, when he and Vietnam pal  Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) met with the enemy in Nicaragua. When some in Congress criticized this trip as violating the Constitution, Kerry's refrain: he was "...a veteran of Vietnam who fought and was wounded in that conflict."  Secretary of State George Shultz called a spade a spade, " The litany of apology for communists, and condemnation for America and our friends, is beginning again." Even his liberal detractors within the Democratic Party, had long accused him of "all style,...

This is from an article linked from today's entry on The Precise Truth. (http://precisetruth.blogspot.com/.) The linked article is actually entited, "One Weekend in April, A Long Time Ago . . . What John Kerry thought about the Sandinistas in Nicaragua." It's well worth the read as is the original article from which it's linked. It shows good insight into Kerry's view of Foreign policy and international relations. "...Kerry's instinct in 1985 was appeasement of Ortega, and there is no reason to believe that his fundamental views, quite visibly revealed in his mission to Managua, have in any way evolved to...

Never forget Kerry's love affair for Stalinists and perverts. Pass this around to all! Kerry with Sandanista killer Daniel Ortega, circa late 1970s.

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN!--THE KERRY COMMITTEE? By Humbetro Fontova Say what you want about Senator John Kerry, nobody ever called him lazy. He landed in Congress and immedeatly rolled up his sleeves and spat on his hands. The Nicaraguan people MUST end up like the Cuban and Vietnamese! Toward this end the man was tireless. The vision inspired him to such a staggering work load, energized him to such a frantic pace, propelled him to such legislative feats, that his colleagues--even the pinkest-- gaped in envy and awe. Back then Nicaragua was the true believers' latest City On a Hill, Daniel...

The Holy See Is Informed about the RequestMANAGUA, JULY 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See has been informed of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega's request for forgiveness for the "errors" committed by his government (1979-1990) with the Catholic Church, a religious source stated yesterday. During the commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the triumph of the "Sandinista Popular Revolution," Ortega said that in a meeting with Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando last Saturday, prior to the celebration, he requested forgiveness for the errors of his government. Ortega admitted that in the 80s there was acute tension with and antagonism toward the Catholic...