The news out of Honduras is very, very bad. The Honduran coup government has declared a state of emergency, which allows it (under the constitution) to suspend most civil rights. Police can arrest with no warrant, and there is no freedom of movement of of the press. They followed it up with a raid on the two most important opposition media: Canal 36 (TV) and Radio Globo. Essentially all of Radio Globo's equipment has been confiscated. Also, the owner (manager?) of Radio Progreso, the only other significant opposition media, has received death threats.
So, how does the US respond? "U.S. blasts ousted Honduran for 'foolish' return", says Reuters. If you actually read the article, you will see that the US envoy to the OAS was just trying to be evenhanded and criticize both sides - but that's not how the headlines are coming out (Reuters and AFP, the only sources on Google News to cover it so far, have both highlighted the anti-Zelaya comment in their headlines).
This. Is. Bullshit.
As my previous diary stated, this is not about Zelaya, this is about the legitimacy of a coup as a means of settling political differences. The bumper sticker/twitter version is: "#Honduras, the country where a nonbinding referendum is so illegal it takes a coup to save the constitution". The latest actions simply strip the last vestiges of legitimacy from an increasingly desperate and unhinged regime.
There's really no middle ground. When the US envoy tries to cleverly split the difference, it's no surprise that the press only hears one side.
I have to go right now. But please post suggested actions to pressure the US to make a clear statement that raiding the media is not OK. Should we write to Clinton? To our reps? To the ambassador?