Friday, August 04, 2006
"Pouring gasoline all over himself, President Vicente Fox warned Lopez Obrador not to play with fire. "
It's like a Far Side cartoon. Here the President of Mexico stands accused of massive election law violations including very likely actual fraud, he's using his considerable influence to shut down any investigation or prosecution of his own misdeeds, and he's accusing the guy who's asking the votes be counted of "playing with fire."
Cooking the books: a Sylvan Learning Systems (now Laureate International) university is being used for Astroturf e-mails opposing Lopez Obrador. US propaganda operations overseas and even at home are becoming so commonplace that one has to wonder whether the students aren't being asked to pay their tuition partly in spam.
The Mexican stock market (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores) has been peacefully blockaded. Although trading goes on as usual, thanks to a system developed to cope with disasters, the Bolsa is a primary symbol of foreign influence. Lopez Obrador says the protestors "went to invest in democracy"
In Oaxaca, 20 governmental vehicles have beenseized in ongoing protests. The Corporación Oaxaqueña de Radio y Televisión (Cortv) has been taken over, as have governmental offices, including that of the main Office of Public Security. They are trying to force the resignation of PRI-ist governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz Radio stations have also been seized. There are numerous specific grievances, if anyone were interested in listening. These include corruption, failing to protect the citizenry from the drug trade, failure to complete projects, and so on.
The US press finally notices it, probably only because it has interrupted American vacations. For whatever reason, President Vicente Fox has declined to intervene. My guess is that he figures he benefits from confusion between the sometimes violent protests of Oaxaca and the peaceful protests of Mexico City.
More blogs about politics.
