Newsletter –Political Update-

I have tried a couple of times to write a “real estate” newsletter that you all signed up for and the reality of it is that I actually have one partially done but feel that for the most part the political climate is on all our minds.

Some of you have properties listed with me, others are interested in restaurants that may be new, in general news on the island, investment possibilities, hot deals, new listings, planning your retirement home on the golf course………..… all the things that are normally in the text I send you.  At this point in time the political atmosphere pretty much trumps all that would be on most of our minds in that if we do not have a safe place, one that you want to come to, none of the rest really matters.  The economy may have it’s ups and downs but this country being one associated with Cuba or Venezuela politically as allies pretty much kills the market for many freedom loving people and needs to be addressed.

It has been an emotional roller coaster.  This past week the negotiations going on in Costa Rico broke down, and the exiled ex-President of Honduras, Mel Zelaya, decided he was coming back to Honduras to take his seat back as President.  He had the support of the left wing countries in Central and South America. To make things worse, the U.S. and the rest of the world were all but demanding  his reinstatement. The OAS, (Organization of American States), was enforcing a trade embargo and Hilary Clinton threatened to have the U.S. join that embargo, which would have pretty much starved out the country, the U.S. being Honduras’ top trade partner. Things were not looking good.

Yesterday afternoon Mel Zelaya walked across the Nicaraguan border into the Honduras and was met by Police and Military. The sitting Honduran Government had publicly stated that if he came back he would be arrested. (Since he had been exiled they had found a ton of evidence of drug dealing, graft, corruption, not counting the attempt to take over the Democracy).  Although only a minority of the populous was in favor of him returning, the fear was that if he did come back things could get bad.  I am not privy to what was said but do know he turned around and went back to Nicaragua. You could all but hear a National sigh of relief.

Today Sen. Connie Mack (R-Fl), will visit the new Honduran Administration visiting with various Honduran leaders in the new Administration and others,  including a group of North Americans from the island, and he will be here to show his support of the rightful and Constitutional Honduran Government. The people who kicked Zelaya out.

http://mack.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=4fbe3181-211f-42be-8b33-97d77d018cb0

Is it over? I really am not sure but sure is looking good at this point.

Because I do not have the ability to send a photo on these newsletter mails I have decided to upload this email to our site so I can also show you a particular photo.  Really impressive.   While Mel Zelaya was walking back and forth across the border the people in Honduras were out in force in a march for peace and Democracy.  I wish to do this so that you can see for yourself.  The U.S. news media is focused on violence and disruptive behavior of the far left supporting Zelaya and Communism.  The photos of a few hundred people burning some tires makes CNN and doubt that this photos will. How about a hundred thousand+  in peace marches for democracy?  Not the violence people crave but sure looks good.  

Check it out here - <roatan-realestate.com/newsletter.php?id=74

Maybe a lesson for all of us. This country, Honduras, usually has about a 90% turnout for elections. The U.S. I believe is in the +40% range. They value their freedoms. They participate. To them if they did not, they right now would be headed towards Communism.  All this turmoil created by one guy supported by Chavez, by one guy who everyone thought was not only middle of the road but would make things better.  Taking the time to stay involved, reading more than your favorite newspaper or news broadcast, making your freedom a priority is what it takes to keep it.  It is not something people can leave for others to do. It must be you. Know what is going around around you. Hold your politicians feet to the fire. MAKE the TIME to participate and most importantly VOTE!  

In my last mail I said I was really proud of my adopted country.  Well, that is really an understatement at this juncture.  Thanks for all your support, letters to the media and Government officials.  Thank you especially to all the Honduran people that stood up to the U.S. and the rest of the world and said yes to Democracy, making Honduras the shining light of Democracy to all who live south of the border.

The real estate newsletter?  Next week with any last minute updates.

Best regards to all,

Larry

Well it has been quite a month. In May I had written that I would not have June Newsletter due to some vacation time but the political trauma in Honduras had me send out a couple of notices. I felt since I had quite a response since the last time, considerable interest, that I would do a bit of a follow up today.  A bit of the below is repeated in that I get a fair amount of new subscribers and wish them up to date.

Mel Zelaya, the removed President of Honduras, ran for President and was elected on a very “Centrist” platform almost four years ago now.  All but immediately after the election moved to the left very sharply. He made both agreements and friends with North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.  In that much of what he was agreeing to was very superficial and did little in regard to substance all that really happened was he got the attention of many of the Honduran residents and citizens.  When he started talking about a second term with him as President most took it as considerable hot air.  Things deteriorated all but overnight it seemed, but then again we often do not pay attention to our governments, “trusting” they will do what is best for us.  This actually seldom, the case maybe lesson to all in every country. Track records and experience very much counts.

The U.S news media and U.S.  Administration called for the new Honduran Government to reinstate the previous President they had just exiled.  I believe they did such in grave error, just hours after the event, not knowing that the Honduran Legislative and Judicial branches, according to their Constitution had ordered the removal of  President Zelaya and was following their Constitution to the letter, the oldest Democracy in Central America. In Honduras they consider it TREASON to go around their Constitution.  What they have written in is arrest, exile and loss of citizenship.  Again, according to their Constitution the next in line for the Presidency took his spot immediately. They followed the Constitution exactly. 

To me this is a very historic moment in history. I have been on Roatan for over 10 years now and in all honesty have never been more proud of my adopted country.  You have a guy that pretended to be “centrist” during the election, that then tried to do everything he could, as fast as he could to follow his “comrade” Chavez from Venezuela down the road of Communism. Chavez even printed, filled out and shipped the ballots for the election that Zelaya was going to illegally have!  Both the Honduran government, and more importantly the people of Honduras said “no way”.   The people en mass took to the streets, hundreds of thousands, dressed in white in support of what their government did. They said yes to Democracy and NO to Socialism. NO to the Government taking over their lives. NO to the thought of systems and programs that have proven in many other countries to over the years to have failed.
Here is a video that is not being shown in the states you may wish to catch-
			http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da9etL5uqy8

No matter what happens with the negotiated “settlement” upcoming in Costa Rico, the important thing is that democracy has won out.  A great little country that few ever pay attention to, peaceful, hard working, had the largest victory for the people in its history.
Those who are foreigners that own property should feel very good and very secure. Those who are considering it have just been reassured that they will have their future investment secure.   Big deal for all of us!  The words that “People should not fear their government, their governments should fear their people” have never been clearer.

The link below is a video showing a CNN report stating that it looks like the U.S. Administration got it wrong.  
		http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/fareed.zakaria.gps

Where it goes from here?  I am not sure but time cures all. Right now and in the near future things will be tough.   On the island hotels, restaurants, bars are all desolate. The U.S. Administration is sticking to it’s guns acting like the Honduran people should break the law in their own constitution because the U.S said so. The U.S. Administration has cut off aid they had committed to and even with some other countries coming into the fold of supporting the country of Honduras, the trade restrictions placed by the Communist countries and the United States will and already are having dire affects. The U.S., though not like any other political infrastructure no matter what political party, will refuse to admit that they were wrong while millions will suffer.  If you can, will or wish to,  continual letters, emails, etc to the President, Sec. Clinton, Senators, Representatives, Radio, TV talk show hosts, (either side left/Right - this is not political issue that should garner 
that type of situation I would not think), would be appreciated.

>From my perspective all things happen for a reason. My opinion is that Honduras as a country will “SHINE” as a beacon of light of Democracy standing up to the world that even when the most powerful country in the world tells them they should give up Democracy in their country, they refused.  These actions will lead the way to even more investment, development and riches for this poor little country and their efforts in time will pay dividends.

The island is safe and as beautiful as ever. If you had a trip planned and are worried about it you should not be. If you did not have a trip planned maybe you should, to help out the people of the island who will need the tourism and visitor dollars more than ever.   If  you are a “contrarian” investor now is the time. Bargains abound.  

Here is the link for the entire island MLS Service to cruise if you wish to do some “shopping”.  If you are serious about doing something sooner versus later write me in that there are some non-advertised bargains out there.  
                                                         http://link.flexmls.com/oq9ggfooh53,2

I will send a regular version newsletter out next week late. I just thought I should get this one out sooner versus later thinking many would be anxious for an update.

Thanks for reading and your continued support.

--- Larry



Larry

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OH NO GOOD NEWS ! Strong Comeback Market ! http://tinyurl.com/MiamiComeback ...you don't see a recovery until you see its rear end !