Hugo Chavez

Many of the news reports about the Honduran military's decision to remove President Manuel Zelaya have failed to explain clearly the context and timing of the removal. Zelaya was an elected president. But he was removed because of his abuse of democracy -- specifically Honduran direct democracy.

Zelaya called an unconstitutional referendum to lift the rule limited presidents to one, four-year term. The constitution of Honduras permits a national referendum, but only if it is approved by Congress. Zelaya pursued his plebiscite despite the opposition of Congress and a clear decision from the Honduran supreme court. The military, in removing Zelaya, was acting on the lawful orders of that court. This was not a coup -- it was a defense of the constitution -- and specifically its provisions on direct democracy. 

California's meltdown has been so all-consuming that it's been awhile since this blog checked in on direct democratic goings-on overseas. So here goes.

IRISH VIEWS SHIFT ON LISBON: The Irish voted down the Lisbon Treaty -- the de facto new constitution for the European Union last year. Now a new poll -- in advance of a likely fall vote on the treaty -- shows growing support in Ireland for the treaty. What's changed? The country's once-strong economy has collapsed.

TAIWANESE REFERENDUM ON CHINA TRADE PACT: The pro-independence opposition in Taiwan announced it would collect signatures for a referendum on a new trade pact signed by the government with China.

NIGER PLEBISCITE: The leader of that African country, a producer of uranium, has dismissed the Parliament and is organizing a referendum on whether to change the constitution to permit him to serve a third term. 

In the most closely watched referendum in the world this month, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez won a plebiscite he sponsored to eliminate term limits, with 54 percent of the vote. This means he can run again for the presidency in 2012 -- and perhaps hold the office for the rest of his life. The opposition said it would not contest the results.

Venezuealan president Hugo Chavez has employed direct democracy of a fashion, backing a series of plebiscites to enhance his own power. (His defenders point out that he has allowed himself to lose one of these plebiscites--so there). The latest referendum, scheduled for next month, would lift term limits and allow him to run for re-election. But it's not going well. Chavez, without evidence, is accusing President-Elect Obama of interfering in the vote. The Venezuelan president also wants tear gas used on his opponents, according to this Reuters story.

Bolivian president Evo Morales is in big trouble. His government has lost a series of provincial referenda, and now he faces a recall vote next month. So his political allies -- fellow leftists Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Luiz inacio "Lula" da Silva of Brazil  -- are offering his country more than $500 million for infrastructure to boost his popularity.

William Pepper, a conspiracy theorist and noted lawyer to assassins (James Earl Ray, Sirhan Sirhan), has a shameful new cause: the 9/11 Ballot Initiative Campaign. He and other supporters are seeking to gather signatures to put a measure on the New York City ballot that would establish an independent commission to investigate the 9/11 attacks. In New York City, direct democracy is indirect, so 30,000 signatures triggers only a review by the city council, which can vote the initiative up or down. If they don't approve it, another 15,000 signatures can put the measure on the ballot.

Pepper's theories tend to run along the lines that the FBI or CIA or shadowy government-corporate forces are behind everything, and I'm loathe to give such people attention. But this is direct democracy news, I'm afraid. Pepper has made a career on this kind of nonsense, and he serves mainly to spread rumor and false claims, cause new pain for the families of victims of these crimes, and give ammunition that demagogues have used to great effect. And Pepper has associated with many of the world's worst demagogues; he's the sort of guy who invites Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to speak at a conference on human rights. It's time for New York's reporters to unmask this initiative.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE: A press group says Hugo Chavez is ignoring the defeat of his referendum and imposing new restrictions on the media.

DISPLACED UGANDANS: Displaced persons in Uganda want a voter referendum on a land issue because they don't trust the government to decide the question.

PUTIN CRACKS DOWN ON REFERENDUM RIGHT: The Russian Duma has passed legislation that would reduce the number of issues that can be put to a vote of the people in national referenda.

IRELAND SETS JUNE 12 FOR EU REFERENDUM VOTE: Ireland, the only EU country allowing its citizens to vote on the Lisbon Treaty, sets a date for the election.