Oh Shut Up Already!

I made the classic mistake of posting something on NicaLiving.com. It's usually a nice place to visit, get information, learn funny Nica phrases, stuff like that. I guess I was feeling a little full of myself so I posted a Forum topic asking for information about the "riots" at the U.S. Embassy. We received a Warden Notice (seriously, that's what they're called!) alerting recipients that some bad shit was going down in Managua. Living here is Paradise, free from newspapers and local news, we're usually blissfully unaware of what's going on in Managua. Who cares, anyway? People just go there for the airport, rent a car, and leave as soon as they can. Why stay there when there's so many other nicer places to go?! Anyway, here is what I posted and the 8 responses so far. The problem with all this is that, at the end, I was a little scared to say what I really thought. After all, my sign-in is Redwood Beach, which isn't too hard to find....the fear factor kicked in and I just shut up. So, for the record, here is what I WOULD have written if I had some anonymity, more moxy, big cahones, or actually thought that it would have made a difference:
So, I wrote:
U.S. Embassy Protests/Riots
Submitted by Redwood Beach on Thu, 2009/10/29 - 15:11.
Has anyone read the Warden News from the U.S. Embassy about protestors and riotors at the Embassy in Managua? Does anyone know what they are protesting?

Then I wrote:
Wow! The U.S. Embassy responds to one of my emails! Yowza!
Submitted by Redwood Beach on Thu, 2009/10/29 - 15:34.
I finally got the U.S. Embassy to respond to one of my emails, by stating that their ridiculously UN-informative Warden Messages should actually be, well, informative. Some nice person gave me the following links: This one is to the speech given by Callahan: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov/sp_091028_amcham.html And this one is from today's paper which pretty much makes it clear that Ortega hired a bunch of goons, got them drunk, and bussed them to the Embassy: http://www.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2009/octubre/29/noticias/ultimahora/3... We live far, far away from all of this. What's going on with our Nicaliving friends closer to the fire? Stacy
** Ok, so I was a little strong there, but the Orteguistas (Ortegas goons) use this method all the time - hiring masked thugs to spread fear, usually plying them with alcohol, and bussing them into an area. It's a common thing for the Sandinistas - they like to use it during elections. I don't think anyone would disagree with that....but then again, I did think that such a thing existed called "A protective layer of dirt."

Then, this rocket scientist posted:
It seems that things are going from bad to worse in Nicaragua this corrupt dictatorial government is destroying the economy and and creating more misery. I would advise anyone considering to move here to think twice....things will get a lot worse.
** OK, so I don't totally disagree, but I WOULD HAVE WRITTEN: Shut up and get out, you big complaining chicken little. I am implementing Stacy's Dictatorial Rule on Planet Stacy. You're out.

And then it gets interesting....
Because the interference of Callahan in the internal affairs of Nicaragua, Callahan gave declarations about the CSJ decision to pave the road to Ortega reelection.

This is the way work the left, in Honduras they want the marines come to overthrow the fact government, and ask for more actions and measures and everything...here they only want the dollars.
** Are you serious? Do you even know what you're talking about? If you think you're smart, your just another pseudo-politico. You're out too. Get out. Planet Stacy is kicking you out.

So, utilizing my infinite and omnipotent powers, I wrote...
I'n not sure I understand your response. It appears that Callahan spoke about an alteration to the Democratic governmental process. Protesting is one thing, and a right given to all citizens of a free country. I don't think trying to damage another government's embassy is included in that right. I'd like to hear your comments, though, so that I may learn more.
** Sucking up big time here. "so that I may learn more"....What a suck! If I had a tail, it would be firmly between my legs at that moment. Not the sign of the powerful, omnipotent Dictator of Planet Stacy.

Another rocket scientist chimes in - who KNEW there were so many here!
Like i said in other comment here, interference is used commonly by the diplomatic representatives around the world, in different levels.

Recently Obama gave a declarations where he call a hypocrisy, the request from some governments calling for a stronger intervention in Honduras, when all the time they criticized the same issue.

This provocation of Ortega, displaying a thugs to attack the embassy, is not more than a usual tactics of this kind of caudillos, he only is given a his thugs a chance to flex their muscle against the biggest enemy they have , is a injection of adrenaline to lift it off the mood of the masses "showing courage to the world".

They are right now in a deep crisis with all the opposition united against them, so what can be used better like a distraction, that a crisis with US ??
** Ok, so maybe he really is a rocket scientist. I have to re-read it 50 times to follow it. Maybe use my finger to follow along. Cliff notes, anyone? I think I might like him, though, he can stay. Not kicked out. Yet. I will put him on my double secret probation list.

Now, it gets a little sexy:
Interference!
Please don't give me the "First amendment" reply because it just does not cut it in this case. Callahan is not a private citizen but the official representative of the USA. He speaks for the government of that nation and is in fact the voice of the president of the United States of America in Nicaragua.

He made these (In my opinion) completely inappropriate remarks in a public forum. He chose the make them in front of reporters and not to a group of friends seated around a poker table. When will the US government representatives ever learn to curb their tongue and keep their opinions and hands out of another other nations business?

We can all guess what the answer to that question is likely to be: "NEVER".

Having said that, I also wish to point out that as far as i am concerned, the actions taken by the demonstrators matched the remarks of Callahan in unacceptability.

I am sure that some readers will feel they need to tell me how wrong my perspective of this incident is, and what a wonderful and patriotic servant of the US citizenry Mr. Callahan is.

This is not a question of being pro or anti Ortega. Pro or anti USA. This is just another case of a pompous diplomat sticking his nose where it does not belong. My reaction would be the same had the Swedish ambassador made these remarks.
** Ummmm, an ambassador from a Democracy speaks out against a secret Supreme Court decision to allow Ortego to seek a 3rd term..."pompous dictator..." Yes, you're definately out, if for no other reason that you are a total, blood-sucking night stalker who probably molests children.
OK, so that went a little far, but it's probably true.
OUT. Planet Stacy is better off with one less LUNATIC. The air feels cleaner already!

I write:
Thanks for your response. I understand your position a little better now.
** I think I just vomited in my mouth. Can you just FEEL the horror? The realization that people are actually reading this AND supporting the attack on a U.S. Embassy? There - I said it. I think that throwing rocks and molotov cocktails, spraypainting anti-U.S. sentiments on walls (while wearing masks and drinking "firewater") is a terror attack on U.S. soil. Cheese, being a powerful, omnipotent Dictator of Planet Stacy is a lot more work that I thought it would be. Fear not, I will struggle on...

Then...
If you look a all the speech and interventions of the ambassador of many countries in US, you will find that is a systematic custom gave declarations that fall in interference issue.

In Nicaragua we have a Venezuelan ambassador that is more like a proconsul and his rhetoric against the civil society is completely out of the diplomatics ways.

But we can go further and make comparisons between the speeches of Ortega, Chavez, and all ALBA team, with the US authorities , you will find a huge difference , between a academic diplomacy and a annoying speech.

And not is only with the US, in the last aftermath with the EU ambassadors, they received the same treatment...one ambassador was called Fly, other devil..

To me is not more that the normal way of a thug, he can say whatever he want, but you must Shut your mouth .

And we must be realistic the US is like a punching bag, every body is allowed to throw some punches.
** This guy stays, But only because he used the words Fly and Devil in one sentence. I like that in a subject.

So, there it is, my foray into Nicaraguan politics, cut tragically short by my incredible lameness - lest you forget the "so that I may learn more" faux pas.

I hereby declare Planet Stacy a closed society. Only Nan, my parents, Todd (because he came to visit twice), sometimes my other siblings, and the Fat Guy Who Delivers Beans is allowed in. Mike's out, because he told me, "Oh Shut Up Already." Outski.

Thing I have learned (and re-learned) in Nicaragua.
By Stacy J. Sabo
Beginning October 20, 2006
Revised October 7, 2009


Even half-starved, beaten, one-eyed dogs can be lovable.
I don’t know how to fish with a hook and a piece of string.
Eating lobster and fresh fruit every day makes me skinnier.
Cleaning fish is hard work, but it pays off.
I am spoiled.
I take food and fidelity for granted.
Never work from one to three in the afternoon.
Nothing goes on the ground.
Hormigas bite.
If you pull a coconut tree’s palm down and to the right, it comes right off, even if it is really big.
If you touch Nicaraguan children on the head, they melt in your hand.
Sunsets are special and make me cry sometimes.
All dogs hate baths.
I can make stuff out of stuff around.
Pictures drawn in the sand make things clearer.
If a child can make it to 5 years old, they’ll probably make it to old age.
Three years of school is really enough.
I can be alone for long periods of time and still have fun.
Anything picked from a tree is good if there are half-eaten ones on the ground.
Hobbes was wrong. People are generally good-hearted.
Hammocks can induce temporary comas.
Country slang for a gecko is “perro sans popo”, or dog without a butt.
If someone’s family is bad/mean/vindictive, chances are they are too.
A good machete can do just about anything.
There are albino Nicaraguans.
For at least one person in Managua, a pick-up bed full of recently slaughtered, headless pigs makes for a comfy bed.
Hobbes was right. People are generally self-centered, self-serving, and dangerous if there aren’t any rules.
Change is easy. It’s changing that is difficult.
Managing a staff is hard work. It takes more time than I would have ever imagined.
ALWAYS look at your food and in your glass before eating or drinking.
Buddha does not live in Mechapa.
A pig will lose control of his legs and fall down if you rub his stomach.
If you live on the beach you probably will not swim in the ocean 1/10th as much as you think you would.
Cows only have teeth on top.
I can learn how to fish with a hook and a piece of string.
I have a lot of regrets.
Chickens have feelings.
People with “dietary restrictions” piss me off.
I can go 3 weeks and 5 days without ever stepping foot in a car.
Just looking out into the Pacific Ocean is considered “doing something.”
Never buy a nocturnal animal.