Correa who never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. So long as he thinks he can stick a finger in the US' eye he's a happy man. That, and when the press doesn't (or now can't) call him out. A truly excellent successor to the mantle of deceased Fearless Leader.

Now which country will allow him transit...

This way they can use it to poke at the USA and justify abrogating the treaty with the USA.
They're going for popular sentiment in China and Latin America.

This is happening because Obama said today "no deals"

That includes Ecuador getting the trade agreement it hoped for, but the USA was not going to renew apparently, even under pressure of taking Snowden.

Upshot: Ecuador is stuck with Snowden and Assange can wave a victory flag

and it goes all the way back to the 19th century.

A history book or two would be good here.

What you are seeing here is the death of the Monroe Doctrine as well...

told me if Snowden is smart he will stay in Russia. In our lifetimes we have never seen tptb this pissed at one person. The country will be better off for it. But the man is not happy.

That is the part Snowden did not fully grasp... just how much his fate would depend on assholes who's only interest is how to gain political and propaganda advantage. I think the Ruskies already got what they wanted, so did the Chinese. When their people complaint about getting spied on, they can no longer go... see the great and free US.

As to your friend... I agree. We can always move assets to Ecuador, and we have assets there as well. Worst come to worst, the US will not be above using a drone. Russia presents nuclear complications. Why I think POTUS cooled the temperature this morning by saying I am not about to scramble fighters, like some here were suggesting.

for whistleblowers and real democratic politicians - stay out of airplanes

If I were an investigator, I would check into "Loudlabs" "freelance news crew" that just happened to be in the path of Hastings car at 4;30 in the morning, to film him going through red light and crash. See if any of their people have connections to Holder and his Chiquita death squad buddies.

since I know a local freelancer that lives from scanner traffic...

I use mine to check for wild fires, he uses his to go from story to story to story. This is knowing how this works. What got my attention though was the dash cam. I do not know too many freelancers who have one of those. For that matter I do not know too many media trucks (none) that have one.

wants their natural resources.

And they're not nice about it, worse than the USA in their regard for the indigenous, environment etc.

Trust me, OSHA rules and EPA rules are NOT applied... it is not worst.

Different boss, same result.

Unless one wants them to dominate the world even more, and pollute it more

the decline of the US as a world power is well underway. What should worry you, is that like many before it, it will try yet another war.

Latin America- I'm fascinated. Have you ever been to the region?

And I hold a Masters Degree in history with an major emphasis in Mexico. For some odd strange reason course work included the rest of the region, including, I know shocking, South America.

Also, as a young paramedic for the Mexican Red Cross, in the other function of the Red Cross, I debriefed victims of both El Salvador Death Squads and the Guatemalan Maya Genocide, both partly (well quite a bit if one s honest, our doing)...any other stupid questions? Oh and part of my coursework included course work on US diplomatic History as well as International law.

There are days DU is just cute.

So let's start with real basics, what has the Monroe Doctrine allowed the US to do in the region? I mean things like the Guatemala Coups are well, too specialized.

contemporary Ecuadorean politics works. If you understood the country you'd understand that Correa's anti-americanism is not due to any great 'defense' against the Monroe Doctrine but rather to the fact that his father was a guest of the U.S. for several years on a drug charge. He (the father) returned to Ecuador a ruined man, for which Correa has never stopped blaming the U.S. In addition, you'd know that Correa, as is true of most of his contemporary Ecuadrean opponents is not so much a genuine ideologue so much as he is an opportunist, playing whatever card he can find to preserve himself in power. (Note the recent law on suppression of the Press ion Ecuador). His only political philosophy is Rafael Correa. He does aspire to take over the mantle of Chavez with the ALBA group, a position which dictates most of his actions right now.

Has been at the background of a lot of shit...including the coup attempt of his government...

You chose to be ignorant, not my fault.

Have a wonderful life.

It's kind of funny how you attack. And then do not understand the kind of undercurrent that American imperialism, starting in the 19th century, have played in regional relations. Dear why have Latin American nations signed a treaty where neither the US or Canada were invited?



Next you will tell me that Mexico does not have a memory of 1847...

Rather than address the points I made (based on having lived and worked in Ecuador for years in addition to maintaining close contact with many Ecuadorean friends, including some politicians) you choose to trot out the sophomoric "Monroe Doctrine" as the alpha and omega to any discussion of contemporary Latin American politics. The question as to why some Latin American countries whose leaders are leftist have signed a treaty where the U.S. and Canada were "not invited" smacks of nothing so much as the litttle boys making a club where "you can't join us". A mutual admiration society, nothing more.

You have your views, I have mine. It not alpha or omega. It just is. Why do you think Latin governments were not happy when Kerry referred to the region as our backyard? What do you think that was about? I am glad you are in the region nd even talk with pols...congrats.

You started this discussion with a huge assumption, that I had not even set a foot in that area of the continent. You perhaps assumed I was born and raised in the US.

So you started by saying that we had no idea, instead of offering your current expertise...I will say this...smooth...sneaky, and underhanded. In fact, even though you might have something of value, your way is ignore worthy.

Good bye

The current forcast shows a drizzle of snowden on Friday afternoon.

Days 0-3 Cayambe Weather Summary: Drizzle at first, then turning colder with dusting of snowden on Fri afternoon. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 2°C on Thu morning, min -3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Cayambe Weather Summary: A light covering of new snowden, mostly falling on Mon night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 1°C on Sun morning, min -2°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Cayambe/6day/mid

... of yesteryear

" Alavarez said Ecuador offered $23 million per year to the United States to finance human rights training. "

Equador is becoming my new favorite place. Bravo, Senor, Alvador!

The condemnation needs to be universal. (Except, of course, for the Partisans, carry on with the character assassinations since you can't [intelligently] defend the actions of your own fascist government.)

Btw, will Wozniak be joining us under the bus?

The underweb.

wikileaks spokesperson about to appear on msnbc ..now noon est