The Wisdom of Graciousness

By Marco Cáceres
It is possible that I've written more editorials critical of Manuel Zelaya than perhaps anyone in the world. If you don't believe me, just click on "Editorial" on the left hand column of this website and keep going back. While I have done my utmost to remain civil and respectful toward Mr. Zelaya, I've made no effort to hide my dislike of the man and my disdain for his manner of governing, treating people, and creating chaos and division within Honduran society. I think Mr. Zelaya has done more harm to Honduras than any human being in history. But while my emotions tell me that this individual should be punished and sent to prison for a very long time, my mind says that pragmatism and compassion must win out in this case.

Mr. Zelaya may have cost me a relationship with a cousin to whom I cannot talk without the conversation quickly deteriorating. The mere mention of Manuel Zelaya makes us both itchy to argue. Mr. Zelaya has made dialogue with my hippest uncle and one of my hippest aunts (... you know, the kind who you could always talk to without fear of being judged or lectured to when you were a kid) potentially awkward. The same is true for exchanges with a good friend of mine in Tegucigalpa with whom I see eye to eye on nearly everything.

I have few reasons to be generous toward Mr. Zelaya, but yet I am extremely pleased that President-elect Porfirio Lobo has found the wisdom and political spine to be both generous and gracious toward this beleaguered man... for the sake of Honduras. Mr. Lobo recognizes that the country desperately needs a break from Mr. Zelaya. The circus at the Brazilian embassy has been ongoing since September 21 and the overall "Mel-o-drama" since June 28. But the saga of Mel Zelaya has been going on for much longer, and it is time to move on to another episode.

Mr. Lobo will give Mr. Zelaya his letter of safe passage to travel to the Dominican Republic under the status of "Distinguished Guest". Small price to pay to give Honduras a breather. Okay, Mr. Zelaya may end up getting off for his alleged crimes. Not happy about that, but still a small price to be allowed to get on with the job of governing the nation. Gerald Ford got it right when he pardoned Richard Nixon, and Barack Obama got it right when he decided not to play along with calls from Democrats to investigate George W. Bush. No one should ever be above the law. However, sometimes you've gotta accept the lesser of two evils.

Mr. Lobo has said that he would accompany Mr. Zelaya and Dominican President Leonel Fernández to Toncontin airport and give them a nice send-off after he is inaugurated as Honduras' new president. I consider that a stroke of genious. It shows to Honduras and to the world that Mr. Lobo has no fear and is in control of the situation. It also sends a message to the international community that Honduras is moving on and that it is time for everyone else to finally get over it as well.

Congratulations Mr. Lobo. You've begun your presidency well, setting an example for Hondurans to emulate. It's not always about being right, and there is always more than one way to win. (1/27/10) (photo of Porfirio Lobo courtesy Internet)