Some on Right Think Nicaragua's Incursions Into Costa Rica Call for U.S. Attack

[Judi Lynn]

Some on Right Think Nicaragua's Incursions Into Costa Rica Call for U.S. Attack
By Michael Busch, November 20, 2010

Known more for its Page Six gossip columns than anything approximating serious political reporting and analysis, the New York Post apparently feels no need to exercise responsibility in publishing op-eds calling for even more US military intervention overseas to protect democracy. No, the paper is not suggesting that we expand our presence in Pakistan, nor does it argue for increased attacks against targets in Yemen in the name of fighting terror. It isn’t even suggesting, following the lead of today’s Washington Post, that we threaten to bomb Iran.

The Post’s Benny Avni called for possible military action against Nicaragua on Thursday, following its recent incursions onto neighboring Costa Rica’s soil earlier in the week, thanks to an error by Google Maps of all things. Instead of questioning what business a sovereign nation-state has in relying on Google for keeping track of its own territory, Avni takes Nicaragua’s actions as another sign of Barack Obama’s failed presidency. “Will the Obama administration ever start standing up to the Latin axis of caudillos?” an outraged Avni asked. “Nicaragua invaded Costa Rica last month”!

One might question how an “axis of caudillos” could be anything but Latin, or wish that the paper’s editors had spared readers such an aesthetically unpleasing contrivance. But never mind: these are petty grievances when compared with the larger problems of Avni’s approach.

The editorial adopts the conceit that Barack Obama is failing to defend democracy in what Avni perceives to be Washington’s back yard.

More:
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[FinGovi]

1. It pains me that the terms "democracy" and "freedom"

are so frequently used by the right to mask anti-democratic and freedom-destroying actions.

I have recently returned from Costa Rica. It is a stunningly beautiful land, it's people seemed very friendly and satisfied with their lives.
The tensions with Nicaragua are seen as historical and "inevitable". The incidents lately involving occupation of Isla Calero by Nicaragua, despite generating a terse response from Pres. Chinchilla who took the case to the Org. of American States.
A ruling by the International Court in The Hague ostensibly resolved the border issue that has just now again flared up.
The court ruled that the San Juan River lies in Nicaragua, the southern shore demarcates the int'l. boundary between the 2 countries.
I am non-partisan, but it seems clear that if Isla Calero is in the river and the southern shore is where Costa Rica begins, then Nicaragua is not invading anything.