Honduras Coup

Maybe a coup, maybe more like a summary impeachment. The WSJs O'Grady writes:

Yesterday the Central American country was being pressured to restore the authoritarian Mr. Zelaya by the likes of Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega, Hillary Clinton and, of course, Hugo [Chavez] himself. The Organization of American States, having ignored Mr. Zelaya's abuses, also wants him back in power. It will be a miracle if Honduran patriots can hold their ground.

That Mr. Zelaya acted as if he were above the law, there is no doubt. While Honduran law allows for a constitutional rewrite, the power to open that door does not lie with the president. A constituent assembly can only be called through a national referendum approved by its Congress.

But Mr. Zelaya declared the vote on his own and had Mr. Chávez ship him the necessary ballots from Venezuela.

Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, Fidel Castro, and Hillary Clinton. Now there is a set of names you would only normally want to see together as the guest of honor list for a mass hanging.

It's good to make clear that when it comes down to a choice between constitutional democracies and tinpot dictators, which side the Obama administration comes down on.

Update: Obama says the coup was illegal. The Honduran Supreme court, however, does not concur:

The Honduran Congress named an interim president, Roberto Micheletti, and the country's Supreme Court said it had ordered the army to remove Zelaya.

Interesting position he's taking on the topic of a president illegally attempting to extend his otherwise constitutionally limited term. Chavez is threatening military action. I wonder how that will play in D.C.?