Submitted by Walter Smit from Fort Worth, Texas

Q: 1. ISN'T YOUR ARTICLE A BLUEPRINT OF HOW TO SHED MORE BLOOD IN HONDURAS(UNDER THE GUISE OF "ANALYSIS")? 2. IN YOUR FIRST ARTICLE, YOU PRONOUNCED THIS A GOLPE AND SAID THAT NO MATTER HOW BAD ZELAYA WAS, THE GOLPE WAS NOT THE SOLUTION. WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, SHOULD A PEOPLE DO WHEN FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF PRESIDENTS-FOR-LIFE?

Answered 09/24/09 15:26:30 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Walter, I obviously don't agree with your premise of a "blueprint for blood." Stating that the United Nations only intervenes when there is violence and a threat of a regional spillover does not amount to calling for violence. It's reminding everybody what the U.N. statutes say. I'll get back to your second point in a separate answer, for lack of space.

Submitted by KATHY HENDERSON from Miami

Q: Sr. Oppenheimer, como ve Ud. la situacion en Honduras con el "asilo" ( huesped)que Brasil le acaba de dar al depuesto Zelaya? Tambien, que cree de los 4 candidatos a la presidencia de Honduras que se entrevistaran con Obama, que pretenden? Gracias por sus respuestas.

Answered 09/24/09 11:19:12 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: HOLA, AMIGOS. HOY ESTARE CHATEANDO CON USTEDES UN POCO MAS TARDE, A LAS 3 PM HORA DE MIAMI. LOS ESPERO! HELLO, FRIENDS. TODAY, I WILL JOIN YOU A BIT LATER THAN USUAL, AT 3 P.M. EASTERN TIME. THANK YOU!

Submitted by Reynaldo from sunny isles florida

Q: Reforma de salud: Esta totalmente politizada y soy de la opinion que es uno de los problemas que tiene mayor incidencia no solo en la salud del pueblo sino en la economia,se creo un monstruo y ahora no saben como darle una solucion.Decir que el sistema de salud de otros paises de europa,japon y canada no sirven ,es una imbecilidad que repiten a diario los republicanos y la industria de salud y farmaceutica de nuestro pais,que opina ud al respecto?

Answered 09/17/09 14:01:39 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Reynaldo, creo que es una verguenza que el pais con la mayor economia del mundo no tenga a toda su gente con seguro medico. Dicho esto, no veo mal que se analicen las falencias de los sistemas de salud de otros paises, pero siempre para tratar de evitar los errores de otros, no para justificar quedarnos con los brazos cruzados y seguir con el pesimo sistema de salud publica existente en EE.UU. Gracias a todos, y hasta la semana proxima. Thanks to all our readers, and I hope to see you next week.

Submitted by William J Read from Stafford, Great Britain

Q: Dear Mr Oppenheimer As the Honduran coup d'etat remains unresolved, do you consider that what I could call an "African solution" is likely? This is where an illegal coup d'etat occurs and overthrows a democratic government; international condemnation and sanctions follow. After an interval "free" elections are held, which results in a victory for the coup leader or one of his placemen, who then is proclaimed as the legitimate Head of State. Life then goes on as before. This "African" solution has just occurred this summer in Mauritania, and previously in Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Sudan, Chad, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Thank you.

Answered 09/17/09 13:46:52 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: William, thanks for the input. That's definitly what the Honduran government wants. But Latin American countries are very well aware of this, and say they don't want to set a precedent that would encourage others to follow suit. So I think that they will press for a more face-saving solution BEFORE the election - Micheletti's resignation in favor of a "government of national unity," perhaps - so that the winner can have some degree of legitimacy.

Submitted by Antonio from Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Q: Despues del ataque del Congreso Brasilero al sistema de Chavez, seguira Lula haciendose el que no ve las cosas, o terndra que tomar una posicion al respecto? Quiere decir esto que el fin politico de Lula se acerca?

Answered 09/17/09 13:41:41 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Antonio, de ninguna manera. Lula goza de una enorme popularidad en Brasil, y - lamentablemente - nada hace pensar que cambiara su politica exterior.

Submitted by Juan from Miami

Q: Ademas de los problemas de Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, cree usted que una comision al estilo Contadora puede funcionar en el caso cubano. Se trata de integrarla para fines concretos tales como la liberacion de prisioneros politicos, el acceso a los medios masivos de la Iglesia (todas) y gradualmente el reconocimiento de las instituciones civiles.

Answered 09/17/09 13:40:29 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Juan, el problema con eso es que la mayoria de los paises no tienen ningun apuro en que haya un cambio en Cuba. Al Caribe y a Mexico le significaria una enorme competencia para sus industrias del turismo, que ya estan afectadas por la crisis mundial. Y en Sudamerica la mayoria de los gobiernos no quiere tocar el tema, ya sea por simpatias politicas o por miedo a desatar reacciones de sus sectores de la vieja izquierda pro-cubana. De manera que, quien mas quien menos, todos estan contentos con mantener las cosas como estan.

Submitted by maria from Italy

Q: cuando alguien va a parar el loco mas peligroso de latinoamerica, me refiero a Chavez, nadie se esta' dando cuenta el danio inmenso que le esta' haciendo a las democracias debiles del continente.

Answered 09/17/09 13:33:43 by Andres Oppenheimer

A:

Submitted by Andrew Miller from Boston, MA

Q: Hello Mr. Oppenheimer! I have a question for you in an area that Latin America should be competing in: renewable energy. In Costa Rica, governments since 1989 have implemented policies that have advanced the country significantly in the area of renewable energy use, while also benefitting the country economically long term. From a resource standpoint, there is no reason why the rest of Latin America, given its comparitive wealth in natural resources, shouldn't be able to follow suite and become the world's leader in renewable energy production and trade this century (it certainly has the correct natural resources to do so). Do you see any signs in the Americas of enlightened energy policy - or has Latin America been too tempted by leaders offering energy bribes to consider what seems like an enormous opportunity to insert the region into a positive opportunity? I just dont understand why countries such as Colombia or other countries cannot pull off this kind of feat. It would be a huge victory.

Answered 09/17/09 13:28:20 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Andrew, good question. I will look into it. So far, the most successful effort to use alternative fuels has been Brazil's ethanol program, which started many years ago and today can boast that nearly all Brazilian cars run on sugar-based ethanol.

Submitted by Alexander Flores from Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Q: Hola Sr. Andrés Oppenheimer: Soy estudiante de Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Católica de Honduras y soy del criterio que las elecciones generales que se realizarán en el mes de noviembre, si es que no se adelantan o atrasan, no son la solución a la crisis política de mi país puesto que las causas son estructurales y no coyunturales. Por otro lado puedo ver como los paises, latinoamericanos, la UE y Estados Unidos, quieren llegar a una solucion para salir del paso, cuando en realidad se necesita la seguridad de que durante el proceso de solución la comunidad internacional tenga un papel de vigilante y protector del Estado de derecho. Sin embargo, y se ha demostrado en infinidad de veces, pienso que una vez haya un nuevo gobierno ya reconocido, el Estado de Honduras estará por su propia cuenta dejando a su población a merced de gobernantes populistas como Chavez, que no es mas que una amenaza para América Latina.

Answered 09/17/09 13:22:32 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Interesante reflexion, Alexander. La publico aqui para que la puedan leer todos.

Submitted by Marcelo L. Cruz from Miami, Florida

Q: Aprovecho este espacio para felicitarlo por sus articulos y en especial por sus programas de la TV que no me pierdo uno, inclusive los grabo para verlos mas de una vez, algunos logicamente. Por favor siga siendo el mejor periodista de estos contornos

Answered 09/17/09 13:20:00 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Muy amable, Marcelo!

Submitted by Juan Cabezas from Guatemala/Honduras

Q: Estimado señor Oppenheimer He visto sus presentaciones y he apreciado su intencion de buscar la verdad. Quiero hacerle mension de un tema muy delicado que solo lo puedo confiar a un periodista con su character. USA decidio desconeocer el gobierno (a mi forma de ver legitimo) actual de Honduras. Creo que tomaron la decision muy a la ligera porque esta decision califica a los 200mil hondureños residentes ilegales de USA a solicitar asilo politico. En medio de una crisis total de USA vana tener que legalizar el estatus migratorio de un ejercito de ilegales. No se si esta medida favorecio a alguien pero definitivamente paro tiene que parar un buen rato las masivas deportaciones hacia Honduras A travez de sus programas creo que puede ayudar a toda esta gente a legalizar su situacion lo mas pronto posible Con mucho aprecio Juan Cabezas

Answered 09/17/09 13:19:35 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Juan, interesante. No habia escuchado ni leido nada sobre este angulo de la crisis de Honduras. Lo indagare. Gracias por escribir.

Submitted by Marie from Pembroke Pines

Q: WHAT ADVERTISERS LEFT THE GLEN BECK SHOW-FOX NEWS!!

Answered 09/17/09 13:17:06 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Marie, thanks for writing. Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Geico, Procter & Gamble and Radio Shack are some of the dozens of companies that supporters of the boycott say pulled their ads from the Beck Program. Some of them have reportedly announced it. The www.politicsdaily.com story "Glenn Beck Boycott Grows: Walmart, Best, Buy pull ads" names more than a dozen firms.

Submitted by edgar cerrato from cojedes venezuelas

Q: sr. Andres que opina usted del papel jugado por la OEA en la situacion de Honduras, tomando en cuenta la doble moral planteada, pidiendo instituciones fuertes, y a la vez toda Latinoameria se esta minando de hombres fuertes con la nueva moda implantada por el presidente Venezolano, y que al pacerer hasta Uribe compro esa oferta

Answered 09/17/09 13:08:15 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Edgar, creo que el presidente Uribe le va a hacer un gran dano a Colombia, y a la democracia latinoamericana en general, si cambia la constitucion nuevamente para presentarse a un tercer mandato. El gran ganador de un tercer mandato de Uribe seria el propio Chavez, que va a poder decir "por que me critican a mi, si todo el mundo hace lo mismo?". Ojala que Uribe entre en razon, o que el Tribunal colombiano no le permita cambiar la constitucion.

Submitted by Walter Ward from Hialeah, FLorida

Q: Not really a question. Mr. Oppenheimer, your column is correct about not boycotting newscasters if the so called newscasters (Dobbs, Beck, Hannity, etc) were to report the facts, not part of the facts but the entire set of facts there would be no need for the boycotting. If the news was based on facts and not the lies and innuendoes there would not be a problem. The newscasters should be allowed to give their opinions after telling the truth and make certain it is known to be their opinion.

Answered 09/17/09 13:04:44 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Hi, everybody. Hola a todos. Walter, you put it well at the end. I would add that either we should report the news and then say "my opinion is....," or - as I suggested in the column - label the entire tv show, or newspaper column, as "opinion." Thanks for writing.

Submitted by Andrew Miller from Boston, MA

Q: Dear Mr. Oppenheimer - congratulations on the award in reporting - your reporting has been excellent, thank you for bringing a lot of excellent analysis and clear thinking on Latin America. I agree with the latest column on Colombia fullheartedly. I am very surprised that the Colombian people accept Uribe's reasons for considering a third term. Have you gotten any indication of WHY Uribe is considering a third term? Other than a deluded, narcissistic desire to be "President for Life", I still do not understand why Uribe feels the need to devastate not just his own legacy and the positive story that Colombia has been since Uribe took office, but positive trends in the region on the whole (namely, that countries, because of their stronger institutions, continue to function even as different political leaders rotate). That seems to be the lesson in Brazil: Brazil's democracy runs very well, and its economy does also. I do not understand why Uribe doesnt see this: Colombia is better with Uribe in power, and it will be better when he leaves office also. Things cannot possibly get any better for Uribe by staying in office. He may run the country differently and vastly more positively than Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro run theirs, but he is still drinking from the same cup with this third term desire.

Answered 09/10/09 14:09:07 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Andrew, thank you. The only explanation I can find is that power - and success - got into his head. As we say in spanish, "se mareo." Let's hope that he decides not to run, and goes down in history like the president who defeated narco-terrorism and placed Colombia on the path to a modern, successful democracy. Thank you all, and see you next week. Gracias a todos, y hasta la semana proxima.

Submitted by Alfonso H. Plazas from West New York, New Jersey

Q: Andres, Me gustaria entrevistarme con usted para ponerlo al tanto de un tema que estoy seguro le va a llamar la atencion. Es un tema delicado y por ende me gustaria tratar el tema con usted personalmente.

Answered 09/10/09 13:21:16 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Alfonso, estoy en Peru, y tengo los proximos dos meses repletos de viajes. Le ruego me envie un e-mail a aoppenheimer@miamiherald.com. Gracias, y espero sepa comprender.

Submitted by Alberto Nieto from 3054 54 lane sw Naples 34116 Fl

Q: Señor Andres Oppenheimer: Soy Colombiano. Bogotano para mas señas. Escuche un comentario suyo; respecto al referendo y posible reelecion del presidente Uribe en mi pais; y ahora leo sus opiniones. La verdad:- quedo desconcertado con sus analisis y posteriores comentarios. Le quiero decir que: solo el que ha vivido,- lo que nosotros los Colombianos,- con el terror diario, con la disidia aberrante de gobiernos anteriores, con la corrupcion rampante y descarada de politicos que dejaron avanzar los peores canceres que sociedad alguna ha vivido; y que se convirtieron en las cuatro jinetes de nuestro apocalipsis:- NARCOTRAFICO, PARAMILITARISMO, POLITIQUERIA Y,la peor, LAS GUERRILLAS TERRORISTAS DE LAS FART,(fuerzas armadas terroristas), y el E.L.N.-- Solo nosotros sabemos cual es y sera nuestra decision de lo que queremos y nos conviene para la paz y el porvenir de nuestra Colombia. Usted: nuestra desgracia la ha vivido de "guataca" casi que deportivamente y no se da cuenta que para mas del 88% de los Colombianos: ALVARO URIBE VELEZ es una exigencia y una razon. Mientra no acabemos con los terrorista: no queremos correr riesgos. Usted es inteligente: SERA QUE ENTIENDE? En Colombia hay dos prioridades para lograr nuestra estabilidad y progreso: acabar a los terroristas y sacar a la bestia de Venezuela: hugo chavez.

Answered 09/10/09 13:19:30 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Alberto, gracias. Comprendo su posicion y la de muchos colombianos, pero no la comparto. Todos los candidatos con chances de ganar en Colombia seguirian la lucha de Uribe contra las FARC. En segundo lugar, un tercer mandato de Uribe le daria argumentos a las propias FARC y a la izquierda jurasica para decir que en Colombia hay una "dictadura", y generaria una reaccion pendular que en seis anios mas terminaria en un gobierno de signo contario. En tercer lugar, una segunda re-eleccion de Uribe le vendria muy bien a Chavez, ya que nos quitaria argumentos a todos quienes lo llamamos autocrata. En otras palabras, una nueva re-eleccion de Uribe me parece una mala idea por donde se la mire. A mediano plazo, favorecaria a los grupos armados que quieren terminar con la democracia en Colombia.

Submitted by PAOLA from MIAMI

Q: Hi Andres, Can you tell me what your idea is about what to do with foreign people who live now at the States? Thanks a lot. Paola

Answered 09/10/09 13:14:57 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Paola, what to do? Welcome them, provided they earn their citizenship by paying taxes, etc., like the United States has always done. This is a country of immigrants, and it has done pretty well.

Submitted by Jose VILL from Miami, FL

Q: Your recent article "Singapore's Obsession Holds Lesson for us All," was excellent and very informative. Here in our country, students from other nations or "hyphenated-Americans" dominate the top levels in academics. On the last National Scripps Spelling Bee, of the twenty finalists, about 17 of them were "hyphenated-Americans." But what can you expect when a large portion of our population refused to allow their children to listen to the president of the nation give a speech, with emphasis on education, to our school children, about their responsibilities --- doing homework, studying hard, staying in school, and make their own futures through hard work and education. With stupidity like that, it is no wonder that we are lagging behind other countries in regards to education. What is your opinion on the subject of my statement?

Answered 09/10/09 13:13:05 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Jose, I generally agree with you. The President's message was good, and necessary. That's what presidents are for: to inspire, lead, and motivate people to study, and to improve themselves in many ways. If President Obama had used the occasion to make a political speech, that would have been something else. But he didn't do that. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the media - like comedian Glenn Beck - are behaving irresponsibly to get higher ratings...

Submitted by Simon from Boca Raton

Q: Andres, I'm looking forward to seeing you in Bogota next year covering Uribe's third inauguration. Why do you think Colombia has to follow the USA's model of democracy when prime ministers in other industrialized nations such as Great Britain or Japan can be continually reelected?

Answered 09/10/09 13:09:35 by Andres Oppenheimer

A: Hi, everybody. Hola a todos. Simon, Colombia - like most Latin American countries - has a presidential system, whereas Great Britain and other democracies that have three-term presidents have parliamentary systems, where the Congress can fire the prime minister by a simple vote of no confidence. That's a big difference.