Is Hippo Finally throwing in the towel???

Texas Bill

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Feb 11, 2003
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From the reports in today's DR1 Newsletter, it would appear that his hipponess is finally seeing the light and sucumbing to the exhortations of the business community and the more level head(if they exist) within his "administration"(???).

Does anyone have the slightest idea what the import of this revelation lead to?

Personally, I think that Hippo has shot his wad and realizes that he must now face the consequences of his actions, admit defeat at being a quasi-dictator, isn't as smart as he would like to be. and will silently steal away and forget about re-election. That is, if he has any self respect left.

Comments and refutations in proper order, please.

Texas Bill
 

Chris

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Oct 21, 2002
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I don't think so - not throwing in the towel, but throwing the blame in every direction but his own. A few days ago, the DR1 news reported that Hippo said (I think it was in a televised speech but cannot remember anymore) that everything, from 9/11 to the hostilities in many countries, to the failure of three commercial banks, is the problem. Surely not his administration. Watch it carefully. The blame is being shifted.... The towel is not being thrown in.. I think.
 

Ken

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Chris is right. He is in denial. The only way he will go is kicking and screaming.
 

Texas Bill

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Well then, Cris, what about the selling off of 75% of the electric companies(excluding the hydroelectric plants) and accepting the business communities bail-out offer and giving in to the Socialist International arbitration of the internal dispute in the PRD?

Heretofore he has been fairly adamant about others telling/suggesting to him about how to administer his government. Recently he even chided others about the responsibility if sovernty(sp) on national news.

I really think he's starting to back off a little, since he knows he can't be re-elected except through massive electoral fraud. And I wouldn't put it past him to do just that, thereby fomenting a terrible rebellion from the populace.

But, maybe that is just wistful conjecture.

Texas Bill
 

mondongo

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Jan 1, 2002
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Mejia is not changing. He is selling the utilities because the IMF (go check their website....I am not guessing here) suggested it. The goverment needs the money to pay itself and pay the soon-to-be-due US$ loans. He needs the IMF money. He has also increased to 10% of value the fees charged by customs. Mejia will raise revenue using any means possible.

Mejia is not changing...do not even for a second delude yourself.
 

Chris

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Oct 21, 2002
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Here are my thoughts - I have no facts to back up what I'm thinking - It is just my thinking...

International Arbitration - I can think of many other independent arbitrators that could arbitrate this issue. Hippo has not accepted any effort from anyone in his own party so far, to break the deadlock. My thinking is that he surely has friends amongst these arbitrators.

Selling off electric companies - desperately trying to salvage the IMF agreement (where is the money btw?) and he will make plenty on a sell-off. He just bought them, and feathered his nest, so now he will sell them, and feather his nest. As far as I am concerned, the quicker he sells them off, the better for the country.

I have no idea what is behind the business community's bail-out offer. As far as our business is concerned, we've not heard anything and we've not been approached by anyone to do anything here. I just know that when the money flows, Hippo's pockets are open.

I would not be surprised if the man creates a situation where he can declare something like martial law and postpone the election indefinitely. I think we're seeing history --- the making of a dictator. Whether his Baldness can stand in a dictator's shoes, remains to be seen.
 

Texas Bill

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Feb 11, 2003
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Chris

You have just voiced a subdued opinion that has been floating around in my mind for some time. That of Hippo becoming a dictator in the DR.
Many of his recent actions and commentaries have pointed in that direction. I wasn't sure if anyone else had picked up on those subtlties or not.
He's been very vociferous about negative comments from foreign sources and has gone so far as to have two commentators in Monticristi arrested for holding a symposium on his ability to govern.
He has taken it upon himself to act thru dictatorial "Excutive Edicts" without regard to the proper mechanism of the Senate making the law of the land. All these events smack of a dictatorial personality and immulation of Trujilloism.
I ask myself if I'm reading the man's public image wrong in light of all the above and conclude that I'm not. You are probably right, and he'll find some way to perpetuate his term into infinity.

Texas Bill
 

ERICKXSON

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Dec 24, 2002
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Good and dandy,
However reality will shift gears as soon as he try to make the dictatorship move he has enough enemies in the high society and making that mistake woul make him the perfect assasination target with so many trigger happy money hungry people that surrounds him (nobody respect or even care about this guy) he is alone and hopeless.

1. No brains
2. No brains
3. No brains
 

Chris

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Yes, people on the ground are expecting an assassination or something. It would be quite cool if we called it right - here on DR1. I was talking to some folks about the huelgas and it is not only the electricity, it is also the cost of living... I get a sense of more anger in the community, less acceptance....
 

Texas Bill

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Feb 11, 2003
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Here, in Manzanillo, even the White Party members (most of the population) has a somewhat subdued rhetoric about the overall situation. Early last year, the consensus was "Hippo Forever". The guy could do no wrong. Now, however, you get the feeling that there is an atmosphere of watchful waiting as to political developments.
We are luck drom the Electrical standpoint.
No extensive power outages since the installation of the two large generators last November. A few, but nothing like what had been experienced priop. Now, it's outages for maintenence and refueling with an occasional transformer replacement.
Living costs have doubled, and the people are quite upset about that aspect of their lives. A lot of blaim was being placed on a couple of the Colmado owners for raising prices, but that managed to be explained away by citing prices in surrounding villages.
All in all, I don't see any severe upheaval in association here, but that could change. Most here either depend on remittances from the States, the fishing, or from marine traffic. No other industry to speak of, though there is an undeveloped Free Zone. Nothing in it.

Texas Bill
 

Tony C

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Jan 1, 2002
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Chris said:
Yes, people on the ground are expecting an assassination or something. It would be quite cool if we called it right - here on DR1.

Chris,
So you are advocating the murder of a democraticaly elected leader?
In the US that would get you a visit from the Secret Service!
 

Texas Bill

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Tony C.

I don't think Chris was advocating an assasination with his comment, but rather expressing a feeling he has about the unrest observed.

None of us would seriously consider such an action. It just isn't our way. You know that, or were you being facitious?

Texas Bill
 

Chris

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Oct 21, 2002
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Tony C said:
Chris,
So you are advocating the murder of a democraticaly elected leader?
In the US that would get you a visit from the Secret Service!

Oh man! can't you read without jumping to silly conclusions - where on earth do you get *advocating* from. You've really pissed me off now. I am not advocating anything of the kind - I'm passing on some gossip that I get from Dominicans that live around me, ordinary people, commenting on what they see around them - as well as my thoughts and feelings about what I see. And if you read this thread again, you will see that I clearly state that these are my thoughts and my feelings - not facts....

If you cannot deal with it and must make silly allegations, make 'em to someone else that is maybe more forgiving. I don't play these games... And some of us have dealt with much worse than the secret service in our lives and we don't shake in our boots when someone mentions that hallowed name - and if you don't know it by now, I am not in the US.

OK, I'm finished being pissed off. I think Texas Bill is addressing real questions, things that have been bothering me as well. It is quite a relief for once, to talk about what one senses, and what your feelings tell you - in the absence of any real facts about these matters.
 
Apr 26, 2002
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Tony,

That's no way to bait a discussion, even if you want to be the next Bill O'Reilly. Chris did NOT advocate or even suggest that he or anyone else do anything except continue to observe, and your saying that he did is NOT funny in the current environment.
 
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Chris

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identity theft..

Just before I get accused of more nefarious deeds like identity theft - the He is actually a She!

Criss (without the H, is the big fellow with lots of sssssss's in his name) and Chris (with the H, is a little overweight frumpy female geek and business women).
 

Texas Bill

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Feb 11, 2003
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Chris

Mea Culpe!!!

Gomen Nisai, I didn't mean to effect a sex change!! Just got my Criss/Chriss (s) mixed up is all.

I'll try to do better in the future.

Texas Bill