While I was in Panama one of their hero’s died. The former V.P. Guillermo Ford, a long-time political activist known for his extreme opposition to the military government of Manuel Noriega, Vice President during the presidency of Endara Galimany, passed away. His state funeral was on Tuesday.
Those with more parochial interests might best remember him (from the iconic Time Magazine cover), as the man who suffered the consequences of Manuel Noriega’s unwillingness to go gentle into obscurity when the Panamanian election of 1989 did not give the pro-Noriega coalition candidate (Carlos Duque), the election. Noreiga invalidated Endara and Ford’s almost 3 to 1 victory because of “foreign (i.e., American) interference had tainted the results”.
During the demonstrations that followed the overule ( demonstrations of which the never reticent Ford took part), the military dictator’s thugs killed Ford’s body guards and beat the crap out of him — an event that was documented by Ron Haviv, at the time an unknown photojournalist working on a picture by picture basis. (source)
Many in Panama lovingly blame their Democracy on Guillermo Ford.
I knew of Panama’s history yet I knew very little of this man. But for the cover he was forgettable. I saw that magazine cover in college, and even then it didn’t really resound with me what others will do for Democracy. This is here because I was there when he died, and seeing how his countrymen reacted to his death I will see him differently than I would have only having heard the story and seen the cover.
peace
Only you would happen to be in Panama when a peace hero dies. So Cooper. And thanks so much for your comments! Truly means a lot
I know. If I believed in fate…..
In our comfortable lives, I think many of us will never know the fear that comes from the oppression and violence that so much of the world lives under everyday; at the same time, we may never get to feel the freedom that comes from truly being part of a cause that means everything, the ultimate “all in.”
Thanks for the midweek education!
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The blogesphere educates each other. So lucky, we.
I was think on the same lines as Pia, only you seem to be in the right place at the right time.
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I’m not sure it could be called the right place but it was interesting.
And you still don’t believed in fate?
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No John I do not.
I had to laugh at this, but I am glad I get to review a piece of history because of it.
That’s a hell of a photograph.
How were the waves?
Not bad, we got two good days.
I’d say you lucked out for that lesson cooper. He also served as ambassador
to the US post vp years.
I bet your time there was enjoyable. I appreciate that you aren’t off Cabo San Lucas to party, or on an academic expedition to the Galapagos. I think you do the perfect compromise.
Although I suspect surfing has its own cultural vices. ;)
yes their own cultural vices.
i just like being out there alone, that is an adrenalin rush…a free drug.
Well, not exactly free consdiering the cost of travel, but you get my point.
Thanks for the cultural refinement lessons. Hope you managed to get a little saltwater up your nose while there as well… :)
Quite a lot of it, saltwater up my nose, as a mater of fact. It’s never enough though.
Great insight, Coop.
Doug what is up? You are very quiet lately.
Over the last few years I’ve begun to notice how homogenized historical facts become condensed to appoint a narrative summary. How people accept the retelling as the sum total of events. From the uprising in middle-east countries, to our own American history, much of it is rewritten to suit a political drive but when faced with careful scrutiny is laughably cartoonish. It is usually the people on the grounds that know the truth, or more of it.
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you had a safe trip.
Bennet recently posted..One Of My Cousins Will Be Killing Gators On History Channel
History has forever been written that way it is not a new phenomenon. It may be that we are only now just starting to understand that it. It is not abnormal or even wrong for man to try to present things the way he sees them — which is usually how he wants them to be). The problem comes when man fails to discern the difference between interpretation and fabrication,
This is such a Cooper post. Well, I guess they all are. Unless you’re delegating ;-)
My South American “expertise” is limited to Argentina. That was the country I was assigned for Spanish Club quiz bowl. Aconcaqua, Perons, and stuff. I don’t remember if we won. I’m thinkin’ probably not.
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No delegation. Some days are just more cooper than others.
Argentina I love because of Jorge Luis Borges and the Tango. I’ve been to Buenos Aires but wasn’t old enough to appreciate it at the time. I hope to get down there soon. I’d like to hike around their some.
Nice piece of Panamanian and political history. I’m unfamiliar with it and I’ve never seen that cover. It may be beside the point but what a coup for an unknown photojournalist.
Either way it is a reminder of what others have suffered for democracy. We should have taken better care of ours.
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it’s not gone yet….;)
Nice experience to have. Parochial is the word that works for a lot of us, myself included. I only vaguely remember that Panama was once not a nice place to live or a safe place to travel. I’ve never seen that cover so thanks for that.
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There are other photos somewhere, more of them I didn’t link to them and now lost the link.
I did not know that. Interesting to think back about all the leaders America has disposed.
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The leadership game is a tough one isn’t it?
That story would be a great way to segue into a talk about Panama with my 5th grade students.
Volunteer?
How was the surf?
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booked.
Wowsa.
Only you. Surf looked fine.
It was nice but short can’t wait to take of again soon. Spain for sure this time.