Fantasy Politics has always tried to be a medium that depicts a surreal world, one that mirrors both reality and fantasy. A previous article once explored the possibility that President Flores may forcefully try to stay in power after his four years are up. It analyzed the chaos that this event would create within the armed forces. Although we still hope that this contingency will never occur, chaos did erupt recently within the armed forces.

Many civilians were wary that the unthinkable was happening, that the military was about to resort to its old tricks and perform a coup d'etat (golpe de estado). Radio stations stopped their regular programming and played military music reminiscent of those politically turbulent times for about three hours straight, while President Carlos Flores met with his civilian defense minister, Edgardo Dumas Rodríguez, and other top military officials.

The final outcome is that several key changes were made within the top echelon and many disgruntled officials will be retired from service. The goal is to settle the ongoing power disputes that have continuously plagued the military in recent years.

The latest dispute regards the ascension of new officers to top posts above others who have seniority since they have been in the military longer. Traditionally members of the oldest graduating class of officers have served in the military's highest posts. However, recent appointments broke this tradition which erupted into this latest conflict.

We applaud President Flores' efforts to "tame the tiger" and agree with his tactic of retiring officials who disagree with the recent changes within the military. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the military has been quietly transforming itself for many years by educating its officials in modern techniques and philosophies. In other words, the military has been attempting to become professional in every way possible. Most importantly, it has actively invested in its officials by training them to respect democracy and to work to earn the respect of civilian citizens.

A real setback to this goal of modernization has been the rotten apples that still linger in the military. The best example was the apprehension and subsequent incarceration of an official who was caught stealing aid that had been sent from abroad to help victims of Hurricane Mitch. President Flores' quick decisive action resulted in transferring aid distribution from the military to religious organizations and non-government organizations. This means that the military lost both respect and power. These kinds of counter productive actions committed by individuals have unfortunately further tarnished the military's image.

Many individuals throughout the world despise the Honduran military for the multiple abuses that have been committed in the past. We feel that the military and the government have made great strides forward in their efforts to change the armed forces into an organization that actively serves the country rather than attempts to control it. However, they both have a long way to go and wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

The recent return of several former officials that have been fugitives from the local judicial system for many years helps to heal old wounds. Their facing justice has helped many citizens overcome their own resentments that stem from the days of the cold war.

This cold war was a direct result of the conflict between the US and the former USSR. US citizens should recall the "patriotic" actions of Colonel Oliver North and the infamous Iran - Contra debacle. Just because it has become old news elsewhere throughout the world, doesn't mean that the scars have healed in Honduras.

It has been reported that Princess Diana was scheduled to visit Honduras to view the progress in destroying the thousands of land mines that were laid between the Honduran and Nicaraguan border during the political turmoil of the 1980's. These mines have become especially troublesome since Hurricane Mitch scattered them beyond their initial boundaries and has extended the area in which they are located.

The bottom line is that it will be many years before Honduras fully recovers from the multiple wounds left by the cold war.

It is very appropriate to change the subject to soccer news, since it is considered to be an opiate of the masses by true Marxist-Leninists.

The official champion of the 1998-1999 closing tournament of the Honduran soccer league is Olimpia, which defeated Real España 1-0 in the final match held in Tegucigalpa.

The real winners though, are the sponsors of these teams. In fact, both teams are sponsored by independent Pepsi bottlers, which boasted that no matter what the final outcome would be, the cup belonged to that soft drink. In other words, every single player that day wore the exact same familiar soft drink logo on their chest.

The stadium itself is a potpourri of propaganda. Coke and beer brands fight for the viewer's attention amidst all of the other billboards. The trophy itself is sponsored by a rival orange soft drink and it was funny to see the official ceremony when the cup was given to the winning team since the orange trophy was presented flanked by huge inflatable orange soft drink bottles.

Ironically, the same person who owns the winning Olimpia team also owns the local television station that broadcast the game. Furthermore, he was interviewed in front of his own cameras by his employees so you can be sure they tried to portray him as best as they possibly could.

Other sponsors of these teams also vied for all the attention they could capture. AT&T's logo was also on one of the teams' jerseys, whilst Sprint had placards in the stadium. Local stores also tried to capture the fan's attention, the most notable were the local Daniela's shoe store chain that sponsored Real España and the Diunsa department store, both of which used the event to spur sales of team paraphernalia.

It is also worth adding that at the time of the writing of this article, the national soccer team of Honduras has been playing spectacularly in the Pan American games presently being held in Winnipeg, Canada. So far, it has won the four games it has played, by soundly defeating teams from the United States, Uruguay, Cuba and Jamaica. Local newspapers are even speculating that Honduras may win its first gold medal ever in this event. It is quite remarkable that the team has done so well so far, and is now in the semi-finals. GO TEAM!!!

Finally, we are very pleased to report that the Annual International Garifuna Music Festival was held recently in Bajamar, Córtes. This village was one of the areas that suffered intense damage by Hurricane Mitch. At least three bridges leading into the community were destroyed, one of which had been inaugurated just a few months earlier (a phenomena reminiscent of Hurricane Fifi in 1974, which destroyed many new bridges in the neighboring Omoa area).

It had been reported in local newspapers that the annual festival had been officially cancelled, but apparently nobody forgot to consult with the local villagers since they held it anyway. Access to the town has been temporarily fixed using dirt roads resting on top of drainage pipes that allows water to flow underneath. Who cares whether they won't last too long, they have served their purpose since they allowed people to drive all the way into the village for the event.

The background of the event was intensely surreal. Musicians and dancers crowded onto a make shift stage that was covered with a plastic tarp with an international organization's logo that stated "Worldwide Concern". One whole side of the concrete slab that was used for the stage had been obviously eaten away by Hurricane Mitch. Everywhere there was rubble left by the Hurricane. Abandoned houses without roofs, and even a church that had lost a wall. Despite all of the destruction, Bajamar rose phoenix like out of the rubble and was determined to hold its annual festival.

The event itself was a huge success in many ways. It reflects the strength and will power of the human spirit, which overcame all the adversity wroth by Hurricane Mitch. It was an economic boom to the community since it attracted much needed tourism. In essence, it also was a celebration of life, which was reflected in the festival's music and the smiling faces of the hundreds of attendees.

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