—The United States (2000 elections), —Afghanistan (by air bombardment and war lord), —Iraq (by armed invasion), and most recently, —Haiti (by shadowy covert action and murderous thugs).

The envelope, please…

Our winner for the best slow-motion coup out of public view: Haiti.

On the "real" Oscars, there was Billy Crystal thanking American soldiers across the world … a gesture of pandering if there ever was one. Later Earl Morris won for the documentary "Fog of War" about his exchange with Robert MacNamara on Vietnam. After giving his own films an embarrassing "why haven't you honored me before?" self-promotional plug, he said, with passion and an obscure metaphor: "40 years ago, our country went down a rabbit hole. And I fear it is going down that hole again." Yo Earl, we are down there already.

Haiti was not mentioned last night. The "stars" were too busy preening on the red carpet in all their bejeweled opulence to follow the tragedy in one of the world's poorest countries. As they overloaded the Lord of the Rings with 11 statuettes — "There's no one left to thank in New Zealand," quipped Crystal — a democracy was snuffed out in Haiti. An industry that began with a pro-Klan film called "Birth of the Nation" had no time for today's Death of a Nation.

MAO'S MANTRA

Aristide is out. The Marines are in. And Chairman Mao's dictum that 'political power grows out of the barrel of gun' has proven itself once again. Was the Haitian president pushed — or did he jump? Did he really leave voluntarily, or was he escorted, as is bring reported, with a gun at his head? None of the answers to these questions were fully confirmed as I began writing. Reportedly Aristide was being flown last night to the Central African Republic, hardly a tourist destination. You can just hear some of those Washington wags saying, "Get me an obscure country with no no press corps, that no one has heard of."

Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California called Artistide's overthrow the result of a plan, a "preemptive strike," and "regime change." She says she suspects that Vice President Cheney is calling the shots.

If this was a coup, as it appears it was, it would be the 33rd coup in Haiti's tragic history. Of course there was nary a sign or explanation of this on TV this morning, CNN was asking: "Will the marines bring peace to a troubled land?" Yuk. This, of course, accepts the official story of Aristide's departure and its beneficent rationalization of the intervention at face value. CNN presented the only problem in Haiti as Aristide's armed supporters, not the thugs who the US backed in ousting him,

FOX: "WE SENT OUR FIXER OUT FRONT"

Fox outfoxed CNN, and outdid itself, with an early morning exchange that may yet receive an award for absolute callousness, self-involvement and inanity. Sorry, I have to paraphrase because I rushed in disbelief from the set to the computer to relay it to you.

Quote: "Aristide has arrived in the Central African Republic. … (Said with sarcasm and a laugh) …That country has had as many coups as Haiti.… (Snicker)"

Q: "Is it safe in the streets?"

A: " No. We sent our Haitian 'fixer' — and he's a big guy — out in front of us to see how safe it was and he was attacked and our camera was stolen and smashed."

So much for the popular regard with which Fox and US TV News is held. All the TV reporters seemed to be doing their standups from the safety of some hill surrounding the capital.

The gritty Brazilian film City of God may not have won anything in Hollywood last night but the world of violence and desperation that it depicts had moved from the fictional world of the silver screen to the factual reality of the TV screen.

HE SAID HE WAS STAYING

Yesterday, the Observer in London along with many outlets was reporting, "Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is refusing to step down despite increasing pressure from foreign governments and the general lawlessness that reigned in the Haitian capital as rebels seeking to depose him circled the city. Aristide said his resignation was 'out of the question' and suggestions he would flee 'baseless rumors.' "

BUSH PUSH

But the big push was on, and blatantly so. The New York Times got a whiff of it, reporting: "Bush Increases Push for Haitian to Leave Office:"

"President Bush dramatically increased the pressure on Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resign as Haiti's president, authorizing a White House statement on Saturday evening that the crisis "is largely of Mr. Aristide's making" and adding that "his own actions have called into question his fitness to continue to govern."

AND THEN, "POOF!" HE WAS GONE

Within hours, CNN was reporting Aristide had left Haiti, supposedly "In the best interest of the Haitian people." BBC.com reported Aristide as writing, "The constitution should not drown in the blood of the Haitian people … If my resignation is to prevent bloodshed, I accept to leave."

I heard that report while making my oft-postponed date with the treadmill in the gym across from my home. I had resolved to restart my workout regimen but this "breaking news" broke my spirit.

KIDNAPPED?

RTL radio reported that American soldiers took Aristide away, along with his security force, by force.

"The American Army came to take him away at two in the morning," the man said. "The Americans forced him out with weapons. "It was American soldiers. They came with a helicopter and they took the security guards. "(Aristide) was not happy. He did not want to be taken away. He did not want to leave. He was not able to fight against the Americans."

"The RTL journalist who carried out the interview described the man as a "frightened old man, crouched in a corner" who said he was the "caretaker of the residence."

See Australia's Daily Telegraph: tinyurl.com/2ssx8

HANDCUFFED?

A report carried by WBAI Radio in New York from Haiti said that the US Ambassador arrived at Aristide's home at at 4 or 5 in the morning. President Aristide was reportedly escorted out in handcuffs. He was being taken to see US ambassador James Foley or Foley was there. He was led out by 10 marines. Pacifica stringers reported there were death squads hunting down members of Lavalas, Aristide's party. ABC NEWS reportedly interviewed Aristide. One of their crew members was reported as confirming this story but was too frightened to give his name.

President Bush said Aristide resigned. Al Giordano of Narco News notes similarities between Aristide's "resignation" and the failed coup against Venezuela's Chavez two years ago: "The press said the president had resigned, when he had been kidnapped," writes Giordano.

HOORAY FOR PACIFICA

The best coverage was on Pacifica Radio hosted by Amy Goodman and Dennis Bernstein. I listened to the broadcast on KPFA.org, the website of the Berkeley based station. I am transcribing as I listen.

A "NEW BEGINNING?"

Ira Kurzban, a US attorney representing President Aristide criticized President Bush for calling what he labeled a "US coup," a "new chapter." He said that the President's father was in office when Aristide was deposed the first time. He said there was nothing new about it.

He said no one has seen the resignation letter that Aristide supposedly signed. "It was clearly signed with a gun to his head … it reminds me of the old Soviet system, where people make forced confessions … They are preventing him from speaking to the people of his country and the world."

"PHYSICAL ELIMINATION"?

"I demanded as his lawyer the right to speak to him. I was rebuffed … I was told he was up in the air… we are seriously concerned about his physical elimination … We have many questions that have not been answered.…

"Last night there was a squeeze play played on the president — [the administration was saying we won't protect you … as we speak, the prime minister of Haiti's home has been burned down … Two members of the family of the Mayor of Port au Prince have been killed.…

RANDALL ROBINSON SAYS ARISTIDE WAS THREATENED

Randall Robinson, founder of TransAfrica Forum, discussed conversations from St Kitts that he had with Aristide. He spoke of hearing from NPR radio host Travis Smiley of a conversation Colin Powell had with ex-Congressman Ron Dellums. Dellums was told to contact Aristide to warn him that he was about to be killed … and that the US government would not protect him.

"We have no idea if they are alive or not, (as of 7: 30 p.m. last night)… He was told that Aristide said he would never step down … This is a terrible day for freedom and democracy in the world and for the United States." The South African government told Robinson that they had no request from Aristide. He was suspicious of why he would voluntarily go the Central African Republic.

He soon said "this was planned." He said that the Aristide government had been undermined and loans were cut. "They gave money to an opposition that didn't exist," he added.

Another factor that suggested preplanning was the reactivation of refugee camp at Guantanamo Bay with 50,000 beds ready to go. When Aristide was forced out the last time, refugees heading for the US were also denied permission to enter and forced to stay in the US military base on Cuba. Many languished there in misery for years.

HOW WELL WAS THIS STORY COVERED?

None of the drama, nor any of these details of this story were being reported in any detail the TV news programs I watched. Most of the talk shows focused on Super Tuesday, the Passion of the Christ and the upcoming Academy Award presentations.

As he was sending in an armed military force, President Bush appealed to Haitians to forsake violence. Ironically, the justification was that Aristide was undemocratic because he had been associated with an undemocratic legislative election. This — from the beneficiary of the fiasco in Florida in 2000. Yesterday Haitians in Florida took to the streets to protest.

INTERVIEWING "THE EXPERTS"

NBC News went for comments to a Congressman in Florida for a comment and the head of the Council of Foreign Relations in New York. The broadcast came back to identify the Congressman, Mark Foley as Republican. (Foley reportedly said earlier that Aristide would "leave Haiti in a Lear Jet or in a pine box.") It did not identify Richard Haas of the Council as a Republican and former member of the Administration. He was used instead as a "neutral" expert. (Foley was back on again this morning justifying the removal of Aristide: "He had his chance … It was time for him to go," he said without imperial arrogance.

Congressman Charles Rangel said that after speaking with Colin Powell he concluded, "We were just as guilty of the coup as the rebels … I don't understand the resignation piece of this story … I spoke with President and Mrs Aristide last week and he reiterated he would fulfill his responsibilities."

Maxine Waters, the California Congresswoman joined the Pacifica conversation denouncing the mainstream press for not reporting the story fully and fairly. A Haitian activist sounded as if she was in tears when she asked later how American journalists could sleep after distorting the story this badly.

Waters said, "Washington never denounced the thugs and the killers." She noted that the opposition leaders who had attempted coups in the past were interviewed on US television … "There is something funny going on … It stinks."

Alas, the technology in the broadcast also stunk and connections were lost repeatedly but it didn't matter. Maybe it was the audio streaming I was tuning into to. I don't know. Despite the audio mess, the conversation was gripping. Listen: kpfa.org

VENEZUELA NEXT?

There may be another intervention coming — in Venezuela. Reuters reports:

"Tens of thousands of supporters of President Hugo Chavez marched on Sunday to protest what they criticized as US meddling and rally support for the leftist leader as he battles an opposition referendum challenge.

"Waving revolutionary flags and "Out with the CIA" and "No to Yankee Invasion" banners, Chavez sympathizers streamed through the capital under the watch of National Guard troops and two military helicopters circling overhead."

tinyurl.com/26c77

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Chavez Calls Bush 'Asshole' as Foes Fight Troops Sun Feb 29, 2004 08:39 PM ET

(Page 2 of 2)     Venezuelan Troops Quell Protests Top News Aristide Tells U.S. Contacts He Was Abducted

But the firebrand populist vowed to defeat any attempt to unseat him and threatened to cut off oil supplies to the United States from the world's No. 5 crude oil exporter should Washington try an invasion or trade sanctions.

"Venezuela is not Haiti and Chavez is not Aristide," he said.

Tens of thousands of Chavez supporters marched earlier on Sunday to protest what they condemned as U.S. meddling in Venezuelan affairs. The State Department routinely dismisses the president's accusations.

The referendum campaign is the latest political fight for Chavez, who survived the short-lived 2002 coup and a strike last year by opponents who fear his self-styled "revolution" is slowly turning Venezuela into a Cuban-style communist state.

Since his first election in 1998, the president has vowed to improve the lives of the impoverished who see little of the country's oil wealth. But his opponents say he has failed and has instead pushed the country into economic ruin.

Political tensions have flared again recently as setbacks delayed a ruling by the National Electoral Council on whether to allow the recall referendum to go forward. Two protesters were shot and killed on Friday during an opposition march.

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Carter Center, which are observing the referendum process, appealed for calm on Sunday ahead of the council decision.

Electoral authorities said they would make a preliminary ruling Monday on whether the opposition collected the minimum 2.4 million valid signatures required for a vote. The opposition says it handed over 3.4 million signatures.

Opposition leaders accuse pro-government officials in the electoral council of trying to block the poll by disqualifying many valid signatures. Chavez says his opponents' petition is riddled with forgeries.

(Additional reporting by Pascal Fletcher, Magdelena Morales)