El Universo, El Universo!

Have I already told you guys how I wake up in the morning? Normally my alarm goes off, and then I shut it off and roll over. A few minutes later, the newspaper man rides by my house on a bike, shouting the name of the newspaper over and over: "El Universo, El Universo!"

Depending on how I'm feeling that morning, it can be either a cry of joy - Get up, it's morning, and the whole wide Universe awaits! - or more of a wringing your hands type of thing.

These days, I can't help but think that El Universo is its own cry of lament every morning.

Back in March, El Universo OpEd columnist Emilio Palacio wrote some criticisms of President Rafael Correa for his alleged actions during the September 30th brouhaha.

Correa didn't like that.

Correa took 'em to court. He asked for $80 million in damages, jail time, and a cherry on top. (The Wall Street Journal does a quick rundown of the facts here.)

Fast forward to last Wednesday, when I got off the Metrovia at the stop near my house. This stop also happens to be right in front of the offices of the newspaper El Universo. The bus slowed to a crawl the last few blocks to avoid hitting any in the crowd blocking the road in front of the offices. People were waving signs and banners, and they were wearing cloths tied over their mouths.

Turns out that the judge had ruled in favor of Correa. The fine, however, was set at only $40 million, and so both sides will be appealing. This is not the end; we will hear more as the case continues.

What I'm hearing now from people of differing political views is one of two things:

One - President Correa had to set a precedent for addressing these unfounded rumors generated by the press, rumors which affect his standing in the eyes of people at home and abroad.

Two - When we look at other Latin American countries, their histories and their leaders, and look again at the political situation in our country, we are afraid for our future.

The case has received widespread coverage. Below are some articles, should you be inclined to skim them over.

CNN article

Short article found on Americas Forum, and a longer version detailing the proceedings and IACHR's statement regarding the case.

A very interesting Miami Herald article

Human Rights Watch article

On Thursday following the ruling, El Universo published a blank front page.

It was later reproduced as part of their weekend magazine, along with photos of the crowd.

Quoted on the front page is Ayn Rand.

Translated, it reads:

When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed.