To The Eagle:

Despite repeated hints that he might do so, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was not the leader who made the most straightforward attempt at a self-coup this year. It was Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who last Wednesday attempted to dissolve his country’s Congress and rule by decree. By the end of the day, Castillo had been abandoned by his political allies, impeached by the congress, and arrested.

German authorities last Thursday ordered 23 people to be held for questioning as they investigate a far-right group that prosecutors say wanted to overthrow the state and install a former member of a German royal family as national leader.

Here in the US, close to two years after such an attempt, only some of the foot soldiers, have been prosecuted. Why is that? Our laws make it difficult to do what Germans did, preempt such a coup. But perhaps the Peruvian example is better, to understand why not. Their congress immediately impeached him and jailed him. Here, much of government still backs the former president, even wanting him re-installed. Then the former US attorney general, carried his water, helping to stop impeachment.

Much was made of the ‘harsh’ sentence Griner got for cannabis oil. FOX and the right were the loudest on that sentence. Now they loudly object to the trade for her release. (I too thought it was an uneven trade). Keep in mind that a Taliban leader and 5,000 fighters were released by the former administration. Also, life sentences for marijuana possession, currently exist in Mississippi.

Poul Toftemark

Rosburg