Today in LA...

• The very predictable NYT is assuring us that Ecuadorian prez-elect Raf Correa promises to be a moderate lefty, heck he admires the US and loves the Dems. The Dem loving comes by way of his admiration of useless economist John Kenneth Galbraith and his lack of interest in a free trade pact with US. Several sources stressed that we should ignore his Hugo loving but it is rather hard to so - first Correa expressed the hope of getting much, much closer to Hugo. Then there is the fact that he is following Hugo's footsteps. As the Herald notes Hugo first swipe at the US was ending counternarcotics operations and Correa is doing the same. Finally Hugo hated the idea of an Andean Community (CAN) for trade comprised of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Chile - so Correa has expressed his intention to do Hugo's bidding (en esp.) and leave and to go to Mercosur.
• Mexican politics has taken a telenovelaish turn. The PRD kept saying that they were going to impede Calderon's inauguration on Dec 1 similar to the way they stopped Fox from delivering the Mexican version of the state of the union. This despite polling that the public would not support the disruption. Today PRD deputies with their commie (PT) buddies tried to take over the dais of the Congress of Deputies some PAN members got there and the result was a scuffle. Later in the evening a second charge also failed (en esp.). Needless to say Fox is cowering at a hotel in the DF. He tried the Cheney "undisclosed location" bit but failed miserably. He has pleaded with Calderon to relocate his inauguration, Calderon more of a man than Fox could ever hope to be has opted to go with the traditional ceremony.
• Calderon rounded out his cabinet selections with a shot across the bow of the opposition and a headscratcher. The lefties have no love for the interior minister pick, Francisco Ramirez, the governor of Jalisco. As for the Foreign Minister post he selected Patricia Espinosa. I found it inspired that he tapped a woman for the post but would have expected someone of greater heft or importance to assume the post.
• Evo says he will rule by edict (en esp.) if the Senate does not get it together and follow his lead.
• Some of the most prominent leaders of the dissident movement in Cuba have called for the embargo to be loosened a bit. The hardliners in Miami are up in arms. Here's a newsflash for these geniuses - as I mentioned about two years ago the only thing stopping the lifting of the embargo is one guy and his veto pen. In two years he will be gone and God only knows who will be sitting in his place. Now is the time to reassess our strategy as it pertains to Cuba. If I were a conservative Cuban-American, and actually I am, I would seek to lift the embargo on my terms. It makes no sense to continue in this all or nothing gambit because in the end the hardliners could end up with zilch. It is up to them. I hope they come to realize the reality of their situation. I hope they come to realize that the country that has given them shelter, freedom and so much more is better served by trying a different tack with Cuba. It is about time that we put aside the personal issues and work for the greater good.
• Norman Bailey has been picked to be mission manager for intelligence on Cuba and Venezuela.
• Castro moved his b-day celebration to Dec 2 thinking he would be there. Now people aren't so sure. Hugo is not expected to make it due to the elections but let's see how cocky he feels. Hugo in Havana would mean that he is so sure of victory that he does not give three hoots about Venezuelans.
• Chile and Colombia (en esp.) have signed a free trade pact.
• Nicaragua's abortion ban which does not provide for any exceptions has claimed the life of a woman and her unborn child. Ironically the Sandinistas are the ones that pushed this measure to assuage any fears that the Church may have about its return to power.