Please Ask Your Library to Order My Book, Zelaya Requests Policy Clarification

My blog reader, mentioned last time, who had his public library order my book, has given me the idea of requesting that you, my other faithful blog readers, ask your local library to please order it. The book is a natural for libraries and, in fact, several libraries already have it, either by purchase or donation, including university libraries, such as Duke and Virginia Tech. Admittedly, I have not had any luck yet in getting it into the DC public library system, despite donating two copies months ago. Also, the book cannot go on regular library ordering services nationwide because only books that show a city of publication are eligible. I suppose that’s to eliminate publish-on-demand books such as mine, some of which are not of top caliber. Of course, many commercially published books are not of good quality either and the lines between independent and commercial publishing are blurring.

Libraries have their share of questionable books on the shelves, including innumerable diet books. Authors with MD after their name will always get published. I know an author of medically oriented popular books who offers the lion’s share of royalties and top billing on her books’ covers to MDs willing to put their name there as first author, often without reading the text. She could not publish under her name alone.

Now, it seems the Honduran political elite is still dickering around. And, reportedly, Shannon has said the Nov. 29 election will be recognized, even if Zelaya is not back in office. Zelaya, quite rightly, has sent a letter to Hillary (according to AP below), asking for clarification of US policy. My wordy blog correspondent is absolutely right, it's not over until it's over, and it's not over yet.

November 4, 2009
WORLD BRIEFING | THE AMERICAS/ NY TIMES
Honduras: Vote Postponed on Deal to End Crisis
By ELISABETH MALKIN

Congressional leaders decided Tuesday to delay a vote on an accord signed last week that would restore the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, and end the country’s four-month-old crisis. The leaders decided not to call Congress out of recess to vote on the agreement and requested opinions on it from the Supreme Court and the attorney general. Foreign governments have said they will not recognize the presidential election on Nov. 29 unless Mr. Zelaya is reinstated first.

Ousted Honduran leader asks Clinton stand on coup
Associated Press
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 9:53 AM

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Ousted President Manuel Zelaya has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking the U.S. to clarify its position on the coup that overthrew him four months ago. Zelaya sent the letter Wednesday, a day after assistant U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Shannon told CNN en Espanol that "the U.S. will recognize the outcome" of Honduras' Nov. 29 election even if Honduras' Congress does not restore Zelaya to power first.

Zelaya asks Clinton in his letter "to clarify to the Honduran people if the position condemning the coup d'etat has been changed or modified."

The Obama administration has said Honduras needs to restore the constitutional government.