The First Temptation of Might

A year ago, former bishop and now President of Paraguay Fernando Lugo made headlines when he had to admit that, literally, he had been a father while being called one as a priest. Now, he makes headlines by signing a law that suspends certain basic criminal procedure rights for 30 days, so that, supposedly, it is easier to deal with a guerrilla group that is a major problem. Lugo has said that this doesn't really alter the rule of law in the country. Really?

On the other hand, I find it interesting that the law will only be in effect for 30 days, as if that is all that it will take to get rid of the rebels. It seems to me that Lugo has given in to the first temptation of heads of state in a democracy: take a page out of the book of fascism, to make it "easier" to meet the challenges they face. But, in the end, that will only lead to totalitarianism, something the Paraguayans know all too well.

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