.
I have to admit, I am not studied on international affairs – even in my own party. I kept thinking that I had seen Green Party writing about Ingrid Betancourt. Though, this week, I was focused mainly on her wonderful rescue.
It turns out that Ingrid Betancourt had been the Green Party candidate for President. That is a pretty big fact to leave out of hundreds and thousands of press stories, which mostly refer to her as just a politician.
It is also an interesting development that, as reported at www.greenpartywatch.org, Ingrid Betancourt has expressed interest in running for President of Columbia again, with the Green Party.
Another famous, Green Party woman leader whose party affiliation was mostly ignored by the press is Wangari Maathai. Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Most of the media announcements included that she founded the “Green Belt Movement.” Though, most mainstream press ignored the fact that Wangari Maathai founded the Mazingira Green Party of Kenya in 2003.
It is a shame that the mainstream media try to ignore whole swaths of political thought, by giving short shrift to third parties and the people who work within them. I do have to believe that there is a sense of fear, that if the merits and accomplishments of the Green Party and its members were fairly broadcast, that we would win over people disenfranchised with the major, corporate parties.
Here is a press release from the national Green Party:
US Greens elated, relieved at news of Columbian Green Party leader Ingrid Betancourt’s rescue
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 3, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC — US Green Party leaders expressed gratitude and relief after learning of Ingrid Betancourt’s rescue on Wednesday after she had been held hostage by Colombian rebels since 2002.
Ms. Betancourt, who served as national legislator in Colombia, ran for President as member of the Partido Verde OxÃgeno (Oxygen Green Party), and led campaigns against political corruption, was a special friend to US Greens.
At the recent Global Greens Congress, held in May in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Ms. Betancourt was made President of Honor of the Global Greens Coordination, the 12-member Steering Committee of the Global Greens.
“We are thrilled that Ingrid Betancourt’s captivity has ended, and we can only imagine the suffering she experienced during the past six and a half years,” said Carl Romanelli, Pennsylvania Green and member of the party’s International Committee. “We’re happy not just for Ms. Betancourt, but also for her family and friends after their long and agonizing wait.”
Greens thanked the international movement of individuals and groups who worked hard to secure her release, and affirmed their dedication to freedom for the many hostages still held and to a diplomatic and nonviolent solution to the armed conflict in Colombia. Greens also expressed congratulations to the families of the American hostages who were rescued.
Juan Carlos Lecompte, Ms. Betancourt’s husband, is scheduled to attend the US Green Party’s 2008 National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Party leaders are waiting to learn whether Ms. Betancourt’s rescue will result in a change of plans, but either way, the National Convention will celebrate her freedom, as Greens are celebrating in well over 100 nations.
Filed under: green, Green Party Websites, international politics, media, News, third party Tagged: | Ingrid Betancourt, third parties
[…] As reported on the wilderside previously: Ingrid Betancourt’s husband, Juan Carlos Lecompte, is scheduled to attend the Green Party of the United States convention in Chicago on July 10th through July 13th. […]