Political Analysis - 02/14/12

Guest: Phil Rockstroh

 
Tonight Sandy LeonVest pays tribute to deposed Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, with news, analysis and audio clips of what is now widely being considered a coup. The coup took place exactly one week ago today, when the Maldives' first democratically elected president was removed from office at gunpoint by police and military authorities. Maldivian authorities say Nasheed was deposed for what they describe as “criminal behavior,” but supporters believe that the story of the rise and fall of their idealistic young (ex) president has only begun to be told. Many believe that the Maldivian military and police, who remained loyal to the islands’ former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, had planned the coup for months in advance of February 7th, when they carried out their "forced removal." Tonight, after a weekend of diplomatic talks in the Maldives with US and European officials, the political crisis there continues, and supporters of the now-deposed President Nasheed are promising to continue protesting until he is reinstated. 

During the second half of the show, poet, lyricist, journalist and master of political satire Phil Rockstroh joins SLV to reflect on the meaning of Valentines Day -- how love, inspiration and transformation play out in an era of destruction and decline. By the end of the segment, SLV feels a little better about it all ... She hopes you will too.

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