Hti: Nothing became his rule like the leaving of it

The original graphic of Aristide's letter of resignation can be found here.

In my opinion, the clause M aksepte ale meaning I accept to leave, as found in the sentence which reads I accept to leave, with the hope that there will be life and not death, argues in favor of Aristide writing the text for himself rather than having it dictated by someone else. I would argue this on the basis of the Francophone syntax and on the choice of diction. With regard to the first, the counter-argument is that the French could have dictated the letter to Aristide. That is quite so. They could have. However, the diction, in my opinion, gives the lie to that possibiility.

The word aksepte is utilized rather than decide, which is decide(d). If the letter had been dictated, I think the language of resignation might have been stronger, in the sense of decide rather than aksepte. That it is not indicates, to me at least, the letter writer's reluctance to do that which he has indicated he will do.

What is the difference between decide and aksepte in this respect? Well, in my opinion, decide means that the individual comes to a conclusion on his own after weighing all the facts; the word is forceful and active. Aksepte, on the other hand, implies that the individual is brought to see the validity of a point of view with which he does not agree. Thus, the word's is more passive and expressive of reluctance.

Therefore, based on this, I would argue for the accuracy of the U.S.'s depiction of events. Aristide was most likely informed that nobody's sons would be expected to sacrifice their lives for him. Thus, when confronted with the loss of protection, he accepted the precariousness of his position and did that which was inevitable. He resigned. He didn't have to like it, and most likely didn't like it. Hence his diction. Therefore, it is quite likely that M aksepte ale was written after much persuasion that leaving was the right thing to do to save himself and Haiti, or it was the result of realizing that there was no other choice because his life was at risk. Whatever one's stance, it is indisputable that M aksepte ale is weaselly.

Finally, with the blessed protection of distance from danger, the despair that may have preceded M aksepte ale most likely dissipated. Its disappearance could have brought an on rushing of shame; thought of his region's partners whom he had not contacted; anger at those whose refusal of support prompted his letter; anger at the rebels and the loss of his power, and more. All of these, or any one of these, could have provided a spur to Aristide's divisive rhetoric from the safety of Bangui.

Having run past the dark cemetery in the dead of night, Aristide, like the child ashamed of his cowardice, stands under the street light and yells "nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah!" at his fears.

Whatever works, dude.