Zelaya addresses the U.N. General Assembly via cell phone

The downside of sneaking back into your country after having been ousted from the presidency is that you can't make your timeslot at the General Assembly of the United Nations to plead your case. Well, at least you'd think not. But the Honduran delegation yesterday found a way to let Manuel Zelaya speak: hold him up to the mic via cell phone.

What's more interesting about this speech is not what Zelaya says -- which is not too much -- it's just how absurd this whole affair has gotten. Alarmingly absurd, in fact. With Zelaya back in town, many analysts believe that violence is inevitable. The de facto government certainly seemed to think so earlier this week when they clamped down on opposition radio stations and curtailed civil liberties. They've since rescinded the restrictions, perhaps realizing that they did more harm to international opinion than good back home. But they haven't let the Organization of American States' officials back in since they were kicked out yesterday.

Honduras is at a very volatile impasse. Trouble is, no one seems to know what exactly to do about it -- nor are they willing to take the risks associated with doing it. (Then again, none of the options -- intervention, mediation, sanctions -- look too promising either.)

In short, Zelaya better get comfortable in the Brazilian Embassy where he is hiding out. Because while he can still speak at the United Nations as head of state, it will be a while (if it comes at all) before he can do so back home.