‘tata’ pinochet, dead at 91
in Chile, as much as one-third of the population stood with Pinochet to the end. Fernando Alessandri, whose family has a long political lineage in Chile, says that the Pinochet he remembers from his youth was not the evil figure portrayed by Pinochet opponents.
“He lived a block and a half away from where we lived, so I got to see him jogging every morning at 6,” Alessandri says. “He was a man that had a profound love for his country. He was an authoritarian — a leader.” [source: NPR - augusto pinochet, former chilean dictator, dies]
like most world leaders, pinochet had mental issues. some chileans suffered under his rule. but pinochet succeeded in saving chile from economic ruin. that’s why lots of chileans still revere him, calling him “tata” (dad).
6 Responses to “‘tata’ pinochet, dead at 91”
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huh, I guess to some being murdered is “suffering” under his rule…..eh it’s okay, right travis. I mean, none of them are related to you. It’s not like Pinochet murdered your brother, or tortured your sister. As long as he did it in the cause of capitalism, he’s okay in your book eh?
But then again, it seems you believe as Kissinger did:
Yeah, they can’t be trusted to choose for themselves their own choice. Just like we can’t be trusted to choose for our own selves to follow God, and must be saved with or without our own choice, right, Travis?
Addendum,
Let me put Kissinger’s quote in a better perspective:
“I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch [God's children] go [sinning and be lost] due to the irresponsibility of [their choices]. The issues are much too important for [God's children] to be left to decide for themselves.â€
I think that you almost have to live in Chile, as Travis did, to appreciate the complexity of the Pinochet question. Most Chileans do not view Pinochet as Argentines do Videla or, in the extreme, Germans do Hitler.
When I was in Argentina several years ago I lived for a couple months with a Chilean. My friend had relatives who fled under Pinochet’s rule. Because of their political activities his aunt and uncle would have likely been imprisoned, or worse. Nevertheless, my friend approved of Pinochet’s overall handling of the nation.
Like my Chilean friend, I believe that Pinochet saved Chile from the disaster of Allende and socialism. The track record of Chile’s economy speaks for itself, especially compared to their South American neighbors. Economic or political progress, however, does not justify murder, so I doubt that Pinochet is enjoying the afterlife.
Doug,
That’s the real question, isn’t it. Who’s decision is the final decision on the direction of a country? According to someone like Kissinger, he’d rather not allow a country to decide for themselves if they want bad economics.
What if America today decided to choose a communist leader, through democratic means, freely out of their own choice. Is it justifiable for a military leader to overthrow that democratically elected government and set up a dictatorship?
Dan, you really are everywhere.
Anyway, I fall somewhere in the middle. I was down there during the 25th anniversary of the golpe and saw both sides. Its a really complicated, complicated situation that I don’t think you can begin to understand just reading the english history books. The whole situation, from what happened under Allende and afterwards with Pinochet is very complicated…and I think a black/white view on this chapter of chile’s history misses the complexity of what happened.
Doug, I knew a lot of Chileans who were all over the map. I only remember one pro-pinochet supporter, and her husband was killed by pinochet when she was pregnant with their only child.
Which is why all people should be compelled to Choose the Right. My plan is to do this. Follow me.
-SATAN