General Pinochet

Hero or Thug ? up to everyone to decide for themselves, its hard because we can't predict what would have happened have he not take power of the country, but if you extrapolate the series of events in 1973, I'm sure most history buffs would agree that he did the right thing, obviously taking control of a democratically elected communist government (which only won with 36% of the votes due to the split in the Center -right parties) is wrong, or is it ? is it right to watch someone kill themself and not do anything about it ? is it right to watch a country destroy itself because the the irresponsibility and ignorance of some ? or perhaps the desperation of some... i would argue that Pinochet not only saved Chile from an even more brutal dictatorship by the Communist USSR style government, but that everything that Chile is experiencing now is due to the fact that he made a hard decision. Some died, yes, but like all civil wars, and that is what it was... a struggle between classes, and yes Military personnel died too, people die. Obviously it would be great if we could all solve problems drinking whiskey around a table, but it doesn't work that way. I say being against Pinochet and what he did is being against Modern capitalism and free market economies. Its being against our own beliefs as a country.

Just some facts, Pinochet held two referendums, he lost in the latter one and relinquished power. It takes great courage to do whats right when many are against it , and certainly if you know that the orders you give will essentially condemn some people death, but think of the big picture.You are not out to save a few people, you are out to save the country, the future. My condolences to those who lost loved ones in these tragic events, none of the above can ever erase you anger and hate. I hope you can see my point of view.