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I would certainly never view promoting freedom and democracy as a "knee jerk" reaction. Communism was a serious threat to the world. And maybe I've missed a few New York Times editorials lately, but I was never under the impression that the goal of destroying an entire society and its people was on par with taking covert and illegal activities to protect the freedom and liberty of an entire continent.


I have to say that I have heard so much about "Freedom and Democracy" lately that it has become almost a cliche, especially when you get the sense that it's some mutation of Big Brother that is chanting "Freedom and Democracy! Freedom and Democracy!" Beware slogans.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for freedom and democracy, the kind you find in the dictionary, but I fear that the definitions get a bit distorted in the hands of jingoist political movements.

In no way do I want to diminish the positive contributions of my Dad, my uncles, my Mother, my cousins and others in helping keep the world safe from several humorless, murderous "isms", but I have to look at some things and ask "What if?

What might the outcome have been if we (meaning the US of A):

Had decided not to step into the Indochinese shoes of the French but had actually followed FDR's professed post-war intent and had engaged Ho Chi Minh as a self-professed nationalist?

Decided that the Bay of Pigs might not be such a smart idea?

Decided that overthrowing Jacobo Arbenz was unethical?

Declined to kill Salvador Allende?

Concluded that the Contras were a bunch of murderous thugs of our own creation?

...and I think there are a few more examples that the attentive listener can add to this list.

So, if we stood back a little in some of these cases, would we all be living under the jackboot of Joe Stalin Junior now....or would the Statue of Liberty's torch be glowing maybe just a little bit brighter at this point?
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.