Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The Case Against Trying Pinochet
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is going on trial. There are two reasons not to do this.
1) However bad Pinochet was, I would surmise that the socialists he overthrew would have been much, much worse. It doesn't justify what he did, but, overall, the country is better off.
Honestly speaking, why are human rights activists upset at Pinochet and not Castro? Could it be because they have a soft spot for communists? That is the only logical explanation.
2) Pinochet gave up power peacefully in the early 90's. If he knew he would be put on trial, would he have? If memory serves, amnesty was part of the deal. This behavior should be rewarded.
In the future, only Communist despots will be able to give up power peacefully without fear of reprisal from human rights activists.
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is going on trial. There are two reasons not to do this.
1) However bad Pinochet was, I would surmise that the socialists he overthrew would have been much, much worse. It doesn't justify what he did, but, overall, the country is better off.
Honestly speaking, why are human rights activists upset at Pinochet and not Castro? Could it be because they have a soft spot for communists? That is the only logical explanation.
2) Pinochet gave up power peacefully in the early 90's. If he knew he would be put on trial, would he have? If memory serves, amnesty was part of the deal. This behavior should be rewarded.
In the future, only Communist despots will be able to give up power peacefully without fear of reprisal from human rights activists.
