BTW, don't underestimate JC. Take a much closer look, if you can. You like might what yo see.
:O)
P
a.k.a. Fellow Dog lover!
Posted on 06/02/2007 2:53:31 PM PDT by wagglebee
Well, he's done it. Hugo Chavez was already systematically silencing criticism of his autocratic rule through threats and intimidation. Journalists have been threatened, beaten, and even killed. Now he's shut down the last opposition television networks in Venezuela and arrested nearly 200 protesters — mostly students. It’s a monumental tragedy and the Venezuelan people will pay the price for decades to come. Americans are also at risk as he funds anti-American candidates and radicals all over Latin America.
It’s equally tragic that the U.S. is in no position to provide the victims of this emerging dictator with the truth. There was a time, though, when Americans were on the frontlines of pro-freedom movements all over the world. I'm talking about the “surrogate” broadcast network that included Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, often called "the Radios."
When Ronald Reagan was elected, he greatly empowered the private, congressionally funded effort and handpicked the Radios’ top staff to bring freedom to the Soviet Union. Steve Forbes led the group.
Cynics still say that the USSR fell of its own weight, and that President Reagan’s efforts to bring it down were irrelevant, but Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev say differently. Both have said that, without the Radios, the USSR wouldn't have fallen. The Radios were not some bland public-relations effort, attracting audiences only with American pop music. They engaged the intellectual and influential populations behind the Iron Curtain with accurate news and smart programming about freedom and democracy. They had sources and networks within those countries that sometimes outperformed the CIA. When Soviet hardliners and reformers were facing off, and crowds and tanks were on the streets of Moscow and Bucharest, the radios were sending real-time information to the people, including the military, and reminding them of what was at stake.
Then we won the Cold War. The USSR collapsed in 1991, and America relaxed. Military downsizing began and the Radios began to reduce broadcast air time to target countries.
Now, of course, we know that the Islamofascists, many trained by the old Soviets, were making plans and plots of their own. Unfortunately, the plans to broadcast a pro-freedom message into Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kurdistan, and Ukraine were shelved or diluted. Reagan's ideological audacity was replaced with a more "diplomatic" tone.
And see where it's got us? Not only has Islamic totalitarianism spread without a true ideological challenge, many of the freed Soviet bloc countries are slipping back into repression. Russia is making the same old threats and even protecting Iran's efforts to build nukes.
We'll never know if Afghanistan might have rejected al Qaeda if America had actively engaged that country as we did those Eastern Europeans. We can't know if Venezuelans would have chosen liberty over the false security of authoritarianism if they had been challenged to face the issues. I do know, though, that it's time for a new generation of Americans to stand up for freedom — like others before us. And this time, we’ll have a whole new set of media technologies.
Watts wrong with Thompson/Steele?
Not to mention the anti-American Brooklynites that are basking in the glow of taking oil from Chavez.
Yeah, I’m seeing the definite signs of “fire in the belly.” Very exciting! Well said, Fred.
Now that’s a ticket I’d pound the street for.
“Watts wrong with Thompson/Steele?”
Freudian slip?
I’d prefer Thompson/Rice, but I want to win. JC is a good conservative who I trust to do the right thing.
Exactly right, Extreme. There are a lot of Freepers who are racist and don’t even realize it. They swoon over the thought of (insert favorite candidate)/Watts (or /Steele) to show how enlightened they are. The ONLY reason they clamor for Watts and Steele is because they are black. It’s really disgusting. If they were white, not a single person here would talk about either on a national ticket.
On the other hand, Condi and Colin are the right stature. Too bad they’re both RINOs. Now, if Thomas Sowell were to toss his hat in the ring, I’d vote for him in a second. But it has nothing to do with his race - he’s just about the most brilliant man in America. I’ve read his columns for years and have never disagreed with him. Every other columnist I disagree with from time to time, but never Sowell.
Let the Dems have their “magic negro”. We should live up to our principles and back the best candidate, period. I don’t care a lick about ethnicity or sex. Heck, I’m still waiting for the Republican Margaret Thatcher to show up, but I’m not going to beat the drum for a bubblehead like Kay Hutchison to show how wonderful I am for supporting a woman.
Fred hits it on the head, and Steele is as tough as nails. They will rebuild a strong conservative party.
Our current gov't is moving us into the New World Order...Where sovereignty is a thing of the past...They're working on implementing a North American Union, just like the European Union...
We don't need to worry about Venezuela gaining liberty...We need to worry about losing ours...
When Fred touches on that issue, he'll be worth listening to...Not before...
Dood...check your dosage. Is it legal for you to vote in your state when you are that stoned?
Nope, pun intended. Couldn't resist!
Steele is a good option as I don’t want Rice.
Thanks for the ping Politicalmom!
Another GREAT piece by Mr. Thompson... Loving this guy more and more everyday. (o:
GO FRED!
This is what I want in a president....hard talking and clear thinking....no more Mr. Nice Guys for president !!!!!!
Right on money! And it will cost us so much less than a week of war. (I support the war btw). The funny things we don’t have to lie in our propaganda - just present accomplishments of free people anywhere. There are many names for the times we live in, and the information age is one of them. Why in a world we neglect to inform people about all our positives, is beyond me.
Law and Order laid down with a hand of Steel. I like it. : )
Holy cow!
Agreed. I back Hunter too but he is just not getting traction and Thompson will bring it home. He’ll crush Hillary and/or Obama 40-10.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.