Posted on 09/05/2008 7:03:31 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A bitter political-cultural confrontation that exploded in Nicaragua in late August could mark the final end of the passionate romance between the worlds leftist intellectuals and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
Ortega, you may recall, was the leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front when it seized power after overthrowing the 40-year Somoza family dynasty. A dashing young revolutionary who electrified liberals and leftists around the world, Ortega served as Nicaraguas president for most of the 1980s. He lost power in 1990, but after 16 years in opposition, he was elected president again in 2006.
For years in and out of government the Sandinista Front has been Ortegas private fiefdom. Most of the other Sandinistas who riveted the worlds attention in the 1980s have broken with him, but he emerged with control over the party machinery, and he wields power like an old-fashioned Latin American caudillo.
Despite Ortegas recent slide into authoritarian rule, and despite his glaring failure to address the urgent needs of an impoverished nation, the Sandinista cachet continues to give him an air of celebrity in some circles. His denunciations of American imperialism (issued even as he deals easily with the U.S. military and the International Monetary Fund) still warm the cockles of many hearts.
That has changed in recent days. On Aug. 22, in a crude act of political revenge, a Sandinista judge dredged up an old case that had been dismissed three years ago against Ernesto Cardenal, the 83-year-old poet who is one of Nicaraguas most beloved figures. Intellectuals from around the world, including many with pro-Sandinista pedigree, have angrily protested what they see as a transparent effort by Ortega and the Sandinistas to humiliate and punish Cardenal.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
No.
Are you kidding? The left loves Ortega. The Sandinista Cuban economic model is what they want for you.
I remember sitting in a high school class entitled “U.S. History 1945-Present” a few years ago watching a video bashing the Somozas in detail, dealing with the Sandanistas only in generalities. I wondered to myself, why on earth am I watching this? I didn’t sign up for a socialist history of Central America class. Don’t we have enough American history to cover, sir? So, no, Ortega will not disappear as a hero.
Oh, we also watched Spike Lee’s magnum opus Do the Right Thing. The teacher argued that trashing Danny Aeillo’s pizza joint was justified.
bump
Death to tyrants.
The Ortega brothers will have to answer for what they have done...in this world or the next.
Ernesto Cardinal was the “Liberation Theology” Priest who took a Cabinet position with the Sandinistas immediately after they took power.
You might remember the famous photo of him kneeling to kiss John Paul II’s ring, and JPII giving him a good scolding.
As to Ortega hating him - leftists always seem to hate and kill themselves the most once they take over.
Its not over with Castro, so I’d guess “no.”
“Once more a revolution has been betrayed from within.”
They will always be “disappointed” by all these dictators who promise that if his people just give up their freedom, he’ll deliver them utopia. I don’t know how many more millions of people will have to suffer and die before leftis learn this lesson. If ever.
Leftists love seeing people tortured and humiliated. It gives them a greater sense of power and control.
And power and control are what they live for.
Who in Hollywood will be the first to schedule a gala fundraiser?
Will John Kerry attend? After all, he visited with Daniel shortly after he was elected during the Reagan years and reported to Congress that Daniel was not a communist. The week later the USSR sent a huge cash contribution to Nicaragua.
"Once more a revolution has been betrayed from within."
Typical "useful idiot" language. These fools never realize that the whole point of any Communist revolution is to put a new elite in power and crush any potential opponents.
“...but after 16 years in opposition, he was elected president again in 2006.”
“...my head still hurts...put the tumor back in...”
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.