[CatoRenasci]

Excellent article, and consistent with the view I have had of the Chilean situation all along. I have several Chilean friends and acquaintences who speak of the 1973 coup with sadness, because it was the first in Chile in the 20th century -- unlike most of Latina America, Chile had a relatively stable republic and middle class, and becaue they thought it was necessary.

The left has been remarkably sucessessful in portraying Allende as a social democrat (ala Mao's 'agrarian reformers' of the late '40s) when in fact he was a Castro wannabe.

[WOSG]

Sadly, the continent's next castro wannabe - Chavez - got his rump electoral council to defy common sense and declare the call for refurendum on his rule invalid. the 3 million signatures were obtained 'too early'.

Venezuala's slide from democracy to tyranny continues ... sigh.

[happygrl]

Perhaps, as this article indicates, a civil war would have broken out with an associated loss of life. We don't know, as the coup trumped that potentiallity. It is most instructive to read of the role played by French and other operatives and trainers to the Chilean police and security. It was the activities engaged in by the security aparatus which gave the coup its black eye. These same tactics were employed in Uraguay and Argentina. It is still a black mark against the restorers that history will note. As you have pointed out, there were no easy choices at that time; the problem with those political movements of a totalitarian nature such as Islamicism or Leftism is that, once they are elected in, they are not inclined to be elected out.