Pinochet dead

[Black Dog]

Chileans both mourn, celebrate Pinochet's death

May he burn in hell.

Objectively pro-fascist hack Mark Steyn looks at Pinochet's record of brutality, oppression and corruption and nods approvingly.

But, on the passing of one of the great hate-figures of left-wing drawing-rooms, even those not quite as gung-ho for the old strongman as Peter Simple ought to acknowledge that he left his country much better than he found it. Indeed, he's one of the best examples of Jeane Kirkpatrick's famous distinction between anti-western totalitarians and pro-western authoritarians.

If the notion that a man with no respect for basic human rights and the democratic process is worthy of praise because he set the foundations for a strong economy wasn't absurd enough on its face, Steyn obviously didn't get the memo.

Throughout his later years, Pinochet retained loyal supporters, who credited his government with instituting a fiscal discipline that helped make Chile's economy the region's strongest. But he lost many of those backers after multiple probes in recent years revealed financial corruption, including the discovery of millions of dollars in state funds held in numerous secret overseas accounts, among them several at the former Riggs Bank in Washington. As recently as October, Chilean investigators announced the discovery of 10 tons of gold, worth an estimated $160 million, in Pinochet's name in a Hong Kong bank.

It's also interesting that Pinochet, Kirkpatrick and Pinochet fan Milton Friedman all kicked the bucket with the span of about a month. Henry Kissinger should be nervous right about now.

[Figleaf]

Hurray! And he died in disgrace too!

[myata]

Too bad Chile haven't come up with a resolve to try him for all the abuses. Agreed. May he get the very worst of whatever he believed in.

[colliver19]

As a British citizen I feel that someone from my country should say something in favour of Pinochet - as he was the only South American leader who supported Britain during the Falklands War with Argentina. Many British people were appalled at the way the Blair government agreed to extradite Pinochet to Spain, including Margaret Thatcher.

I am kind of ignorant on this topic as I know little of the attrocities that were committed by Pinochet and his cronies in Chile. I have no doubt they were barbaric and fully understand why people hate him so much but I for one have to thank him for his assistance to my country during the campaign.

[Charles Anthony]

say something in favour of Pinochet - as he was the only South American leader who supported Britain during the Falklands War with Argentina.

You are kidding. I am sure Pinochet was supporting Britain for humanitarian reasons.

[colliver19]

say something in favour of Pinochet - as he was the only South American leader who supported Britain during the Falklands War with Argentina.

You are kidding. I am sure Pinochet was supporting Britain for humanitarian reasons.

It is true that the only reason Pinochet supported Britain was because he feared a powerful and militant Argentina would invade Chile if she was successful in conquering the Falklands, but a favour is still a favour I guess!

I like the way you quoted me as well!!

[myata]

Let's also remember to say a word of thank you to Saddam for when he was fighting ayatollas preventing spread of radical Islam.

[colliver19]

Let's also remember to say a word of thank you to Saddam for when he was fighting ayatollas preventing spread of radical Islam.

Nah - that did nothing for Britain!

[Black Dog]

As a British citizen I feel that someone from my country should say something in favour of Pinochet - as he was the only South American leader who supported Britain during the Falklands War with Argentina. Many British people were appalled at the way the Blair government agreed to extradite Pinochet to Spain, including Margaret Thatcher.

I am kind of ignorant on this topic as I know little of the attrocities that were committed by Pinochet and his cronies in Chile. I have no doubt they were barbaric and fully understand why people hate him so much but I for one have to thank him for his assistance to my country during the campaign.

Because that desolate hunk of rock in the south Atlantic was so vital to British interests?

And hey, if Maggie Thatcher likes someone, that's a good sign they're a complete bastard. Those two will be sharing a meathook in hell.

[Higgly]

Too bad the bastard never had to stand trial. How sweet it would have been to see him in the dock with the CIA psychopaths who ran him.

Thanks too for quoting Mark Steyn.

[colliver19]

As a British citizen I feel that someone from my country should say something in favour of Pinochet - as he was the only South American leader who supported Britain during the Falklands War with Argentina. Many British people were appalled at the way the Blair government agreed to extradite Pinochet to Spain, including Margaret Thatcher.

I am kind of ignorant on this topic as I know little of the attrocities that were committed by Pinochet and his cronies in Chile. I have no doubt they were barbaric and fully understand why people hate him so much but I for one have to thank him for his assistance to my country during the campaign.

Because that desolate hunk of rock in the south Atlantic was so vital to British interests?

And hey, if Maggie Thatcher likes someone, that's a good sign they're a complete bastard. Those two will be sharing a meathook in hell.

LOL I think the Falklands were more about international prestige than vital interests. I agree Thatcher was a battleship but she got the job done i guess.

[Higgly]

How many Chileans had to die before Thatcher could exhibit her hard-on on the BBC? Maggy may have defended the British character of the Faulklands, but she was a moron when it came to foreign policy,

[Black Dog]

LOL I think the Falklands were more about international prestige than vital interests.

So you're willing to speak in favour of a murderous thug soley because he supported your country in a war that you concede was pretty much meaningless? Your priorities are perplexing indeed.

[colliver19]

LOL I think the Falklands were more about international prestige than vital interests.

So you're willing to speak in favour of a murderous thug soley because he supported your country in a war that you concede was pretty much meaningless? Your priorities are perplexing indeed.

Well if you put it like that of course. It may have been pointless to people who wern't British, but to us it was a blatant invasion of a British territory. Do you not think America or Canada (if she had the naval capabilities) would react in kind?

Don't forget the Falklands Island is populated - by people who overwhelmingly consider themselves British. You should also remember Argentina was ruled by a dictator at the time as well - just as bad as Pinochet i'm sure.

[colliver19]

How many Chileans had to die before Thatcher could exhibit her hard-on on the BBC? Maggy may have defended the British character of the Faulklands, but she was a moron when it came to foreign policy,

I completely agree Margaret Thatcher had her own, quite obnoxious, way of doing things but you have to remember that she did much to restore the UK's international prestige at a time when Britain had just experienced enormous domestic chaos during the 1970s.

As for Pinochets' murderous ways i'm not condoning them in anyway, but the government of Argentina at the time of the Falklands War was just as barbaric as that of Chile. Make no mistake the balance of power in South America would be much different today if Britain had not intervened.

I presume from your stance you are very much in favour of the rights of the civilians of Chile - how would they have liked a full-scale Argentine invasion in the wake of a 'glorious' re-conquest of the Falklands? You should make no mistake in believing that Argentina would have stopped with the Falklands had she been successful. Chile was another 'thorn in the side' of Argentina. I very much doubt the government of Argentina would have respected the rights of many ordinary Chileans - just as Pinochet didn't.