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The Forum > Article Comments > In an age of 'realists' and vigilantes, there is cause for optimism > Comments

In an age of 'realists' and vigilantes, there is cause for optimism : Comments

By John Pilger, published 20/9/2013

This narcissism served to justify the cold war, its moralising myths and cataclysmic risks, and when that was over, the 'war on terror'.

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The destruction of the socialist government of Chile by the Chilean middle classes, supported by the USA, was exactly the right thing to do. The Chilean leftists had made themselves popular with the poverty stricken Chilean working and disadvantaged classes by promising them almost instant wealth if they voted in a socialist government. When this was done, the socialists "nationalised" (another word for "steal") the means of production by telling the owners of the mines and factories that their property was now the property of the State.

Naturally, this did not go down well with the productive class who owned these assets. Having your property officially stolen in the name of some stupid and unworkable ideology is a sure way to pee off the intelligent class. The Chilean middle classes simply waited a few months until the stupid socialists had completely ruined the economy, and the country was on the verge of total anarchy, before they asked the USA to end the madness and to help them put in another totalitarian government which could at least run an economy.

Naturally, the Americans agreed. After all, some of the property which had been stolen by the thieving socialists was property of US citizens. The Chilean Armed forces agreed with the Chilean productive class and they correctly staged a coup. The Chilean middle classes sat on the balcony of rhe Chilean stock exchange sipping Champaign and cheering on the Chilean Air force Sabre jets who were bombing the palace.

You can bet that the new government did not treat the socialist idiots who had ruined their country very nicely after they came into power. But since socialists have a history of doing exactly the same thing to stay in power when everyone else in a society wants them to go, then they can hardly cry "foul" over that bit of unpleasantness.

Socialism failed everywhere and we now know theat the USA was always right when it came to fighting against leftist insanity. Last I heard, Chile was now doing OK. Socialist Cuba and North Korea are not doing OK.
Posted by LEGO, Friday, 20 September 2013 7:56:45 AM
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Even the cream of socialism in Germany & Russia couldn't live up to what they preached.
Posted by individual, Friday, 20 September 2013 8:53:41 AM
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Thanks, John, for reminding us of the infamous role of Kissinger and America in the affairs of South American nations.

Wherever the Yanks go in the world, there is killing and destruction. They talk peace but they bring war and chaos, that and manipulation to advance their own interests.

They support despots and Royals, no matter how evil they are. They would support the Devil himself if they could make a buck out of it.

The U.S. is a sick nation. It has no values or principles. It embodies fanatical greed and brutality.

What is worse is that Australia is one of its pawns!
Posted by David G, Friday, 20 September 2013 9:24:08 AM
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Wherever the Yanks go in the world, there is killing and destruction.
David G,
Can you tell us which country that the US have gone into in a military capacity when there wasn't a conflict already. I mean the US are well known to waste their money on idiots causing pointless strife in their own country.
Posted by individual, Friday, 20 September 2013 11:28:40 AM
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Imagine if John Kerry was president.
He reminds me of the wild west days and the deputy sheriff who quickly gathers a posse and then goes after and strings up the accused without a trial.

With Kerry as US President I think WW3 would have started already.
Posted by JF Aus, Friday, 20 September 2013 1:43:04 PM
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With Kerry as US President I think WW3 would have started already.
JF Aus,
What you really mean is a handful of Syrian cranks would have had to stop killing Syrians ?
Russia would be guilty of staring your war, not the US. Russia via Putin is saying they defend what's going on in Syria. I hope the US don't go into Syria & then let the do-gooders explain the mayhem that the Middle East will be. Of course it'll be the US's fault for not stepping in by then.
Posted by individual, Friday, 20 September 2013 3:17:35 PM
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Kissenger is a war criminal and Bob Carr is his good friend.
Posted by Arjay, Friday, 20 September 2013 6:26:24 PM
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Arjay, Kissinger is a war criminal along with Albright, George W Bush, Blair, Howard, Obama, and a whole slew of psychotic murderers who have come and gone from the White House.

These criminals have, thus far, evaded the Courts. Hopefully this situation will change in the near future and justice will be metered out to these lowlife!

Can you imagine Howard being taken out to face a firing squad? I bet he would blubber!
Posted by David G, Friday, 20 September 2013 6:49:29 PM
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I bet he would blubber!
David G,
You mean like you're doing here instead of answering questions let alone offering solutions ?
Posted by individual, Friday, 20 September 2013 6:56:09 PM
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LEGO

If Allende’s government was such an economic basket case, how come did its vote increase by over 25% between the 1970 and 1973 elections?

As for the nationalisations, both houses of the opposition-dominated congress unanimously approved the nationalization of the copper industry, which had been operating illegally and immorally for decades. His nationalization of other key industries was entirely legal and based on laws dating back to 1932.

Although inflation increased to over 100% under Allende, due to the rapid change from a capitalist to a socialist system and deliberate destabilization by external governments and internal opponents, it was stabilizing by 1973. Despite this, buying power per capita increased significantly due to income redistribution. Reports of ‘goods scarcity’ came from the middle and upper classes, indignant at suddenly having to share with the poor.

Food prices skyrocketed within a year of the coup – bread prices increasing by 3700% – and inflation reached 500% (750% by 1975). Eighty-five per cent of the population sank below the poverty line (compared to 29% in 1969, dropping to 19% under Allende).

Foreign debt to GDP increased from about 30% under Allende to 85% in 1976 and 150% by 1982. Unemployment reached 18.5% by 1976 and 35% by 1982 (compared to by 4% under Allende). State banks and other assets were sold off at 40%+ discounts.

Little wonder that in 1982 the entire economy collapsed! Yet we are still told ad nauseum that under Allende it was a basket case and, under Pinochet, a triumph.
Posted by Killarney, Saturday, 21 September 2013 1:42:23 AM
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I watched Assad on his return to Syria from studies, I think study in America. He looked like a gentleman.
Recently I asked a decent Syrian what Assad was like. The answer was, "he got the Christians and Muslims together".

I am at a loss to understand why Assad would use chemical weapons one day before the UN was known to be arriving in Syria.

It is known that Syrian army people have defected and joined the rebels, rebels that include terrorists.
Terrorists are known to use chemicals.
Terrorists are also known to kill innocent people, 3,000 on 9/11.

It is likely at least one defector from the Syrian army would know the whereabouts of chemical weapons.

Remember the 'evidence' of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. How many civilians have since been killed in that outrageous fiasco? 100,000 plus?

In any case, credit where credit is due. I think Putin should be remembered for keeping the peace this time.
Posted by JF Aus, Saturday, 21 September 2013 5:46:32 PM
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Pseudo socialism has given us many now insurmountable problems, lack of education being one of the major ones. Law & Order have gone the same way. I believe it is only a matter of time before we see an upsurge of vigilanteism. I'll put up my hand unless of course our perverse judges & magistrates get weeded out & heterosexuals put in place.
Posted by individual, Sunday, 22 September 2013 7:37:53 PM
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