Latin America
In reply to the discussion: 4 Things to Remember About Chile's 1973 Coup [View all]Judi Lynn
(160,530 posts)It's so good knowing this book is out there, and will probably continue to be read for a long time to come.
Some people do remember the odd stories arising all over the country indicating the instant polarization created, the rancor and suspicion of anyone who didn't support all US gov't efforts the minute it happened.
There were events which happened like Gov't agents who showed up at the apartment door of a woman who had a large poster on her wall which could be seen from the hallway of George W Bush and his record for capital punishment deaths when he was the governor in Texas. Clearly someone had tried to turn her in for subversion, or something.
Then there was a visit paid to a car barn where there were various cars painted, called "art cars," I believe, because someone had concluded one of those cars seemed subversive," etc., etc., etc.
A drunk arrested in a bar who had been heard yelling about the "Burning Bush" which apparently was taken to be a death threat against the President.
Who doesn't remember Ari Fleisher started immediately intimidating the members of the Press at press briefings, indicating every one of them was being watched, read, examined, and could easily get him/herself in trouble if the government didn't like his/her product?
The announcement people should watch each other, and plumbers, housepainters, electricians, delivery men, etc. should be sure to turn in names of anyone they discovered might seem to be up to no good, terror-wise.
We had instant panic.
Sihks being killed within a day or two because criminally insane people mistook them for "Islamic" people they would like to kill.
Total madness, and it was ALL peachy keen, in the end, because the disturbance was good ol' Americans worried about self-defense.
Anything's allowed in that case, as it seems.
Sure glad you took the time to remind us of the unavoidable connection. A lot of people just don't get it, yet, and probably won't. Sad.