Was the death of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet a blessing, a relief or tragedy...? Your thoughts.?

Question

Chilean Ex-Dictator Augusto Pinochet Dies at 91
Opponents Battle Police in Santiago, While Supporters Mourn
By EDUARDO GALLARDO, AP

SANTIAGO, Chile (Dec. 10) - Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who terrorized his opponents for 17 years after taking power in a bloody coup, died Sunday, putting an end to a decade of intensifying efforts to bring him to trial for human rights abuses blamed on his regime. He was 91.

Supporters saw Pinochet as a Cold War hero for overthrowing democratically elected President Salvador Allende at a time when the U.S. was working to destabilize his Marxist government and keep Chile from exporting communism in Latin America.

But the world soon reacted in horror as Santiago's main soccer stadium filled with political prisoners to be tortured, shot, disappeared or forced into exile.

Pinochet's dictatorship laid the groundwork for South America's most stable economy, but his crackdown on dissent left a lasting legacy: His name has become a byword for the state terror, in many cases secretly supported by the United States, that retarded democratic change across the hemisphere.

Answer 1

Unless you were there you don't have a right to an opinion, I was and Pinochet to 51% of the country will always be our hero and savior if not just look at the news and see how we are mourning at the same time others are celebrating. I do feel for the families of the people 3.000 + of them that got kill. But only 200 of them took him to trial because the rest of them got indemnify for the death of their loves ones. Good money too. So I feel for 200 people the lost their lives for what they believe in. Just as I would been willing to loose my life to protect my younger brothers while my parents went to work and left me at home with rifles just in case the communist came to get my brothers I was a girl 16 years old at the time.

Answer 2

Both a blessing and a relief. While it's true than in practice Marxism does not work, one either works for all peoples to have a right to choose or one is an elitist. I walk a tightrope between freedom and Plato's Republic, but in general what he did was bad and set a poor example; if the U.S. were to have had a greater influence in South America it should have adopted a more conciliatory approach, especially with Cuba so close by. But we also helped defeat the Communists in Italy with similar tactics (although not as bloody). So while it is true the world is better without Marxist regimes, nonetheless the tactics were immoral. So you either believe that the ends justify the means, or you don't. I don't unless it escalates to the level of a Hitler. Exactly where it crosses the line is still a good subject for debate .......

Answer 3

both a blessing and a relief. mutually as this is truly than in prepare Marxism does not artwork, one both works for all peoples to have a large to ensure on or one is an elitist. I walk a tightrope between freedom and Plato's Republic, yet frequently what he did became into undesirable and set a foul social gathering; if the U.S. were to have had a much better robust impact in South united statesa. it ought to favor to have observed a much better conciliatory body of techniques, particularly with Cuba so interior sight. yet we also helped defeat the Communists in Italy with similar techniques (even with the easy shown truth that not as bloody). So mutually because it somewhat is truly the international is more advantageous useful without Marxist regimes, even with the actual shown truth that the techniques were immoral. so that you both have self belief that the ends justify the potential, or you do not. i do not except it escalates to the point of a Hitler. precisely the position it crosses the line remains a sturdy project for debate .......

Answer 4

Now you specify what was his death. Sure his regime was terror, and had he died in office it would have been a blessing. The way he died though is not a good thing for alot of people. He kept them from getting justice. Although you can blame the British as well because they were giving him exhile and wouldn't let him be put on trial for quite awhile. I'm not sure I would go as far as calling his death a tragedy though.

Answer 5

In Chile itself, his death yesterday was met by dancing in the streets by most, because they are delighted to see the fimal end of this evil man..but there are still a few who think that he was Chile's saviour, so public opinion there is not 100% pleased to see him die.

Answer 6

Pinochet was no hero, read up on Colonia Dignidad.

Answer 7

A blessing-now Chile can move on.