The bastard lived for 91 years ...

[cool_moose]

Some deaths are regretted, as when family elders pass on (my previous post). Others are welcomed and celebrated - as in the case of General Augusto Pinochet, self-appointed President (dictator) of Chile from 1973 until 1990. What was to have been a two-year adjustment to the economic rubble of the Allende years (less than three years 1970-73),

Comments

[homais]

This generally confirms my grand theory of politics: bastards hang on to life forever. When I think of politicians I loathed, they usually seem to be the ones who keep chugging into their nineties. And hey, even Ariel Sharon, when he finally changed course a little, suffered a massive stroke.

My love for Bill Clinton will be borne out by his untimely death.

[cool_moose]

Damn!! Come to think of it, I'll be 70 next April. Must be because of my decadant past.

[shofarot]

Fidel's death is a mystery in a box. No one can even imagine the power struggle that will certainly occur following his end.

At least in the case of Pinochet he ensured that Chile - by accident or through 'good intention' - was well prepared for a transfer to democracy.

[cool_moose]

Allende's 'The House of the Spirits' is a wonderful, sweeping book. I was amazed at how well Jeremy Irons played the part in the later film - he became a credible Chilean.

"De amor y de sombre / Of Love and Shadows" is another fine book - my favourite from Isabel.

[cool_moose]

... and, as for Thatcher, apart from her worship for things connected to Friedman, I never understood her acceptance of Pinochet, persisting until now - even after his record became clear and his squirelling away a fortune was uncovered. Thatcher was a good example of how unfettered free-market economics can be implemented, without too much initial damage and 'people-stomping'. Britain was 'protected' by its history, courts and respect for both. In Chile, the "Chicago Boys" (Chilean sons of the wealthy), backed by the army, proceeded to destroy lives as well as the economy. Allende began screwing the economy, Pinochet finished the job, over the next 12 years.

In the mid-80's, even under Pinochet, saner minds took over the re-implementation of free-market policies - and Friedman's "breezes began to blow" - even stronger after 1990, when the "Concertacion" (mostly Social Democrats)took over with Aylwin and Frei. Chile's economy and free-market approaches still thrive - after Lagos' time and now, under Sra.Bechelet - both mild