By way of discussing Tony Manero, the 2008 Chilean film just released here to some rapturous reviews, National Review's John Derbyshire offers historical perspective (the picture is set in 1978, four years after the coup that brought Augusto Pinochet to power).
When the Castroite Salvador Allende was overthrown by a military coup in 1973, thus probably forestalling the usual catalog of nation-wrecking Leninist horrors – slave-labor camps, famines, etc. – the international Left was outraged. They still are. The subsequent government of Augusto Pinochet, while often brutal and corrupt in the way of military dictatorships, restored Chile's economic health and eventually stepped aside to let the nation return to democracy. That of course outrages the Left even more.So true! They're probably also a little pissed about the 30,000 people who were tortured, murdered, or disappeared, but I bet the whole thing about not getting the slave-labor camps is really at the crux of their ire. Derbyshire seems doubtful about the quality of the flick, but it looks good to me; I'll let you know what I think if I manage to see it.
It really ticks me off when I'm gypped out of a good, old-fashioned famine. I'm going on a hunger strike in protest!
Word. And Franco was a really chill bro to have a beer with, too.
Trujillo would totally pick up the tab at the pizza place.
Videla plays a mean game of backgammon.
Somoza helped me move. On a weekend, no less!
I love how these crypto-fascists can't hold their cards close to their chest, writing pieces like this to remind us that, despite the fact that they look like you and me, they are in fact one tank tread away from filling Shea stadium with the corpses of unbathed college students.
And by the way, when that sort of nonsense is being published by the alleged "thinkers" of the right wing, Sarah Palin really is what you deserve.
Yeah, Allende was a definite Castroite, what with his speaking Spanish and refusal to pretend the Soviet Union didn't exist. And the slave labor camps! He just couldn't stop talking about them! Thank God it's now the case that everyone working in factories in Latin America makes a fair, living wage. Pinochet forever!
The unmitigated soreheadedness that inspires this oaf to insert a hit on Allende (35 years dead!) in a movie review is pretty inspiring. Granted it is a politicalish and Chilean movie but you could really see one of these dead-enders stuffing it into a Jaws review...it just might go...something like this:
"Brody, like Frank Rizzo, was a big city cop and it drives liberals nuts that he's the one who gets the shark while bearded, Jewish-looking, WASP elitist Hooper cowers on the ocean floor, his godless science having failed at the hour of destiny to protect the community from Carcharid aggression."
I'm glad we could have this conversation, this was good.
So John: you really want to align yourself with Pinochet? Really?