Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, was sworn in on Saturday before a who's who of Latin America's resurgent leftist leadership, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Bachelet, a medical doctor and former defense minister, is the fourth consecutive leader from the center-left coalition that has ruled Chile since the country returned to democracy in 1990 after the 17-year dictatorship. Speaking to reporters traveling with her to Chile, Rice said her attendance at the inauguration reaffirmed America's strong relationship and friendship with the Chilean people. "I think it is good to remember that it has now almost been 20 years that the United States has been a friend and supporter of democracy in Chile. We actually helped with the transition to democracy in Chile," she said. The United States, alarmed by the socialist government of democratically elected Salvador Allende in the early 1970s, also supported the Pinochet regime".Condi Rice is down in Chile doing some artful bobbing and weaving while she congratulates Chile's new President, Michelle Bachelet. You can't help but think Condi feels a little foolish down there playing the role of friendly diplomat. After all, the United States backed the coup and the murder of Salvador Allende and installed in his place, the brutal military dictator Augusto Pinochet, who eventually murdered Bachelet's father. Ms. Rice has quite a bit of pomposity to be there touting the image of us being a long-time "friend and supporter of democracy in Chile" when you consider what really happened. The Chilean people, and especially Pres. Bachelet are very aware of the fact that the current U.S. President is an awful lot like the one in 1973 that ordered the overthrow of the 'democratically elected' Allende. I'm sure it's not hard to remember who supported those who murdered your fathers. You think? Bachelet and Chileans, like all South American's have good reason to be skeptical of the current regime in Washington. Chile only has to look north to see how Bush and those around him have treated Venezuela to know this administration is 'different', and devious and Nixonian. President Bachelet might want to watch her back around Condi Rice. And oh yeah, by the way, Chile has been under 'center-left' governments since the ouster of the brutal U.S. puppet we installed and life for Chileans has never been better. Of course, it wouldn't take much to be 'better' than the previous 17 years of dictatorial rule that was driven down their throats by none other than Henry Kissinger and Richard M. Nixon. But, isn't that ironic? We helped murder her father...and now she's President of her country. Nice story, huh? You won't read 'that part' of the 'story' on Chile in the newspapers or hear it on Fox..., or probably any of the networks for that matter.... But, I'll remind you of it...you can get that information here.
