Captain's Quarters

Captain's Quarters: Why Aren't We Arguing For Liberty?

"Well, he's done it. Hugo Chavez was already systematically silencing criticism
of his autocratic rule through threats and intimidation. Journalists have been
threatened, beaten and even killed. Now he's shut down the last opposition
television networks in Venezuela and arrested nearly 200 protesters – mostly
students. It’s a monumental tragedy and the Venezuelan people will pay the price
for decades to come. Americans are also at risk as he funds anti-American
candidates and radicals all over Latin America.
It’s equally tragic that the
U.S. is in no position to provide the victims of this emerging dictator with the
truth. There was a time, though, when Americans were on the front lines of
pro-freedom movements all over the world. I'm talking about the “surrogate”
broadcast network that included Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, often
called 'the Radios.' ...
The Radios were not some bland public relations
effort, attracting audiences only with American pop music. They engaged the
intellectual and influential populations behind the Iron Curtain with accurate
news and smart programming about freedom and democracy. They had sources and
networks within those countries that sometimes outperformed the CIA. When Soviet
hardliners and reformers were facing off, and crowds and tanks were on the
streets of Moscow and Bucharest, the radios were sending real-time information
to the people, including the military, and reminding them of what was at stake.
Then we won the Cold War. The USSR collapsed in 1991, and America relaxed.
Military downsizing began and the Radios began to reduce broadcast air time to
target countries."

This is a good point, not only in South America, but more importantly across the muslim world. Spreading what America stands for, and the ideas we stand for across the world spreads understanding. The terrorists that hate America are spreading their messages about hate, that America is an evil place. If this is the only message that they get, this is the message that they will believe. We should be giving them the message that America is a good place founded on freedom and respect for people. It shouldn't whitewash the mistakes that have been made by our country, I think dealing with them honestly will show the world how much we respect what we stand for.