Remembering the Horrible Tragedy of September 11, 1973

September 11th , a day that will live in infamy – for Chileans. A democratically elected president was overthrown by an American backed coup which led to the deaths of thousands, and years of imprisonment, torture and repression under the regime of Augusto Pinochet. This is also as important as September 11, 2001.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Allende

It would also be helpful if the American population understood the pain that others have felt at the hands of the CIA and the American government. Just like the young Cuban fencing team who died in an explosion aboard a Cubana airliner on October 6, 1976. 73 people died. An associate of the US spy agency the CIA has been linked to the planning and execution of this terrorist act. He lives freely now in Miami – an American backed terrorist who apparently will never face justice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_Flight_455

Justice is a strange thing and the Americans hated it when Ward Churchill stated regarding the world trade center attacks of September 11, 2001 – “the chickens have come home to roost.” The attacks of September 11, 2001 were a terrible tragedy – which might have been prevented with better US intelligence and airport vigilance. But like so many other things – Americans never blame themselves or their government. That would take insight. It’s just like the American backed coup in Chile – no significant number of people in the U.S. really care about all of those killed, tortured, destroyed in the horrible period that followed Pinochet’s rise to power.

Justice is important but the truth requires insight and introspection – something Americans have little time or patience for. If Americans ever get to a stage where they can look at the suffering beyond their own borders – suffering caused by their own government – we might have a chance to really understand the world and what the true threats and opportunities are. But as long as we remain mentally isolated from the rest of the world and refuse to see the influence we have on others – we are destined to a future of always looking behind our backs. The Bush administration has only led us further into delusion and denial and continued to use power and force to bully our way in the world. Bullies make lots of enemies.