Posted on 08/12/2007 7:11:01 PM PDT by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
The CIA in the late 1950's, from the Hungarian Revolution to the Bay of Pigs betrayal. Showing the courageous, thankless efforts of the CIA against the Soviet Menace.
It sure brought back memories: the sense of rage and frustration over our abandonment of the Hungarians, and the Cubans.
Two presidents - two opposing parties : both faltering when the cips were down.
My question........
Is it worth it?
Yes I was 13 during the Hungarian Revolution and turning 18 during the Bay of Pigs, rage, frustration and shame! Made me a confirmed anti-communist, but the shame of that was nothing compared to the shame of the betrayal of the Vietnamese people.
If we do it again to the Iraqis, we will deserve what will happen to us!
Just how many movies about the heroic anti-communist struggles of that period with the right goodguys and badguys have you seen lately? Good acting and directing too!
I could have been the victim of a horrible accident involving heavy-duty farming equipment and lost both my hands and I would still have enough fingers to count how many movies I've seen as you described.
I'll find the time.
It can all be summed up by the hugely cynical policy of realpolitik--a Machiavellian policy pursued by too many Republican presidents of the past (e.g. Eisenhower, Ford, Bush 41), and rightly rejected by many Democrats of the past.
But now that President Bush (43) has rejected realpolitik in favor of a more idealistic policy, today's Dems are demanding a return to this tired, amoral policy.
It figures.
I watched last week and this week.
Tonight, I saw a recurring theme: The US promises locals that they will help them if they rise up against their oppressers. But the US fails to render support if the locals do.
That was a theme with the Hungarian rebellion.
That was a theme with the Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion.
And the Vietnam war, and, if the current traitors get their way, the war in Iraq. Sometimes I wonder why any people would put their trust in us.
It’s very good. Molina is great. They do as best possible to make this look authentic.
You forgot about the Iraqi Shiites in ‘91.
I was a few years older when the Hungarian massacre happened,and recall large numbers of refugees settling in NJ-especially Newark and New Brunswick. There were “Magyar Uzelet” (sp? translation: Hungarian spoken)signs in many windows.
Regrettably, we will do the same thing to the Iraqis...and pat ourselves on the back for being so mature and wise.
I have read the book twice. If you don’t have time to read it, check out an audio copy at your library. Scott Brick is an excellent reader.
Be prepared to do quite a bit of research as you read, unless you are a serious history buff. He weaves fictional and real characters together and it is important to know which is which.
I lived in the greater NYC area until the 1980’s, and knew a number of Hungarian refugees, and sometimes attended their festivals in New Brunswick. Great people, and love that goulash!
Not to mention the free Poles and the rest of the Eastern Europeans FDR sold down the River at Yalta. Also the Chinese and Tibetan and North Koreans.
‘I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.’ — Thomas Jefferson, writing about the curse of slavery.
I will certainly put this on my reading list. Fictionalizing history can cut down on lawsuits, but it is a risky propopsition for the reader.
The Hungarian women were breathtaking !
I had to keep reminding myself “You’re married ! They’re not for YOU !”
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