The reason why I and so many admire him is that he was a champion against socialist/communist tyranny. We're seeing our very own Country heading in that direction, and you want to give me shit?
North and Reagan absolutely KNEW that the collectivism of the Sandinista National Liberation Front was a threat in our hemisphere. They supported the clandestine faction (Contras) to hopefully overthrow the tyrannical government. They were actually winning until Congress cut off funds. So North tried to support the Contra under the radar.
We can debate all day whether Reagan knew of such efforts, but North was the lead man who attempted to put down communism after Congress went squishy. I think that to be a good thing. Reagan and North were men who recognized the threat of the "gimmes" within communism.
BTW, I saw communism first hand back in 1960's in the love/peace movements as they formed local communes just outside of Los Angeles in the hills. I also watched them fall apart because the system was unsustainable.
Why? Because as always, some did not want to work as hard as others. Those who did work harder for the system finally got fed up with the slackers and left. Those '60's communes fell apart...never to be tried again. Communism and to a lessor degree socialism simply cannot work due to human characteristics. Sociology 101.
So yes, North tried to eliminate the communist Sandinistas. I give him credit.
Well said, FRiend.
bttt - great history lesson many seem to have forgotten.