I was talking about real dissidents during the time they were dissidents -- i.e., still living in the Soviet Union, running constant risks of getting sent off to jail and/or to a psychiatric institution, preferring to speak the truth, whatever the cost. Such people appreciated President Carter's support of their cause.
Not everyone who emigrated to this country was a dissident. In fact, very few were. Oh, well, most of the emigres disliked the Soviet regime, but that is not what makes you a dissident. Taking real risks (as FS would say)n is what makes you one. Anyway, once here, most emigres/dissidents soon became "new" Americns, and picked up many of their new American political views from the locals. If the locals happened to be conservatives, and if they happened to be your employers, then you might feel it your duty to adore Republican presidents and abhor Democratic ones, and to talk about "softness on the Soviets," etc., etc.
While in the Soviet Union, however, true dissidents did not talk about the "Soviet threat". That is Amerispeak. Nor did they give a hoot about which President was a what. They liked Carter because he took human rights seriously. Period.
As for Helmut Schmidt, he was not a Soviet dissident. So he didn't care for Carter. Not relevant. |
