Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (46715)	7/24/1999 1:25:00 AM
From: Michael M	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Steven -- I don't know why you blame RR personally for the fact that Marcos ran his country into the ground. I will attest your claim that State, Defense and the intel community worked feverishly at the end to make sure all parties understood that the party was over. I will also say that senior members of these establishments (at least those with an interest in Asia) had, years before, tagged the PI as sick, with no hope of recovery under the prevailing regime. The problem was easy to identify -- I don't remember any solutions being seriously offered or discussed. Marcos was enabled, emboldened and indulged by more than one U.S. administration. The fact that you witnessed the suffering of a nation and people you love (rack up another assumption for The Hyena) at a moment in time when RR was in the White House doesn't, in my opinion, justify dumping the whole mess, or even the biggest part of it, in his lap. Was it you, the other evening, that expressed distaste for U.S. hegemony? What would you have called a U.S. effort to alter the 'friendly' government of the PI? The last time we played that hand, the Diem Bros. got whacked and the situation got a lot worse instead of better. I'm sure you know, in the years leading up to the Marcos departure, The U.S. had a keen interest in good relations with the Marcos government because we wanted a military presence near the Southeast Asian mainland. At the time, the Soviets were in Cam Ranh Bay and adventuring in Afghanistan and we were looking at the possibility of being no closer than Guam and Diego Garcia. Although that's exactly where we are today, the worrisome reach of Moscow has been shortened. I share your opinion of politicians in general and respect your view of Reagan's shortcomings. I think he was a wonderful President for the simple reason that he was so darn simple. As for the Soviet Union thing -- he looked them in the eye and said, 'get out your checkbook'. An oversimplification, to be sure, but the Soviets NEVER doubted him. IMO, the PI is a beautiful and wonderful and wonderfully complex country, but I don't think it's finished with growing pains yet. I wish it the best.