When Ronald Reagan made his famous speech denouncing the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire," I thought he was wrong. Although I had no allusions about the Soviets being anything other than tyrants, I thought at the time Reagan's name-calling was juvenile and harmful to the cause of world peace.
I was wrong. From all I learned later, being called the Evil Empire shocked the Kremlin's idea of itself and led some officials to look at themselves anew, a theme eventually picked up by Gorbachev. But the thing that really impressed me - and made me change my mind - was the later news that dissidents took great encouragement in what Reagan had said. It gave them hope and heart.
Tomorrow my column defends the Nobel committee - sort of - for giving the Peace Prize to Obama. (Be warned, like this blog today, it is not a laff fest). Everybody has condemned the award -- even liberals like me thought it was ridiculious -- and if you feel like that, the following AP story is for you. Just as I had second thoughts about Reagan once, perhaps you will too about this award to Obama....
Leading Cuban dissidents cheer Obama's Nobel prize
HAVANA (AP) - Many of the 75 activists jailed in a 2003 Cuban government crackdown on political dissent are congratulating Barack Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a letter released Monday to international journalists, 29 of those imprisoned six years ago said Obama "has become a global symbol, especially for us who, under difficult conditions, are defending Cubans' right to democracy."
In another letter, 21 of their wives, mothers and other female relatives also cheered Obama.
Fifty-four dissidents remain imprisoned on allegations they conspired with the U.S. to topple Cuba's government. Those freed were granted medical parole or forced into exile in Spain. One was released after completing a six-year sentence.
Posted
Oct 13 2009, 05:48 PM
by
Reg Henry