Tyranny not in our interest

For too many years, the American government has been installing, promoting and protecting dictators in the name of stability and in the interest of corporate profits – oh, pardon, our national interests.

For too long we have ignored the rights of oppressed people across the globe. The results have been disastrous. We supported the shah for decades and it bit us. We supported and propped up Saddam Hussein and Manuel Noriega. We continue to support and defend brutal and oppressive regimes across the globe, all in the name of those corporate profits disguised as national interests.

We as Americans like to proclaim that the tree of liberty must be frequently watered with the blood of tyrants. Yet when the people living under a tyrannical government threaten to do just that, America has all too often run to the defense of the tyrant in question. We have to decide whether we stand for liberty, justice and democracy, or whether we stand for corporate profits.

I suggest we send a message to dictators everywhere that repression and brutality are not acceptable. We have to get out of the “propping up” business and allow people the same self-determination that we preach and enjoy.

Thomas B. Whalen

Spokane