Comments on: El Salvador Rising

By: Tom Vitale

Tom Vitale — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:12:02 +0000

Yes, Thank you Tom Hayden—for all that you do !

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:51:52 +0000

This post reminds me of the great US backed injustices in S. America in the 70′s and 80′s. Just this year I went to Uruguay for vacation and many people there seem to either have personal experience or to personally know someone that ended up tortured or missing. For example, one woman I met at a party was tortured for 10 years for the “crime” of being found with a pamphlet that listed names of missing persons. Once this theme came up everyone seemed to have a story. One woman described her agony when her husband was kidnapped by the military and how she daily begged her neighbor, who was an officer, to intervene in her husband’s behalf. Another described of how her name had been put into “the list” (i.e. kidnapping list) several times and only removed each time because she happened to have been good friends with someone that ended up being a high ranking officer. I even found out to my horror how close some people I hold very very dear had been to being put into “the list.” Apparently informers who posed as college students were rampant in those days. My friends were only saved because one such informant took a strong personal liking to them and felt sorry for them. People lived in daily fear in those days not knowing who was an informant and worrying if a casual comment could be construed by some informant to mean that they stood against the regime. Interestingly I also met people in my trip who for the sake of opportunism had been and still are staunch supporters of the military regime. In fact, they have continued to socialize with the ex-military officers and in return to this day continue to receive favors and preferential treatment in small but significant ways. Although the military regime ended a couple of decades ago it is clear that for many people the wounds are still raw today.

I think the only way to prevent these crimes in the future is to hold the people responsible accountable. In that vein, I really hope that the Hague takes on Kissinger for crimes against humanity.

By: Matthew DeCoster

Matthew DeCoster — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:17:35 +0000

Jane this is an amazing post.
I worked for the NEST Foundation (New El Salvador Today) when we were denounced on the floor of Congress along with CISPES. A huge, heart felt thank you for this post. It isn’t surprising to me that in the midst of your recovery you continue to educate with your big, beautiful heart and brain. Wow!

Matthew

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:29:45 +0000

This article brings back sad and angry memories. All the mistrust that grew within me about our goverment and all the powers that be. I’m sick to my stomach when I see Oliver North on the trash tv network. Thinking of what he got away with and all the rest of the crooked creeps.
Thank you Tom Hayden for your enduring passion for peace, truth and equality. Especially for the ones with the smallest of voices. You are a strong advocate for us all as is Jane Fonda.

To be honest I haven’t thought about this much lately.
This article is weighty with the long list of contributing factors involved with these small countries that hold so
many wounds and secrets. You open the wounds for us all to see again and the continuing story.
There’s so many things happening on this beautiful blue Earth that is heavy on the heart. But I”m keeping the faith.
That word Hope and Freedom is springing up all over this planet. I am so loving it!
Power to the PEOPLE!
Peace,
Barbara