Dispicable though they are, history does show that most dictators have fantastic style and dress sense.
The Peronists in particular had it in droves; and we try to present African and Asian dictators as comic, but they too have an authority and presence that goes with the job.
I was in a band, briefly, with some success but no money. But Senor Chile? Augusto Pinochet and the Latin Lounge Lovers, anyone?
Pinochet was no angel but like your photo is there not some shades of grey? True, Pinochet was responsible for 3,000 deaths (when Chile was around 10 millions) but many others killed far more plus democracy returned to Chile in 1990, seventeen years later.
Three decades after Pinochet siezed power Chile has the second highest GDP in Latin America. It is $11,900 (2005). Currently the highest GDP in Latin America is another former military dictatorship turned democracy, Argentina, which is US$13,900.
What a good photo that is, should be titled, Capt, Chile Coup 1st XV
ReplyDeleteI think this is the only dictator in the history of the XXth century that had a photo with style :p Was the guy in a band before?!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! :)
Hi Goncalo
ReplyDeleteDispicable though they are, history does show that most dictators have fantastic style and dress sense.
The Peronists in particular had it in droves; and we try to present African and Asian dictators as comic, but they too have an authority and presence that goes with the job.
I was in a band, briefly, with some success but no money. But Senor Chile? Augusto Pinochet and the Latin Lounge Lovers, anyone?
All the Best
Drew
Pinochet was no angel but like your photo is there not some shades of grey? True, Pinochet was responsible for 3,000 deaths (when Chile was around 10 millions) but many others killed far more plus democracy returned to Chile in 1990, seventeen years later.
ReplyDeleteThree decades after Pinochet siezed power Chile has the second highest GDP in Latin America. It is $11,900 (2005). Currently the highest GDP in Latin America is another former military dictatorship turned democracy, Argentina, which is US$13,900.