The War on Democracy - what right does America have to dictate?

The War on Democracy - Written & Directed by John Pilger

The award winning and much honoured Journalist and documentary film maker originally from Sydney who these days predominately bases himself in London once said:
“More terrorists are given training and sanctuary in the United States than anywhere on earth. They include mass murderers, torturers, former and future tyrants and assorted international criminals. This is virtually unknown to the American public, thanks to the freest media on earth.”

The War on Democracy is John Pilger's first cinematic released documentary despite making documentaries over many decades. Set in Latin America and the US, it explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile as well as the countless others the US has implemented foreign policy on. As the documentary proceeds John examines the role of Washington in America’s manipulation of Latin American policies during the last 50 years leading to the struggle of ordinary people to free themselves from poverty and racism. The film illustrates how since the mid 19th Century Latin America has been the US’s money pit and playground with its Milton Friedman Economic games. And yet recently with the rise up of a democratically elected Hugo Chavez and Washington’s best backed efforts to unseat him with coup’s and propaganda Chavez remains the man of the people to Venezuela’s forgotten – proven by a solid 80%+ turnout in support of Chavez in over 6 elections (something a western government could only dream of).

When I traveled through Nicaragua last year I discovered first hand through talking to the shop keepers, academics and locals how America had poured money into the Contra Forces hoping the rebels would force out the Revolutionary Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction following the July 1979 overthrow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle (a dictator supported by the Washington at the time). Eventually the US got its way again through propaganda forcing out the Sandinistra Junta but at a huge cost to Nicaragua through life and liberties – “how dare it rebel against the mighty US of A! It will pay for this economically” – fortunately it hasn’t been repressed in the same league Cuba has suffered at the fist of the good old US.

I personally believe every American needs to watch this documentary only to highlight what their so called freedom’s entail for the rest of the world that doesn’t fall into line and drink Coca Cola and have a so called democracy that is pro-American business. As you will learn, effectively that’s what it’s really all about – managing other economies so the rich can get richer and the elite can stay in power and those that get in the way get crushed. A special mention has to go to the angry CIA man (Duane), who warns that if countries don't follow Washington's wishes economically and politically, their governments/people will face further coups, torture, poverty and economic sabotage. Although I have always suspected this to be the case and that it will continue to carry on, it's still refreshing/chilling to actually hear it from the pigs’ mouth.

9/10 – well deserved of the 2008 One World Award.