The Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice
Because of our media's fixation on superficial optics, what most Americans will hear about President Obama's time in Argentina is that he and the First Lady danced the tango at a state dinner. But for the people of Argentina, the optic in the photo above is likely to be the focus of their attention. That is because today is the 40th anniversary of the 1976 coup in that country that led to the brutal massacre of approximately 20,000 people. In Argentina, this is the "Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice."
To understand the significance of the photo above, you have to know that the ruling junta that came into power in 1976 organized death camps with methods that were reminiscent of the Nazi's. One of the most common of these came to be known as "death flights" where prisoners were injected with sedatives before being dropped from airplanes, still alive, into the Rio de la Plata.
Today, President Obama and Argentine President Mauricio Macri paid tribute to those who were "disappeared" by visiting the Monument to the Victims of State Terrorism at Remembrance Park and throwing flowers into the river that became the watery grave for so many. The President also said a few words.
“There’s been controversy about the policies of the United States early in those dark days,” Mr. Obama said at the Parque de la Memoria...The United States “has to examine its own policies as well, and its own past,” Mr. Obama added. “We’ve been slow to speak out for human rights, and that was the case here.”...
“A memorial like this speaks to the responsibilities that all of us have,” Mr. Obama said later. “We cannot forget the past, but when we find the courage to confront and we find the courage to change that past, that’s when we build a better future.”
Read More: http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-day-of-remembrance-for-truth-and.html
Thank you Mr President, this is the right thing to do.
= new reply since forum marked as read
The memory of that horrible time in history brings such a sense of sadness, as do our President's words, as I contemplate all we have and all we are about to lose. How blessed we have been to have him at the helm of our nation, and how disheartening that there are so many who do not realize that, and who probably never will.
Peace to you and again, many thanks!
I already feel a sense of loss, though I plan to use my time in celebrating his years in office. He is the best President of my lifetime. I am so grateful to have known the man with the funny name who has shown an abundance of dignity and grace in the face of so much hostility. The entire first family are all so very beautiful in many ways, they are the epitome of family values. They are a cohesive family unit that draws strength from each other.
Thanks to Skinner I was able to do just that, to come back and celebrate. I am sticking to the groups now, the people there are some of the best on DU.
Peace and love to you and yours.