Post by Dave on Jun 18, 2010 20:50:49 GMT -5
The Wall Street Journal
Hijacking Their Way Out of Tyranny
By GAL BECKERMAN
Published: June 17, 2010
Now largely forgotten, this planned hijacking, and the Soviet government’s overreaction to it, opened the first significant rip in the Iron Curtain, one through which hundreds of thousands would eventually flee. With great drama, it undermined Communist orthodoxy. After all, if the Bolsheviks had built the perfect society, why would any well-adjusted citizens want to leave, let alone risk their lives to do so?
The essential weakness of the Soviet Union was exposed: to survive, the regime had to imprison its own population. This would be the beginning of the end.
FULL STORY AT:
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/opinion/18beckerman.html
I really wonder if those who went on strike and carried placards in demonstrations would have the same effect today. Luckily, Ronald Reagan was seemingly a man with principles. Luckily what they dictated to him was in keeping with his international intentions.
Hijacking Their Way Out of Tyranny
By GAL BECKERMAN
Published: June 17, 2010
Now largely forgotten, this planned hijacking, and the Soviet government’s overreaction to it, opened the first significant rip in the Iron Curtain, one through which hundreds of thousands would eventually flee. With great drama, it undermined Communist orthodoxy. After all, if the Bolsheviks had built the perfect society, why would any well-adjusted citizens want to leave, let alone risk their lives to do so?
The essential weakness of the Soviet Union was exposed: to survive, the regime had to imprison its own population. This would be the beginning of the end.
FULL STORY AT:
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/opinion/18beckerman.html
I really wonder if those who went on strike and carried placards in demonstrations would have the same effect today. Luckily, Ronald Reagan was seemingly a man with principles. Luckily what they dictated to him was in keeping with his international intentions.