Religions > Atheism > Left-wing Monster, Mengistu, - executed five of his political opponents
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Religions > Atheism |
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29 Nov 2005 11:23:45 PM |
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Left-wing Monster, Mengistu, - executed five of his political opponents |
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Left-wing Monster: Mengistu
by Patrick Devenny
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20318
This is the fifth article in our "Leftwing Monsters" series, the first of which
featured Humberto Fontova's profile of Fidel Castro. "Leftwing Monsters" is a feature
of www.discoverthenetworks.org where the entire series will be archived -- The
Editors.
In the hierarchy of leftist monsters of the 20th century, Mengistu Haile Mariam, the
Communist leader of Ethiopia from 1977 to 1991, is often lost. However, during the 14
years of his blood-soaked tenure, millions of Ethiopians fell victim to his regime's
murderous excesses, corrupt militarism, and economic devastation. The indelible image
of his misrule is the picture of an entire land wracked by an avoidable, politically
genocidal famine. The failures and crimes of this much-forgotten madman continue to
haunt Ethiopians to this day.
Early Life
Though Mengistu would use his humble origins to gain credence among the Ethiopian
populace, his upbringing was anything but lowly. Considering that a vast majority of
Ethiopians did – and still do – live in abject poverty at the time of his birth,
Mengistu's childhood and early adulthood was remarkably bourgeoisie and comfortable.
He was born out of wedlock in 1937, his mother a member of the native aristocracy he
would come to despise, and his father an illiterate corporal in the army. Mengistu's
education was minimal, a failing that did not prevent him from attending a state-run
military academy. Through his government contacts, Mengistu secured a position in a
foreign training program that sent him to Forth Leavenworth, Kansas, for instruction.
[1]
In 1967, Mengistu was sent for additional training at the Aberdeen Training Grounds
in Maryland. While assigned to the base, Mengistu found time to enroll in classes at
the University of Maryland, where he gained a rudimentary knowledge of English. [2]
Upon his return to his native country, Mengistu was placed in command of a mechanized
battalion and later a military demolition unit. [3] He was then promoted to the rank
of Major.
It is thought that it was in this period that Mengistu began to cultivate and express
some of the irrational tendencies that would later define his dictatorship. Falling
under the sway of radically anti-American Ethiopian Marxists, Mengistu turned against
the United States, betraying the country that had tutored and trained him. He also
began to reveal his deep and abiding hatred for intellectuals, an animus that would
be ruthlessly displayed over the 14-year span of his rule. Even as Mengistu was
experiencing this personal radicalization, Ethiopia was beginning to fall victim to
the political tribulations already overtaking much of the continent.
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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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