Pinochet and the cost to U.S. ideals.(Augusto Pinochet)(Editorial) From: National Catholic Reporter | Date: December 22, 2006 | COPYRIGHT 2006 National Catholic Reporter. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

It is left to Chileans to bury their dead dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and to argue over the scraps of his legacy, whether the economic benefits the country experienced under his rule in any way balanced the extensive bloodshed, torture and upheaval.

It is for Americans in the United States, however, to ponder the larger meaning of Pinochet's legacy. For in order to understand what happened there and to understand, in part, what has become of the United States, one must b...