A Short Quiz for You
By John Perkins
How well do you know your history? Can you identify the quotations below? Who said them? In what year? Are the countries correct – or should they be reordered?
Masked men, claiming to be government officials, grabbed people off the streets, handcuffed them, dragged them kicking and screaming into unmarked trucks, and carried them away. . . . And I did nothing.
-Chile under Pinochet, 19__?
The march to dictatorship began when the president defied the laws and fired government officials who questioned him, replacing them with “yes” people. And then pardoned convicted criminals who sided with him. I told myself that it was the best thing for our country. That was a lie and I knew it.
-Libya under Qaddafi, 19__?
We knew that thousands of people were being dragged off to “holding” camps and held there illegally under inhuman conditions. We knew it was happening, but we bought the government’s propaganda that these were violent criminals. We told ourselves that we were powerless to do anything about it. We zoned out to movies and sports.
-Germany under Hitler 19__?
I’m an attorney, and I’m ashamed to admit that I refused to defend those who challenged the government’s illegal actions because I was afraid my law practice would suffer. I sold my soul to Satan Money.
-Iraq under Saddam Hussein, 19__?
Federal troops, defying local police, marched into our city, erected roadblocks and checkpoints, beat protesters with clubs, and arrested innocent civilians. Government agents invaded churches and schools and carted people away. I didn’t dare protest.
-Russia under Putin, 20__?
Our president seemed set on becoming a dictator. He threatened to invade neighboring countries. He struck deals with our enemies. He rejected treaties and agreements made by previous administrations. He clamped down on the press and took control of the educational system. He cut taxes on the rich and social services for the rest of us. He replaced top military leaders and diplomats with his buddies. Like so many, I was terrified – I did nothing.
-China under Xi, 20__?
You probably guessed it. The dates and identities are not really the question.
The question to ask yourself is: Which of these can be said about the United States today?