School of the Americas

[Beowulf]

I've done a bit of research about SOA and all the controversy and I have the basics.

I just wanted to ask you guys if you had any good info or links about the Pros/Cons of the SOA, or the underlying foreign policy issues. i.e to isolationize or not to isolationize (yeah i made up a word...so what)

All Best
-beowulf

[Ichhabe]

Beowulf, are there any pro's of the SOA?

Faith wanted me to get to know an Haitian refugee. He told me some interesting stuff as he had been a Police Chief' until he had to travel away from Haiti in 1994.

[Apogee]

Didn't they change the name from SOA to something else? I met a guy when I was down in Georgia who said something about that. Not that it changes what the school stands for though.

[ibstolidude]

Beowulf -

The School of Americas is no more...Too much over whelming political pressure.

Drop me a msg or I'll talk to you next chance I get and pass some info your way.

take it easy

[SABER 2-3]

SOA has a new name but they still operate pretty much the same programs (w/ new P.C. course titles). The fact that Martin Sheen has been at Bennings Main Gate w/ his lackies has only ensured more problems in the open indoctrination of South/Central American military leaders to U.S. policys and ideals. The SOA developed the United States presence by enlightenment coupled w/ technical assistance and training.

[Smoothie104]

http://www.soaw.org/new/

[martinexsquaddie]

hmmm really nice bunch of guys who graduated.
I'd like to see someone defend this.
should be easy compared to Say Defending the SAS training the Khemer Rouge but not by much :(

[SABER 2-3]

That is a hard point to argue so instead I'll say this: SOA was formed so that an already at war, very unstable and crime infested part of the American mainland might learn, belive and practice the ideals that we as American troops go by. Yes, it is a way for the U.S. to influence other countries but it is done for the right reasons. Currently, as it has been; countries will send their leadership of all levels to our program to learn better ways of destroying their enemies and to make the U.S. happy in hopes of winning military assistance. While said leaders are in our courses we appeal to their sense of humanity, sensibility and moral obligation. The second part of this equation is the familiarization w/ U.S. military operations. This allows the smooth blending of U.S. forces into their home A.O. and allows the American military to dictate the outcome of operations that if not for advisory status, influence would be at the lowest level.

[martinexsquaddie]

did'nt really work that well did it :o
Noregia sitting in a US jail now.
even the worst excesses in Vietnam were not a patch on what the uniformed goons who liked to call themselves Soldiers got up to in south and central america

[SABER 2-3]

Thats one example that not everyone will stay loyal (remember the pineapple did our bidding for mucho time). There are more sucess stories than not I know this from eye wittnessing it. The Govt. of Columbia (the country for which the school was orginated) has not stopped internal efforts to crush the bigger power of trafficking even though it means great danger for anyone who stands up to the coke cartels merc. forces that roam the cocca fields w/ orders to kill everything.