so we're not supposed to be impressed

[knowbody0]

with Che Guevara because CIA labled him a revolutionary communist, and had him killed?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Who said we're not impressed?

My generation regards him as a hero - well, the smart ones, anyway.

[H2O Man]

2. Luckily

there are many good books for people to read, which will allow them to decide for themselves. These include some of his own writings.

[knowbody0]

3. i've always admired him as well

but a poster a while back said his avatar makes us look bad. i just watched Motorcycle Diaries with my kids last night.

[H2O Man]

4. Yes, I saw that.

I thought the person was making a tongue-in-cheek joke, as there was a thread in that vein. But later I decided I was wrong.

It is a shame that the human condition creates situations where people have been compelled to use violence. But we need to use care in judging them harshly. One of the great Americans of the 1800s was Crazy Horse. He was a spiritual leader, who also had to fight in wars. At times, there is no question that he was cruel. But he was an American Hero, so to speak. I think Che was, too.

[Warpy]

5. Che came off in the movie as the radicalized one

while his frend was the good time Charlie. Che followed the path of violent revolution while his friend set up the truly amazing medical system in Cuba. One wonders what Che could have achieved had he not tried to export Cuba's revolution to countries that weren't ready for it for one reason or another, and if the CIA hadn't had him gunned down when they did.

As for people who don't think the avatar is appropriate, well there's no acocunting for ignorance and conformity.