Another View On Chile

I am writing in response to Howard Rosenberg’s biting and inaccurate criticism of the “Eye on L.A.” program on Chile (“Mr. Chucko Looks at Chile With One ‘Eye’ Closed,” Calendar, May 5.)

It is precisely Mr. Rosenberg’s misconception and the general American public’s naivete of world politics that have kept people of this country from enjoying one of the most interesting and beautiful places on earth. Unlike Mr. Rosenberg, I have been to Chile recently and many times in the past. I understand that rebuilding an economy and a strong democratic political base takes time and an equally strong enforcement of the laws.

Not unlike the United States’ (government during the early) 18th Century, the Pinochet government has had to pull a demoralized, disorganized population from disagreement and near-anarchy into a people who can be proud of who they are and what they can accomplish as a united nation.

The “Eye on L.A.” program is the only information I have seen on Chile that portrays some of the pride and hope for the future expressed to me by Chileans themselves. Chuck Henry is to be commended for presenting something enlightening about a very misunderstood country.

Though “Chile bashing” is fashionable among the supposedly politically informed elite, it is a very “one-eyed” view in itself. Chile is an interesting, beautiful and (something unusual these days) safe destination for American tourists. While all things are not perfect in Chile, they rarely are perfect anywhere. Can you imagine what the Chilean press could do with the situation in South-Central Los Angeles if it chose to? I suggest then, Mr. Rosenberg, that you confine your criticism of television programming to the limits of your knowledge. Precisely television programming, not world politics.

GERALD S. KEHLER

Huntington Beach