Passing similarity

It is ironic that Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet’s death (obituary, Dec. 11) should follow so closely that of our former U.N. ambassador, Jeane Kirkpatrick (obituary, Dec. 9). It was her policy of excusing “authoritarian” (as opposed to “totalitarian”) dictators like Pinochet that was so helpful in aiding and abetting his many crimes. Indeed, she was not only his apologist but went out of her way to embrace him as “my close personal friend.” Now they can be linked in their own deaths as they were linked in the deaths of so many others.

EVAN PUZISS

Mar Vista