To the editor:
Both eulogies and epithets continue to flow from politicians, journalists, entertainers and various heads of state for Fidel Castro since his death.
He has been described by some as a tireless advocate for equity, champion of the poor, an iconic figure and other misguided and overly generous praises.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau embarrassed our nation by calling Castro a "remarkable leader" much to the consternation of the majority of Canadians and inviting words of ridicule by the international community.
Vladimir Putin called him "a strong and wise man" and Ban Ki-Moon described him as "a strong voice for social justice."
Cannot a good case be made for questioning the collective sanity of a world when leaders we assume are sane applaud a murderous dictator?
Castro ordered mass executions of government officials and was responsible for many executions and "disappearances" of citizens.
He imprisoned, tortured and murdered more of his own people than any other Latin American dictator and forced more than 20 per cent of Cuban citizens to flee the island.
In addition, he attacked churches, executed and tortured pastors and attempted to wipe out Christianity in pursuit of his dream of a socialist utopia.
The ancient prophet Isaiah, a much wiser man than Castro, wrote centuries ago: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isa 5:20).
History will never absolve Fidel Castro nor remember him as a good man.
Just because it is popular and fashionable these days to overthrow the distinctions between moral good and evil does not make it right.
Giving in to the temptation to be politically correct and say nice things about tyrants tells us more about the character of those who say such things than being an accurate appraisal of those they applaud.
Gerald Hall
Nanoose Bay