An Inspirational Leader Passes...

[jberryhill]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009...o.html?_r=2&hp

Corazon Aquino, Ex-Leader of Philippines, Is Dead

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a ''people power'' revolt and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76.

The uprising she led in 1986 ended the repressive 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos and inspired nonviolent protests across the globe, including those that ended Communist rule in eastern Europe.

If I were making out a list of the top 20 or so most important people of the latter half of the 20th century, Cory Aquino would definitely be on the list.

The People Power revolution was the example of a simple revolution of willpower by a united citizenry, that provided the model for the end of Communism in Eastern Europe.

[randomo]

Sad news indeed. I'm in the process of getting my domain CoryAquino dot-com to a new owner; I expect them to put up a tribute site.

[Acro]

Ah, that brings back memories of the politics of the 80s. Definitely a time of great global intensity and lack of information; what with no Internet and the world split under two superpowers.

It might be of interest: Apparently someone anticipated her demise and registered her name in .org 3 days prior.

[Devil Dog]

RIP

Wasn't she the one with like 12,000 pairs of shoes? Or am I mistaken her from someone else?

[Acro]

Darren, that was Imelda Marcos, the wife of the tyrant that Aquino managed to dethrone after 20 years of ruling.

[randomo]

EDIT: Oops, Acro beat me to it.

[Devil Dog]

Darren, that was Imelda Marcos, the wife of the tyrant that Aquino managed to dethrone after 20 years of ruling.

Thanks. I just remember being a adolescent and hearing news back in the 80's of something like that. Never had the time to look it up.

[jberryhill]

Thanks. I just remember being a adolescent and hearing news back in the 80's of something like that. Never had the time to look it up.

1987:



I'm sure that Raider will be stopping by to say a few kind words...

[Gerry]

If I recall correctly, was she not the wife of a former leader who returned to the Philippines despite warnings not to - and was shot and killed in the plane upon it's return?

Man, I remember what a tumultuous time that was.

And the Marcos - fled with millions of US dollars.

She was indeed a very powerful figure and a tremendous leader. Very well liked in the international community. No matter the issue, seems like she always wore a smile and was pleasant.

[jberryhill]

And the Marcos - fled with millions of US dollars.

Not just Marcos. The problem with propping up dictatorships is that when they fall, their loyal strap-hangers tend to move here and bring their rabid politics with them.

[jberryhill]