This morning my google alerts for Peru directed me to a pretty irritating New York Times article about the release of Lori Berenson from Peruvian Prison. For those of you who don't know, Lori Berenson is an overeducated, revolutionary imbecile who learned everything she knew about Peru while watching a five minute documentary (that's my interpretation, although it's probably closer to the facts than you will find elsewhere), and then went to Peru in 1990's and promptly decided to start aiding the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (essentially, she assisted people who were killing other people because she thought she knew better).
She was eventually arrested and sentenced to a 20 year jail term. During her trial, she stood up and declared something to the effect of "there are no criminals in a revolution" or some other stupid piece of political science theory bullshit that you could only say with a straight face if you were in some college classroom that cost you thousands of dollars a month to attend (like MIT, where Berenson went and dropped out from). It's NOT the type of thing you can say in a courtroom in a foreign country, especially a foreign country that had been ravaged by recent acts of horrific terrorism.
What a douchbag.
And you know, during my time in Peru I met literally THOUSANDS of overeducated idiots like this who had come to Peru with this superior and completely unfounded sense of how things work in the reality. A sense that was given to them by the faulty educational system of places like the US and Europe. I was the same way when I went to Peru actually, and it took me a decade to realize that most of the thoughts that were floating around in my head were completely self-serving and ridiculous. Fortunately I never got involved in something so abhorrent as aiding members of a terrorist group like the loathsome Lori Berenson.
Just look at the picture of her on the left, the one where she is young and defiant and contorting her face into a half-crazy, half-furious mask of indignation as she spouts out something she probably got an A- on when she was "studying" at one of the most privileged universities in the world and thus thinks she has something to tell to the people she regards as "beneath her" (AKA: The entire population of Peru). A little note, when people are wearing the face that Berenson is putting on in that image they are NEVER saying anything of any value or consequence. People like that should be locked up in fact.
However, Berenson is getting released, essentially because she's an American woman I suppose. I highly doubt that an American man accused of terrorism would be released at this point. But the fact that Berenson served 15 years of a 20 year sentence is kind of a miracle in itself. You can imagine how idiotic newspapers in the US would take her cause and try to twist it into something noble. How people would say it's a matter of human rights that she not be confined to the dark conditions of a Peruvian prison. There were even pleas from various US presidents to let her go early, which Peruvian authorities rightly ignored.
What a bunch of hogwash!
Isn't it amazing how people like that never seem to feel any remorse for the victims whose lives Berenson participated in destroying (she claims her innocence of course)?
Take this little excerpt from the before mentioned New York Times Article:
(her lawyer/father of her child) said she planned to move into a rented apartment in the Miraflores district of the capital once she is released in the coming days, hoping to work as a translator and possibly open a business baking bread and pastries, a skill she polished during her years of incarceration in Cajamarca.
God, that statement makes me sick. It's trying to act like "Oh...Lori Berenson just wants to be a simple baker and translator...isn't that cute" but it just casually also mentions that she is moving to the richest district of the whole damn city. I mean maybe...maybe...I'd have a touch of sympathy for her or I'd see her as legitimate if she had elected to move to Los Olivos or something. But obviously she feels she's too good to go and live with the regular people of Peru who she claimed to have been helping two decades ago.
Peru should just kick her out. She has to serve the last five years or so of her term by living in Peru on parole...but they should just get rid of her. Why would you want somebody like that in your country as a prisoner or as a "contributing" citizen.
Lori Berenson represents the typical meddling overeducated idiot who thinks they know better even though they have no experience in reality. Peru can fend for itself just fine, they don't need American terrorists stomping around telling people how things could be whether they come in the form of Berenson or in the form of Fullbright scholars who are looking for signs of gender inequity in Inca ruins. Here's a thought, before you start telling people how they should change, why don't you go and live with them and just listen for about 10 years?
Oh, that doesn't fit your self-serving schedule for fame and attention? Sorry...
Gotta say, you nailed it on this one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis story enrages me and reminds me why I hate elitist rags like the New York Times. I'm tired of outfits like this looking down their noses at middle American and 3rd world countries.
ReplyDeleteApparently she's living in Miraflores on block 6 of Grau and plans to do translating services and open a bakery. How nice.
Anyway, Mr. Peru, as a palate cleanser here is a great piece written in the WSJ back in 2000 that was written in response to the misguided and dishonest piece in the NYT: http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/tvaradarajan/?id=65000350
I remember when this story first came out...I thought "People in other countries always try to take advantage of Americans." I'm glad that I had the opportunity to live in Peru (in Los Olivos, by the way)to get a better handle on the story as well as receive a lesson in humility and civility. And Ben you have been right on the mark in 99% of your post...I haven't read the other 1%.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a hate-filled middle-aged white man from Akron, Ohio. Do I know you?
ReplyDeleteIt helps to have and know influential people, justice is a game too often! She should be sent back to her country with no visa ever to return, but on the same side , forgiveness we all need to practice ! However, I do not know her remorse and understanding of her wrongs. I agree with the rest of your story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments about Lori Berenson and as a peruvian I'm also angry to see how the media here in USA has make of her the image of the "lovely american girl who went to save the poor people in Peru". She was assisting a terrorist group. THe MRTA were not rebels they were "terrorist".
ReplyDeleteI used to be your fan, I thought you understood Peruvian reality better. Perhaps you need to learn more about Lori Berenson before writing this much biased hatred. I grew up in the internal war of Peru, I understand Berenson and I think she deserves to restart her life in Peru.
ReplyDeletePeru doesn't need stupid Americans harboring terrorists. If she wants to start over, fine, but she needs to admit that her actions were decidedly wrong.
ReplyDeleteCosta Rica is becoming a haven for EVERY SINGLE kind of thief because here, we believe in second, 3rd, 4th, 5th.....9th..10th chances. We love to catch criminals and put them back on the street, because they are human too, you know, they suffer, they cry, they deserve another chance. Petty thieves, murderers, hijackers, drug lords, all o them deserve numerous chances. Here in Costa Rica, we have made the pharse "Pobrecito" famous. Sending someone to jail for killing their kids? Ay no, pobrecito!!! Lori Berenson? She can make cinnamon rolls and breads and translate a text or too....Fuck her, send her as far away from Peru and kindly inform her she will be killed if she ever sets foot in Peru again. Peru's journey from the days of Terrorism has been difficult, dont screw it up now with our 'pobrecito'...
ReplyDeleteWell, Carlos Quiroz, I happen to be Peruvian as well, and Im close to 30 now. You see, I've also lived in the terrorism era, I lived the terror, and I can't tell that it was like 9/11 everyday. You know who didn't live that? Lori Berenson. She didn't give us a chance. She read or watched about Peru, about this "inner war" and said, "well, poor people, I need to go there and help them as the wiser American woman I am". When she came here, it wasn't like the 80s, the worst of the war. She came here, when things were somehow, better. I wonder if she had thought the same if she had to live with bombs all day, and if she still would join them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything the author of the post said.
You know what Mr Peru, if Carlos A Quiroz is not your follower any more, who cares. He is the one who is missing your great posts and do not worry because you will always have more and more followers day by day.
ReplyDeleteAnd about Lori Berenson, she doesn't deserve a second chance, she should be sent back to the USA and see how her fellows americans treat her, I bet she can be a heroe between her own people. She did a lot of damage during the terrorism, she wasn't a simple member, she was part of the group who were able to give orders and they had to be obey, she had power. So send her back to the USA, it is time that Peru gets rid of "that white trash".
Carlos Quiros is another douchebag and Berenson needs to get the hell out of my country!
ReplyDeleteShe insulted Peru and she should've been sent straight to Jorge Chavez in a combi and out to the States... and in cargo!
Many of you here talk about peace and what not, but your comments show how much hatred you keep within yourselves.
ReplyDeleteLori Berenson made a mistake, but she paid for it. Deep down she is a good soul, her life is very interesting, you all need to learn about her before writing all this non sense.
Great post.
ReplyDeleteHad no idea who Lori Berenson was until I read this. I do now.
The Opinion Journal article mentioned by Thomas is excellent.
There are supposedly two sides to every story but doubt if there is anything good to be said about Lori Berenson. She should be left to rot in jail.
She has moved to within a few block of where a friend of mine own a small sandwich shop. He also think she should be rotting in jail.
Lori Berenson renting an apartment for $1,000 a month to me is a big front. She cried revolution, so can you imagine if she went to live in a poorer part of Lima? That would just show that she has not changed a bit in the 15 years she was in jail. I think, strategically, living in a nicer place at least has the appearance of her wanting to leave her past behind.
ReplyDeleteI think they should just deport her instead of letting her contaminate Peru with her terrorist mentality. Can people change? Of course. But let them change somewhere else. No need for her to be here in Peru.
Don't pay attention to Carlos Quiroz he just owns a blog where he spews his hate towards white people and idealizes the indigenous culture.
ReplyDeleteHe says the comments on this blog are full of hate, well here are some of the things he writes and posts on youtube:
http://peruanista.blogspot.com/2010/05/la-muerte-y-la-raza-en-los-medios-de.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV9RQ1IjS6w
Please remove the links to Carlos blog he doesnt deserve free advertisment.
ReplyDeleteI cant believe people that racist still exist in Peru.
There are some crimes that cannot be "paid for" what Berenson did falls into this category.
I wonder how would her life be in the US. We are not used to american terrorists...
I agree that Lori Berenson should be deported. She is an American national that was convicted of terrorism, that is plenty to have her deported. The communist did a lot of killing of poor villagers on their war of "equality". It is good they are old and forgotten.
ReplyDeleteshe had planned on moving into the very same neighborhood that was ground zero for some of the worst attacks during the SL/MRTA heyday. what a cunt.
ReplyDeletebtw. last week she formally requested to be deported back to the states. expect to see her on oprah soon.
but it all boils down to election year politics - south american style. garcia immediately blamed toledo for changing the law that allowed her release. and anything that scares the population is good for any candidate whose last name is fujimori.
ReplyDeletewow Ben... you really stirred the pot on this one! lol
ReplyDeletemiss you guys!!! give the wife a hug and kisses for me! I guess you can have a hug too!
As an American, I am deeply embarrassed by Lori Berenson and would like to apologize to the people of Peru. Unfortunately, some Americans believe that they can travel around the world and engage in war and terrorism, and that their American citizenship will act like a magic bubble protecting them from local laws. I do feel sorry for her parents, for whom this must have been an agonizing ordeal. And her son is of course blameless. But, 20 years was a light sentence for her crimes. If my government put pressure on Peru to release her early, I am again embarrassed and wish to apologize. If I were the Attorney General of the United States, I would prosecute her for violating the Neutrality Act and would also prosecute her under anti-terrorism statutes upon her return the the United States. But, I do not see that happening with the current administration in Washington.
ReplyDeleteAgain, as an American, my humble apologies to the people of Peru.
Its always interesting to see the reaction of the gray masses to manipulation by dictators. First a scapegoat is labeled communist or terrorist then they are publically humiliated and sentenced to decades in prison in a show trial. The scapegoat is used to divert the attention of the gray masses from the dictator's murderous crimes. The scapegoat is condemned to a life of torture and degredation by the willing gullibility of her fellow citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe rage exhibited in this article paints a distorted picture. There is plenty to be support your position with the fabrications. Two presidents - not seven, for example - and it's the US President's job to make the request pro forma. And the NYT article only reports the story, it doesn't take a position. Finally, she doesn't want to stay in Peru and more than you want her to stay. None of this distracts from the fact that this woman was a fool, and essentially wasted the prime years of her life for nothing. If she wants to bake bread, fine. It's better than what she was doing before, so maybe she learned something in prison MIT couldn't teach her.
ReplyDelete(signed as anonymous as your website won't except my TypePad ID)
Rage huh?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I feel rage whenever the US media refers to Lori Berenson as an "activist" rather than a "terrorist." That is a distortion.
I suppose the rage I feel is due to the fact that people died...and I know people who suffered for those deaths.
There is no greater crime than when an educated person causes this kind of damage. But there are a lot of people out there like Lori Berenson with big mouths and big egos, a whole lot of fancy "education," and no practical experience to relate it to.
I agree she made a mistake. However, the article reads as if Peru were a land of opportunity like the USA, with very little problems. These types of rebellions, although usually misguided, usually spring from terrible social injustices, dictatorships, etc.
ReplyDeleteLori Berenson a young, very frightened, pretty female U.S.woman who was psychologically manipulated by the DINCOTE to go ballistic at the unexpected extremely hostile televised press conference 1/08/1996. She was a convenient scapegoat for Fujimori. He used her to devert attention from his muderous counter-terrorism which was nothing more than thinly disguised genocide of the indigenous people. She was easy to turn into a scapegoat because of suppressed hatred for humiliation of 125-150 years of U.S. economic exploitation, and gun boat diplomacy. Berenson was never a real terrorist. She is a victim of Latin American angst at the U.S., fears aroused by the SLP, and Fujimori's crimes
ReplyDeleteThere is no debate that she was part of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary movement.
ReplyDeleteIf a young woman was a part of Al-Quaeda would you be offended if foreign news called her an "activist" instead of a "terrorist."
She knew damn well what she was doing. She left a different terrorist group in (I think it was) El Salvador because they weren't violent enough. You've just been brainwashed by the American media which thinks American citizens have the right to run around blowing things up in foreign countries for some screwed up reason.
I don't know anything about Lori Berenson, but I know a lot about MIT. You wouldn't be posting here and you wouldn't have the Internet if it weren't for engineers from MIT and other such schools.
ReplyDeleteYeah sure, Peru is doing find without anyone's help. I am sure Peruvians would have invented the Internet by themselves.
I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THIS BULLSHIT A WOMAN WHO INTERES WAS TO HELP PEOPLE, HOW THEY THE GOVERMENT Y THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF PERU CONVITED THIS WOMAN,LOOK AT THE GOVERMENT HOW CORRUPTED IS
ReplyDeleteLOK THE FUJIMORI ADMINISTRTION, LOOK THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS PERU IS BEEN SUFERING.
Let's see....BEFORE FUJIMORI: a hot war with Ecuador since 1942, missiles, bombs, mines,......Economy in the toilet, money worth NOTHING...people starving because they couldn't afford bread.......TWO Communist Terrorist groups, the Maoist Sendero Luminoso and Marxist MRTA blowing things up and killing innocent passersby whose biggest "crime against the people" was to be out shopping, or walking, or having a cup of coffee at a café......A FAILING infrastructure...there was actually a hole in the road from the airport in Pucallpa BIGGER than a small car.
ReplyDeleteAFTER FUJIMORI: Peace and a permanent border with Ecuador, a thriving stable and growing economy, the small (but still active, blowing things up) remnant of Sendero Luminoso, and MRTA gone......and a program implemented to repair and expand the country's infrastructure.
If you help terrorists, you shouldn't be surprised when you are treated as a terrorist....either summarily shot, or if you are lucky, like Berenson, imprisoned.
This country (Peru) is NOT the United States.....ask Joren van der Sloot.