SEPT 28 CHILEAN ARMY USES PUPPIES TO SOFTEN IMAGE

SEPT 28 CHILEAN ARMY USES PUPPIES TO SOFTEN IMAGE

The cutest story in the news this week involves a 'Puppy Parade' in Chile. Papers from the New York Post to the South China Post ran photos of the nine adorable Golden Retriever pups. Here's the situation: In the annual military parade through the capital, the puppies joined in with the grown police dogs. As expected, they stole the show and touched hearts worldwide.

September 19th is Chilean Independence Day. This year, the nation is celebrating 208 years since the Army of the Andes forced out a small Spanish garrison from Valparaiso. Army Day celebrations are naturally centered in the capital, Santiago. It culminates with a lavish parade. The army proudly quick-steps down the surprisingly wide Avenida de los Heroes to a grandstand drenched in flags and bunting. Here stands the president. The top general then requests permission to proceed to the Plaza de Armas. Every year, the president replies: "Permission granted sir, you may proceed."

For the first 81 years, the parade was a decidedly mellow affair. The Chilean Civil War of 1891 changed all that. During this short but bloody conflict, the Navy defeated the Army and the elected President. A hero of the affair was Prussian General Emil Korner. Although only in Chile as a military consultant, he joined the cause when the revolt suddenly erupted. His experience proved invaluable, as he transformed the motley regiments into disciplined soldiers.

After the victory, Korner was presented with the title of Brigadier General of the Chilean Armed Forces. He stayed for ten more years to continue the 'Prussianization' of the force. In short, he converted a laid-back crew of lackeys into a tightly formed regiment...just like back home in Berlin. In 1896, the troops first marched down the Avenida de los Heroes in a goose-step. Although the Reich in Germany has long since vanished, the creepy concept of Nazi precision processions is still very much alive in Chile. During the Pinochet Regime, this even rose in importance and was televised for the first time.

Sadly, the Army still holds a lot of power in Chile. Past Presidents, like Michelle Bachelet, have been hesitant to alter the cherished ceremony. That's why we here at the DUNER BLOG think the Golden Retriever puppies are a calculated maneuver by government officials. It's a way of putting a friendly face on a very unfriendly parade. It's a nice first step, but isn't it time we put an end to goose-stepping armies worldwide? Just sayin'...