I hate to use a Nazi comparison, however, they did see themselves as liberators too.

There are many leftist leaders who are not communists (at least in the Soviet sense). Without getting into it, the Soviet Union could be regarded as state capitalist at worst or a degenerated workers' state (Trotsky's view) which I don't agree with.

However, my point is, that there are many leftists (and left communists) who didn't agree with Soviet style "communism" (note the quotation marks). So with that said, our paranoia aside, doesn't justify one iota, the terrorism and proxy wars waged in "fighting communism."

Look at Ceasesceau (he was communist) and we supported that tyrant.

Nicaragua dared exercize her sovereign right to have a popularly elected government, however one that wasn't going to be under US tutelage. She got years of terrorism emanating from the world's mightiest state for her efforts. All because we didn't want them to follow in Cuba's example (read: not economic or even political, but that a state in the Western Hemisphere could dictate her own affairs). Nicaragua suffered because the "commies" were only "a few days drive from Harlingen, TX" as Reagan told the weary masses.

The lesson here is brilliant. Tell the people of the world's mightiest nation that they may be a few days away from an "alleged attack" by one of the poorest third world countries, and you have support for a terror war the likes of which has killed many innocent Nicaraguans including such terrorists as political dissidents, nuns, priests, artists, journalists and such.

Yes, the propaganda was really all that intricate, but it worked brilliantly - and still does to this very day.