DA.C - View Single Post - Hobby Master HA5601 MiG-25P Foxbat, Lt. V. Belenko, Japan 1976

OnlyWayToFly · 09-29-2016, 10:37 PM

[QUOTE=Ukrainian_Falcons;2105305]Nah, when your doing it for a better life and $$ (as some around here would know about the later) and it's against your home country, it's hardly heroic

We're just going to have to hold differing opinions about that.

Yes, Belenko obtained a better life for himself after escaping Soviet despotism for life in the warm glow of freedom (a desire that's universal and as old as the human race itself). And I'm also sure that the U.S. government rewarded him handsomely for his actions, as well it should have. (The information he provided about the MiG-25 and the Soviet military in general was worth far more than whatever reward he received.)

During World War II, a group of German officers plotted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Unfortunately, their plot failed and almost all of them were arrested and executed shortly afterward. Were they "traitors" because they conspired against the tyrannical government of their own homeland? I certainly don't think so.

Right was right in 1944 and remained so when Belenko flew to Japan in 1976, just as wrong was and remains wrong. The fact of the matter is that Belenko rejected Soviet tyranny in favor of freedom and risked his life to do so. Hero.

09-29-2016, 10:37 PM	#44 (permalink)
OnlyWayToFly Former Western Person Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Age: 68 Posts: 286	Re: Hobby Master HA5601 MiG-25P Foxbat, Lt. V. Belenko, Japan 1976 [QUOTE=Ukrainian_Falcons;2105305]Nah, when your doing it for a better life and $$ (as some around here would know about the later) and it's against your home country, it's hardly heroic We're just going to have to hold differing opinions about that. Yes, Belenko obtained a better life for himself after escaping Soviet despotism for life in the warm glow of freedom (a desire that's universal and as old as the human race itself). And I'm also sure that the U.S. government rewarded him handsomely for his actions, as well it should have. (The information he provided about the MiG-25 and the Soviet military in general was worth far more than whatever reward he received.) During World War II, a group of German officers plotted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Unfortunately, their plot failed and almost all of them were arrested and executed shortly afterward. Were they "traitors" because they conspired against the tyrannical government of their own homeland? I certainly don't think so. Right was right in 1944 and remained so when Belenko flew to Japan in 1976, just as wrong was and remains wrong. The fact of the matter is that Belenko rejected Soviet tyranny in favor of freedom and risked his life to do so. Hero.