In all the furor over Pat Robertson's pointed remarks about assassinating Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, one question has been lost. Whatever happened to the Monroe Doctrine, the idea that the United States would not allow foreign intervention and colonization in the Americas by European powers? The modern version of the Monroe Doctrine was reinforced by President Reagan when he refused to let Communists take over the Caribbean island of Grenada in the early 80's. Our strong stands in El Salvador and Nicaragua prevented communism from taking a permanent foothold in those two countries. It is time to send that message again to nations seeking to import revolution within this hemisphere.

 The real threat from Chavez and his ilk is the fomenting of either communist takeovers or terrorist atrocities in the Americas. There is evidence he may be involved in both. We cannot afford Venezuelan-trained terrorists entering through our porous southern borders. The democratic nations of North and South America must reassert their freedom by sending a clear message. Any regime involved in exporting either communism or terrorism in this hemisphere is in danger of imminent demise. Pat Robertson may have said it awkwardly, but the issue needs to be addressed and now.

  John Pendleton