Grenada and the great communicator: A study in democratic ethics

The ethical quality of political rhetoric is best determined by applying standards arising from the political system in which it occurs. Thus, Reagan's efforts to justify the invasion and occupation of Grenada must be evaluated by democracy's need for free and open debate. Reagan's rhetoric contained numerous violations of these ethical standards. He apparently ignored, suppressed, distorted, created, and (in a sense) destroyed relevant evidence. In addition, Reagan withheld, ignored, and/or misrepresented crucial arguments raised to support and oppose the invasion.