Review of Lori : My Daughter, Wrongfully Imprisoned in Peru

I read the book only after following the case for several years. You should read the book along with the FreeLori website. See Lori's comments: boiler plate leftist slogans and jargon. Read the book and the website but read between the lines, read in context, and it is very clear that Lori Berenson is guilty. The book and the website dance around the issues - articulate for sure but clearly biased, if not outright dishonest. But of guilty of what?

She has been very careful in her choice of words - stating that she is not guilty of the charges against her and stating that she is not a "terrorist." She has,however,openly defended MRTA (a Peruvian rebel group)and its right to "revolutionary" action. If you are killed by a "terrorist" or "revolutionary," does really it make a difference? Lori Berenson argues that terrorist violence is wrong but not revolutionary violence. (Her father, a professor, has argued that same academic point in her defense.) It is understandable that Peruvians fail to appreciate this finely drawn destinction. Further, if you read the book and her website, you are struck with the condensending attitude of her and her parents toward the people of Peru - the poor, benighted people of color to be saved by a privilaged American woman.

She may not have actively participated in any violent actions, but it seems very clear that she supported them or defended them, and may have been in on the plan to attack the Peruvian assembly.

Perhaps this is what Berenson is really saying: "I am not 'guilty' because it is not a 'crime' to support MRTA. Therefore, I am innocent." Her strong leftist ideology tells her that since the Peruvian system is corrupt it is not a "crime" to conspire or collaborate with revolutionaries against it or to try to destroy what is in their view an unjust system.In truth, Berenson is a political pilgrim - a revolutionary groupie. Certainly not a "journalist" (no publications or education in the field).

Were her trials fair? Perhaps not (at least not by US standards), but if it is true that she did not have a fair hearing it does not mean that she is innocent. An impartial international court in Latin America, in fact, has upheld the judgment. One can certainly feel sympathy for her parents: only a mother totally and uncriticaly devoted her child could have written this book. It is a brief for her daughter and not in any way an objective or complete telling of the story.

One is tempted to call her a spoiled brat, but she is about forty years old now and no child. Here is a way out: Denounce MRTA (didn't they fool you into associating with them as you claim?)and apologize for intervening in the affairs of the Peruvian people.

Berenson was playing at revolution (a revolutionary dilettante) and now is paying a heavy price. A rebel princess come to grief.