Steve: Agree, there certainly were purges within the Viet Minh after the French left the North, but Mao's "social" programs (and Stalin's) were such failures that millions died. Ho did not go quite that far. But purges are the Leftist way: We will agree to disagree until we have total power, then you die!

Van: Unfortunately there's no "tounge in cheek" emoticon! Machiavelli's writings in "The Prince" are what led to his name being used pejorativly. His name has been misused in a similar way as the term "Ugly American" has.

Plus I enjoy using the word pejorative every chance I get.