The 'tankie' label is ironic in this context. I think it was originally aimed at western socialists or communists who still found a way to support the Soviet Union after they sent tanks into Czechoslovakia to enforce the communist government there, despite the obvious tyranny of using violence to achieve the outcome.

Thanks for defining the 'tankie' label. I thought it must be something to do with think-tanks, silly me. More to the point is that USSR was protecting it's own Warsaw Pact interests in that action, with much less bloodshed than the NATOstan aka US of A has proliferated through out the globe for decades.

It could be termed tyranny if you consider the similar actions by Sepoes. Other than that, you contrasting with the similar event in front of our noses in Syria and the activity by agencies on the scene, your comment is so spot on. Moderate terrorists and all that : ).

Do also consider it was not labelled tyranny when Vietnamese were napalmed etc. Never mind Libya and Iraq bombing/invasion etc. .. the list goes on. I have a long memory : /.