While in Chile last month, I met an older taxi driver named Jorge. As I ducked into his cab, I admired the Che Guevara button hanging from his rearview mirror. He quickly said gracias, proudly announcing he was a communist. Although my ride took less than five minutes, during that time we talked about everything from modern day politics to Pinochet's overthrow of democratically elected Socialist President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973. He told me he was in the Chilean Navy at that time and had been tortured for aiding the Leftists. Even though I was only 6 years old in 1973, I felt compelled to apologize for our government's role in the coup d'etat, then thanked him for his service to the people and said it was an honor to meet him. By the time I tried to pay my fare, Jorge el taxista comunista was wiping tears from his cheeks and refusing to take my money. I will never forget him.