I'd also like to point out that the people who were murdered, were murdered by communist dictators - not by communism itself.

The problem with Marxist philosophy is that it depends on one thing: a universal desire for equality and an abandonment of person greed. Communist systems always get overrun by those who want to further their own goals.

...Oh, and there were a few other methods used by US presidents in their quest to defeat the oh-so-evil threat of communism:

*Giving weapons to the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan, a group of militant Islamic cells, one of whom would eventually rise to power as the Taleban.

*Aiding the work of anti-government, anti-Marxist terrorists in Central America, whose activities included the abduction, rape and murder of (communist) innocents as well as the bombing of civilian buildings, ships and harbours.

*Ignoring atrocities such as Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's involvement in the 'disappearance' and execution of some 20,000 communists.

*Giving weapons and money to Saddam Hussein so that he could continue fighting his war against Soviet-backed Iran, a war that killed two million people.

..I could go on, but I think my point is clear: It's never simply a case of "good versus evil"; no one side can ever claim the absolute moral high ground.