Ernesto “Che” Guevara was executed 40 years ago this week, and the impulse to honor him is bursting out all over.

Celebrations are taking place in such places as Cuba, Bolivia and Ireland, a priest has called him a saint, and hosts of other people are likewise instructing us on what a hero he was, what a moral giant, what a fierce combatant for justice in an imperialist-threatened, inhumane world.