orlando perez is author of democracy after invasion.ve away the panama canal. the took part, what do you mean? >> the panama canal was taken in active force. the united states helped panamanian government help declare independence from panama, but the treaty setting up terms for the canal was written for the old french panama canal company and representatives of the american government. there wasn't even a spanish copy and in no uncertain terms secretary of state hague made it clear that the pan mainians had to sign it or get nothing. so i think taking it, which is what teddy roosevelt said he took the canal, not my words, is an accurate summation of what happened. >> ifill: but orlando perez, it was an amazing engineering marvel at the time and even noi- and even now. >> absolutely. if you think about the fact that this was built 100 years ago and operates in the same way it did 100 years ago when it opened, there is an expansion project to make the canal more viable for bigger ships, but this is an engineering mar vile of historic --