Blood Money?
Today is Sunday, 30 November 2008.
The term “military-industrial complex” was first popularized when President and retired general Dwight Eisenhower warned against it in his “Farewell Address to the Nation” on 17 January 1961.
“A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction... “
“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
Now comes retired four-star general Barry R. McCaffrey. Seems he’s made a pile of moola, flacking for the current wars on NBC, etc., while failing to mention his employment by companies which benefit from the war-fighting strategies he recommends.
Today’s essential reading on this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/washington/30general.html?_r=1&hp
Herewith, "Barry's Song":
The term “military-industrial complex” was first popularized when President and retired general Dwight Eisenhower warned against it in his “Farewell Address to the Nation” on 17 January 1961.
“A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction... “
“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
Now comes retired four-star general Barry R. McCaffrey. Seems he’s made a pile of moola, flacking for the current wars on NBC, etc., while failing to mention his employment by companies which benefit from the war-fighting strategies he recommends.
Today’s essential reading on this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/washington/30general.html?_r=1&hp
Herewith, "Barry's Song":
posted by HH at 8:42 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home