Yesterdays post was The Fog of War, it showed the past fifty years of America at war through the eyes of McNamara (Secretary of Defense for Kennedy and LBJ). Todays post is Why We Fight, it analyzes the military-industrial complex that we created. This documentary shows the business side of war and how our governments military budget has created a downward spiral that we are currently stuck in. 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. - Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address to the Nation on January 17, 1961. He waited two years to give this speech. Originally it was intended only for Congress but he felt that it was his final duty to warn the American citizens about the military-industrial complex.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:24:58 +0000
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