Tuesday, March 28, 2006

I Like Ike

Last night, Jonathan and I saw "Why We Fight," a documentary about the military-industrial-Congressional-think-tank complex. Aside from its momentary demonization of the beast of "capitalism," the movie was damn good. It passed muster even with Jonathan, who is skeptical of jeremiads of any sort.

Here's the boiled-down version:

Dwight Eisenhower, five star-general in WWII and president from 1953 to 1961, warned the country in his farewell address of a "military-industrial complex" that would seek "unwarranted influence" in government and could portend a "disastrous rise of misplaced power." He warned:
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.

The whole speech is worth reading, by the way. Eisenhower's eloquence, humility and, above all, decency stand in total contrast to our president's posturing arrogance.

Lo and behold, his predictions were spot-on. The military-industrial complex is entrenched in even the hearts of our most ostensibly pacifist politicians. Think tanks provide easy-to-digest ideology to prop it up. Reporters eager for front-page stories hype up threats. We assuage our consciences by telling ourselves that smart bombs prevent civilian deaths. Why do we fight? It's as if we have no alternative-- that behemoth must feast, and it's finely enough tuned to thwart any obstacle.

None of this is new, but seeing it on screen is just horrifying. After seeing the movie, one of my friends sent out a plaintive email to a group of friends, exhorting us to "do something." I second the sentiment but doubt that much of anything can be done--the MI complex is just too sophisticated and big. (Sorry, friend!) I predict that we're headed for self and possibly world annihilation. From the ashes, perhaps, something decent will rise up. I hope I change my mind.

1 Comments:

Blogger Sandy said...

Great post Pooja. One of the reasons I am most glad to have moved out of the western world over to India, is the fact that I have got away from the intimidating methods of western.....no lets make that American/British..... politics and war mongering. It is tiring and I credit you all for being able to try and do something about it. These days blogs are a good forum but I fear quite ineffective when it comes to effecting any kind of change. There is however a life outside the American world and you know what..... the air smells fresh :) There is optimism and not fear. The world order WILL change and I believe that will happen sooner than later. I do believe in my lifetime anyway. The values that the new order will bring will refresh humankind and equip it, ready for an uncertain future with respect to natural global changes. It does not take studies and research to understand that there is a fundamental change in nature occuring right now. The only way to try and work with it is to allow the old guardians of power to fade. Who then will take up the mantle to lead mankind into a brighter future is yet to be seen. I for one hope that India starts getting those chances, off the subs bench, as I am sure that India will perform.

Peace and Love

11:33 AM  

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