Dwight D. Eisenhower farewell address 1961 Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.
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 State house, 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 militaryindustrial 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.
So what do you think of the Military Industrial Complex. Does it have too much power. Are we an alert and knowledgable as a society or have we let them walk all over us?
They made guns, but not even close to the quantity that comes from the MIC. Isn't that like comparing the size of an atomic nucleus to the electron shell, or the earth to the sun?
But isn't the MIC more of a product of the changing face of war, technology, and the geopolitical situation? Those small companies in their day were huge, powerful companies during their day selling arms to countries all over the world. When compared to other industries of the day outside of the railroads, they were huge players.
After the Cold War supposedly ended, many of the manufacturing companies comprising the so-called military industrial complex merged. I noticed this especially as aircraft manufacturers merged, but others did as well. On the up side, this better enabled development to continue and much of the best engineering and scientific talent to remain active. On the down side, the mergers reduced competition, thus increasing the bargaining power of certain companies and individuals. Much like the mergers decades ago of the oil, steel and railroad industries. It may well be that this increased the power and wealth of certain interests such that they could more easily influence decisions that fomented wars.
Reminds me of when I was working for the G.E. Aircraft Engine Div. a high level manager spoke to a meeting with seeming glee at the increased demand for engines as the Vietnam war heated up.
Makes me wonder if anyone here has seen the Lord of War. I have kind of wanted to, but have resisted.
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Lo, there I see my mother, my sisters, my brothers Lo, there I see the line of my people back to the beginning Lo, they call to me, they bid me take my place among them In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live...forever
My dream job involves employment at a Honeywell or Lockheed Martin or Raytheon, sitting there with my top secret clearance, working on some black-ops project. Something that will keep our soldiers safe, or increase their effectiveness.
Am I bad?
LM
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And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, seven hours every day. That would be the sweetest thing of all.
My dream job involves employment at a Honeywell or Lockheed Martin or Raytheon, sitting there with my top secret clearance, working on some black-ops project. Something that will keep our soldiers safe, or increase their effectiveness.
Am I bad?
LM
Its a worthy idea to protect soldiers and increase their effectiveness (to do good).
I personally believe a more noble objective would be to educate the masses on principles of freedom so that they do nopt repeatedly support tyranny via ignorance indifferance and apathy.
D&D 123? I thought that they were only on version 4 of Dungeons and Dragons. Boy, am I behind the times
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
