The Psychosis of Permanent War

[What Would Jesus Do?]

The psychosis of permanent war, which infected the body politic after World War I with the internal and external war on communism, and which today has mutated into the war on terror, is used by the state to strip us of civil liberties, redirect our resources to the war machine and criminalize democratic dissent. We have squandered trillions of dollars and resources in endless and futile wars, from Vietnam to the Middle East, at a time of ecological and fiscal crisis.

The folly of endless war is one of the signs of a dying civilization. One F-22 Raptor fighter plane costs $350 million. We have 187 of them. One Tomahawk cruise missile costs $1.41 million. We fired 161 of them when we attacked Libya. This missile attack on Libya alone cost us a quarter of a billion dollars. We spend an estimated $1.7 trillion a year on war, far more than the official 54 percent of discretionary spending, or roughly $600 billion. If we don’t break the back of the war machine, profound change will be impossible.

We have been at war almost continuously since the first Gulf War in 1991, followed by Somalia in 1992, Haiti in 1994, Bosnia in 1995, Serbia-Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001, where we have now been fighting for 14 years, and Iraq in 2003. And we can toss in Yemen, Libya, Pakistan and Syria, along with Israel’s proxy war against the Palestinian people.

much more here

 

[NoleSoup4U]

War is big business. You're never going to get away from it until you vote for a third party.

 

[Titanhawk2]

The psychosis of permanent war, which infected the body politic after World War I with the internal and external war on communism, and which today has mutated into the war on terror, is used by the state to strip us of civil liberties, redirect our resources to the war machine and criminalize democratic dissent. We have squandered trillions of dollars and resources in endless and futile wars, from Vietnam to the Middle East, at a time of ecological and fiscal crisis.

The folly of endless war is one of the signs of a dying civilization. One F-22 Raptor fighter plane costs $350 million. We have 187 of them. One Tomahawk cruise missile costs $1.41 million. We fired 161 of them when we attacked Libya. This missile attack on Libya alone cost us a quarter of a billion dollars. We spend an estimated $1.7 trillion a year on war, far more than the official 54 percent of discretionary spending, or roughly $600 billion. If we don’t break the back of the war machine, profound change will be impossible.

We have been at war almost continuously since the first Gulf War in 1991, followed by Somalia in 1992, Haiti in 1994, Bosnia in 1995, Serbia-Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001, where we have now been fighting for 14 years, and Iraq in 2003. And we can toss in Yemen, Libya, Pakistan and Syria, along with Israel’s proxy war against the Palestinian people.

much more here

I couldn't get the link to open - did you write this? All I see here is what we've done recently. Granted there was a lull/hang over following Vietnam, the country has been doing things like this for 200 years, whether it's the Seminole's in Florida, Mexico, the Indians out west, Boxer rebellion, Philippines, Central America, Pancho Villa, and permanently in Europe and Korea since WWII.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I couldn't get the link to open - did you write this? All I see here is what we've done recently. Granted there was a lull/hang over following Vietnam, the country has been doing things like this for 200 years, whether it's the Seminole's in Florida, Mexico, the Indians out west, Boxer rebellion, Philippines, Central America, Pancho Villa, and permanently in Europe and Korea since WWII.

It's a piece by Chris Hedges. He covers lots of other ground. I thought this particular bit was well stated.

You are right, of course that this is not new. But I think a good case can be made that this has assumed much more dominant control of our culture than in the past.

I fixed the link. Sorry about that. I hesitated to provide the link at all because some people here will run screaming from the S-word. But I didn't deliberate sabotage it.

 

[NoleSoup4U]

Have you watched these armed forces commercials? Between that and the schools, it's a wonder more of the young people aren't signing up.

 

[strummingram]

I just watched American Sniper. That was one of the best Anti-War films ever! I know of three Iraq Vets personally that hung themselves. That war was Vietnam in the desert. You'll never defeat those people in their home country. It's their HOME! Americans have absolutely no understanding of what it is like to live in a war zone. They call Middle Easterners "savages." You will become just as savage when your priorities are making sure you can cross the road without being shot, counting how many dead relatives and friends you have from the last month, starving, losing your identity, etc. War creates savages. That is why those who come back don't always come back.

Watch Casualties of War, read A Rumor Of War. Read All Quiet On The Western Front.

Or, talk to a Vietnam Vet dying of Agent Orange if he was keeping America free.

But, man, oh, man... what a money-maker it is!

 

[cantwealljustgetalong]

Here's part of the reality. in some congressman's district sits a factory that makes said unneeded planes, tanks, whathave you. If the government doesn't buy, the factory closes and jobs are lost. We have nothing else to replace those jobs, so we keep this endless cycle going.

 

[strummingram]

Here's part of the reality. in some congressman's district sits a factory that makes said unneeded planes, tanks, whathave you. If the government doesn't buy, the factory closes and jobs are lost. We have nothing else to replace those jobs, so we keep this endless cycle going.

That's true. War is such a gigantic part of our economy now that it has to continue to maintain it. It's such a disgrace when I hear "we're frighting to keep America Free" or "to bring them Democracy." Spare me.

 

[aflachawk]

That's true. War is such a gigantic part of our economy now that it has to continue to maintain it. It's such a disgrace when I hear "we're frighting to keep America Free" or "to bring them Democracy." Spare me.

ISIS is drawing recruits from all over the world because it has shown the ability to capture and hold territory. It has openly expressed its goal to spread the califate world wide. Those recruits and others inspired to radicalize online are planning terrorism in their countries. The FBI director has said they have ongoing investigations in every state. Many have already been arrested for plots in the planning stage. Some have been successful already. Terrorists around the world are pledging their loyalty to ISIS. It seems to me the best way to handle the problem is to defeat them where they before the threat has fully matastasized. I believe it's true we will in a state of perpetual war for at least a generation but that's better than ignoring the threat.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

ISIS is drawing recruits from all over the world because it has shown the ability to capture and hold territory. It has openly expressed its goal to spread the califate world wide. Those recruits and others inspired to radicalize online are planning terrorism in their countries. The FBI director has said they have ongoing investigations in every state. Many have already been arrested for plots in the planning stage. Some have been successful already. Terrorists around the world are pledging their loyalty to ISIS. It seems to me the best way to handle the problem is to defeat them where they before the threat has fully matastasized. I believe it's true we will in a state of perpetual war for at least a generation but that's better than ignoring the threat.

They're doing this because of he meddling both us and Russia have done over there throughout the decades. We're creating our own problems here. It's become such a mess, that I don't even the intelligence communities know who is the bad guy and who is not.

 

[MemorialRedWarrior]

That's true. War is such a gigantic part of our economy now that it has to continue to maintain it. It's such a disgrace when I hear "we're frighting to keep America Free" or "to bring them Democracy." Spare me.

There is also the very obvious and directed effort to spread our interests around the world. Our controllers will not be satisfied until the world is under 'Democracy'.
The definition of Democracy is different for some.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

There is also the very obvious and directed effort to spread our interests around the world. Our controllers will not be satisfied until the world is under 'Democracy'.
The definition of Democracy is different for some.

I'm all for exporting democracy - as long as we keep enough for ourselves. We seem to be failing on both counts.

 

[MemorialRedWarrior]

I'm all for exporting democracy - as long as we keep enough for ourselves. We seem to be failing on both counts.

Perhaps, I just don't see us spreading anything remotely close to the definition of Democracy. I see us spreading lots of problems from what has been shown. I agree that we should really work on keeping our own first. Which is also dwindling rather than spreading.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Perhaps, I just don't see us spreading anything remotely close to the definition of Democracy. I see us spreading lots of problems from what has been shown. I agree that we should really work on keeping our own first. Which is also dwindling rather than spreading.

Sadly true.

 

[Nat Algren]

I just watched American Sniper. That was one of the best Anti-War films ever! I know of three Iraq Vets personally that hung themselves. That war was Vietnam in the desert. You'll never defeat those people in their home country. It's their HOME! Americans have absolutely no understanding of what it is like to live in a war zone. They call Middle Easterners "savages." You will become just as savage when your priorities are making sure you can cross the road without being shot, counting how many dead relatives and friends you have from the last month, starving, losing your identity, etc. War creates savages. That is why those who come back don't always come back.

Watch Casualties of War, read A Rumor Of War. Read All Quiet On The Western Front.

Or, talk to a Vietnam Vet dying of Agent Orange if he was keeping America free.

But, man, oh, man... what a money-maker it is!

Check out this trailer with James Garner and Julie Andrews. I think you'll find the dialogue a good anti-war film.

 

[aflachawk]

They're doing this because of he meddling both us and Russia have done over there throughout the decades. We're creating our own problems here. It's become such a mess, that I don't even the intelligence communities know who is the bad guy and who is not.

Wrong. They are doing simply because they want to bring the world back to 8th century Islam. None of the blame lies with us. None

 

[Nat Algren]

WWJD...are you familiar with The Report From Iron Mountain? It was a government commissioned study by Robert McNamara and Herman Kahn. The mission of this study was how to 'stabilize' society. That's a cute little word meaning to preserve and perpetuate the power of the existing rulers. The conclusion was to give the citizenry an enemy. Communism was a nice bogeyman. In the absence of an external threat, the subjects get restless and resent high taxes and turn on their rulers.

Long before that and after WW2, the Marshall Plan was having trouble getting passed in legislation as a humanitarian plan. It was a boondoggle to those American businesses being subsidized at the expense of the American taxpayer. It was disdainfully called a New Deal For Europe. It needed new marketing appeal. So, they changed gears and always talked about resisting the spread of Communism.

Pierre Mendes-France, French exec. director of the World Bank:
"The Communists are rendering a great service. Because we have a 'Communist danger', the Americans are making a tremendous effort to help us. We must keep up this indispensable Communist scare."

 

[Nat Algren]

Wrong. They are doing simply because they want to bring the world back to 8th century Islam. None of the blame lies with us. None

So, it has nothing to do with the fact that we topple democratically elected leaders, kill millions of civilians, women and children, place economic sanctions that prevent them from getting life saving medicines, bomb their hospitals and drone their wedding parties? What frigging rock are you living under? Bin Laden has said it's the reason. Wolfowitz has said it's the reason. It's not hard to understand.

 

[strummingram]

Wrong. They are doing simply because they want to bring the world back to 8th century Islam. None of the blame lies with us. None

Thanks for the deaths of future soldiers and innocent people.

 

[IACub]

War is big business. You're never going to get away from it until you vote for a third party.

Not true. You just need politicians who are willing to put the good of the country ahead of the almighty dollar. Eisenhower, who is probably more famous for being a general than president, was a staunch opponent of the military-industrial complex. And he had the clout, will, and cajones to stand up to them.

 

[strummingram]

Not true. You just need politicians who are willing to put the good of the country ahead of the almighty dollar. Eisenhower, who is probably more famous for being a general than president, was a staunch opponent of the military-industrial complex. And he had the clout, will, and cajones to stand up to them.

I'm not sure he was a staunch opponent of it. He did warn against it in his exit speech, but I'm not sure he was entirely off of their payroll in his 8 years.

I'd say about the only president in modern times that eluded the MIC is Jimmy Carter. I don't think we had any military deployments, encounters, coups, etc. in his term. The two parties love the MIC. The proof is by how much our economy is based on it. Keep voting to the left and to the right, and the soldiers will keep marching left, right, left, right.

 

[Nat Algren]

Not true. You just need politicians who are willing to put the good of the country ahead of the almighty dollar. Eisenhower, who is probably more famous for being a general than president, was a staunch opponent of the military-industrial complex. And he had the clout, will, and cajones to stand up to them.

If he truly stood up to the MIC, why did he give us the Korean War..the 1st unconstitutional war that was not given authorization from Congress? Ike was the ultimate politician. Judge him for his actions, not his words.

 

[SSG T]

If he truly stood up to the MIC, why did he give us the Korean War..the 1st unconstitutional war that was not given authorization from Congress? Ike was the ultimate politician. Judge him for his actions, not his words.

Wasn't the Korean War 2 1/2 years old when Ike took office?

 

[strummingram]

If he truly stood up to the MIC, why did he give us the Korean War..the 1st unconstitutional war that was not given authorization from Congress? Ike was the ultimate politician. Judge him for his actions, not his words.

I think Truman was the guy who sent us into Korea. Well, he was the president, at least. I'm sure he wasn't alone.

 

[Nat Algren]

I think Truman was the guy who sent us into Korea. Well, he was the president, at least. I'm sure he wasn't alone.

I'm eating crow...and I knew that too.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

WWJD...are you familiar with The Report From Iron Mountain? It was a government commissioned study by Robert McNamara and Herman Kahn. The mission of this study was how to 'stabilize' society. That's a cute little word meaning to preserve and perpetuate the power of the existing rulers. The conclusion was to give the citizenry an enemy. Communism was a nice bogeyman. In the absence of an external threat, the subjects get restless and resent high taxes and turn on their rulers.

Long before that and after WW2, the Marshall Plan was having trouble getting passed in legislation as a humanitarian plan. It was a boondoggle to those American businesses being subsidized at the expense of the American taxpayer. It was disdainfully called a New Deal For Europe. It needed new marketing appeal. So, they changed gears and always talked about resisting the spread of Communism.

Pierre Mendes-France, French exec. director of the World Bank:
"The Communists are rendering a great service. Because we have a 'Communist danger', the Americans are making a tremendous effort to help us. We must keep up this indispensable Communist scare."

Not aware of that. Thanks.

Today, of course, it's the war against terrorism.

 

[strummingram]

I'm eating crow...and I knew that too.

I actually think Eisenhower was truly aware of the power and agenda of the MIC. He was involved in it in WWII and then saw it grow and become a real unprecedented force through the 1950's.

 

[Walleye70]

We need to fight a war like we use to--bomb the hell out of their armies and cities if we REALLY want to win. We should have leveled Hanoi as that was the start of PC wars

 

[Nat Algren]

We need to fight a war like we use to--bomb the hell out of their armies and cities if we REALLY want to win. We should have leveled Hanoi as that was the start of PC wars

Or, maybe not have been there at all.