[....]How does this relate to the port deal? Well, I could draw a comparison: Having our critical ports managed by interestes that could at any moment shift to become antithetical to our own, and worse yet in subtle ways, would not be a Good Thing. Truth be told, though, I don't worry terribly much about that. What bothers me is, again, the attitude of the Administration on the matter. They could manage it very simply and cleanly by agreeing to look it over again, maybe a little more publicly this time. But no, they have to play hardball and re-play the "trust me, I'm the President" hand.
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.
Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.
In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.
Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.
The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.
Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.
It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system -- ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.
The leadership of the United Kingdom is a monarchy.
The United States is by far the largest exporter of weapons in the world, selling almost twice as many weapons as the next 14 countries combined.
"... Cool down, people. This is how the world works in the age of globalisation. Of course, he [David Brooks] is correct. But what a killjoy. This is a fun flap, the kind that brings us together. Republicans and Democrats are frothing in unison, instead of polarising incivilities. Together, they are all thumping righteously on the poor president. I expect he will fold, or at least retreat tactically by ordering further investigation.Indeed.
A conservative blaming hysteria is hysterical, when you think about it, and a bit late. Hysteria launched Bush's invasion of Iraq. It created that monstrosity called Homeland Security and pumped up defence spending by more than 40%....He taught them how to play this game ....Very few dare to challenge the mindset. Thousands have died for it...."
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Sepia Mutiny had a much better post on this topic.
posted by chunking express at 5:07 AM on February 24, 2006