Saturday, September 17, 2011

Such Foresight

From my reading this weekend, a quote from President Dwight D. Eisenhower's farewell address. He warns of the influence of the military-industrial complex:
The 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 must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, our resources and livelihood all are 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.


Eisenhower would be very disappointed with the present-day saturation of our government by the military-industrial complex. Nevertheless, this is an astounding prediction. Thanks for blowing my mind, Dwight.

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