Eisenhower's Farewell
I liked Ike back in the 1950's. By
today's standards, he probably wouldn't be allowed in the Republikan
Party.
The American public has no perception of the
stupidity, arrogance and pig-headedness of our military misleaders. In no way
does armor technology keep up with explosives technology. Especially regarding
cost -- which is critical for
insurgencies.You can purchase an RPG
in Iraq for less than $30. An Abrams tank costs American taxpayers $4.3
million. Anyone with good enough eyesight to shoot a moose can take out an
Abrams tank with an RPG. That's a Rocket Propelled Grenade for those with
civilian educations.The invasion phase
of Bush’s War cost 15 or 16 Abrams tanks -- and a certain portion of each
crew. The “mission accomplished” phase of Bush’s War has cost
about 80 Abrams tanks. But, the dolts in the Pentagon and the thug in the White
House don’t get campaign warchests stuffed to the gills from the folks who
make the explosive rounds for RPG’s. They get their bucks from the good
old military-industrial complex described in President Eisenhower’s
farewell:“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.“Down the long lane of
the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever
growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and
be instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and
respect.”...............................................................“Such
a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference
table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral,
economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past
frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the
battlefield.“Disarmament, with
mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn
how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent
purpose. Because this need is so sharp and apparent I confess that I lay down my
official responsibilities in this field with a definite sense of disappointment.
As one who has witnessed the horror and the lingering sadness of war -- as one
who knows that another war could utterly destroy this civilization which has
been so slowly and painfully built over thousands of years -- I wish I could say
tonight that a lasting peace is in
sight.”.......................................................................That
was a Republican Conservative with a conscience. What a contrast with the thugs
in charge, today!
Posted: Mon - July 4, 2005 at 02:59 PM