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.”
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“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.”
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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