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DEL.ICIO.USWho profits from Iraq war? We all do
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Columnist Nick Turse writes that it is no longer just defense contractors who profit heavily from the Iraq war- a wide variety of consumer companies rake in hundreds of millions from Pepsi to Krispy Kreme - and thus we all profit.
“In 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his famous farewell address as president, warned of the “acquisition of unwarranted influence” by what he called the “military-industrial complex” in the United States,” writes Turse. “Today, however, the “large arms industry” of Eisenhower’s day is only part of a complex equation. Civilian companies such as PepsiCo and IBM form the backbone of what more accurately can be described as a “military-corporate complex.” These businesses allow the Pentagon to function, to make war and to carry out foreign occupations.” Read full column here.
Does widespread profit contribute to the public acceptance of war - and does that prolong the war?
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By Copyleft
May 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Interesting how much dead silence is greeting this one… it appears Americans don’t like being told we’re partly to blame for what’s being done in our name!
By Red Foreman
May 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Nope, but it prolongs the Demofag writing of the AJC!!!!!
Liberals reporting news is like putting a drunk in charge of the brewery…
By Slotl
May 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
I remember in college the course Economics 101….the “guns and butter” theory. When the country is at war the “economy gets a boost”, when the country is at peace, the economy stagnates.
So tell me again, why did Regan send our troops to Guatamala? Bush Sr. sending guns to Iran, and Jr….well, we all know about Dubya (the Bush family oil intersts) and Cheney’s Halliburton. Oh, also the neo-con Prince and his private Blackwater Army!
So, remind me again if we are at war, why is the economy in a free fall?
By Slotl
May 19, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
I remember in college the course Economics 101….the “guns and butter” theory. When the country is at war the “economy gets a boost”, when the country is at peace, the economy stagnates.
So tell me again, why did Regan send our troops to Guatamala? Bush Sr. sending guns to Iran, and Jr….well, we all know about Dubya (the Bush family oil intersts) and Cheney’s Halliburton. Oh, also the neo-con Prince and his private Blackwater Army!
So, remind me again if we are at war, why is the economy in a free fall?
By AH
May 19, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
idiots
By sickfan
May 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
This should be front page news. Our tax dollars are being given to large corporations for a stupid pointless war. Thanks Bush. At least the fat CEO’s can pay for gas unlike the rest of the country.
By Fulton
May 19, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Killing for profit? Hey, it’s the good ol American way, ain’t it?
As for the Demofag comment? Well, it speaks volumes of your intelligence or, lack thereof.
By CHA
May 19, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
The profits are being directed to a select ie. group, not the general public, so we have a huge profit being made from the war enterprises reap excessive riches. In fact the average American is paying for this Iraq Freedom and the select group is getting all the benefits. We are still living in a plantation society similar to the feudal systen of early Europe; serfs who work to maintain the community and lords who are well paid to protect them and the land. But now we are dearly paying for(and not getting) the protection, we are just led to believe that we are safe, looked after and being defended from harm…, it’s all a distortion of the truth. Health care, education, disaster relief and Veterans benefits aren’t on par with federal employees/Congressional benefits or retirements so something is seriously wrong.
By kim
May 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Defense contractors, national and international, little people who make $100,000 for the first time in their lives. No one wants the war to end! The terrorists will always win because we cannot fight an ideal! Why can’t we as a people realize that. Really, the average American will believe anything if you tell them the same thing over and over. Some folks are really a bunch of robots and wouldn’t ever have an original thought!
By CHA
May 19, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Someone needs to read “State of Fear” then watch “Shooter” and recognize where we are as a nation\world and how badly we are being manipulated. I survived my parents home being bombed in 1958, so why would the first terror attack on America scare me? It doesn’t…I’ve been under attack in America all my life It shouldn’t scare you either! Never exchange the promise of freedom for the promise of protection; you will end up with neither.