Eugene Jarecki's "Why we Fight" Documentary

I have it on good authority that Eugene Jarecki's "Why We Fight" is a must see. The title comes from Frank Capra's WWII effort and much of film is built around Ike's warning on the "military-industrial complex" in his farewell address of 1961. Nice set of trailers and the like on the film site. Covers Iraq and uses a diverse set of perspectives. I'd read about the film and intended to see yet will consider it a priority.

One thing I have already learned was that originally Eisenhower planned to label his concern the "military-industrial-Congress complex". One trailer segment mentioned how the B2 Bomber has parts made in every state to assure Congress stays on board with the funding. The power of the purse seems to work both ways. Big money buys big rewards. Whie Bu$hCo and his Rubber Stamp Congress is the most openly bought and sold government yet the reality is that some centrist Democrats are on board as well. Even liberal or progressive legislators want their folks back home to get a share of the defense dollar.

Another comment I'll offer is to a portion of Ike's speech that reads as follows:

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 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. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

"Alert and knowledgeable citizenry" hardly applies today does it? Politicians, especially those to the far right, seem to pander to the lowest common denominator. I'm not so sure the American public of today would really be able to even understand Ike's concerns. Peace ... or War!