Addicted To War - The Evolution of the American Military Complex

Over Two Centuries of American Foreign Wars There have now been over two centuries of U.S. foreign wars, beginning with the Indian wars. During this time, America's machinery of war has grown into a behemoth that dominates our economy and society and extends around the globe. With more than 2,500,000 U.S. personnel serving across the planet, and 737 U.S. Military Bases spread across each continent. It's time to face up to the fact that our American democracy has spawned a global empire. References *737 U.S. Military Bases = Global Empire *The Worldwide Network of US Military Bases *US military bases worldwide number 737 The USA Addicted to War Addicted To War CNN Debate - Addicted to War Although the Bush Administration has been particularly aggressive, this country's addiction to war began long before Bush came to power and will undoubtedly survive his departure. The costs of this growing addiction are now being felt more acutely at home. Soldiers and their families are paying a heavy price, but everyone is affected. The Cost of War Skyrocketing military spending is contributing to huge government deficits, causing sharp cuts in domestic programs, including education, health care, housing, public transport, and environmental protection. At the same time, the "War on Terrorism" is being used as an excuse to step up police surveillance and erode our civil liberties. The roots of the New American Militarism go deep and cannot be traced a single political party or administration. Yet, the problem has been intensified by the disorientation that followed the Vietnam War, as well as illusions about the invulnerability provided by technology and a neo-conservative argument that military power provides the “indispensable foundation” for the nation’s unique role in the world. The United States Is Addicted To War Militarism Contributing to the rise of militarism the rise of militarism include Hollywood and evangelical religion. Hollywood ’s war narrative has become slightly more complex, but no less romantic. Over a dozen major war films have been released over the last decade, including at least four that look back at World War II as a violent crucible that nevertheless reflects noble national ideals. Other recent films support neo-conservative arguments about the dangers of a half-hearted response to evil (Black Hawk Down) and how political considerations threaten humanitarian missions (Tears of the Sun). Only one major film questioning the logic of U.S. policy in the Middle East (Three Kings) has made it into theaters in the last ten years. The United States remains, as it has always been, a deeply aggressive Christian nation on a mission. About 100 million people in this country define themselves as evangelicals, they tend to be conservative and vote Republican. The political elite see the world as being currently in the midst of World War IV. This battle to guarantee U.S. citizens “ever-increasing affluence” began when Jimmy Carter declared in January 1980 that, “An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.” Once the Carter Doctrine was in effect, Reagan ramped up the military’s ability to actually wage the new world war, thus cocking the trigger that George W. Bush ultimately pulled. What has allowed the crusade to proceed, is a combination of self-induced historical amnesia and a momentum for militarization that has been building since the national trauma induced by defeat in Vietnam . Stumble It!

Addicted To War - The Evolution of the American Military Complex

Over Two Centuries of American Foreign Wars There have now been over two centuries of U.S. foreign wars, beginning with the Indian wars. During this time, America's machinery of war has grown into a behemoth that dominates our economy and society and extends around the globe. With more than 2,500,000 U.S. personnel serving across the planet, and 737 U.S. Military Bases spread across each continent. It's time to face up to the fact that our American democracy has spawned a global empire. References *737 U.S. Military Bases = Global Empire *The Worldwide Network of US Military Bases *US military bases worldwide number 737 The USA Addicted to War Addicted To War CNN Debate - Addicted to War Although the Bush Administration has been particularly aggressive, this country's addiction to war began long before Bush came to power and will undoubtedly survive his departure. The costs of this growing addiction are now being felt more acutely at home. Soldiers and their families are paying a heavy price, but everyone is affected. The Cost of War Skyrocketing military spending is contributing to huge government deficits, causing sharp cuts in domestic programs, including education, health care, housing, public transport, and environmental protection. At the same time, the "War on Terrorism" is being used as an excuse to step up police surveillance and erode our civil liberties. The roots of the New American Militarism go deep and cannot be traced a single political party or administration. Yet, the problem has been intensified by the disorientation that followed the Vietnam War, as well as illusions about the invulnerability provided by technology and a neo-conservative argument that military power provides the “indispensable foundation” for the nation’s unique role in the world. The United States Is Addicted To War Militarism Contributing to the rise of militarism the rise of militarism include Hollywood and evangelical religion. Hollywood ’s war narrative has become slightly more complex, but no less romantic. Over a dozen major war films have been released over the last decade, including at least four that look back at World War II as a violent crucible that nevertheless reflects noble national ideals. Other recent films support neo-conservative arguments about the dangers of a half-hearted response to evil (Black Hawk Down) and how political considerations threaten humanitarian missions (Tears of the Sun). Only one major film questioning the logic of U.S. policy in the Middle East (Three Kings) has made it into theaters in the last ten years. The United States remains, as it has always been, a deeply aggressive Christian nation on a mission. About 100 million people in this country define themselves as evangelicals, they tend to be conservative and vote Republican. The political elite see the world as being currently in the midst of World War IV. This battle to guarantee U.S. citizens “ever-increasing affluence” began when Jimmy Carter declared in January 1980 that, “An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.” Once the Carter Doctrine was in effect, Reagan ramped up the military’s ability to actually wage the new world war, thus cocking the trigger that George W. Bush ultimately pulled. What has allowed the crusade to proceed, is a combination of self-induced historical amnesia and a momentum for militarization that has been building since the national trauma induced by defeat in Vietnam .