"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 Statehouse, 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 the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together." "Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present – and is gravely to be regarded. Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite." Full Speech Eisenhower was an interesting guy, but is now possibly an artifact of the past; He was an actual conservative. It seems like some of the things he mentioned in this speech have definitely come to pass. Did anyone listen?
ike is the last president we have had who had the balls to stand up to the military industrial complex. unfortunately, he was succeeded by jfk, who returned to the presidential tradition of towing the line for those who really control our government and dragged us into vietnam. i like ike!
Any of you old farts remember Cadet Don? He had a local, morning kids show in Houston in the late 50-s early 60-s. During the run of his show he had a son whom he named "Ike"-- or at least claimed to name him so.
This is the same military industrial complex that won WWII and made Ike a national hero capable of winning the Presidency. It's also the same MIC that won the Cold War.
Absolutely, and as a studnet of History I understand and resepect that AS does Eisenhower. However, the point was that we as a nation should gaurd our liberties and society against the MIC or any other industry/entities that seek to monopolize our government.
Who would be better placed than Eisenhower to understand the danger inherent in the military industrial complex? He spoke words of hard-won wisdom, and has been shown to be right. In my opinion. Keep D&D Civil.
As the economies of scale increase to another factor, organizations will increase and surpass their status beyond national governments. It's only a matter of when, if not already
Ike could not have been more wrong. The world is a much freer place now than it was when he left office, and the MIC deserves some of the credit for that.
"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 Statehouse, 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 the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together." Look around you... Eisenhower was a prophet. Don't care to? Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Keep D&D Civil.
I think that is a good point and it is undeniable that the military industrial complex is responsible for many good things. Eisenhower's message though was one of vigilance. So while yes the MIC has brought about some good things at the same time the potential is there for vast systemic abuses of people's liberties. I would also add that the success of the spread of freedom has also been due to an unforeseen byproduct of the MIC, the spread of decentralized communications. While I give Reagan and others credit for exposing the inherent weakness of the Communist systems it was also due to the spread of sources of information beyond the control of those governments that caused the people there to rise up and cast off Communism. While things like satellite communications, faxes, cell phones and videotape were developed by the MIC its in the hands of individuals that their potential to spread freedom is realized.
I grant you was a complex process, but it sure as hell was not accomplished by John Lennon and Yoko Ono singing "Give Peace a Chance" in a hotel bed.The American MIC has brought more freedom to more people than moonbats like Deckard and thadeus.
You might read Sishir's own attempt at promoting civility, gwayneco. I rather enjoy gazing at the Moon, and sometimes watch the bats leave their home under the Congress Avenue bridge, but I doubt that was what your reference was about. And I still think Eisenhower was right. The military-industrial complex has become a hydra that influences America and American foreign policy far more than it should. I know that my tax dollars go to fund billions in unnecessary defense programs, that we sell far more weapons overseas than is wise, and I am a strong defender of both the military and America remaining the first military power on this planet of ours. And I like Lennon's music very much and respected his love for peace. When I heard of his death, I was stunned with disbelief, and remember the moment very well. I'm not a fan of Yoko's. Keep D&D Civil.
MIC are businesses.. business have business goals.. what do you think has higher priority for them? make profit or make the world a better place?
Oh...and FWIW, I'm w/ Deckard. Ike provided experienced, sage advice. Lemme see.. American General who won WWII then Presdient of the United States... -vs- ...gwayneco....hmmmm....it's close, but...
Do you see any shades of gray? The MIC should either run everything or not exist at all? The argument is that the MIC should be used and subservient, it should not be allowed to influence and control or we might as well have lost WWII.
An incredible speech. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Unbelievable to compare the leading general of WW II with Bush. Other quotes of interest. Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. As we peer into society's future, we – you and I, and our government – must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without asking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow and We pray that peoples of all faiths, all races, all nations, may have their great human needs satisfied; that those now denied opportunity shall come to enjoy it to the full; that all who yearn for freedom may experience its spiritual blessings; that those who have freedom will understand, also, its heavy responsibilities; that all who are insensitive to the needs of others will learn charity; that the scourges of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made to disappear from the earth, and that, in the goodness of time, all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love.
The world is a freer place since Ike left office. So, why worry about an institution that has been so beneficial?
