Every gun....

[zabet]

"Every gun that is made,
Every warship launched,
Every rocket fired,
Signifies, in a final sense,
A theft from those who
Are hungry and not fed,
Those who are cold
And not clothed.
This world in arms is
Not spending money alone.
It's spending the sweat
Of its laborers,
The genius of its scientists,
The hopes of its children."
Eisenhower

[Ravajava]

1. Furthermore

"Until the latest of our world conflicts (WW2 & Korea), the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.

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 the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Eisenhower, one of the last, if not the last, good Republican Presidents.

[PoliticAverse]

2. And now there's a permanent Military Industrial Complex, and we are seemingly permanently 'at war'.

[Ravajava]

12. So True

Pretty much. Rather eerie that Eisenhower predicted this in the earl 60's, but I guess people paying attention would have seen it coming.

[defacto7]

3. Good reply.

Welcome to DU.

[Ravajava]

13. Thank you

Nice to be here

[zabet]

5. Thank you!

For completeing the message.

[Ravajava]

17. No problem

No problem friendo

[defacto7]

4. Thanks, zabet.

This was when America represented hope to many. Though there were many dark shadows still to be lighted, there was hope for a changed world and expansion of the human species.

[bvar22]

6. DURec!

One of my favorite quotes,
from Republican President Dwight Eisenhower.

A look at Eisenhower's Presidency,
and his speeches will give one a good measuring stick for how FAR to the Conservative Right our political leadership has fallen.

[zabet]

7. I wonder...

If by todays current Republican profile, if he would even be considered a representative of the conservative right.

[bvar22]

8. No.

Eisenhower would be too Liberal for today's "New Democrat" Party.

[Ravajava]

15. Yayz

Yayz for accidental erosion of the left wing!

Man, that's freaky stuff. Hopefully a line can be drawn somewhere.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. no

A theft from those who
Are hungry and not fed,
Those who are cold
And not clothed.

Ike said those words like it's a bad thing. Today's Republicans would call that a business plan.

[annabanana]

10. Masters of War - Dylan

"Masters Of War"

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks.

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly.

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain.

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion'
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud.

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins.

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do.

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul.

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand over your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead.

[zabet]

11. Truth when Dylan first sang this.....

Even more so today.

[Ravajava]

16. Great song

I remember first hearing that on the Colbert Report a few months back. Great music, and a well written, poetic solemn message.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

14. Let me guess, you went to one of Roger Waters' Wall shows.

I believe the same quote was used during the "Bring The Boys Back Home" segment. I saw it in Portland.

[zabet]

18. No...

No such thing here in Podunkville in the red southern area in live in.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

19. for those who didn't think I was serious ........

[zabet]

20. Awesome!

Seriously.....I live so far in the sticks.....any cultural activity worth experiencing is at minimum at least a 2 hour drive.