Is US Military Dominance of the World a Good Idea?

[concerned citizen23]

Is US Military Dominance of the World a Good Idea?
By Peter Phillips

The leadership class in the US is now dominated by a neo-conservative group of some 200 people who have the shared goal of asserting US military power worldwide. This Global Dominance Group, in cooperation with major military contractors, has become a powerful force in military unilateralism and US political processes.

A long thread of sociological research documents the existence of a dominant ruling class in the US, which sets policy and determines national political priorities. C. Wright Mills, in his 1956 book on the power elite, documented how World War II solidified a trinity of power in the US that comprised corporate, military and government elites in a centralized power structure working in unison through "higher circles" of contact and agreement.

Neo-conservatives promoting the US Military control of the world are now in dominant policy positions within these higher circles of the US. Adbusters magazine summed up neo-conservatism as: "The belief that Democracy, however flawed, was best defended by an ignorant public pumped on nationalism and religion. Only a militantly nationalist state could deter human aggression ŠSuch nationalism requires an external threat and if one cannot be found it must be manufactured."

In 1992, during Bush the First's administration, Dick Cheney supported Lewis Libby and Paul Wolfowitz in producing the "Defense Planning Guidance" report, which advocated US military dominance around the globe in a "new order." The report called for the United States to grow in military superiority and to prevent new rivals from rising up to challenge us on the world stage.

At the end of Clinton's administration, global dominance advocates founded the Project for a New American Century (PNAC). Among the PNAC founders were eight people affiliated with the number-one defense contractor Lockheed-Martin, and seven others associated with the number-three defense contractor Northrop Grumman. Of the twenty-five founders of PNAC twelve were later appointed to high level positions in the George W. Bush administration.

In September 2000, PNAC produced a 76-page report entitled Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century. The report, similar to the 1992 Defense Policy Guidance report, called for the protection of the American Homeland, the ability to wage simultaneous theater wars, perform global constabulary roles, and the control of space and cyberspace. It claimed that the 1990s were a decade of defense neglect and that the US must increase military spending to preserve American geopolitical leadership as the world's superpower. The report also recognized that: "the process of transformation Š is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event such as a new Pearl Harbor." The events of September 11, 2001 presented exactly the catastrophe that the authors of Rebuilding America' Defenses theorized were needed to accelerate a global dominance agenda. The resulting permanent war on terror has led to massive government defense spending, the invasions of two countries, and the threatening of three others, and the rapid acceleration of the neo-conservative plans for military control of the world.

The US now spends as much for defense as the rest of the world combined. The Pentagon's budget for buying new weapons rose from $61 billion in 2001 to over $80 billion in 2004. Lockheed Martin's sales rose by over 30% at the same time, with tens of billions of dollars on the books for future purchases. From 2000 to 2004, Lockheed Martins stock value rose 300%. Northrup-Grumann saw similar growth with DoD contracts rising from $3.2 billion in 2001 to $11.1 billion in 2004. Halliburton, with Dick Cheney as former CEO, had defense contracts totaling $427 million in 2001. By 2003, they had $4.3 billion in defense contracts, of which approximately a third were sole source agreements.

At the beginning of 2006 the Global Dominance Group's agenda is well established within higher circle policy councils and cunningly operationalized inside the US Government. They work hand in hand with defense contractors promoting deployment of US forces in over 700 bases worldwide.
There is an important difference between self-defense from external threats, and the belief in the total military control of the world. When asked, most working people in the US have serious doubts about the moral and practical acceptability of financing world domination.

Peter Phillips is a Professor of Sociology at Sonoma State University and director of Project Censored, a media research organization. A more in-depth review of the global dominance group's agenda and a list of the 200 advocates see:

http://www.projectcensored.org/downloads/Global_Dominance_Group.pdf

Peter Phillips Ph.D.
http://www.projectcensored.org/

[kenny blankenship]

1. ? does the world seem more or less divided than in 2000?

Tensions around the world higher or lower?
I think the answers are obvious and hardly need stating that the world is more and hostile dangerous with the US acting openly as the global emperor.
We seem to be digging our own grave, in fact. When we go, millions upon millions will cheer.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Would Chinese military domination of the world be a good idea..

how about Russia.... the Netherlands perhaps... how about Saudi Arabia.... how about NONE.

[jody]

3. Good or Bad Idea, it's a fact and will continue for decades. The question

is whether we will have presidents who use that power for the good of all nations or despots who use it for the greedy interests of a few international families that dominate the financial, energy, and industrial sectors?

[wtmusic]

7. That's very confident

Paul Krugman predicts a 75% chance of a run on the dollar in the next 4 years, followed by a SE Asia-style economic meltdown. If it happens there will be upheaval like we've never seen before.

[jody]

8. I agree our economy is in for rough times but IMO our military dominance

will continue until at least mid century. China and Russia can protect their territory but their ability to project their policies under protection of their military power is limited.

As one example close to home, Cuba is alone in its struggle against the U.S. because neither Russia nor China have the military power to protect any of Cuba's adventures.

The U.S. is investing billions in equipment and techniques to disrupt a target country's infrastructure. I don't know of another country that is spending a fraction of U.S. expenditures on that political/military objective.

[wtmusic]

14. The war wouldn't be a traditional projection of power

If a country like China launched a devoted effort to smuggle ten nukes into the US they could bring us to our knees. We wouldn't even know where to strike.

All the technology in the world isn't worth squat in the face of a determined enemy, as we're finding out in Iraq.

[leesa]

18. No it's not. Our military is weak. We can't even beat an unarmed nation.

[jody]

19. Our military would not win iff its strategy and tactics were limited

by politicians. Mutually assured destruction would leave both sides devastated in the case of the U.S. against Russia or China but not other countries including those who possess nukes like England, France, India, Israel, and Pakistan. The political will to win a war is the critical factor.

Democratic presidents won WWI and WWII but Republican presidents accepted armistices aka "peace with dishonor" in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Whether those wars should have been fought is one issue but the U.S. military could have easily defeated North Korea, North Vietnam, and Iraq if our Commanded in Chief had used all available resources.

[stillcool]

4. The Origins of Overclass....by Steve Kangas

http://www.aliveness.com/kangaroo/L-overclass.html

The wealthy have always used many methods to accumulate wealth, but it was not until the mid-1970s that these methods coalesced into a superbly organized, cohesive and efficient machine. After 1975, it became greater than the sum of its parts, a smooth flowing organization of advocacy groups, lobbyists, think tanks, conservative foundations, and PR firms that hurtled the richest 1 percent into the stratosphere.

The origins of this machine, interestingly enough, can be traced back to the CIA. This is not to say the machine is a formal CIA operation, complete with code name and signed documents. (Although such evidence may yet surface — and previously unthinkable domestic operations such as MK-ULTRA, CHAOS and MOCKINGBIRD show this to be a distinct possibility.) But what we do know already indicts the CIA strongly enough. Its principle creators were Irving Kristol, Paul Weyrich, William Simon, Richard Mellon Scaife, Frank Shakespeare, William F. Buckley, Jr., the Rockefeller family, and more. Almost all the machine's creators had CIA backgrounds.

During the 1970s, these men would take the propaganda and operational techniques they had learned in the Cold War and apply them to the Class War. Therefore it is no surprise that the American version of the machine bears an uncanny resemblance to the foreign versions designed to fight communism. The CIA's expert and comprehensive organization of the business class would succeed beyond their wildest dreams. In 1975, the richest 1 percent owned 22 percent of America’s wealth. By 1992, they would nearly double that, to 42 percent — the highest level of inequality in the 20th century.

[stillcool]

5. A Timeline of CIA Atrocities....by Steve Kangas

he following timeline describes just a few of the hundreds of atrocities and crimes committed by the CIA. (1)

CIA operations follow the same recurring script. First, American business interests abroad are threatened by a popular or democratically elected leader. The people support their leader because he intends to conduct land reform, strengthen unions, redistribute wealth, nationalize foreign-owned industry, and regulate business to protect workers, consumers and the environment. So, on behalf of American business, and often with their help, the CIA mobilizes the opposition. First it identifies right-wing groups within the country (usually the military), and offers them a deal: "We'll put you in power if you maintain a favorable business climate for us." The Agency then hires, trains and works with them to overthrow the existing government (usually a democracy). It uses every trick in the book: propaganda, stuffed ballot boxes, purchased elections, extortion, blackmail, sexual intrigue, false stories about opponents in the local media, infiltration and disruption of opposing political parties, kidnapping, beating, torture, intimidation, economic sabotage, death squads and even assassination. These efforts culminate in a military coup, which installs a right-wing dictator. The CIA trains the dictator’s security apparatus to crack down on the traditional enemies of big business, using interrogation, torture and murder. The victims are said to be "communists," but almost always they are just peasants, liberals, moderates, labor union leaders, political opponents and advocates of free speech and democracy. Widespread human rights abuses follow.

This scenario has been repeated so many times that the CIA actually teaches it in a special school, the notorious "School of the Americas." (It opened in Panama but later moved to Fort Benning, Georgia.) Critics have nicknamed it the "School of the Dictators" and "School of the Assassins." Here, the CIA trains Latin American military officers how to conduct coups, including the use of interrogation, torture and murder.

The Association for Responsible Dissent estimates that by 1987, 6 million people had died as a result of CIA covert operations. (2) Former State Department official William Blum correctly calls this an "American Holocaust"

http://www.aliveness.com/kangaroo/CIAtimeline.html

[orpupilofnature57]

6. Only if we're a police state, people around the world will not let u.s.

enjoy freedom,,whilst occupying the rest .

[concerned citizen23]

9. Time to march and take action my friends...

It will take PEOPLE POWER to turn this madness around. We can no longer count on our politicians...the corruption is too deep and pervasive. But WE THE PEOPLE can band together and challenge them. WE can challenge them in a court law.

If WE THE PEOPLE cannot address such wrongdoing with court action, there is little hope of a bright future for America and the founding fathers really screwed up badly.

There are over 200 million of US, WE THE PEOPLE in the U.S., if just 15% where to band together, think of the power and the historic precedent this could set!!!

A civil lawsuit has been served upon Bush and Cheney, challenging them on the PNAC; they have to answer to it

AND you can help...!

If enough people got behind this it is well within our constitutional rights to take these guys to court...the public just needs to get behind it to give it teeth:

The court has jurisdiction of both the parties and the subject matter under the cited civil code(s). (See PDF documents of lawsuit posted on website)

http://www.wallacevbushlawsuit.com/WALLACE%20VS%20BUSH%20%20CHENEY%20&%20JOHN%20DOES.pdf

While connecting the dots, of what may be a vague paper to some, will require evidence in court, and there is plenty of it available. Once connected, the preponderance of the evidence will be convincing.

And being a civil versus criminal action, a finding of "beyond reasonable doubt" is not required.

Implementation of the "Rebuilding Americas Defenses" as spelled out on the PNAC website sans (without) approval of the congress is an unconstitutional exercise of power of the executive and actionable by the people. Hence a class action. The remedies sought are reasonable and appropriate.

What you can do to help:

The lawsuit is SERVED; so let's help get it answered.

Go to:

http://www.wallacevbushlawsuit.com/letter%20of%20suppor...

Simply print the page or a several of them follow the instructions... then mail it.

In support of Mr Wallace, I have printed out many pages and have purchased pre-stamped envelopes. We are collecting names and sending them in support of his case. It is very simple and all it cost is a few bucks for postage and a small amount of time in effort.

And visit the website and make a donation:

http://www.wallacevbushlawsuit.com

Over 8300 people have visited the site, if each one had merely donated $5.00...think of the possibilities...15% of 200 million is a strong number...

[concerned citizen23]

10. Taking on the PNAC: What the lawsuit will attempt to resolve:

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED

In the waning days of the 200 election, George Bush made an agreement with his running mate to adopt the policies of the Project for the New American Century(PNAC), as the agenda for his administration should he win the election. That agreement constituted a private treaty between himself, his running mate and the Cosigners of the policy paper called Rebuilding America’s Defenses. At no time did he consult the Congress or seek approval of implementing that policy which affects the relationship of the US with other nations. Nor has he been open and honest with American citizens and voters to their detriment. Plans for implementing it were underway within days of the inauguration yet it took the 9/11 event to bring in full implementation by way of a cover of a War on Terror.

The lawsuit seeks to establish the following findings of fact and specific legal consequences:

Seek an injunction by the Court to permanently enjoin Bush, et al from further implementation of PNAC without full education of the American public and the open vote of the Congress to acknowledge the implementation of it by a 2/3rds majority.

The President of the US may not constitutionally take it upon himself to implement a private treaty as a part of the policy of government.

The President of the US is not immune from lawsuit when acting outside the scope of his job description.

The President of the US lied to the public and to the Congress to achieve his private goals and is therefore liable for damages inflicted upon victims of his unlawful actions.

Is Bush acting as a figure head only President deferring real authority to the Vice President as de-facto president? If so is this a unconstitutional act? Discovery will produce evidence of this conduct to the court.

The president of the US does not have the authority to enter into clandestine arrangements to promote preemptive war or to violate US law.

The President of the US cannot defy his oath of office to uphold the Constitution without consequences.

Should Bush and Cheney be impeached for withholding information from the public about their implementation of PNAC? While the Court has no jurisdiction to impeach, the lawsuit will seek a court finding to that effect.

Bush, Cheney and numerous John Does are criminally liable for pursuing private ambitions by violating the Constitution, US law and international law. Appropriate Criminal sanctions should be imposed.

A finding by the Court that they can be civilly held personally and financially accountable for their wrongful and unlawful acts by persons adversely affected by such conduct.

For more info visit: http:/www.wallacevbushlawsuit.com

concerned citizen23

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[freethought]

13. I believe that it is the beginning of the end for the U.S.

Fact of history: all empires fall. Sooner or later. They may not always fall for the same reason. They may not even fall the same way. Some will simply sputter and die by overextending their reach beyond their resources.
Others will come crashing down like a contolled implosion. The only question is how it will happen to the U.S.

I beleive that this Neocon ambition of "full spectrum dominance" as some call it, is the first sign that the U.S. dominance on the world stage is coming to the beginning of the end. We're bankrupting ourselves funding it.
Our educational systems are falling further and futher behind.

The Neocons will be victims of their own hubris. They are not brining the U.S. into dominance. They are accelerating its downfall. Hope I'm dead when it all happens.

[rucky]

15. I'm for UN dominance.

If we invested half as much money and energy into making the UN work like it was originally intended, we could actually do some good in the world.

[jody]

20. Would the UN be governed by one vote per member? Should Liechtenstein

with its 33 thousand citizens & $825 million GDP have the same vote as the U.S. with our 296 million citizens & $13 trillion GDP?

[The2ndWheel]

16. To ask the question is to not understand

America has been expanding since day one. It first started on the east coast(technically Europe, or Africa actually), went west, eventually moved beyond its borders a century ago, and we've been going global ever since. It didn't start in November 2000, it didn't start in the boardrooms of PNAC in 1997, it didn't start with Wolfowitz in 1992.

The only thing that will stop the expansion is over reaching/depletion of resources(the eventual end of every empire in history), or another power center defeating the military in a large scale war. Asking whether we should expand or not certainly won't stop it. That would be to miss the entire point of civilization.

The problem isn't only military dominance. It's dominance of everything. The future is everyone drinking the same brand of soda, or buying the same crap from one corporation, or being able to choose your leader from the same elite economic class of a single party.

We've been cultivating monolithic control of the world for 6000 years, and it won't stop because the Bush administration has been a little too open about it.

[Karenina]

17. K&R!!!

Food for thought.

[genie_weenie]

21. Recommended

Post-WWII the world was really split between US and USSR, with China (ascending) and the UK (declining) as the next tier.

The whole last 60 years have been the forcing of policy and creating of spheres of influence on the third world.