Watch Are We Safer? on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.
This is a very informative FRONTLINE documentary by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter Dana Priest, who examines the sprawling yet hidden terrorism-industrial complex that has developed exponentially in the wake of 9/11. Her report, Are We Safer? -- produced and directed by FRONTLINE veteran Michael Kirk (The Warning, Obama's Deal) -- explores the growing reach of homeland security into the lives of ordinary Americans. The late great Chalmers Johnson also did extensive research in this area which every concerned person should check out. It is quite instructive to take note of what President Eisenhower stated in his farewell speech in 1961 which strikes me a eerily prescient:
“Until the latest of our world conflicts, 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."
OneLove
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