Narcissistic Stockholm Syndrome I: Profits of the War Machine

Note: This entry was originally posted at

The Broken Telegraph (a wonderful site on its own).

Part two here, part three here.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?

- Mahatma Gandhi

Someone out there is planning a counter-demonstration to a peace march.

Oddly enough, it's not Boeing, Haliburton, Blackwater, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, nor any of the other war profiteers taking out the banners and megaphones to stymie the influence of the peace activists.

It is a Marine who served in Vietnam.

Please don't miss the irony of this. A man who suffered under the direction and fingers of war-mongers and war-profiteers believes that those who oppose those same mongers and profiteers need to be opposed. That those who oppose brutality are the villains.

It's as if he's fallen love with his captors.

He seems to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Not unlike the vast majority of Americans whom also adore the Conquering Warlords, the Invested Bankers who finance them, and their Corporate Bosses.

But we shan't talk badly about them, shan't we? Republican President George W. Bush got a little bit of flack for starting some wars. And he was called some bad names. And that made others very, very angry. For to them, it's much more disrespectful to kill a man's reputation than to kill an actual man.

But, ultimately, who was hurt more? Who has been harmed worse: the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who lost their lives, homes, families, basic needs through the acts of aggression of the American War Machine, or the leader (or is it puppet?) of the AWM who was compared to Hitler a few times?

photo © 2009 Steve Jurvetson | more info (via: Wylio)

And now a Democratic president of these United States is feeling the heat.

Not as much heat as the dozens of civilians who have come into contact with our Patriot bombs, but, maybe just a little bit, right?

The most current manifestation of America's War Machine was sold as a necessary way to stop a mad dictator (Gadhafi) from killing his own people (Libyans - who were not just being fired at from the air, but so confused by hordes of mercenaries hired to kill off Gadhafi's opposition that many started attacking any person of sub-Saharan descent), to level the playing field a little bit. And if, perhaps, there was a way it could be limited to the agreed-upon No-Fly Zone action, then perhaps it would be justifiable. That is, if the War Machine weren't so apt to make sure that their mission isn't accomplished first.

And it will be. Because they'd like to replace Gadhafi with someone more compliant to US and coalition (meaning, Other Corporation-backed "democracies") desires.

A cruise missile blasted Moammar Gadhafi's residential compound in an attack that carried as much symbolism as military effect, and fighter jets destroyed a line of tanks moving on the rebel capital. The U.S. said the international assault would hit any government forces attacking the opposition.

The War Machine is itself only one of several arms of Empire. And Empire exists for the aim of Empire. In the current US climate, the driving force of Empire is corporate need. And corporations need cheap gas. So, um, congratulations, Libyans! We'll be able to liberate you AND get cheaper gas.

We thank you for your sacrifice. It allows us to more easily oblige with our captors.

pt 2, pt. 3