[col. writ. 4/7/13] © ’13 Mumia Abu-Jamal
It would be easy, considering American history, to describe this country as ‘warlike’.
And while such a description would be technically correct, it would be misleading, for it ignores the social forces which drive men to war.
For chief among those forces is the media, as it provides the narrative, which focuses the rationale for war. Secondarily is the role of the State, as it too shapes the story.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, is the role of the corporations and their lobbyists, who may often be seen as the engines of war.
For in every war, no matter its stated basis, some business (or group of businesses) makes money off the miseries and carnage of military conflict.
As far back as the Civil War (America’s most deadly war, to boot!), we saw the emergence of great US meat companies – first to feed the swelling multitude of soldiers – then to feed millions of American consumers newly learning how to relish meat in a can.
Weapons manufacturers, ammunition makers, jet builders, bomber designers; and – voila! – before you know it, you’re in military-industrial-complex country.
War is extremely big-business; and when we’re not busy using such weapons abroad, we’re selling them to so-called allies, for internal repression or constantly draining border wars between neighbors.
For all our talk of ‘peace’ and ‘stability’, the USA is, by far, the world’s biggest arms merchant, sowing destruction the world over.
And members of Congress are but lobbyists once removed – both during – and after – their terms expire.
As schools close in major American cities (Chicago, Philadelphia, and Oakland, for example), and libraries shutter their doors, weapons of war are being funneled to local police departments – in the name of the latest pseudo-war: terrorism.
As we stoke the fires for tomorrow’s wars, we close the doors to knowledge and reason.
–© ‘13maj