flea circus

A call to the front lines from Chris Hedges

"In the counsels 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."
- President Eisenhower - January 1961.

"If the people knew what we had done, they would chase us down the street and lynch us."
- George H.W. Bush, when asked, "What will the people do if they ever find out the truth about Iraq-gate and Iran contra?", 1992.

Uh Oh

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
--Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864.
(letter to Col. William F. Elkins)