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- Go to Blackwater:Rise Of The World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army--Jeremy Scahill
Exactly my intent, katray. I am currently reading Naomi Wolf's small
but timely offering
The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot, A Citizen's Call To Action, where she outlines the quickness with which populations fall prey to becoming ensnared in authoritarian dictatorships. And you're right. Some of the first signs of the end are an elite military force, the subtle loss of civil liberties legally (Patriot Act, illegal and now legal NSA wiretapping), and the centralization of powers (executive orders, presidential signings). It's getting scary, katray...
posted by
saul_relative
on December 10, 2007 at 10:59 AM
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I ordered this book a couple of days ago
One of the key steps in transforming from a democracy to a fascist leaning government is the creation of a private army answerable only to the executive...an army of elitist faithful mercenaries that will be willing to deploy domestically against people/events deemed as threats...A scary reality we are facing that many are not aware of - I hope this post is read by everyone interested in preserving our constitution and republic! Thank you for the excellent write up, Saul.
posted by
Katray2
on December 10, 2007 at 9:42 AM
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It's an interesting read, callista. I think we do ourselves a disservice
when we shy away from things that contrary to what we wish to believe. I want my government to be on the up-and-up, but sometimes they're not. That's why books like Scahill's are so important in a democracy...
posted by
saul_relative
on December 10, 2007 at 9:20 AM
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Then, Offy, I doubt if you'll ever read another book. All writing is
biased by it's very nature of origin, no matter how hard the author attempts to be objective. And I am not suggesting that all the people involved in Blackwater are bad people (nor did the author, Jeremy Scahill). The organization is rotten, as is the administration that hired it. Scahill simply highlights the dirty underbelly of an ill-advised, ill-considered, and opportunistic operation.
posted by
saul_relative
on December 4, 2007 at 6:58 PM
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I have two friends who work for Blackwater...unless you are a part of it's organization, unless you live a day in their life.... I highly doubt anyone would appreciate what they do....I have no plans to read a biased book...
posted by
Offy
on December 4, 2007 at 6:31 PM
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thanks for bringing this book to my attention, i will get it and read it.
posted by
callista22001
on December 4, 2007 at 6:26 PM
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A book worth its weight in impeachment proceedings, EX TURPI.
posted by
saul_relative
on December 3, 2007 at 9:13 PM
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Saul relative: I never saw your post in October. I will read the book. I must find the time. Thanks for your review.
posted by
EX_TURPI
on December 3, 2007 at 11:41 AM
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I read Blackwater almost two months ago, TAPS. I am now just getting
to this review. Shame on me. But you should read this book. The more I read about the mismanagement of the war in Iraq, the more I read about Bush's government, and the more I read about the current problems plaguing us domestically, the more I detest the man, his administration, and his grotesque twisting of ideology.
posted by
saul_relative
on December 1, 2007 at 11:21 PM
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Saul_Relative
I've been planning on reading that book ever since you talked about it in your post on Blackwater in October. I keep getting sidetracked. I've got it on my list to read but I lost the list. This is a good reminder.
posted by
TAPS.
on December 1, 2007 at 4:59 PM
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Thanks, sam. Regardless of one's politics, this book is an eye-opener.
posted by
saul_relative
on December 1, 2007 at 4:50 PM
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Thanks, Soul Builder...
posted by
saul_relative
on December 1, 2007 at 4:49 PM
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great info, outstanding read!!!!!!!!!sam
posted by
sam444
on December 1, 2007 at 1:55 PM
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posted by
Soul_Builder101
on December 1, 2007 at 1:46 PM
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