Secret wars in Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, as well as the continuing war in Afghanistan are the focus of Jeremy Scahill’s excellent book and movie. Scahill shows how Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) fight undeclared wars all over the world. Drones, SEAL Team Six, and secret operatives assassinate targets on the “Kill List” that Scahill finds just keeps getting longer. Scahill’s book and the movie based on the book gives us all plenty to ponder. GRADE: A (for both)
Any notion that we are above such incursions is hard to defend.
I haven’t read the book yet but plan to – scary stuff. Thanks George.
Patti, Scahill points out there’s really no oversight of these secret missions. And several of these missions resulted in the deaths of civilians. I don’t think we can just dismiss those deaths as “collateral damage.
Sergio, DIRTY WARS–both the book and the movie–provides many examples of a shadowy agency that seems to lack oversight. Scary stuff!
You say “there’s really no oversight”. But think about who you’d WANT to have oversight. The House Republicans? The Tea Party? The Pentagon? Senate Democrats? The White House? There’s way too much politics in any of those possibilities, and more politics seems the last thing we need, any more than more hand tying. I’m not greatly in favor of covert war actions, but is there really a better choice?
Rick, Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely (Lord Acton). Without proper oversight it’s too easy for mistakes to be covered up and for elements of the agency to go rogue. I agree with you on the dysfunction of Washington, but we’re creating more problems for ourselves internationally with these undeclared wars and the policy of drone assassinations.
I bow to your expertise, I just don’t see any solution. Guess I’ll just have to stay here with my head in the sand, worrying about China’s huge contribution to global warming with it’s lack of regulations or controls over air pollution.
Rick, China is the biggest importer in the world of anti-pollution and CO2 controls in the world. The problem is the size of China’s carbon footprint and the decades of pollution that needs cleaning up.
George, did you see this yesterday? It was also on the PBS Newshour last night.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24579101
Rick, I’m not surprised by this. LA had the same smog problems before environmental rules were put into place. Pollution is a huge problem generated by manufacturing–and China is the world’s biggest manufacturer.
According the the Newshour story, the biggest problem of all just now is that so much of Northern China is heated by coal, and there are no regulations on coal smoke emissions. Three days ago every coal powered heating plant kicked on per state regs “start day” and they have been pouring coal smoke out 24/day since. The cold air inversion layer keeps it all low. Sadly, this will drift out over the Pacific, get into the jet stream, and next stop Alaska, Pacific Northwest.
By the way, since neither the Buffalo nor Portland major league baseball teams are in the World Series (since neither have a major league team) we’ll be skipping it. Boston and St. Louis? Who cares? Except the people in Boston and St. Louis, I guess.
Rick, I’m not a baseball fan. But, my daughter does live in Boston so I’ll root for the Red Sox (but I won’t watch any of the games). Highlights are plenty for me.
I have to point out that there is a big disconnect between the intensity of the trailer and the following “YOU JUST WATCHED AN INDIE TRAILER” sign and accompanying music. I haven’t read the book, but from what I have seen about him in interviews and articles, Jeremy Scahill is doing amazing work!
Lauren, you would really like DIRTY WARS–both the book and the movie. If you give me a heads up, I can lend you my copy of the move if you drop by my office. You’re right about Scahill doing amazing work.
George, I wonder if America will end up losing its friends and making more enemies.
Thank you Dr. Kelley! I am planning on stopping by ECC sometime this semester, so I will send you an email the day before.