Yes, I’m a huge Rachel Maddow fan so it should not surprise you to learn that I dropped everything and furiously read Drift. Rachel Maddow is concerned that over the decades American military power has become a political tool shrouded in secrecy. Rachel worries about the “privatization” of many former functions of the military (started by Defense Secretary and later Vice-President Dick Cheney). She finds the massive growth of military contractors disturbing. The volunteer armed forces further distances war from the average American. The state of perpetual war (aka, “the war on terrorism”) has become a permanent feature of our culture. You might not agree with all of Rachel’s arguments, but no matter what your politics you’ll find the current state of American military power troubling. I found Rachel’s analysis compelling. GRADE: A
As mush as I hated the draft, it did invest most Americans in what was going on with the military. Now they function almost as a private army and we pay far less attention. It is very troubling and reminds me of the Roman army during the Empire period in frightening ways.
Exactly, Patti. Rachel Maddow shares your concerns. The historical parallels are scary.
The privatization of the military has worried me for some time.
Also, the huge amount of money spent on boondoggles rather than on our troops. We’ve all heard of soldiers having to use refridgerator doors to line the bottom of their vehicles against blasts and of helicopter pilots having to sit on their flak jackets to literally save their asses.
The treatment of gays and women in the military and the religious biases of some officers…military families on food stamps and having to shop at thrift stores or dumpster dive. Lack of proper medical treatment for PSTD and brain injuries…homeless vets…the list goes on.
We have one of the best militaries in the world but it is corrupted by greed, political expediency, and callousness. Our men and women deserve better.
Yes, our fighting men and women do deserve better, Jerry. We spend more money on our military than the rest of the world combined. But the results, as you point out, seem skewed by greed, politics, and bad decisions.
I like Rachel too. I’m looking forward to this book. Did you hear her on Fresh Air yesterday morning, George? Really interesting.
Yes, I did listen to Terry Gross interview Rachel, Beth. In fact, I embedded the interview on my blog for those who missed it.