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Military-Educational ComplexWorking with the soil in the garden helped me rid myself of the bad vibes I received yesterday from persons going to the Marquette Graduation Mass trying to ignore our message of “Marquette Teach War No More”. The indifference to the militarization of our society seems to be growing. With the strength of good soil I am committed to plant seeds of awareness of this process.
In 1961 President Dwight D. Eisenhower, giving his farewell address, warned Americans against the military industrial complex. He said: “In the councils 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.”
American did not heed his warning and the militarization of our society has increased on all levels, including our educational system. I believe if speaking now President Eisenhower would be warning us against the “military-industrial-educational complex”.
Although, as my wife reminds me, “my plate is full,” I feel compelled to write, speak and act out to warn persons, in my own small way or with others, about the militarization of society. I believe it has become so pervasive that we do not even see it most of the time anymore.
There is one power on earth that can stand up against this power of the military-industrial-educational complex and that power, I believe, is the power of nature. This is why I think so many Americans are attracted to the holistic, ecology and organic movements. The military-industrial-educational complex in the world is man-made. The holistic, ecology and organic movement in nature is God made.
The deeper we go into nature the more we understand this and become awakened to the harm to the earth represented by the military-industrial-educational complex.
Comments
DLB — 31 December 2010, 10:41
But he did. Although he only used the phrase “military industrial complex” in his farewell speach he spoke specifically to the related issues with research and educational facilities in the next several paragraphs of his address. And on prior occasions had included it as you do.
Bob Graf — 01 January 2011, 00:30
Thanks DLB. Eisenhower and Kennedy seem to be the only two presidents to point out this threat. When selected universities become base schools of the military and joining the military is a major way of getting an education we are in trouble. Thanks for Breaking the silence.
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