BuzzFlash Reviews
Why We Fight (DVD)
Directed by Eugene Jarecki
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If you build a military/corporate alliance that consumes billions of dollars, you need wars to fight. Otherwise, you can't justify spending all that money on sweetheart contracts to companies like Halliburton and Lockheed. And then, they wouldn't be able to give campaign contributions to elect politicians who start the wars and give out the contracts.
"When war becomes that profitable, you are going to see more of it," says Chalmers Johnson in the documentary.
And under Bush, more and more of our war-making is being privatized. There are just too many damn companies who have a vested interest in war, and can only prosper and profit if the U.S. is fighting and using up military ordinance, equipment and services.
Bush answers the question of "Why We Fight" with platitudes about democracy and freedom. But, the real answer, in most cases -- and certainly Iraq -- is follow the money.
And remember that -- in a case like Iraq -- it is the oil companies -- in addition to the military contractors -- who benefit from record-breaking profiteering resulting from the conflict.
"Why We Fight" is a fast-paced, cogent documentary that confirms our worst fears about the axis of profits, war and politics.
Oddly, it was a mainstream, old-time Republican General turned President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who made the famous warning about the dangers of an unbridled military-industrial complex.
No, Mr. Eisenhower, you wouldn't recognize the Republican Party -- or the Democratic Party, for that matter.
War is business nowadays, big business. You warned us -- and we didn't listen. That is, in large part, "Why We Fight."
"Why We Fight" was winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
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