As President Eisenhower left office, he gave
his farewell speech 46 years ago today warning about the rise of the military-industrial complex (coining that phrase for the first time), highlighted by this excerpt…
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
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.
I had issues with Ike, but he was a giant for his time (and by comparison, Dubya is a flea).
As President Eisenhower left office, he gave his farewell speech 46 years ago today warning about the rise of the military-industrial complex (coining that phrase for the first time), highlighted by this excerpt…
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