by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Joseph Heller's Catch-22 was written in the 1950's and had its roots in Heller's actual experiences in the Second World War.
Milo Minderbinder was one of the Heller's most unique characters in Catch-22. Milo was a mess officer in the fictionalized Army Air Corps unit stationed on a small island in the Mediterranean. He figured out early on that war is nothing more than business. Milo went on to build a highly profitable syndicate by buying and selling food and supplies that were intended for use by the troops. As his business grew, he eventually was arranging military outcomes for profit, and, at one point, even had his own unit bombed as a part of a business transaction. Milo Minderbinder was the ultimate war-profiteer.
Joseph Heller saw war as being fought by one class of individuals for the financial benefit of another class - the poor fight and the rich cash in. Milo figured that out and managed to move himself to the winning side off that equation.
Erik Prince is a real person who, unlike the fictional Milo, had the good sense to be born rich. Erik developed an ardor for the glamour of combat - though he still understood the business realities and unlimited profit potential of war. Prince founded the company originally known as Blackwater which provided contractor services like body guards and mercenaries for the Bush wars in the Middle East.
Erik Prince was an early adviser to the Trump campaign, and when Trump took office he seemed to have an inordinate amount of access to ear of the narcissist in the White House, most likely through the friendly channels of Trump's chief adviser, Steve Bannon. Not only was Erik being heard on important matters like war, but his older sister, Betsy DeVos, was putting her indelible stamp on other matters of national import in her new position as Trump's Secretary of Education.
But now Bannon is out, and Trump has begun plotting war strategy without the able assistance of Erik Prince - and the war entrepreneur is not happy.
In fact, Erik has just referred to Trump's proposed new start in Afghanistan as "Obama Lite." He said Trump's plan was a "continuation of the same limited or failed strategy of the last sixteen years."
What is Erik Prince's answer to turning things around in Afghanistan? Erik believes the U.S. needs to be using private contractors instead of military personnel, services he would no doubt eagerly provide - for a healthy profit, of course.
And Betsy believes schools should be owned and operated by private businesses.
Milo would love them both - and he would trademark "Obama Lite!"
Citizen Journalist
Joseph Heller's Catch-22 was written in the 1950's and had its roots in Heller's actual experiences in the Second World War.
Milo Minderbinder was one of the Heller's most unique characters in Catch-22. Milo was a mess officer in the fictionalized Army Air Corps unit stationed on a small island in the Mediterranean. He figured out early on that war is nothing more than business. Milo went on to build a highly profitable syndicate by buying and selling food and supplies that were intended for use by the troops. As his business grew, he eventually was arranging military outcomes for profit, and, at one point, even had his own unit bombed as a part of a business transaction. Milo Minderbinder was the ultimate war-profiteer.
Joseph Heller saw war as being fought by one class of individuals for the financial benefit of another class - the poor fight and the rich cash in. Milo figured that out and managed to move himself to the winning side off that equation.
Erik Prince is a real person who, unlike the fictional Milo, had the good sense to be born rich. Erik developed an ardor for the glamour of combat - though he still understood the business realities and unlimited profit potential of war. Prince founded the company originally known as Blackwater which provided contractor services like body guards and mercenaries for the Bush wars in the Middle East.
Erik Prince was an early adviser to the Trump campaign, and when Trump took office he seemed to have an inordinate amount of access to ear of the narcissist in the White House, most likely through the friendly channels of Trump's chief adviser, Steve Bannon. Not only was Erik being heard on important matters like war, but his older sister, Betsy DeVos, was putting her indelible stamp on other matters of national import in her new position as Trump's Secretary of Education.
But now Bannon is out, and Trump has begun plotting war strategy without the able assistance of Erik Prince - and the war entrepreneur is not happy.
In fact, Erik has just referred to Trump's proposed new start in Afghanistan as "Obama Lite." He said Trump's plan was a "continuation of the same limited or failed strategy of the last sixteen years."
What is Erik Prince's answer to turning things around in Afghanistan? Erik believes the U.S. needs to be using private contractors instead of military personnel, services he would no doubt eagerly provide - for a healthy profit, of course.
And Betsy believes schools should be owned and operated by private businesses.
Milo would love them both - and he would trademark "Obama Lite!"
1 comment:
How do you know these things??? That sibling thing was a shocker but then again, I may be the last to know this. You're probably having to get your thoughts together still about last night's diatribe. Worst yet. Can't wait to read your take. Love, love, love your blog. It should be required reading for everyone.
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