I thought when I read some of the article you linked to it sounded somewhat familiar. Then you mentioned yesterday it was from Chalmers Johnson. I don't know if you saw any of my postings about his writing.

I know you gave me some links of books before worth reading. I don't know if his writings were in that list (I lost your prior email). But I found out about Johnson from a book review in the local newspaper a couple weeks ago. It sounds like the NIE posting is from his 3rd book, which just came out.

I'm currently reading his first book, "Blowback". Blowback is a term coined by the CIA to refer to unintended consequences of CIA actions overseas. This book was originally published in 2000 with very little if any fanfare. Any interviews he gave were with European media. The US media had no interest in the topic. His book was discussed in the US congress. I forget what he said they termed the book. But it was something like "fantasyland".

The 9-11 happened. He was invited to all the talk shows. His book went into a 4th printing.

I'm about halfway thru the book. It basically discusses events in E. Asia whose cause can be linked to US intervention. I just finished a big chapter discussing Okinawa, Japan. The island is basically covered with US military bases. One incident he focuses on was the rape of a 12 yr old Japanese girl. The soldiers who committed the rape basically got their hands slapped. A quote from a military commander in the region is that the commander didn't understand why they had to commit rape. They got paid well enough and there were enough postitutes in the area to service american servicemen.

The chapter I'm reading now is about Indonesia. The CIA helped launch a coup of the countries leader in the late 70's/early 80's and helped to install a general as the countries leader. Because the general was so anti-communist. Something considered the highest priority during the coldwar years. The list of atrocities committed by the general and his army during his rein, that lasted until the late 90's, comes very close to equalling anything that Saddam could be charged with. Yet the US govt did nothing to intervene. Most likely due to his staunch anti-communist leanings.

"Blowback" is the first part of a trilogy. The purpose of "Blowback" is to indicate the hypocracy of US foreign policy. And how many acts of violence committed against US people abroad can be traced to events caused by US foreign policy.

The 3rd part of the trilogy, is what the NIE statement you refer to is based on.


>Did you actually bother to read the entire article before labelling it "crap"? Its not about Bush per se.
>
>>It's not black or white. Bush not GOOD Bush not BAD; but bashing Bush and his policies just because he's Bush is silly.
>>
>>>I don't think the article was particularly about Bush per se but rather about militarism in general. But I agree with your approach; Bush GOOD Bush GOOD. There, now we all are much the wiser.
>>>
><snip>