Naomi Klein's "disaster capitalism complex" in "The Shock Doctrine"

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Monday September 10, 2007 · 1:20 PM PDT

2007/09/10 · 13:20

Excerptsfrom Naomi Klein's much-anticipated new book, "The Shock Doctrine," are being run this week in the Guardian before its U.K. publication date of Sept. 20th.

If today's entry is anything to go by, "The Shock Doctrine" will be an explosive addition to the already groaning bookshelf of analytical exposes on George W. Bush's contribution to the profitability of war commerce.

The billions being spent and earned by the military-industrial-political complex have created, in Klein's clever parlance, the disaster capitalism complex.

On a day when, to our utter despair (particularly for active-duty military families), so many more lies are being bandied about in Congress, it's almost a relief to recognise truth in an economical phrase that rolls off the tongue:

The disaster capitalism complex.

demetroula

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Monday September 03, 2007 · 9:38 AM PDT

2007/09/03 · 09:38

Why is this man smiling? Where does he think he is?

At a frat party? Hosting cocktails on the White House lawn, introducing one good ol' boy to another? Clearing brush?

Bush the Dauphin, so undeserving of his seat of power in every conceivable way, who has single-handedly flipped the world on its arse with his shallow, blinkered notions, dares to be seen cheerily greeting Petraeus & Co where he has sent over 4,000 young and patriotic U.S. and British troops to their tragic deaths.

George W. Bush is truly the poster boy for the ignominy of the human race.

demetroula

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Friday August 03, 2007 · 5:10 AM PDT

2007/08/03 · 05:10

John Bolton strikes (out) again.

His op-ed piece in Wednesday's Financial Times, "Britain Can't Have Two Best Friends," generated four letters to the editor on Thursday and five more today.

Needless to say, all nine letters admonished Bolton's typically vituperative views. Or, as one of the letter headers put it, "Why give a forum to such a loathsome individual?"

Indeed.

demetroula

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Tuesday July 10, 2007 · 3:33 AM PDT

2007/07/10 · 03:33

In my letterpublished in today's New York Times, written in response to Sunday's lengthy editorial calling for immediate withdrawal from Iraq -- out of 12 letters, mine was the only one by a military parent -- I called George W. Bush "feckless."

No doubt there are many who could think of another "F" word to describe Bush's incompetence, but The Times remains adamant in its refusal to publish certain expletives.

Letter and additional comments below the fold.

demetroula

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Sunday July 08, 2007 · 4:31 AM PDT

2007/07/08 · 04:31

No one wants this disastrous war to end faster than those of us with children who have served -- or are serving -- in Iraq.

While today's bold and lengthy New York Times editorialwas encouraging -- "It is frighteningly clear that Mr. Bush’s plan is to stay the course as long as he is president and dump the mess on his successor. Whatever his cause was, it is lost" -- it's been a while since I felt The Times's influence has made any difference to how this nightmare is prosecuted. The Bushies will do as the Bushies want.

Full stop.

And while I'd rather believe that the editorial's wish list will be punched post-haste by the Bush-Cheney Empire and its dwindling coalition-of-the-drilling, a recent piece in the U.K.'s Guardian offered a more sobering outlook.

demetroula

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Friday July 06, 2007 · 7:41 AM PDT

2007/07/06 · 07:41

Wells, wells. One of the partners in the coalition-of-the-drilling has shed light on the war that dare not speak its name.

Yes, we're all shocked -- just shocked -- at this admission. And from Down Under, of all places.

Thus far it appears that only the BBC has reported the statement this week by Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson that "securing oil supplies is a key factor behind the presence of Australian troops in Iraq."

Gasp!

demetroula

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Monday June 11, 2007 · 6:24 AM PDT

2007/06/11 · 06:24

Since my U.S. Marine son came home in one piece from Iraq (picture below), I've been taking some time off from dKos and getting used to sleeping through the night again.

Not that I'm not taking my eye off of war news -- far from it: I grieve with every casualty report -- but I've given myself permission to hang back a bit, for my health, after enduring seven months of extreme emotional stress.

But then I saw this article, "Withdrawal won't happen," by Patrick Seale in Saturday's Guardian, and noting that no one else had remarked on it, I thought it should receive a little more exposure in Kos World.

Because who can resist an "I told you so" of this magnitude?

demetroula

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Friday May 04, 2007 · 10:47 AM PDT

2007/05/04 · 10:47

Let me see if I understand the Republicans. It's OK to spend taxpayer dollars to send thousands of strapping young men and women to their destruction in an unnecessary war, but taxpayers must never never EVER be responsible for the abortion of a pregnant 12-year-old gang-raped by local thugs or her father/stepfather/trusted male relative.

The New York Times reports "Bush Warns of Vetoes Over Abortion Issue":

In a two-page letter sent to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Mr. Bush said his veto threat would apply to any measures that "allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life."

So does "any measures" mean it's OK for taxpayer dollars to fund a war that's cost Iraqis and Americans hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries?

demetroula

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Wednesday May 02, 2007 · 6:01 AM PDT

2007/05/02 · 06:01

In today's Huffington Post, Jane Smiley provides the best summary yet of Bushco's invasion and bungling of the Iraq war.

While I wish I'd written it myself, I also feel obliged to pass it on -- particularly in light of the front-page story in this morning's Guardian on how the UK also screwed up their end of post-war planning.

But more on that below. Smiley's precis deserves to be read -- even memorized -- to toss at the 28% who still think Dubya walks with God. Like a photographic lens, it brings everything into focus -- an apt image, since all was planned in camera.

demetroula

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Monday April 30, 2007 · 9:58 AM PDT

2007/04/30 · 09:58

My son has been back in the States for two weeks, having survived -- mentally and physically -- his first tour in Iraq with the U.S. Marines. I'll finally get to hug him sometime next month.

To say I'm grateful and relieved that he was spared is a vast understatement. After seven months of living with the terror of losing my only child, I'm sleeping better and able to make short-term plans without a nagging, palpable sense of dread.

What hasn't gone away is the nausea and bile that rise each time a casualty report pops up online. And when I read just now that "U.S. April Death Toll in Iraq Passes 100," all I can do is scream: WHO WILL FINALLY STOP THIS SENSELESS CARNAGE???!!!

demetroula

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Thursday April 26, 2007 · 1:01 PM PDT

2007/04/26 · 13:01

There they go again.

The Bushies using Gen. David Petraeus as a mouthpiece shamelessly continue to conflate the war in Iraq with al-Qaeda's attacks of 9/11.

"Iraq is in fact the central front of al-Qaida's global campaign," he said. "Al-Qaida-Iraq remains a formidable foe with considerable resilience and a capability to produce horrific attacks."

The bullshit gets ever more desperate.

demetroula

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Tuesday April 24, 2007 · 3:14 AM PDT

2007/04/24 · 03:14

All is unquestionably clear. Deniability is no longer an option.

A truth even more inconvenient than global warming is that the Oil Age is passing before our eyes.

The case is abundantly supported by the recent Swiss-produced documentary "A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash." As one of the taglines says, "If you're not worried about peak oil, you will be after watching this film."

Far from alarmist and apocalyptic, the film is sensible and sobering, the consequences real and tangible. I strongly suggest that ALL Kossacks take the time to find and watch it, then discuss. And then spread the word to those Amurricans who still believe that taking out Saddam was a noble "mission" of liberation.

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Naomi Klein's "disaster capitalism complex" in "The Shock Doctrine"

How dare Dubya smile while in Iraq

Reality-Based World 9, John Bolton 0

The joy of calling Bush "feckless" in The NYTimes

Why Withdrawal from Iraq Can't Happen: Discuss

SHOCK-A-ROO: Australia admits to a coalition-of-the-drilling

Marine Mom: It really, really, really was about the oil

The Ultimate in Republican Hypocrisy

"Who's the Enemy?" Jane Smiley's CliffsNotes view of Iraq.

Death toll for U.S. troops passes 100 for April: Whither outrage?

BREAKING: Al Qaeda and Iraq Undifferentiated. Again.

Crude awakening: Bush HAD to invade Iraq