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Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic
by Chalmers Johnson

reviews

Time to Connect the Dots!, February 11, 2007
By Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews

Johnson points out that we are the world's greatest producer and
exporter of arms on the planet, spend more on our armed forces than
all other nations combined - while going deeply into debt to do so,
and station over 500,000 troops, spies, contractors, dependents, etc.
on more than 737 bases around the world in 130 countries (even this is
not a complete count). Further, statistics compiled by the Federation
of American Scientists analyzed by Gore Vidal show 201 military
operations initiated by the U.S. against others between the end of
WWII and 9/11 - none of which are directly resulted in the creation of
a democracy.

Many have accused Bush II of violating international treaties -
Johnson, however, is the first that I know of to make the point that
our Constitution (Article 6) makes all Treaties made under
authorization of the U.S. to be the supreme Law of the Land." Thus,
much of Bush's international actions are not only objectionable on
moral and practical grounds - they are illegal as well.

As for why few of the world's billion+ Muslims like the U.S. -
estimates range from 500,000 to 1 million Iraqi children killed as an
outgrowth of U.S. sanctions. Johnson also goes on to document U.S.
blocking contracts to improve Iraqi water and other utilities just
prior to our invasion. Then there are the matters of torture and
secret renditions. (How do these acts reduce terrorism?)

The situation in the U.S. has gone downhill as well - Bush II's
administration ignoring/violating the Freedom of Information Act,
questionable wire-tapping, letter-opening, Internet surveillance, etc.

What is the dollar cost of these misadventures? Joseph Stiglitz,
Nobel-prize winner in economics, estimates a total cost to-date of
Iraq II alone at about $2 trillion - includes ongoing veterans
benefits, equipment repair, etc. Meanwhile, the U.S. is trying to
militarize space - further adding to our military expenditures and
indebtedness.

Finally, Johnson sees our military costs eventually bankrupting the
U.S. (if our escalating trade deficit doesn't first), aka Rome.

Unfortunately, it all makes sense to me.
Important ideals and ideas , February 26, 2007
By L. F Sherman "dikw" (Wiscasset, ME United States) - See all my
reviews

The third in a series that started with "Blowback" is the strongest
statement of the lot. The experience, expertise, and brain power
demand a careful reading rather than simplistic name calling by those
who don't like the conclusions (for them labeling "Liberal" saves
bothering to think or develop a logical counter argument).
Furthermore, there are numerous Conservatives who would find much of
the argument justified.

Every citizen should read the last chapter before investing, making
long term plans, or evaluating this `MBA war President'.

Whether one totally `buys into' the argument (well made) that the
Republic is about gone because of an irresponsible Congress bypassed
by the Military Industrial Complex (a Republican's term you remember)
and rotten pervasive dominance of those interests, it should be
carefully evaluated not dismissed by name calling as some reviewers
have done.

No President as asserted so many excess powers via extreme secrecy,
curtailing civil rights, creative legal fatwas, signing statements,
making himself "the decider" snubbing Congress. And has any other
claimed to talk to God? American arrogance compounded by megalomania -
my conclusion not Johnson's.

Johnson is not a Pacifist, but he makes a strong case that realistic
American interests could be supported with perhaps 40 bases rather
than 740 that pollute relations in countries where they are placed.
(His detailed experience with Japan and Okinawa is more than I'd care
to know but one example.)

Long ago one President suggested that the US could lead by example or
by asserting power and that the later approach would undermine the
former as our own Republic and democracy was destroyed.