Military-Industrial Complex Speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961
Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.
He predicted that computer models would replace thought.
The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.
He predicted that Federal money would corrupt science
Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should,we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific technological elite.
He predicted that the same corrupt scientists would control public policy.
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. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8y06NSBBRtY]
Ike was a highly under rated President. He presided over the US when the US was at its peak.
Listening to Ike or reading George Orwell – stunning how spot-on their concerns and assessments were. Way ahead of their times
His words prefectly describes CAGW science today. The ‘gubmnent’ is getting what it pays for. Lyshenko could not compete with these people today.
Ike was much better than that Jimbo. Read ALL of President Eisenhower’s farewell speech to see what I mean.
The fact of the matter is that President Eisenhower used twice the amount of words and time warning about scams perpetrated in the name of science by universities etc. than Ike used to warn us about the left’s dreaded Military Industrial Complex. It is all there from Obama’s disastrous green energy programs and deficits, to the University Industrial Complex’s lies about AGW, to…. well just read Ike’s whole farewell speech slowly, carefully, and with understanding and then you’ll know. I have been quoting this speech for over 20 years. I recommend that you commit it to memory.
“Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry”
Well the NYT and the WaPo took care of that one.
No, the Public School system took care of that one!
How is this predicting Obama? He just inherited (and did nothing to rectify) a situation that dates back long before him.
It is Bush’s fault! ROFLMAO
How dare you question comrade dear leader messiah you waycists!
What did he say about O’Bama? Not once did he mention the word “Fruitcake Emperor”.
I like Ike! Of course it took a great man to lead the greatest generation since the original “W”. 😉
Why do you call a blog full of far wrong wingnut bullshit “real science”. George Orwell warned about you CONservaslime. After all you put CON right up front in your name.
You argue like a child. Name a specific objection.
This is the second time in a few months I have heard lunatics claim Orwell had an issue with conservatives, odd becuase he warned of just the opposite.
This is yet another attempt by the left to bring an icon onto their side, it is exactly what Orwell warned of, assholes rewriting history.
I looked up this subject today for a co-worker. Here’s a very good essay on the subject:
http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/50th-anniversary-of-dwight-eisenhowers.html
Ike was no saint. He may have ended his term by warning against MIC but he sure didn’t lead a campaign to stop it.