The vast machine
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"We have a new type of rule now. Not one-man rule, or rule of aristocracy or plutocracy, but of small groups elevated to positions of absolute power by random pressures and subject to political and economic factors that leave little room for decision.
They are representatives of abstract forces who have reached power through surrender of self. The iron-willed dictator is a thing of past.
There will be no more Stalins, no more Hitlers.
The rulers of this most insecure of all worlds are rulers by accident. Inept, frightened pilots at the controls of a vast machine they cannot understand, calling in experts to tell them which buttons to push."
—William S. Burroughs, “No More Stalins, No More Hitlers,” from Dead City Radio, Island Records, 1990; and Interzone, Viking Books, 1989.
(thanks to J Alva Scruggs for a copy of this recording)
For just a moment I thought that the Bush Admin was being smart (not that it matters now, any more than hitting the brakes helps after you have gone over the cliff).
I thought that they might have started this "Gated communities" (and you're right, that is a vile euphemism) plan with the intention of letting Malaki flex his political muscles at which point the US would back down leaving the impression that Malaki really was in charge of his country, that he could force the US to back down, that he wasn't into sectarianism and that he hoped to get Iraqis to live together in peace. Thus increasing his legitimacy and maybe keeping his government together.
No such luck I'm afraid. The US forces are still playing it dumb as a post on the strategic level. Now they've shown that Malaki isn't just a pointless puppet, he isn't even a favoured pointless puppet.
*slow clap*
I suppose it makes sense if you think that controlling the Iraqi population while you suck out their oil is the plan, but I am increasingly convinced that there isn't a plan, evil or otherwise, there is just vague flailing around in the dark.
Honestly, elect idiotic idealogues and you see what you get?
Comment by Rafar on Chris Floyd's Ghetto Blaster: Bush Accelerates Concrete Cage Plan for Baghdad
--
"We have a new type of rule now. Not one-man rule, or rule of aristocracy or plutocracy, but of small groups elevated to positions of absolute power by random pressures and subject to political and economic factors that leave little room for decision.
They are representatives of abstract forces who have reached power through surrender of self. The iron-willed dictator is a thing of past.
There will be no more Stalins, no more Hitlers.
The rulers of this most insecure of all worlds are rulers by accident. Inept, frightened pilots at the controls of a vast machine they cannot understand, calling in experts to tell them which buttons to push."
—William S. Burroughs, “No More Stalins, No More Hitlers,” from Dead City Radio, Island Records, 1990; and Interzone, Viking Books, 1989.
(thanks to J Alva Scruggs for a copy of this recording)
