[Peace-discuss] Mortenson and Moyer on PBS

[David Green]

And, after Chomsky, by me as well.




________________________________
From: C. G. Estabrook <galliher at illinois.edu>
To: Brussel Morton K. <mkbrussel at comcast.net>
Cc: David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com>; Peace Discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Sat, January 16, 2010 2:02:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Mortenson and Moyer on PBS

Chomsky entitled (one of) his book(s) on Clinton's attack on Serbia "The New
Military Humanism."

I think irony was intended. --CGE


Brussel Morton K. wrote:
> David,
> 
> Speaking of the new military humanitarian, I just watched the presentation of
> Howard Zinn, listed in DemocracyNow! ( and given in November, 2009 at BU)
> about our "holy" wars. In a way he talks movingly about the "military
> humanitarianism" of our best, i.e. holy, wars. He asks people to question the
> all the results of these holy wars.
> 
> Mort
> 
> 
> On Jan 16, 2010, at 11:34 AM, David Green wrote:
> 
>> Mort,
>> 
>> From what I know of Mortensen, I'm not surprised by your critique. This
>> humanitarian mindset is shared by Nicholas Kristof of the NYT, and others.
>> Perhaps we should call it "the new military humanitarianism."
>> 
>> David
>> 
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Brussel Morton K. <mkbrussel at comcast.net <mailto:mkbrussel at comcast.net>> *To:* Peace-discuss List
>> <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>> *Sent:* Sat, January 16, 2010
>> 10:54:08 AM *Subject:* [Peace-discuss] Mortenson and Moyer on PBS
>> 
>> My response to the program tonight:
>> 
>> Moyers was possibly somewhat disappointed with Mortensen; He tried to bring
>> out the contradictions in Mortenson's dialog in his questioning, but his
>> important non-personal questions were not cogently answered. The following
>> is what I wrote to PBS about the program. I note that most responses were
>> ecstatic in their praise of Mortenson.
>> 
>> In some ways Mortenson seems dumb, or at best naive, for there are many
>> disconnects, contradictions, in what he has said and advocated. On the one
>> hand he says that the Taliban do not want their people educated, that they
>> are inveterate violent, ignorant, religiously intolerant people, but on the
>> other hand he said that he was able to get them enthusiastic about his
>> girls schools, and he was able to work with them, to in a sense turn them
>> around. On the one hand he praises the work of our military commanders,
>> Mullen, McCrystal et al, the latter well known to have carried out special
>> forces murderous operations in Iraq (and Afghanistan?). Evidently, these
>> guys now see the virtues in understanding and living among the Afghans. One
>> of course wonders if that is only a ploy to accomplish the success they strive for—a land compliant with U.S. imperial objectives. He implicitly
>> praises our occupation forces and the billions of dollars that are needed
>> to maintain them, although admitting "mistakes" have been made (as in
>> Iraq?). On the other hand, he advocates building schools and getting along
>> with the tribal elders, which cost minimally compared to the billions
>> militarily we spend. It does not seem to occur to him that perhaps if the
>> U.S. spent those billions on improving the lives of Afghans, without
>> military intervention, drone bombings, firefights, breaking and entering,
>> and whatever else our troops and their hangers on do there, it would be far
>> better, less disastrous, more effective in establishing a secure and viable
>> Afghan society. Finally, he never really confronts the issue of why the
>> U.S. has invaded that country and expands its presence there. Was he afraid
>>  (?) to say that the U.S. invasion and occupation was/is a terrible tragic
>> mistake?
>> 
>> I now wonder in view of all this if he has connections with the CIA. He
>> seems to be a goodhearted guy, effective in getting schools built, but
>> otherwise blind to what his own country is up to there.
>> 
>> Posted by: Morton K. Brussel | January 16, 2010 12:02 AM <http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2010/01/peace_through_education.html#comment-296361>


      
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