Comments on: The Torturous Servility of Washington Think Tanks http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/ Author James Bovard Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:57:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: National Sorry Day? | Lew Rockwell http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-131796 National Sorry Day? | Lew Rockwell Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:48:15 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-131796 [...] sponsors. It is sheer laziness to sneer at media manipulators and the federally-symbiotic "think tanks" which "spin" blindly delusional [...] [...] sponsors. It is sheer laziness to sneer at media manipulators and the federally-symbiotic "think tanks" which "spin" blindly delusional [...]

]]> By: Jim http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9529 Jim Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:20:57 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9529 Mr. Wilson - thanks for the comment. I will start an entry on the TAC torture piece as soon as they get the URL up - or maybe I will just launch it tomorrow. How many of the atrocities by the Union forces 1861+ were authorized by specific acts of Congress? Mr. Wilson - thanks for the comment.

I will start an entry on the TAC torture piece as soon as they get the URL up - or maybe I will just launch it tomorrow.

How many of the atrocities by the Union forces 1861+ were authorized by specific acts of Congress?

]]> By: Clyde N. Wilson http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9514 Clyde N. Wilson Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:13:11 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9514 Mr. Bovard, I am a great admirer of your books and other writings but want to politely take acception to your aticle in the Dec. 28 TAC on torture. You refer to the horrid MCA as the most disgraceful act since the Fugitive Slave Law. Like most Americans, you overlook the use of military commissions (including unjustified and indefinite imprisonment and execution) by the U.S. Government against Southern civilians in the period 1861--1876. Everything done and proposed by Bush was done under Lincoln and Grant, except that it was used against American civilians and not foreign soldiers. Mr. Bovard, I am a great admirer of your books and other writings but want to politely take acception to your aticle in the Dec. 28 TAC on torture. You refer to the horrid MCA as the most disgraceful act since the Fugitive Slave Law. Like most Americans, you overlook the use of military commissions (including unjustified and indefinite imprisonment and execution) by the U.S. Government against Southern civilians in the period 1861–1876. Everything done and proposed by Bush was done under Lincoln and Grant, except that it was used against American civilians and not foreign soldiers.

]]> By: fm4 radio http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9209 fm4 radio Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:26:43 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9209 Hi. I am a journalist from austrian national radio working on a special think tanks. If you would be prepared to share your views for a pre-recorded telephone interview for broadcast, please reply to the email address provided. Best wishes C Hi. I am a journalist from austrian national radio working on a special think tanks. If you would be prepared to share your views for a pre-recorded telephone interview for broadcast, please reply to the email address provided. Best wishes C

]]> By: Isis http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9178 Isis Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:15:57 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9178 Screw the wonks! Look what is happening to those of us who get our hands dirty on the streets! http://isisimagery.blogspot.com/2005/12/freedom-of-press-my-spicey-arse.html Screw the wonks!

Look what is happening to those of us who get our hands dirty on the streets!

http://isisimagery.blogspot.com/2005/12/freedom-of-press-my-spicey-arse.html

]]> By: Todd Boyle http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9067 Todd Boyle Tue, 28 Nov 2006 23:06:03 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-9067 Don't throw the baby with the bathwater. Without government, sociopaths and despots face no constraints at all-- other than other, warring despots. We really have no choice but hard work, to clean house in Washington DC. There is so much at stake-- our entire commons, our environment, our social security and old age, survivors and disability coverage at the national level. But you all know there's even more at stake, lest, the power-holders continue their architecture of monopolies and protections throughout the US economy. Put down your illusions of decentralization, etc. At some point you have to cross the street, and oppose them, and take them out of power, Don’t throw the baby with the bathwater. Without government, sociopaths and despots face no constraints at all– other than other, warring despots. We really have no choice but hard work, to clean house in Washington DC. There is so much at stake– our entire commons, our environment, our social security and old age, survivors and disability coverage at the national level. But you all know there’s even more at stake, lest, the power-holders continue their architecture of monopolies and protections throughout the US economy.

Put down your illusions of decentralization, etc. At some point you have to cross the street, and oppose them, and take them out of power,

]]> By: Mr. Robert Elia I http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8936 Mr. Robert Elia I Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:13:14 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8936 Cut the tax breaks on the think tanks. Put all those thinkers back into the work force instead of allowing them to mmoch on our taxpayer welfare.This will insure a greater degree of peace and quiet for all of us. Cut the tax breaks on the think tanks. Put all those thinkers back into the work force instead of allowing them to mmoch on our taxpayer welfare.This will insure a greater degree of peace and quiet for all of us.

]]> By: Marc Swanson http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8543 Marc Swanson Thu, 23 Nov 2006 14:57:19 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8543 As far as I know Germany in the 1930's didn't nurture professional "think tanks" but did, however, call upon the services of numerous intellectuals to perform essentially the same function. Isn't it a curious that many of them suddenly discovered the unquestionable truth of racial purity and the urgent need for territorial "growing room"? As far as I know Germany in the 1930’s didn’t nurture professional “think tanks” but did, however, call upon the services of numerous intellectuals to perform essentially the same function. Isn’t it a curious that many of them suddenly discovered the unquestionable truth of racial purity and the urgent need for territorial “growing room”?

]]> By: Peter http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8479 Peter Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:10:42 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8479 look at that - another terrorist no-knock raid: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164193748225&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968350060724 look at that - another terrorist no-knock raid:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164193748225&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968350060724

]]> By: Peter http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8402 Peter Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:47:45 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8402 Cato is horrible, supporting Bush's crimes all over the place, the illegal war (firing their anti-war guy), trumping up fake digits for the social security fraud, etc. But, as Jim mentioned, they did some good 'No Knock' work - they did a map of the orgy of violence that the federales use on unsuspecting victims: http://www.cato.org/raidmap/ Jim's comment reminded me of that raid map, and reminded me of my favorite police brutality show: http://www.badcopnodonut.fm/ Cato is horrible, supporting Bush’s crimes all over the place, the illegal war (firing their anti-war guy), trumping up fake digits for the social security fraud, etc. But, as Jim mentioned, they did some good ‘No Knock’ work - they did a map of the orgy of violence that the federales use on unsuspecting victims:

http://www.cato.org/raidmap/

Jim’s comment reminded me of that raid map, and reminded me of my favorite police brutality show:

http://www.badcopnodonut.fm/

]]> By: Jim http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8375 Jim Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:35:17 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8375 I disagree. There are some individuals at DC think tanks that have done fine work. Cato has done some good work on the Fourth Amendment and on No Knock Raids, as well as filing strong briefs on the enemy combatant issue. Heritage has hit some issues well over the years. My point in the piece is not that all DC think tanks are alike. AEI is definitely the pacesetter for cheerleading for Leviathan. Yoo, the Torture Meister, is one of their dignitaries - but he has been welcomed to speak at other DC think tanks, including Cato & Heritage. Yoo is a pariah in much of the United States - actually, much of the world - for his endorsement of policies such as permitting presidents to order the crushing of testicles (See my American Conservative<a href="http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_10_09/review.html" rel="nofollow"> review of his book</a>). Yet, Beltway libertarians and conservatives are more likely to treat Yoo like an eminence than a pox. I disagree. There are some individuals at DC think tanks that have done fine work. Cato has done some good work on the Fourth Amendment and on No Knock Raids, as well as filing strong briefs on the enemy combatant issue. Heritage has hit some issues well over the years.

My point in the piece is not that all DC think tanks are alike. AEI is definitely the pacesetter for cheerleading for Leviathan. Yoo, the Torture Meister, is one of their dignitaries - but he has been welcomed to speak at other DC think tanks, including Cato & Heritage. Yoo is a pariah in much of the United States - actually, much of the world - for his endorsement of policies such as permitting presidents to order the crushing of testicles (See my American Conservative review of his book).

Yet, Beltway libertarians and conservatives are more likely to treat Yoo like an eminence than a pox.

]]> By: Aris http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8313 Aris Tue, 21 Nov 2006 08:52:39 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8313 Think tanks? More like Stink tanks. They reminds me of Hegel, the one-man supreme think tank who sold himself out totally to the state. He achieved fame and notoriety by making sure no one understood him, but everyone pretended that he/she did. To be sure, in terms of intellectual prowess, none of the so-called thinkers of today's tanks come even half close to Hegel, but they all share a few traits: dishonesty, servitude, and disregard for the well being of ordinary folks--I was going to add "not thinking," but then how would they talk, walk and get in their pants or skirts without minimum amount of thinking. Think tanks? More like Stink tanks. They reminds me of Hegel, the one-man supreme think tank who sold himself out totally to the state. He achieved fame and notoriety by making sure no one understood him, but everyone pretended that he/she did. To be sure, in terms of intellectual prowess, none of the so-called thinkers of today’s tanks come even half close to Hegel, but they all share a few traits: dishonesty, servitude, and disregard for the well being of ordinary folks–I was going to add “not thinking,” but then how would they talk, walk and get in their pants or skirts without minimum amount of thinking.

]]> By: Adam S. http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8252 Adam S. Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:07:16 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8252 I believe that Think Tanks have "tanked" and morphed into septic tanks because they are self-serving ideology factories. They are walking stereotypes. Jonathan Rowe was disparaging the Heritage Foundation when he said "They don't think; they justify", but he could have just as easily have been talking about CATO, the Hudson Institute, or AEI. I realized their apparent nature when Bruce Bartlett was fired for not kowtowing to Caesar Jr (i.e. he published "Impostor") Cato, though, is my heart-breaker. They have gone from classic essays like "Delusions of Grandeur" to hopelessly generic, pasty papers like "Doublespeak in the War on Terror" It is hard to tell the difference between a Cato commentary and talking points for Fox News (e.g. Charles V. Pena). I have to agree with an anonymous wag who said "We are white men between the ages of 50 and 55 and we have no place else to go" The greatest thing to happen for the country would be for the think tanks to move out of Washington or put themselves out of business. The think tanks right now only serve the purpose of dispiriting people. I believe that Think Tanks have “tanked” and morphed into septic tanks because they are self-serving ideology factories. They are walking stereotypes. Jonathan Rowe was disparaging the Heritage Foundation when he said “They don’t think; they justify”, but he could have just as easily have been talking about CATO, the Hudson Institute, or AEI. I realized their apparent nature when Bruce Bartlett was fired for not kowtowing to Caesar Jr (i.e. he published “Impostor”)
Cato, though, is my heart-breaker. They have gone from classic essays like “Delusions of Grandeur” to hopelessly generic, pasty papers like “Doublespeak in the War on Terror” It is hard to tell the difference between a Cato commentary and talking points for Fox News (e.g. Charles V. Pena).
I have to agree with an anonymous wag who said “We are white men between the ages of 50 and 55 and we have no place else to go” The greatest thing to happen for the country would be for the think tanks to move out of Washington or put themselves out of business. The think tanks right now only serve the purpose of dispiriting people.

]]> By: Marcus http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8251 Marcus Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:38:32 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8251 In my quest to sound so smart I forgot to put one of my main qualms about torture on the reply. That is no matter what happens in war, torture will happen but when you institutionalise it, it happens a lot, a whole lot. When I was in Viet Nam, it happened a lot I thought but it was against the law, so it happened much less than it would have as institutionalised now. BTW, if anybody thinks any country is above it or how bad it is then think of the recent ones, France in Algieria, Argentina, Chile, Britain in the Boer War, France and England in the French and Indian war, France in their Revolution, Germany and her allies go without saying. I guess the US felt left out of the good old boy club and just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Maybe John Yoo needs to find out what a Tucker telephone call is like. In my quest to sound so smart I forgot to put one of my main qualms about torture on the reply. That is no matter what happens in war, torture will happen but when you institutionalise it, it happens a lot, a whole lot. When I was in Viet Nam, it happened a lot I thought but it was against the law, so it happened much less than it would have as institutionalised now. BTW, if anybody thinks any country is above it or how bad it is then think of the recent ones, France in Algieria, Argentina, Chile, Britain in the Boer War, France and England in the French and Indian war, France in their Revolution, Germany and her allies go without saying. I guess the US felt left out of the good old boy club and just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Maybe John Yoo needs to find out what a Tucker telephone call is like.

]]> By: Marcus http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8250 Marcus Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:26:24 +0000 http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/#comment-8250 As usual a great article, especially the end where, of course, the punch line usually goes. I take exception to some of the folks saying the think tank people aren't too bright, they are but the are wearing blinders. They remind me of the man that traveled to get his Nobel prize, I think it was in physics, without his wife and his daughter was ariving a few hours later than him. He was hungry and tried to open a can with a can opener, it didn't work so he went to the store to get one that worked. This happened a couple of times until his daughter got there to show him how it worked. A brillant man no doubt, but limited to his area of expertise and like the think tankers, very blinded by his single mindedness of how things worked, even when he didn't have experience with them. As usual a great article, especially the end where, of course, the punch line usually goes. I take exception to some of the folks saying the think tank people aren’t too bright, they are but the are wearing blinders. They remind me of the man that traveled to get his Nobel prize, I think it was in physics, without his wife and his daughter was ariving a few hours later than him. He was hungry and tried to open a can with a can opener, it didn’t work so he went to the store to get one that worked. This happened a couple of times until his daughter got there to show him how it worked. A brillant man no doubt, but limited to his area of expertise and like the think tankers, very blinded by his single mindedness of how things worked, even when he didn’t have experience with them.

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