Amy Goodman, Democracy Now. I find this to be a stunning video.
A few perspectives are addressed: http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/04/08/are-obamas-record-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-yemen-egypt-and-iraq-fueling-unrest-in-middle-east/
Canada is now entangled with U.S. foreign policy. Pay attention to what’s going down! Due to “a slight blip in Pentagon procurement” U.S. arms dealers are looking to international “growth markets.” (In the Lockheed Martin example, increase it from 20 to 25% of sales)
I would add to the analysis: Take a look at this “Report”. It’s a blueprint, an economic analysis that advocates what the “bizarre interview” with Lockheed Martin CEO talks about. Strategy, scenarios, and the global shift in defense power .
So, after the war industry has bled America dry and trashed their international reputation, these corporations are now targeting areas of “unrest” to sell arms into. After the Middle East comes the Asia-Pacific region.
By the time they‘re finished we should each have our own personal drone from which to terrorize our “enemies”. Listen to the video – – these people (LOckheed CEO) are high on something . . . or maybe they’re imported aliens.
Pay attention because Lockheed Martin is working very hard in the Canadian “growth market”. Reminds me of an earlier email: Lockheed Martin is desperate – – to get our money! And what is the cost of one F-35 stealth bomber?
EXCERPT FROM THE VIDEO
AMY GOODMAN: I’d like to ask about a recent exchange between Deutsche Bank analyst Myles Walton and Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Marillyn Hewson during an earnings call in January. Financial industry analysts use earnings calls as an opportunity to ask publicly-traded corporations like Lockheed about issues that might harm profitability. Hewson said that Lockheed was hoping to increase sales and that both the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region were “growth markets.”
MARILLYN HEWSON: Even if there may be some kind of deal that is done with Iran, there is volatility all around the region and each one of these countries believes they’ve got to protect their citizens and the things that we can bring to them help in that regard. So similarly, that’s the Middle East. And I know that’s what you asked about, but you can take that same argument to the Asia-Pacific region, which is another growth area for us. A lot of volatility, a lot of instability a lot of things that are happening both with North Korea as well as some of the tensions between China and Japan. So in both of those regions, which are growth areas for us, we expect that there is going to continue to be opportunities for us to bring our capabilities to them.
AMY GOODMAN: During the call, Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson, who you were just listening to, also noted that 20 percent of Lockheed’s sales in 2014 were international, that is, to non-American customers. She added, Lockheed has set a goal to get to 25 percent over the next few years. Can you talk about the significance of this, Bill Hartung?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, there’s been a slight blip in Pentagon procurement. Still quite high, but the companyies need to grow constantly. And so they’re looking to up foreign sales to make up for any reductions at the Pentagon. As we heard in the clip, they’re looking to areas of conflict. And it’s not surprising, but I’m surprised that she said it so explicitly. She was asked about the Iran question, would that depress the market. She basically said, oh, there’s plenty of turbulence there, don’t worry about it, as there is in East Asia, these will be our growth markets. So she is more or less acknowledging they thrive on war and the threat of war, which is not surprising to a lot of people, but nonetheless, to say it like that, I think is a bit shocking. To just put it right out there.
AARON MATÉ: I want to ask you about drones. Earlier this year, the White House announced it will allow foreign allies to purchase U.S. made armed drones for the first time. Under a new policy American firms can sell their drones abroad, but will be subjected to a case-by-case review. Talk about this policy. Your were very critical of it. . . .