Military's social science grants raise alarm

Military's Social Science Grants Raise AlarmBy Maria GlodWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, August 3, 2008; A05

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is calling on "eggheads" to help the military unravel questions about therecruitment of terrorists, the resurgence of the Taliban and messages delivered in militant Muslim religious schools.

Many eggheads are wary.

The Pentagon's $50 million Minerva Research Initiative, named after the Roman goddess of wisdom and warriors, willfund social science research deemed crucial to national security. Initial proposals were due July 25, and the first grantsare expected to be awarded by year's end.

But the Network of Concerned Anthropologists, which includes professors from American and George Masonuniversities, said dependence on Pentagon funding could make universities an "instrument rather than a critic ofwar-making."

In a May 28 letter to federal officials, the American Anthropological Association said that it was of "paramountimportance . . . to study the roots of terrorism and other forms of violence" but that its members are "deeply concernedthat funding such research through the Pentagon may pose a potential conflict of interest."

Gates, a former president of Texas A&M University, described the Minerva program in an April speech to theAssociation of American Universities. The nation should devote more resources to "elements of national power beyondthe guns and steel of the military," he said.

"In Iraq and Afghanistan, the heroic efforts and best intentions of our men and women in uniform have at times beenundercut by a lack of knowledge of the culture and people they are dealing with every day," he said. Gates said theresearch would not be kept secret.

David Price, an anthropologist at St. Martin's University in Lacey, Wash., and the author of a book on anthropologicalintelligence in World War II, agreed that the military and policymakers should know more about world cultures. But, hesaid, the Pentagon effort is flawed.

"It sets up sort of a Soviet system, or top-down system," Price said. "If you look at the big picture, this will not make us smarter -- this will make us

Military's Social Science Grants Raise Alarm http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/02/AR2008080201544_pf.html

1 of 3 11/24/2008 3:50 PM

much more narrow. It will only look at problems Defense wants us to in a narrow way."

Every year, the Defense Department spends billions of dollars on research to improve technology, weapons and medicine, including nearly $13billion this fiscal year. But its relationship with social science has sometimes been tumultuous. Anthropologists were active during World War II,even designing propaganda to encourage Japanese soldiers to surrender.

In the 1960s, Project Camelot, an Army-sponsored effort to study political change and unrest in Latin America, was canceled abruptly after theprogram was revealed in the Chilean press.

Recently, the Army's Human Terrain System has embedded social scientists in military units in Iraq and Afghanistan with the aim of helpingcommanders understand local culture and customs. The project has drawn criticism from many academics. Two scholars have been killed.

Thomas Mahnken, a deputy assistant defense secretary for policy planning, said Minerva is "not about supporting combat operations." He saidGates seeks to fill a void in funding for basic social science scholarship that would improve understanding of issues that bear on national security.

"This is the first significant effort in 30 or 40 years to engage social sciences on a large scale by the Department of Defense," Mahnken said, citingthe unsuccessful Project Camelot as a contributor to a rift between the military and many anthropologists.

"There was an effort during [the Vietnam era] that ended up being ill-conceived and burned bridges on both sides, and, unfortunately, theseattitudes have persisted," Mahnken said. "This effort is about rebuilding those bridges."

In his April speech, Gates recalled U.S. efforts to raise math and science education after the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik I, the first artificialsatellite, in 1957. He quoted the late historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. as saying that the United States should "return to the acceptance of eggheadsand ideas if it is to meet the Russian challenge."

Minerva will fund research on five topics, including the development of China's military and technological prowess and how religion, culture,economics and politics in the Islamic world "interact to foster political violence, terrorism or insurgent behavior."

The Pentagon also wants insights into Saddam Hussein's rule and into terrorist groups. Citing the development of game theory and Kremlinology inthe Cold War, the Pentagon is asking the brightest minds to come up with new ways of thinking about national security. Universities around theworld are eligible for Minerva funding. Officials said $50 million will be awarded over five years.

David Vine, an American University anthropologist, criticized the initiative, saying the research would be limited by the Pentagon's worldview.

"Research about a potential conflict with China, I feel, may be part of a large self-fulfilling prophecy," Vine said. "That kind of research could leadup to an increasing escalation of military tensions and military preparations for war."

The Network of Concerned Anthropologists, which describes itself as an advocate for ethical anthropology, said the research topics could"contribute to creating more national and human insecurity by trafficking in the construction of . . . a connection between Islam and violence."


2 of 3 11/24/2008 3:50 PM

Vine said he would apply for funding. His topic: how overseas military bases affect relations with other nations, "how they've damaged ourinternational reputation and how they've damaged the lives of people around the world."

Other academics embrace the Pentagon project.

"Hopefully, a project like Minerva will provide some historical perspective before, rather than after, it is needed," said Robert B. Townsend, actingexecutive director of the American Historical Association.

Graham B. Spanier, president of Penn State University, said researchers there will eagerly seek funding for work to bring insight and nuance topolicymaking.

Spanier, noting Gates's experience as a university president, expressed confidence in the defense secretary's commitment to academic freedom. Inhis April speech, Gates said Minerva would solicit diverse views, regardless of whether they are critical of the military.

But Maximilian C. Forte, an anthropologist at Concordia University in Montreal, said he worries that the project could damage an important assetfor anthropologists: trust.

Forte, who has been doing research in the Caribbean region, said debate over Minerva has made some of his subjects suspicious of his motives.They want to know who is really backing him "because they are concerned I might be some kind of intelligence agent. We're all going to be seen aspotentially serving the state, as being the eyes and ears of American foreign policy."

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Your Comments On...Military's Social Science Grants Raise AlarmDefense Secretary Robert M. Gates is calling on "eggheads" to help the military unravel questions about therecruitment of terrorists, the resurgence of the Taliban and messages delivered in militant Muslim religiousschools. - By Maria Glod

FranknErnest wrote:another welfare program sponsored by DoD.

it's sure to acheive the "Hawthorne Effect".

the DoD management is must be full of simpletons NOT to know what entices recruitment of these foot soldiers.

one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

it's all relative

who is john galt?8/5/2008 5:21:44 PM

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thebuckguy wrote:Who besides the Anthropologists are up in arms about this? And who among the anthros besides a small interestgroup. The military supported important research on decision making (something no one else, besides NSF hasbeen doing) and has contributed to many other areas. Given the general ignorance of most well educated peopleabout vthe military, this may not be such a bad idea.8/4/2008 6:08:40 PM

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Of course, this administration constantly would use terror, 9/11, Iraq, nuclear, Iran, world threat, any combination

Warranted? Required is more like it. This administration has declared a secret war on science and the truth,therefore anything coming out of it should be treated as a lie designed to distract us from what we SHOULD be


US Americians are fabulous. Why not use the grant money to send our best sociologists, psychologists, andpsychiatrists to the worst areas of the world? After all, they have aready done all they can for US citizens!


Somebody explained to the Pentagon the Corleone's code to live by... keep your enemies closer; money well

Besides, it no doubt exhausted the Pent's think-tank to just come up with such a romantic and intriguing name for


THE VA has decided homeless disabeld vets are to much work againchanging section 8 to leave the homeless disabled who without a savings or work without med care or the gi bill orvoc rehab in the road. ssi is too poor needs too much help againmore employed recovering addicts who can affrod to rent inaccessible rooms will get funds could be for accessible

The HUD/VASH program is a limited grant. There are 30 slots now which are filling up and they expect 30 more inOctober. The person must be a veteran, homeless, earn $15,000-$25,000 per year, be willing to be in treatment ifneeded and participate in case management for 5 years. It is in conjunction with Section VIII Housing, so theperson would pay 1/3 of the rent and the 2/3 is paid for 5 years. Currently it is being facilitated through LongBeach and the person needs to be willing to live in Long Beach for at least 2 years. The case manager would helpthem find an apartment and negotiate with the landlord but the person needs to be able to pay the 1/3 deposit


2 of 8 11/24/2008 3:51 PM

WHY NOT SOCSIL WORKERS AT THE VA ALREADY EXCELL AT PROTECTING THE AGENCY FROM CIVILAND HUMAN RIGHTS.of vets THEY ARE ThE PERFECT ONES TO continue to the next step.

8/4/2008 9:16:39 AM


pat10 wrote:Dear nrringlee:You have to be kidding. The idea of recruiting liberal arts people is fine, however those folks have been recruitedalready. They were recruited in high school and the college faculty has pushed them more to the left. They havebeen taught to reject honor, duty, country. The playing field is stacked against a Armed Forces recruiter.

I wish it were so simple to reach the people in liberal arts colleges."....I would be at the top liberal arts schools in this country, and I would be turning history and philosophymajors...."

The liberal arts colleges pride themselves at keeping CIA, ROTC and military recruiters off campus.People like Nikos Retsos populate the faculty. undermine attempts to build communication between the Pentagonand academe. These open minded people tell everyone the US"...fights wars to sustain our hegemonic preeminence..." This is a great example of how the "university" has beencorrupted by the inhabitants.

Their idea is that the US is the source of problems not solutions. They forget Bosnia, Ukraine, South Korea, etc.They think the Taliban, North Korea, China, Sudan, Zimbabwe, all are victims of US plots. They like the waythese peace loving countries protect folks at home and in places like Darfur. Whoops, those countries are theones enabling the genocide in Darfur. These are the folks who block multilateral action in the UN because theywant to keep their domestic repression off limits too.

8/4/2008 2:41:44 AM


pat10 wrote:Dear nrringlee:You have to be kidding. The idea of recruiting liberal arts people is fine, however those folks have been recruitedalready. They were recruited in high school and the college faculty has pushed them more to the left. They havebeen taught to reject honor, duty, country. The playing field is stacked against a Armed Forces recruiter.

I wish it were so simple to reach the people in liberal arts colleges."....I would be at the top liberal arts schools in this country, and I would be turning history and philosophymajors...."

The liberal arts colleges pride themselves at keeping CIA, ROTC and military recruiters off campus.People like Nikos Retsos populate the faculty. undermine attempts to build communication between the Pentagon


3 of 8 11/24/2008 3:51 PM

and academe. These open minded people tell everyone the US"...fights wars to sustain our hegemonic preeminence..." This is a great example of how the "university" has beencorrupted by the inhabitants.

Their idea is that the US is the source of problems not solutions. They forget Bosnia, Ukraine, South Korea, etc.They think the Taliban, North Korea, China, Sudan, Zimbabwe, all are victims of US plots. They like the waythese peace loving countries protect folks at home and in places like Darfur. Whoops, those countries are theones enabling the genocide in Darfur. These are the folks who block multilateral action in the UN because theywant to keep their domestic repression off limits too.

8/4/2008 2:38:06 AM


pat10 wrote:

Are writers like Dreamreader real?

Dreamreader wrote:"Thomas Mahnken.... said Minerva is 'not about supporting combat operations.'"Right. Again, why is it then Pentagon in charge of the Minerva Program?

Hey Sherlock, the idea is to minimize conflict with the locals !!! The military also needs to know how to avoidcreating more enemies than nuts like you try to manufacture with your anti-American gibberish.

The Pentagon wants to avoid conflict. They do not want their people in harms way. It should make sense tosomeone like you who should agonize over US casualty counts.

8/4/2008 1:15:39 AM


Homunculus wrote:So our pentagon is asking the brightest minds to come up with new ways of thinking about national security. And?

The fact that there are those in this country who would without shame consider this a bad thing defies belief. Itshows how 5th column thinking and treason is expressed so casually, blithely and without remorse today. Why asan American would you not wish to answer a call that advances our national interest, and provides tools for ourpeople to better interact successfully with the world and its obstacles?

There is a vertical relationship between strategic thought, tactics, and lives in any conflict. In conflict resolution,the more well informed, the more effective we are in resolving or avoiding that conflict. i.e less loss of life orresources.

Arguments against Minerva, a common sense appeal to American academics from our government, are just cover


4 of 8 11/24/2008 3:51 PM

for deeper seated issues related to patriotism, or a shameful lack there of.8/4/2008 12:15:26 AM


wtortorici wrote:SO?8/3/2008 11:37:28 PM


teplicky101 wrote:Scientists created napalm, the atomic bomb, sarin, gas chambers, planned extinction... how is this different?8/3/2008 8:42:44 PM


VirginiaConservative wrote:Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is calling on "eggheads" to help the military unravel questions about therecruitment of terrorists, the resurgence of the Taliban and messages delivered in militant Muslim religiousschools.

Bob, dude, let me help you save the taxpayers 50 big ones.. It is coming out of the mosques. Its called islam.

You're welcome.8/3/2008 7:37:34 PM


marrobcastle wrote:The thought that first entered my mind after reading this article was that the Pentagon have used psychologists toresearch the best methods of torturing. Some psychologists responded. Some people will do anything for money.

If the Pentagon wants the truths provided by real scientists, the grants should allow the researchers to discovertruths, not tell them what truths to discover.8/3/2008 6:49:24 PM


zixu wrote:The militarization of all aspects of our national life and culture continue. If the national security thugs didnt want amilitarization of the society, this would never happen. All government bureaus, all universities, all think tanks mustsupport the imperial mission of controling and subverting foreign societies.8/3/2008 6:40:21 PM


fenria14 wrote:I'll make it simple for you morons: People turn to terrorism when they feel demoralized and impotent in their ownsocieties and homelands. When they see puppet governments erected instead of leaders of their own choosing,when they see their natural resources shipped off to other nations while their pockets are still empty, when theysee world public opinion turn against them even though they've done nothing wrong. There, and it didn't even cost


5 of 8 11/24/2008 3:51 PM

$50 million.8/3/2008 6:32:54 PM


clairevb wrote:A good start for the Pentagon would be to read, Eric Hoffers "The True Believer" I read it in high school.8/3/2008 4:39:13 PM


wtortorici wrote:"The Pentagon also wants insights into Saddam Hussein's rule and into terrorist groups."

Just 6 years to late.

I can't help wondering though, why this statement uses Saddam Hussein and terrorist in the same sentence. As ifHussein was collaborating with known terrorist groups that we now know there was none. The opposite were thefacts.

Of course, this administration constantly would use terror, 9/11, Iraq, nuclear, Iran, world threat, any combinationto promote their views.

Is suspection warranted?

c/,-O

8/3/2008 3:11:41 PM


mikuleck wrote:We are in the 21st century but don't seem to have noticed. Another thing we have failed to notice is that much ofthe rest of the world is moving right along. Instead of using funds to try to enhance military intelligence(Oxymoron?) we need to make our educational system work again. That means that our school children should beup to date about world affairs and their importance to their survival. They should be taught the meaning anddangers of xenophobia. By the time they would be in the military we would no longer need to play catch up. Ourforeign policy would be driven by an understanding public and we would never be in the kind of mess we are innow. Wallowing in our ignorance about the other 90+% of our world can only lead to disaster. Set my people free!Please!8/3/2008 2:57:21 PM


VoiceofReason wrote:As a patriot, I offer this free analysis:

Remove the sanity barriers.

Refugee camps, with no amenities, no education, and most importantly, NO HOPE, foster insanity.


6 of 8 11/24/2008 3:51 PM

Insanity breeds terrorists who have nothing else to lose and are easily exploited. Insane people are coerced tobelieve that suicide bombing becomes an honorable suicide.

As long as policies exist that regenerate the same disenfranchisement of HOPE, people will be driven insane andevil will exploit them.

Provide HOPE.

If we are not a part of the solution, then we are a part of the problem.

But alas, Audacity loves to create CHAOS, or so it seems.

Please, journalists, fearlessly seek and publish TRUTH.

Only TRUTH will set us all free.

8/3/2008 2:22:47 PM


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VoiceofReason wrote:As a patriot, I offer this free analysis:

Remove the sanity barriers.

Refugee camps, with no amenities, no education, and most importantly, NO HOPE, foster insanity.

Insanity breeds terrorists who have nothing else to lose and are easily exploited. Insane people are coerced tobelieve that suicide bombing becomes an honorable suicide.

As long as policies exist that regenerate the same disenfranchisement of HOPE, people will be driven insane andevil will exploit them.

Provide HOPE.

If we are not a part of the solution, then we are a part of the problem.

But alas, Audacity loves to create CHAOS, or so it seems.

Please, journalists, fearlessly seek and publish TRUTH.



Comments




1 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM


Have we really sunk so low as to let these morons give their friends all this money?


"help the military unravel questions about the recruitment of terrorists". I seem to recall that anyone who askedthose kinds of questions after 9/11 were attacked as the 'Blame America First" crowd. THEY did it simply becauseTHEY are evil and THEY hate America...is what we were told. Once again the simplistic ideology of the neo-consand Republican Flag wavers is exposed as false patriotism and sophomoric thinking. Why would any 'egghead'


The Pentagon's Social Science grants and grants to improve Psychological WARFARE are actually one and thesame. Just two names to double the funding. Another example of Bush Double Speak.


"Thomas Mahnken, a deputy assistant defense secretary for policy planning, said Minerva is 'not about supporting

Right. Again,why is it then Pentagon in charge of the Minerva Program?There is always, and in every country in the world, significant number of intellectuals and highly educated peoplewho are more than willing to accept and participate in any and every government funded program. It largelyappeals to many intellectuals, giving them sense of official appreciation and acknowledgment of their socialimportance. And folks in Department of Defense and Pentagon are smart enough (contrary to popular belief) toplay that card. They are not going for short-term achievements aimed with Minerva's stated goals, those areirrelevant comparing to legitimacy of any operation that can be additionally provided by "scientific research" of

By all means, send through serious schooling military decision makers or listen carefully those who are alreadyadequately educated, but asking and paying intellectuals to write and think about something that is already writtenand thought about is generally and simply a waste of Governmental funds (for some it's no doubt a huge gain).I might be cynical, but are we really suppose to believe that US military operations around the world would besignificantly considered and based upon serious research of social/cultural facts about any targeted country inquestion? Yeah right, military actions throughout history of mankind are especially known and documented for



2 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM

Jenny6 wrote:"Everyone inside and outside the country believes that all the United States wants is to start wars."

-------

And they would be right too.

Res ipsa loquitur. Let the facts speak for themselves.8/3/2008 12:23:17 PM


tharper1 wrote:I think that it’s easy to see the true color of the “Network of Concerned Anthropologists.” The self styled advocatefor ethical anthropology said that they are worried that research topics could "contribute to creating more nationaland human insecurity by trafficking in the construction of . . . a connection between Islam and violence."

Gee, someone might find a connection between Islam and violence—what a concept.

Where have these idiot “academics” been since the first World Trade Center attack? Where have they been asIslamic terrorists have been bombing girl’s schools in Afghanistan, promoting suicide bombings in down-town citycrowds, and hacking people’s heads off with dull knives?8/3/2008 12:12:09 PM


Tupac_Goldstein wrote:Whenever you see "Concerned ______ _____" you will know it to be a group of libs who oppose just abouteverything our government does or wants to do. Out.8/3/2008 12:08:10 PM


KarenLS wrote:I would be very surprised if this type of research is not already going on around the world. It seems a waste to"pay for it" when it is already there. It would make more sense to task the students already in military educationprograms to research and harness all that is already there. Easy. Gives them something targeted and useful to dotoo.8/3/2008 10:35:29 AM


yeochief wrote:We might as well forget trying to understand anyone outside of the United States. The media has poisoned thewell throughout the world. Everyone inside and outside the country believes that all the United States wants is tostart wars. Any effort to the contrary is viewed as a lie by the media in this country and as a result by the world ingeneral.8/3/2008 10:17:48 AM


nrringlee wrote:


3 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM

You can't tell the players without a scorecard.

Let me just submit to you, that as a veteran of Central American and Southeast Asian counterinsurgencyoperations, I never once, in my career as a Marine, found another officer who could hold an intelligentconversation on the cultures in which we operated, much less discuss intelligently 20th Century marxism, Che andcompany and their influence on latin revolutionary movements, the Sandanistas. ...... and on and on. Sad.

We generally recruit the wrong people to be commissioned officers in our armed forces. Were I to recruit for acounterinsurgency, if that is in fact what we are trying to do, I would be at the top liberal arts schools in thiscountry, and I would be turning history and philosophy majors in to rifle platoon commanders. Critical thinking isthe most lacking skill in our officer corps, and we can no longer function effectively in low intensity conflict usingonly technical advantage. The Luddites and technocrats must be replaced with critical thinkers, and you will notfind those folks where we currently recruit. No amount of beltway banditry will compensate for that glaring hole inour officer corps. Just a thought. Semper Fidelis8/3/2008 9:32:28 AM


stasiew1 wrote:So by not wanting to help the military it seems the attitude of the "social scientists" is that it would be better foreveryone involved if the military ignored a culture's traditions instead of being sensitive to those things that wouldbe offensive. Yes, that makes sense! It's better to treat people rudely (intentionally or not) and then wonder whythey don't like us. It gives the "social scientists" some thing to study after the fact and sanctimoniously point fingersat the brutish military for being insensitive.

Go figure!8/3/2008 8:58:28 AM


waterbirds wrote:timscanlon wrote: I think David Vine is wrong. I believe that this effort will broaden the Pentagon's worldview. Ibelieve that is it's purpose, and I think it's ignorant to think the purpose of this work would be for conflictescalation."

Anyone remember that any and all reports and information generated by scientists in the last decade has beenedited to match the viewpoints of the Administration and the Pentagon?

Dick Cheney personally deletes facts he disagrees with and the Pentagon was not and still is not totally openabout what happened to Pat Tillman - and lies about the number of American soldiers electrocuted in showers atArmy bases ...

and all those "right wingers" moaning about patriotism and service won't mind having the wool pulled over theireyes- again - maybe we should study why the right thinks they are "right" and why they are so full of hate forfellow Americans ...8/3/2008 8:43:36 AM


vayankee1 wrote:


4 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM

There's a reason that academia is separate from the rest of the social organizations - it is called (the attempt at)onjectivity. Secretary Gates should know this, if he held a teaching position. I am amazed at the academics whosuppport this proposal of Gates. A better way to go would be to send decision makers of all levels to variousschools focused on the areas of concern (like the Ruusian Area Stidies program I took at American University).Then you can have a difference of opimion and debate within the military to determine the best couse in aparticular situation. Trying to "can" answers for anyone makes no sense.8/3/2008 8:43:34 AM


dobermantmacleod wrote:I'll save you alot of money Gates. The solution to combat the resurgence of the Taliban, messages deliverd inmiliatant Muslim religious schools, plus a way to dramatically increase intelligence tips, is to saturate the area withcheap wireless internet ready laptop computers.

Of course, Pakistan and Afghanistan governments and religious officials will go nuts.

Those kids (most) will quickly outgrow the stunted fundamentalist religious message, and become westernized.

While the virtues of the laptops to education are obvious, the real effect will be to give those kids a window intothe bigger world.

Free satelite internet and cheap laptop computers, duh.8/3/2008 8:18:05 AM


tina150 wrote:Will they actually take the information that the Anthropoligist give them and not bend it to fit their purposes? Thatis the main question about this. There are tons of studies done on the subject and the information was there towarn the admin. before we even started the war in Iraq and yet the Pentagon dismissed the studies and eggheadscientist bull. The Pentagon bases every decsion on military scenarios and not logical thought out studies. Thathas been the problem from the begining. Part of the problem in America is that History has been taken out ofschools in favor of math and literature because of no child left behind and now we have generations of historyillerate society. History gives us clues on the outcomes of every military invovement and yet this administrationand the Pentagon tend to ignore the facts and information available and go for the big guns.8/3/2008 7:27:39 AM


saintpeterii wrote:as a person who has 9 years of post high school education in what is today called the most competitive category,taught college, wrote a book and does political and social satire, i believe i may be a latte drinking egg head andam not encouraged by the bureau-rats in the pentagon seeking to hire egg heads to help solve the tacticalproblems the pentagon has a large role in creating. the idea of being hired by the pentagon violates the principalof separation of brains and brawn and should be roundly rejected by my fellow egg heads, unless they need themoney and are in a position where they can withstand the stultifying effects of the of dealing with a militarybureaucracy. as for dealing with the terrorists it should be remembered that this country has most likely terrorizedmany more people than all the others combined albeit in the name of the american way of life. with respect as towhat to do about the campaign against terrorism, misters drip & drop of the 6:01 news recently spoke about that


5 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM

very issue. mister drip asked, "what can we do to stop the terrorists from coming to america" and mr drop replied,"we can stop going there and pay for our gas at the pump." in case it has escaped notice, the growth of thefollowers of ossama bin laden has followed the spread of the american military involvement in muslim lands.standing tall among the many problems with our current strategy is the historical fact that the only thing that hasever served to unite the people of the middle east is the incursions of western armies. the presence of westernarmies in muslim lands is upsetting patterns of relationship between the various groups living there and fostering aunification around the most dangerous segment in that area. unfortunately discussing on an intellectual level thepolicy of this country and the root causes and by implication the cure for terrorism will not effect policy. tounderstand policy one must follow the gold, who is profiting from this lavish expenditures by a country that isalready overburdened with debt? so my opinion is that we don't need egg heads to study this problem we needaccountants, but at least gates recognized we need more that the pentagon and while hiring some tame eggheads is an interesting proposal, it will represent just another financial burden to the tax payers and until someonecan identify where the gold is going and convince those who profit to call off their dogs in congress, don't bite yourfinger nails while awaiting a favorable outcome of the current war. and while we're at it, since the war rangesaround the world, why not call it wwwIII, in deference to the chinese who have a proverb, "the beginning of wisdomis to call something by it's proper mane. www.saintpeterii.com8/3/2008 7:02:09 AM


jassyjaz wrote:Why would you need to spend millions to understand you why people become terrorists?

This strategy is the next logical step being used by the government to infiltrate and influence every majorinstitution in this country. These strategies will continue until every major fabric of this society is under the controland influence of the military industrail complex. The most effective way is to create dependency. Recall how themedia was controled during the Iraq invasion by training reported who were imbedded within military units.

It is no different from what has happened to the major mews media in this country which are owned bycorporations that depend on military and other government contracts for their bottom line. Similar strategies havebeen used to coop religious instutions as well by channelling social services through the church.

If you want insights into how Saddam ruled just ask Donald Rumsfelt and the others who installed and suportedhim throughout the years.

You don't need a "rocket scientist" to tell you why people turn to terrorism, its like asking why women becomeprostitutes. It is born out of desperation.

Dwight D Eisenhower warned us about the military industrial complex.

8/3/2008 6:18:04 AM


timscanlon wrote:I think David Vine is wrong. I believe that this effort will broaden the Pentagon's worldview. I believe that is it'spurpose, and I think it's ignorant to think the purpose of this work would be for conflict escalation.

The fact is while the US military is the best in the world at generating kill ratios, it's also a set of organizations whosee it as a primary goal to avoid having to kill people when possible. This work would further that goal.


6 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM

On the other hand, his research topic is a good one in an area that needs work. At least he seems to understandthat the primary goal of this is to make less mistakes...8/3/2008 5:44:52 AM


ronljohnson wrote:<quote>We use to say in recent memory that the Pentagon was ordering and buying "gold plated weapons" thateither jammed in battle, or performed more like arrows than gold.</quote>

Blah blah blah.

I remember all the whining back in 1990 about how Abrams tanks were going to choke in all the sand, and how theF117 bombers (don't let the F-designation fool you...) would get shot out of the sky like ducks on the opening dayof hunting season.

Of course, the weapons all worked well.8/3/2008 5:40:37 AM


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7 of 8 11/24/2008 3:52 PM


timscanlon wrote:I think David Vine is wrong. I believe that this effort will broaden the Pentagon's worldview. I believe that is it'spurpose, and I think it's ignorant to think the purpose of this work would be for conflict escalation.

The fact is while the US military is the best in the world at generating kill ratios, it's also a set of organizations whosee it as a primary goal to avoid having to kill people when possible. This work would further that goal.

On the other hand, his research topic is a good one in an area that needs work. At least he seems to understandthat the primary goal of this is to make less mistakes...8/3/2008 5:44:52 AM


ronljohnson wrote:<quote>We use to say in recent memory that the Pentagon was ordering and buying "gold plated weapons" thateither jammed in battle, or performed more like arrows than gold.</quote>

Blah blah blah.

I remember all the whining back in 1990 about how Abrams tanks were going to choke in all the sand, and how theF117 bombers (don't let the F-designation fool you...) would get shot out of the sky like ducks on the opening dayof hunting season.



Comments




1 of 5 11/24/2008 3:53 PM


Being the "eyes and ears of American foreign policy" would be an honor. If you don't want to represent yournation, you don't have to. No one wants to force you to stay in the United States, if an association with it is sorepulsive to you. Perhaps you should move somewhere else. What a bunch of demigods, feeling the bloated egoof tenure, but unwilling to admit the driving force in university selections today are grants, not scholarship. Youcan help your country understand what led up to September 11, or not. That's up to you, but don't pretend likeRobert Gates is trying to pull you to the dark side, or something- I don't think that is his intention at all. Personally,I would advise Gates to get some Muslim friends, and find out what it's all about from them, and leave youegotistical eggheads to your ego driven quest to one-up each other, by getting your work published in "prestigious


I am an egghead. NOt only do we need to educate ourselves we need to provide safe facilities for Afghans to beeducated. Both Afghan men and Afghan women. This will begin to eliminate the cause of war. Also clinics toprovide birth control to women at the same sites. These site could be built like prisons... fortified and safe. What a


To the The Network of Concerned Anthropologists, and all other University professionals, there is a simple andeffective answer to your specific issues: "DON'T TAKE THE FRIGGING MONEY IF IT DIRTIES YOURCONSCIENCE !!!! Stand-up for your beliefs and be men of character! Turn your back on the payola or shut theheck up! Put your principles ahead of your wallets. Don't be like the Law Schools that whined for years, and thenin the end, caved at took the cash...hypocrites one and all. Gents, this is simple to figure out...it's not even hard.


Here's good advice, free of charge. Read about other cultures, by all means, and note their weak points, but let us

About terrorism amongst Muslims, the best way to fight it is via Islamic Teachings. So, read the Quran withoutmisreading it. That is, dump whatever the Orientalists have written and go to Muslim scholars.


"by trafficking in the construction of . . . a connection between Islam and violence." " give us a break what kind ofmind do you have if you object "by trafficking" to the facts of life and the world: a connection between Islam and


2 of 5 11/24/2008 3:53 PM

violence. Tell that to 3000 New Yorkers.etc etc etc. You liberals are so predictable, but thankfully, your world viewwill ensure that your kind will.....8/3/2008 12:16:09 AM


NikosRetsos wrote:It seems to me that the proposed researchwill be another Britney Spears-like "Oops, I did it again!" blunder. Itwill go to people connected to the Pentagon, like the military contractors in Iraq, or to people in the right-wingcircles who are considered patriotic enough to really serve this country. And they will go around, collect all theeuphemistic for the U.S. rhetoric, and conclude in their epilogue that the U.S.needs to increase its military hardware, and its intelligence gathering agenciesfrom 16 to 100. And that will be nothing more than a rehash that has become the typical mantra of think tankexperts, retired military experts looking for consultant fees, and columnists with square opinions that do not fit theround facts the 21st century U.S. foreign policy that has become a black hole of contradictions.

We use to say in recent memory that the Pentagon was ordering and buying "gold plated weapons" that eitherjammed in battle, or performed more like arrows than gold. And if the Pentagon order "Research" on the U.S.problems and expect "Enlightenment" from it, it will just get "gold plated research" that won't be worth the paper itwas printed on. This is not just the opinion of this writer; this is the Pentagon's history.

The Pentagon does not need another expert opinion research that will be nothing more than a rehash of itsvirtues. It needs a change in attitude, as well as it needs to respect the national pride, history, culture, aspirationsand religion of other people. The U.S. needs an introspection into its failures, but not one produced by those whobrought us into the need to have one.

And we must start by taking down the most stupid banner we have used to justify our warmongering foreign policy:That people around the world hate us and attack us because we are a democracy, and that all the wars we areengaged in are to protect our freedom. But we don't fool anyone. People around the globe know that we fight warsto sustain our hegemonic preeminence. And unless we re-think our foreign policy, and change our directiontoward global cooperation -as oppose to global bullying and aggression- research papers funded by the Pentagonwill not solve our global problems. Nikos Retsos, retired academic8/2/2008 11:59:53 PM


robertjames1 wrote:I think that the US should study its own aggressive traits.

It condemns other nations very readily and interferes in their affairs.

When the US does this it regards its own actions as justified and yet if other nations interfere in the internal affairsof the US one will readily see politicians and the People being outraged.

The US invaded Vietnam because it believed in the Domino Theory. It was wrong. Nevertheless it left that countryin a mkess and dropped more bombs on Vietnam than were dropped during WWII.

People lost their lives, their families, their minds and their limbs. The US walked away from the destruction that itcaused and denied liability.


3 of 5 11/24/2008 3:53 PM

Similarly, it covertly engineered the overthrow of Salvador Allende after he was democratically elected Presidentof Chile. Because he was a communist his election did not suit the US and so the CIA took action that resulted ina coup that led to a military junta which was followed by the deaths of thousands of Chileans.

So I say to Mr Gates spend some of your dollars on being introspective because you just might find that the US isviolent, vicious and irrational far too often.

The US objected to Russia being in its backyard and yet Bush is noe putting the US in Russia's backyard.

Bush seems to think that Iran should be compliant while the US proceeds with its invasion of Iraq and that Iranshould have the same agenda as the US or be accused of being a terrorist nation.

Why doesn't the US ask itself what it does that is right and what is does that is wrong. This self-examination willadvance the US and world peace.8/2/2008 11:36:22 PM


roberttate3 wrote:Business as usual folks. The goose stepping Pentagoons just want to corrupt yet one more branch of academicstudy. I suppose physics, chemistry and biology are not enough. The biggest source of terrorism in the world arethe Pentagoons and their lapdogs who eagerly sign up to be cannon fodder after see a slick hollywood stylecommercial about "an army of one."8/2/2008 11:36:17 PM


magicman73 wrote:This is ridiculous. We're told by the left that we need to learn more about those who would be our enemies and yetwhen we try we're told what we're doing is evil. Why is it that the left can have their cake and eat it too but no oneelse can have either?8/2/2008 11:12:57 PM


274627 wrote:They will undoubtedly hire socialogists from Regents of Libery, with degrees in coaching tennis. Seems to be theproper way to squander the funds provided. Right in line with the hiring of a Regents scholar to dispensehundreds of billions in Iraq. They don't need talent, since the original idea is to squander the funds.8/2/2008 10:06:28 PM


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4 of 5 11/24/2008 3:53 PM

News & Politics

Military's social science grants raise alarm