MUST READ: Confessions of an Economic Hitman

[shance]

Am reading it now.

I ordered it a couple of weeks ago from my neighborhood bookstore. Apparently its been very popular and difficult to hold on to.

Amazing, intriguing stuff, and very sobering (and anger inducing*) at the same time. It is about the life and times of a reformed economic *hit man*, or as they call themselves, EHM's.

And, whatever you have doubted, you need not doubt any longer.

The author John Perkins wrote the book in part because of his overriding concern for his daughter and the planet she will be inheriting, and the culmination of events, more specifically September 11 being the catalyst for him to realize the vital need for him to tell his story.

What also kept dogging him to write it were beliefs since childhood, like what this country is supposed to stand for and what he was brought up to love about the nation: he mentions individuals like Thomas Paine and others who had the guts to tell the truth despite the opposition.

He says in the book, that the truth must be told about what is happening.

He seems to be a very insightful, intelligent and compassionate person.

Great read. Highly recommend it.

Anyone else reading it?

[CHIMO]

1. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man:

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How the U.S. Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of Trillions

John Perkins describes himself as a former economic hit man - a highly paid professional who cheated countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars.
20 years ago Perkins began writing a book with the working title, "Conscience of an Economic Hit Men."

Perkins writes, "The book was to be dedicated to the presidents of two countries, men who had been his clients whom I respected and thought of as kindred spirits - Jaime Roldós, president of Ecuador, and Omar Torrijos, president of Panama. Both had just died in fiery crashes. Their deaths were not accidental. They were assassinated because they opposed that fraternity of corporate, government, and banking heads whose goal is global empire. We Economic Hit Men failed to bring Roldós and Torrijos around, and the other type of hit men, the CIA-sanctioned jackals who were always right behind us, stepped in.

John Perkins goes on to write: "I was persuaded to stop writing that book. I started it four more times during the next twenty years. On each occasion, my decision to begin again was influenced by current world events: the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1980, the first Gulf War, Somalia, and the rise of Osama bin Laden. However, threats or bribes always convinced me to stop."

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/09/1526251&mode=thread&tid=25

[shance]

9. Thanks Chimo*

n/t

[Robbien]

2. It is a hard book to read. "Global corporatists" the dirtiest two words

in the English language.

They are behind every move being made by most of our nation's politicians and leaders.

[SpiralHawk]

3. "Global corporatists"

This is an accurate -- and vivid -- way to describe BushCo.

It has the ring of truth.

The two words tell a story, a story that the average woman and man can understand. It is plain, but impactful.

Let the Meme begin:
George Bush, his Administration, and the Republican Party are all a bunch of Global Corporatists.

[shance]

4. I found it affirming and heart breaking at the same time

In one sense it was helpful to read because it cleared up some doubts and/or remnants of denial I had.

Yet to read about these other countries and how we have treated other countries was tremendously difficult.

I think for the book is both reaffirming and painful at the same time.

[banana republican]

5. Back Cover:

"Economic Hit men" John Perkins writes. "are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex and murder."

Preface page x:

This is a story that must be told. We live in a time of terrible crisis - and tremendous opportunity. The story of this particular economic hit man is the story of how we got to where we are and why we currently face crises that seem insurmountable.


Preface page xi:

I began working with my teacher Claudine, she informed me, " My assignment is to mold you into an economic hit man. No one can know about your involvement - not even your wife"

Claudine pulled no punches when describing what I would be called upon to do. My job, she said, was "to encourage world leaders to become a part of a vast network that promotes US commercial interests.

Preface page xii

This system, however is fueled by something far more dangerous. It is driven not by a small band of men but by a concept

[shance]

6. DUers always come to the rescue***

Thanks for the input.

[Postman]

7. Finished it a couple of weeks ago. Great book.

A good explanation as to why America's policies are hated.

[sbj405]

8. I just got mine as well.

Orded it a few weeks ago after hearing the author on AAR. I hope to sink into it this evening.