Pepsi, Apple, Krispy Kreme and other consumer firms profit from Iraq too

[Truth2Tell]

From: The Los Angeles Times

By Nick Turse

May 9, 2008 --Last month, a review of 2006 congressional financial disclosure statements by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found that lawmakers have as much as $196 million "invested in companies doing business with the Defense Department, earning millions since the start of the Iraq war." An Associated Press article on the report, however, offered a caveat: "Not all the companies invested in by lawmakers are typical defense contractors. Corporations such as PepsiCo, IBM, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson have at one point received defense-related contracts."

But the Associated Press is wrong. The fact is that corporations such as PepsiCo, IBM, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson are, indeed, typical defense contractors. To suggest that such firms, and tens of thousands like them, only receive defense-related contracts at the odd, aberrant moment is specious at best.

-snip

In 2006, the Pentagon's list of its top 100 suppliers also included such well-known civilian firms as Tyson Foods ($335,239,095), Goodrich Corp. ($344,091,017), Procter & Gamble ($362,461,808), Kraft Foods ($500,799,104), Dell ($636,343,593), ExxonMobil ($1,176,354,936), FedEx ($1,303,032,027) and General Electric ($2,327,705,161). Also on the Pentagon's 2006 payroll were such often-ignored defense contractors as the animated mouse-house, the Walt Disney Co.; iPod-maker Apple; sunglasses purveyor Oakley; cocoa giant Nestle; ketchup producer Heinz; and chocolate bar maker Hershey.

These are, in fact, today's "typical defense contractors." They are the companies that regularly take in tax-funded payouts from the Pentagon for services and goods (chiefly for the more than 1.3 million active members of the armed services). Few realize the actual look and shape of the new "militarized" U.S. economy. It's not just the classic "permanent armaments industry" -- it's civilian and it's widespread.

Much more at: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-turse9-2008may09,0,5302683.story

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. At one time, when the country was still great.....

it was illegal to profit from war.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I wonder why the author put Apple in the title and not Dell?

When Dell is in the top 3 on his list? Nevermind .......

I think this article is a propaganda piece myself and tries to white wash
the military industrial complex.

[Truth2Tell]

4. I dunno, that's not how I read it

He seems to be decrying the situation. For example, these cuts:

"What's the problem?" you ask. Soldiers have to drink something, just like the rest of us, so why not Pepsi's self-described "bold, robust, effervescent magic cola"? The same goes for hot dogs and toothpaste.

But honestly, if you're thinking that way (and who isn't?), you'll never fully grasp what's happened to our economy and our lives, writ large. You'll never know just how -- literally -- close to home Eisenhower's fears have come in the last half a century.

-snip

It's high time we at least recognize that PepsiCo, IBM, Microsoft, and Johnson & Johnson and just about every other corporate giant (and thousands upon thousands of flyweights of the business world) are benefiting not only from our purchases of cola, computers, software and bandages but from our tax dollars, via the Pentagon. We all know what the Pentagon's doing abroad, and what that's meant for Iraqis.

Napoleon supposedly said, "An army marches on its stomach." Over the years of occupation to come, and for the next invasion too, remember that, whatever land it occupies, the Pentagon marches on a stomach filled with Cap'n Crunch, Rice-A-Roni and Diet Pepsi Vanilla -- and, ever increasingly, you're marching with it too.

That doesn't seem like whitewash language to me. Seems like he wants us to see how much our entire economic system has been wrapped up in militarism, and what a big problem that is. :shrug:

[Ichingcarpenter]

Yeah, I agree

I was wrong on that, he's a good writer but
I thought most people knew that all those services
were included in the M/I complex.

I guess it was an educational piece.

[Deep North]

5. Apple...

...is a non profit, set up to help the little guy. It is NOT a corporation set to enrich it's shareholders, or Steve Jobs, and does not control the entire Apple format; hardware and software. If you don't believe this, you are a Dork who likes crappy 80's music, is fat, and loves DOS and old text-based computer games....TV said so.

[silverojo]

7. Screw 'em all

Switch to Linux.

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. I think you're missing my point

it had nothing to do with the OS but the $ spent.

I wasn't going for the usual OS flame war we have here.

[Anexio]

12. Apple was included in the OP because they are a huge defense contractor

Most people don't know this, (or don't want to know) that Apple bought a computer chip manufacturing plant last month called P.A. Semi.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/04/apple-acquires.html

Apple has over 100 million dollars in contracts with the US military to supply computer chips for many years to come.

I'm always amused when people characterize a corporation as liberal or conservative. In this case Apple is perceived as liberal, (Steve Jobs, he's so cool!!) and Microsoft as a conservative company.

The fact is that they are both gigantic multinational corporations that rake in billions of dollars every year and have manufacturing plants in all nasty those places that use child labor. Oh yeah, they both are military contractors.

Here's an opinion, not a fact. Steve Jobs is certainly pretty cool on stage when he's showing off one of Apples newest inventions, but in person, he's a self absorbed, egotistical, unpleasant jackass. I know this because I've seen his outrageous behavior firsthand and it ain't pretty.

I guess Apple isn't the cool little co-op as we all thought.

[Truth2Tell]

3. Our massive worldwide

network of military bases is almost like an entire country unto itself. Why wouldn't the multi-nationals want their piece?

The bases provide elaborate amenities to bring a US life style to the troops. In addition to four mess halls and a big sports facility, Balad boasts two huge "post exchange" department stores and several fast food restaurants including a 24-hour Burger King, a Pizza Hut, a Starbucks knockoff called "Green Beans," and Baskin Robbins ice cream outlets as well as a miniature golf course. Al-Asad has a football field, a Hertz rent-a-car office, an internet cafe, an indoor swimming pool, a movie theater showing the latest releases and even an automobile dealership. It also has a Burger King, a Pizza Hut and other fast food stores. Victory/Liberty likewise has fast-food outlets, an elaborate gymnasium/sports facility, and Iraq’s largest "post exchange" department store. Troops at these bases are provided with air-conditioning, satellite internet access, cable television and international phone service.

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:qu1REXoU-HEJ:www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/occupation/report/bases.htm+fast+food+military+bases&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us

[onehandle]

6. Some of those contractors (Entertainment, Food, health) are obviously there to service the troops.

Which is fine with me. Would you have our troops suffer?

Not everything is a conspiracy or a crime.

[Truth2Tell]

9. When you say "health" are you referring to KFC?

I kid.

[Fleshdancer]

8. wait, WHAT??? ExxonMobil received $1,176,354,936????

:wow:

Um...WHAT???

[Truth2Tell]

13. Crazy huh.

The DoD tossed a little more chum to the sharks just a few weeks ago:

Exxon Mobile wins $783M DOD contract
March 28, 2008 6:53 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - Exxon Mobil Corp. has won a $783 million contract to supply jet fuel for Defense Logistics Agency, the Defense Department said late Friday.

Shares of Exxon Mobil, based in Irving, Tex., fell 98 cents to close at $85.22.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=AP&Date=20080328&ID=8404663&Symbol=US:XOM

[Fleshdancer]

14. I honestly can not wrap my head around this

I'm too shocked and exhausted to be outraged at this point.

[sammythecat]

11. It's just like Marine Corp Major General Smedley Butler said,

"War is a racket". It's just that simple.

Nothing generates fortunes like a good war. It's a gold rush and, if you can get in on the action, there's lots of easy money to be made.

To anyone who hasn't read it, I strongly recommend reading "War is a Racket". Just google it and invest about 10-15 minutes. It's worth it.