Confessions of an Economic Hitman

[livius drusus]

I heard John Perkins interviewed last night on NPR and it was both riveting and terrifying. I've ordered the book and will be sure to report back, but until then check out this interview (it's about 30 minutes long and completely worth the time) to get a good idea of what the book covers.

Just from my own recollection of the interviews I've heard, an economic hitman is someone who's job it is to convince impoverished countries with resources of interest to the United States to take out a loan they can't possibly repay, use the loan money to build infrastructure of use to a small minority of wealthy people while hiring large US corporations to do the job, and when the country reaches a point where it cannot repay the principle and interest, have them pay in kind with their natural resources.

John Perkins did this for years, working for US corporations as "Chief Economist" but in fact, selected and trained by the NSA. EHM is his own term; he and his colleagues used to refer to themselves as such with a wink back in the day.

Anyway, he apparently always felt rotten about it, but was seduced (his word) by the sex, money and power offered him (also his words) in return for service. 9/11 broke the camel's back and now he's written the book he once took money not to write.

[Adam]

Damn you, livius. I just swore, this very weekend that, having purchased Alan Dershowitz's new book, I wasn't buying any more new books this year. You're an evil person.

[livius drusus]

He he... I have seduced you with the promise of, um, lots of reading. I may be evil, but you're cheap.

[viscousmemories]

Well that looks good and depressing - and fascinating, natch. Thanks liv.

[Adora]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Anyway, he apparently always felt rotten about it, but was seduced (his word) by the sex, money and power offered him (also his words) in return for service. 9/11 broke the camel's back and now he's written the book he once took money not to write.

And how much money is he going to get from the book sales?

[livius drusus]

I don't think there's anyway of knowing for sure, but since he got a $500,000 sinecure consulting job in return for not writing it years ago, the bar is set pretty high.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Just from my own recollection of the interviews I've heard, an economic hitman is someone who's job it is to convince impoverished countries with resources of interest to the United States to take out a loan they can't possibly repay, use the loan money to build infrastructure of use to a small minority of wealthy people while hiring large US corporations to do the job, and when the country reaches a point where it cannot repay the principle and interest, have them pay in kind with their natural resources.

I've tried to explain this at IIDB in some threads here and there, but I'm hopelessly inadequate at it.

NZ was forced into this about 20 years ago, and many of our state assests (forestry, etc) was sold to large international corporations as a result of contractual "fine print".

We're still doing okay, but then we aren't third world, either. Since then I've sporadically followed info regarding this practice, but not with enough depth or frequency to be considered "knowledgeable", by any means.

I will watch the interview later tonight - after Australian Idol ( ) - I look forward to more information about this practice and the people behind it.

Thanks.

John Perkins did this for years, working for US corporations as "Chief Economist" but in fact, selected and trained by the NSA. EHM is his own term; he and his colleagues used to refer to themselves as such with a wink back in the day.

Anyway, he apparently always felt rotten about it, but was seduced (his word) by the sex, money and power offered him (also his words) in return for service. 9/11 broke the camel's back and now he's written the book he once took money not to write.

The world needs more whistleblowers. Nice work, Mr. Perkins - let's hope more people follow suit and expose these things for what they are - scams on a global scale orchestrated by the most powerful men at the highest levels, to the detriment of entire nations. Assholes.

[LianaLi]

You know, you'd think we'd gotten past the age of colonialism and conquering nations. We've just taken it up a notch, and taken everything but the country in name.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by LianaLi

You know, you'd think we'd gotten past the age of colonialism and conquering nations. We've just taken it up a notch, and taken everything but the country in name.

Nope, as long as there is greed there will be colonising and conquering. It's just that it's much more fashionable to do it with the pen than with the sword nowadays, and goes by another name. And it's even better when the people themselves don't even realise they've been colonised and conquered.

[xorbie]

There was a good deal on this type of stuff in The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast. In fact, I believe Perkins may have been mentioned. I'll try to read through it again tonight.

[beyelzu]

Originally Posted by xorbie

There was a good deal on this type of stuff in The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast. In fact, I believe Perkins may have been mentioned. I'll try to read through it again tonight.

damn, I miss my copy of the best democracy money can buy, I lowned it to some bastard who never returned it to me.

[Petra]

Originally Posted by beyelzu

damn, I miss my copy of the best democracy money can buy, I lowned it to some bastard who never returned it to me.

Ha! You got lwned, dude!

ROXOR!!1

[beyelzu]

Originally Posted by lunachick

Ha! You got lwned, dude!

ROXOR!!1

[LadyXoc]

Ok, yet another book you recommended that I have to have, and end up getting four other related ones to go along with it. Damn you amazon.com and livius drusus! I'm not addicted. I can stop anytime I want.

[Petra]

I'm about half way through the interview. Wow.


I have to read his book.



Thanks, liv.

[viscousmemories]

It was an interesting interview, but I wonder how much of his story he can substantiate.

His author bio on his website weirds me out a little bit, especially the last part:

Previous books by John Perkins include Shapeshifting, The World Is As You Dream It, Psychonavigation, The Stress-Free Habit, and Spirit of the Shuar.

John Says: " We have entered one of the most important periods in human history, the Time of Prophecies. We have the opportunity to lift ourselves to new levels of consciousness. This time was foretold over the past centuries by cultures around the world. Now it is up to us -you and me- to make it happen. What a wonderful gift!"

[LianaLi]

Originally Posted by lunachick

[
Nope, as long as there is greed there will be colonising and conquering. It's just that it's much more fashionable to do it with the pen than with the sword nowadays, and goes by another name. And it's even better when the people themselves don't even realise they've been colonised and conquered.

Heh. And they laughed when they said the pen was mightier than the sword. The romans were wiser than they knew...

[beyelzu]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

It was an interesting interview, but I wonder how much of his story he can substantiate.

His author bio on his website weirds me out a little bit, especially the last part:

damn, that is pretty fucking disconcerting. being a metaphysical naturalist and all I have problems with new age and/or prophecy peddlers, I am afraid that this will certainly color my reading of his book.

[livius drusus]

Yeah it's pretty freaky, but I'm going to judge the book on its own merits. The interviews I heard were entirely Time of Prophecies-free, after all, and who knows what he means when he says that stuff anyway. I dare beyelzu to read Spirit of Shuar and report back.

[beyelzu]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Yeah it's pretty freaky, but I'm going to judge the book on its own merits. The interviews I heard were entirely Time of Prophecies-free, after all, and who knows what he means when he says that stuff anyway. I dare beyelzu to read Spirit of Shuar and report back.

tell you what, I will visit the local book store today, if they have it I will buy it.

[livius drusus]

Oh yeah right like they'll have it at your local bookstore. Nice dodge, bey.

[Petra]

I can't afford to buy it, so I checked out the library. They didn't have it, so I submitted a formal recommendation/request for them to acquire it. Should they do so, they'll give me a call when it arrives and hold it for me.

[JVM]

Okay, so I am biased because I have met John Perkins. And as a disclaimer, let me say that I am not crazy; in fact, i'm quite hesitant to believe most crap people preach about. But John is the real deal. I would encourage everyone to read his new book, Confessions of an EHM, regardless of your discomfort with any new age spiritual stuff that his other books discuss. Read it. I'd buy it for you if I had the money! (And don't be afraid of his other books; they won't bite.) Shouldn't we at least consider an option that might help us to realize our full potential as a human race?

[Petra]

You met John Perkins? Cool.


I'm looking forward to reading the book and shall read it with an open mind. Well, try to, anyway.


Welcome to FF, JVM.

[livius drusus]

Hi JVM and welcome to FF. I've got the book on order myself and will certainly judge it on its merits. So, do tell. How did you meet John Perkins? What did you think of the book?