Investigative journalist Mark Hertsgaard's book, On Bended Knee - The Press and the Reagan Presidency, first published in 1988, could effectively be reprinted with a few name changes and applied to the Bush regime.
Ronald Reagan and President George W. Bush were both elected undemocratically, both ignorant of foreign affairs and both depended upon their aides to write their speeches and even speak on their behalf, because of their frequent gaffes when left to their own devices. Both belong to the extreme right wing while pretending to fight for democracy worldwide. Both have supported right-wing dictators, and sought the support of dictatorships to carry out their foreign aggression and achieve economic dominance. Both have pandered to corporate America. And both have called for a Strategic Defence Initiative that cannot defend but only provide advanced weapons against other nations. Mr Bush has obviously studied why Mr Reagan was popular.
Most importantly perhaps, both Mr Reagan and Mr Bush have hidden their real intentions by pandering to the national press, providing privileges, facilities and printed handouts that reduce the chances of investigative journalism, a practice begun in Mr Reagan's day to buy over press support. Journalists who have insisted on speaking the truth have lost their privileges and become isolated. All this in the name of 'freedom of the press'.
My sympathy has always been with the American people for being given short shrift on the news they were permitted to hear. However, my sympathy is waning as I see the enthusiasm so many Americans display for war, provided it is not on American soil, and provided loss of life is limited mainly to other nationals.
Mr Hertsgaard points out that America rejoiced that its defeat in Vietnam had been compensated by the American victory over tiny Grenada in 1983, just prior to the presidential election, when Mr Reagan was returned without a Republican opponent. America was once more top of the world, victors over Grenada's 'threats'. According to Mr Hertsgaard, one of Mr Reagan's aides said on that occasion, 'I think this country was hungry for a victory. I don't care what the size of it was, we were going to beat [them].' The motive was Mr Reagan's re-election. Grenada was the victim. American friends say many Americans want their country to be top of the world. The minority demonstrate and are named 'traitors'. The majority do not read history.
Every empire in written history failed, because of its cruel method of invasion, its treatment of the native people, and because no single country can permanently control all nations worldwide. Americans should study the facts of history.
