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wonder whether the invasion of Iraq was in breach of the Patriot Act. Patriot II, the horror sequel to Patriot I, in section 403 expands the definition of "weapons of mass destruction" to include any activity that affects US interstate commerce or US exports. Looks like corporations moved into the seat of government when nobody was looking. The machine gives my swab a green light and I am free to gather the dishevelled contents of my rucksack and board the aircraft. Thanks to the Patriot Act, my fellow travellers and all Americans can feel so much safer now that my groin has been searched. wonder whether the invasion of Iraq was in breach of the Patriot That part was true. He asked me about my work. Act. Patriot II, the horror sequel to Patriot I, in section 403 I told him, "I'm a writer on the politics of the health care indus- expands the definition of "weapons of mass destruction" to include try, among other things; exploding the myths." any activity that affects US interstate commerce or US exports. "What do you mean?" His interest was sparked. Looks like corporations moved into the seat of government when Briefly overcome by the pointlessness of sharing my views with nobody was looking. him, I continued anyway. The machine gives my swab a green light and I am free to "How strange is it that 'they' tell us the world population is still gather the dishevelled contents of my rucksack and board the growing out of control, when the West has had close to zero pop- aircraft. Thanks to the Patriot Act, my fellow travellers and all ulation growth for many years now and up to 80% of the African Americans can feel so much safer now that my groin has been population is infected with HIV and dying of AIDS, famine and searched. war." He pretended disinterest, but cocked his head toward me. You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. I continued. "How strange is it that 'they' tell us that our life Nowadays, everybody's crazy. expectancy is increasing because of good health care, when can- — Charles Manson, serial killer and one-time cult leader cer is raging in epidemic proportions, nearly 42% of Americans will die of heart disease, and Western medical care has moved up IF PAIN PERSISTS, SEE YOUR SPIN DOCTOR to being the number-one killer in the West.*+° Asthma, allergies, We live in a dirty and dangerous world. There are some autoimmune disorders have risen by 40%; AIDS and other epi- things the general public does not need demics old and new rage out of control. to know, and shouldn't. I believe Obesity, mental illness, Alzheimer's, addic- democracy flourishes when the tions and suicides are epidemic, and a quar- government can take legitimate steps to ter of children in the West and most in the keep its secrets and when the press can Third World now live in poverty without decide whether to print what it knows. " q . basic necessities and medical care. Doesn't — The late Katharine Graham, owner The Terrorism Information anyone die from these? In addition, 86% of of the Washington Post and Prevention System, or US children cannot pass a standard fitness g 3 P TIPS, means the US will test. Isn't it manifestly obvious that life : stancy is increasi ither in the US have a higher percentage expectancy is increasing neit nor the world?" Meeting Dr Spook The commercial flight was full and heavy, but the pilot executed a perfect takeoff. I of citizen informants than He had developed a slight facial twitch. was seed next oa fers looking mann i. the former East Germany "Youle wrong, he sd "Dead wrong." early 40s with a slightly grown-out mili- . "I'm right,” I said stubbornly. tary buzz-cut. We were in it for the through the infamous STASI "No you're not," he said. "I was an secret police. The program would use a minimum of 4% of Americans to report “suspicious’ activity." long haul. Before too long, I realised he knew more about flying's effects on the human body than even a commercial pilot. The hours ticked by. He consumed a bottle of Aussie red. He seemed familiar with Australia; not Sydney or Melbourne, but the remote terrain of central Australia, near the bases. We talked about the Iraq invasion. "The liberation? It's good for the Aussies...we don't buy French wines analyst for the Pentagon. I analyse information." There, he actually said it. I stopped awhile to take it in. "What do you do to the information?" I asked, not expecting a reply. "Where did you get your information from?" he asked, ignoring my question. "It's out there in the public domain." I quoted a few studies. "Since Big Pharma and corporations took over health care, it's been killing people. Millions," I said defiantly. — The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 July 2002 anymore.” "Are you out there saying that in It was the first time he'd laughed. public?" he demanded. "But polls show that the Australian public doesn't want the "Sure," I said. war," I argued. "You can't go out there and say that," he repeated. But I knew by now that we spoke a different language. He gave "But it's true," I insisted. another brittle laugh as though I'd just made a joke. It was clear he "You've got no proof," he challenged. considered the concept of electors as ludicrous and irrelevant. In "Consider some proven facts about US health care and join the his view, there was no connection between what the voters want _—_ dots," I said. I quoted sources showing that the US, whose health and what the government does. care system is monopolised by corporations, has the worst infant "What's the problem?" he asked. "We [the US] paid for the mortality rate compared to 23 other wealthy countries whose Aussie planes anyway, and they [the Aussies] get the reconstruc- health care system is still partly in public hands. "US health care tion contracts." corporations are powerful lobbyists and generous financial Silence. We retreated into our corners for a while, pretending benefactors to politicians on Capitol Hill. The US has 5% of the to sleep. Both of us had already quite accurately sized up the world's population and it spends 45% of the world's health dollars. other. Despite this, Americans’ life expectancies are the lowest of 23 He asked me where my ultimate destination was. I lied. And other wealthy nations’ and lower than some Third World countries he knew it. I told him I'd been invited to give a talk. like Costa Rica."*"*° "But not for long," I speculated. You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays, everybody's crazy. — Charles Manson, serial killer and one-time cult leader IF PAIN PERSISTS, SEE YOUR SPIN DOCTOR We live in a dirty and dangerous world. There are some things the general public does not need to know, and shouldn't. I believe democracy flourishes when the government can take legitimate steps to keep its secrets and when the press can decide whether to print what it knows. — The late Katharine Graham, owner "The Terrori of the Washington Post and Preven Tina ~~ NEXUS +13 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2004 www.nexusmagazine.com