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Last updated on August 3rd, 2017 at 11:52 am
Antony Loewenstein—not the brightest of chaps—slams defence contractor David H. Brooks over “the misery his job actually creates”.
Misery? Brooks’ company supplies body armour. His job actually saves lives. Specifically, American lives; perhaps that’s why Antony is so miserable. Cheer up, angry Ant! You’ve got Thank a Soldier Week to look forward to!
- Looking forward to Dreamboat’s petulant outbursts around ANZAC Day next year.Posted by CB on 2005 12 02 at 07:27 AM • permalink
- What an arsewipe . . . . he’s the type who would’ve been first to volunteer as a kapo in the camps.Posted by Oafish and Infantile on 2005 12 02 at 08:02 AM • permalink
- Can you imagine a whole book written by this guy? How on earth could he fill it? He only has one groove and that’s not even his own. Jack Nicholson’s novel in “The Shining” would have more content and be less spooky. Can you imagine buying it? Think about the standards of the publishers. Do they have no concern at all for their reputation?
Am I prejudging an unpublished work? You bet I am. Just as I would have no time at all for anything produced by Fisk, Irving, Pilger, Moore, Finkelstein and many others. I’ve seen enough. But it could be said that at least those fellas have some kind of intellectual, literary or artistic talent.
Loewenstein has none. Zilch. Nil. A loud fart in an empty hall.
- Maybe the armor is itchy?Posted by Jim Treacher on 2005 12 02 at 09:27 AM • permalink
- Not only does he castigate Mr. Brooks for running a business that makes body armor—- saving lives my eye, we all know he’s actually a money-sucking Joo —- but Mr. Brooks has to nerve to give his daughter a bat-mitzvah! Why, next thing you know, Brooks will be out scouting Christian babies for the blood ceremonies!
I suppose all the world’s population must live in caves and eat leaves and never, ever smile before Mr. Loewenstein will be happy?
- I remember when Flavius Antonius’ ancestor castigated the blacksmiths for turning out mail and lorica segmentata for the legions, let alone those funny hats with the shoebrushes on them…Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 12 02 at 10:59 AM • permalink
- Lowenstein is a retard, and I’m sorry if I offend those suffering down syndrome with the comparison. Keep on ridiculing him.
But be wary on this issue. I read the article about the bat mitzvah and found it disagreeable, although not on anti-capitalist grounds. It did smack of excess and spoiled rich kids. Mostly I was embarrased for/by the artists like Don Henley and Aerosmith (hey Don Henley is a major hollywood lefty), etc.
The fact that this guy Brooks is a defense contractor doesn’t necessarily make him a capitalist hero. We’d have to find out more before commenting authoritatively but as a rightwing hawk, I’m not sure I like the idea of a defense contractor spending millions for his 13 year-old daughter’s ceremony (paying thousands to 50 Cent for one performance is worse to my mind than, say, buying a yacht, which pays boat yard workers, crew, maintenance, materials and parts suppliers, etc.).
What’s the situation with the body armor? I recall at earlier stages in the war that the Pentagon was having issues supplying it or that soldiers and their families were having to buy it, or some, at least on their own to ensure better protection. Again, this is pure speculation but this guy is making profits off the soldiers and/or the tax payers (as is his right and I hope he provides excellent product and value). I’d like to see his charitable donations and gestures of good will. He better be providing discounted products and donating vast sums to soldier’s charities, disease research, etc.
- We’d have to find out more before commenting authoritatively but as a rightwing hawk, I’m not sure I like the idea of a defense contractor spending millions for his 13 year-old daughter’s ceremony (paying thousands to 50 Cent for one performance is worse to my mind than, say, buying a yacht, which pays boat yard workers, crew, maintenance, materials and parts suppliers, etc.).
Uh, only certain approved ways of spending one’s own money are, er, kosher now?
- PW — Of course, that’s why Hillary wants to take money away from people like him and give it to other people, because “we” (her word) know better what to do with it… manjiro’s just angling for a cabinet post.Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 12 02 at 11:57 AM • permalink
- What’s the situation with the body armor? I recall at earlier stages in the war that the Pentagon was having issues supplying it or that soldiers and their families were having to buy it, or some, at least on their own to ensure better protection. Again, this is pure speculation but this guy is making profits off the soldiers and/or the tax payers (as is his right and I hope he provides excellent product and value). I’d like to see his charitable donations and gestures of good will. He better be providing discounted products and donating vast sums to soldier’s charities, disease research, etc.
Manjiro, you can thank the DoD procurement system for the armor shortages.
Part of the problem was that there was no production of body armor at the start of the war. Someone had to have the facilities, materials, and equipment to produce the SAPI plates, and assemble the vests they ride in.
While I’m certain that Mr. Brooks charged all that he could, he did go out and get the capital to make the factory. TANSTAAFL. From the sounds of Ant’s post, he rode the wave pretty well, a smart business man.
War profiteer? Perhaps. But I haven’t heard of any body armor failing due to sub-standard materials, so DoD is getting what they pay for.
Nor did the soldiers having to buy their own armor go unnoticed; by Congressional legislation, DoD is reimbursing those soldiers. People recognized the original screw up. Which was not limited to body armor, by the way; most soldiers decline to use the official GPS unit (aka “the plugger”) in many situation, and rely on commercial GPS units they bought themselves.
Yeah, I’d say that Mr. Brooks went a bit overboard on the bat mitzvah, but so what? As I understand it, the mitzvah is a major event in Judaism. People do get overzealous when it comes to their children. Personally, my only concern is that his daughter isn’t a spoiled brat.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2005 12 02 at 12:12 PM • permalink
- Rading that list of performers left me gob-smacked. Jeez, playing a 13-year girl’s birthday party???? I’d think I’d almost be ready to hit the Indian casino circuit before I’d want to play a birthday party for some 13-year old.
(To non-American readers, the lowest rung of concerts that a wel-known band or singer could perform at used to be the summer-time state fair circuit. That is until Indian-owned casinos popped up. Those became the new lowest rung that a known artist can perform at. Think 80’s hair bands like Loverboy and you’ll get the idea. Of course, performing at the birthday party for a 13-year old has to be some new kind of lowest rung.)
Posted by David Crawford on 2005 12 02 at 03:21 PM • permalink
- #9, Manjiro. I understand your point, and yes, I do think millions spent on a bat mitzvah is excessive. I also think most weddings these days are excessively expensive, as are funerals. But if people want to spend the money, and it’s their money, legitimately earned, who am I to disapprove? It’s not like Mr. Brooks rolled it up and lit it on fire. Some entertainers made money (more than they were worth, I’ve no doubt), some caterers made money, the hall made money, plenty of money got spread around to hard-working folks. Millionaires who spend “obscene” amounts of money, are supporting legions of working people. That’s how a capitalist society works.
- The guy paid Kenny G to play over the pre-dinner cocktails. If you are going to waste thousands of dollars, reminding Kenny G of his true musical value is a good way to do it. I hope that Brooks has him on a retainer to play in the elevator at his office…
By the way, does Andrea know that you can still turn on comments notifications via Preview?
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