This goes a tad too far for me because I don't believe the defense industry is the primary motivator. There are other forces you expertly explained in this piece leading the way. Of course, just my 2-cent opinion.

What depresses me is how far apart the media is from your expert analysis. When I jump between, say, the NYT and something like this, I become disoriented and dizzy. Like going from a pitch dark room with old posters from the 1970s on the wall to, well, reality. THANKS! You explain a few things I didn't connect, but will now (like the RAND report).