TDI Episode 64: Confessions of an Economic Hitman

July 6, 2008

Guest: John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and The Secret History of the American Empire. We discuss what exactly an economic hit man is, the American Empire, the challenge from China, the collapse of our way of life just to name a few.

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John Perkins is the author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a startling expose of international corruption that spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller lists and has been published in more than thirty languages.

A former economic hit man, he is a founder and board member of Dream Change (www.dreamchange.org) and the Pachamama Alliance, nonprofit organizations devoted to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world. He has lectured and taught at universities on four continents including Harvard, Wharton, and Princeton, and is a champion of environmental and social causes.

You have to read his books. Start with Confessions of an Economic Hitman, then read Secret History. Great reads!

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3 Responses to “TDI Episode 64: Confessions of an Economic Hitman”

  1. hannov on July 8th, 2008 10:20 am

    I cannot believe you brought this man, this Perkins, on the podcast.

    He talks like just like some left wing loon (is he paid for by Soros’ moveon organisation?) .

    The most disturbing and disgusting was his comment about 9/11. He implies that it was all the fault of the US itself, because of economic policies. This is the old marxist line. Of course 9/11 has nothing to do with rich and poor. It is moslim jihad against jews and crusaders, just like Osama bin Laden said numerous times himself.

  2. Awperator on July 8th, 2008 11:42 am

    @hannov
    Of course you probably believe the USA can do no wrong. Yes, Muslim extremists carried out 9/11, but there is more than that. I’m not saying that Perkins is 100% correct, but still 9/11 was caused in part by the USA’s imperialistic actions overseas. Please don’t tell me you buy that line “they hate us for our freedoms”.

  3. Larry on July 8th, 2008 12:50 pm

    I rarely post comments on any website, so this is an exception.

    I was surprised that TDI offered the author a forum when it has little to do with the TDI. If Andrew intends to become a talk show host, then he should also include the counterpoint. There was enough hesitation in Andrew’s comments that it sounded like he knew this interview was going in a questionable direction.

    Over the past 12 years I’ve lived overseas in Egypt, UK(Scotland), Azerbaijan, and now Russia. I have many personal experiences that refute some of what Perkins says.

    Yes the USA makes many mistakes, especially the current administration. But Perkins claims this continues regardless of the party in power.

    ON US CONTROL OF OIL: If the US controls all, then why are there 13 national oil companies larger than Exxon Mobil. Why does gasoline cost $4/gallon in Russia where there is very little US oil company ownership? Why did the US encourage building a pipeline from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey to the Med instead of allowing the companies to build a cheaper route to the Persian Gulf? Why would Haliburton ever move to the UAE if the USA was taking such good care of them?

    Does anyone ponder what the oil price would be today if the US did not go into Iraq in either the first or second time?

    ON ABUSE OF LOCAL PEOPLE: I’ve seen kids maimed and forced to beg on the streets for organized gangs. Those kids would have been better off in sweatshops. Working in a sweatshop for food is better than not eating at all. We need to be careful not to apply our USA perception of what is right to those needing food and health care. Many times their needs are more basic than we can imagine while their government is unwilling or unable to help them.

    Loans given to countries or companies by the USA are often through the World Bank or IFC. They have extensive Environmental, Safety, Health, and Social requirements. They are enforced and independently audited. Google “BTC Pipeline” for the above mentioned pipeline if you want to see an example.

    So Perkins has the Bolivia(?) interview well documented. If the interviewee arranges a press conference and has a video crew, who is using whom?

    Whew, now I feel better.

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