William Blum
William Blum
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
William Blum was a well-known American writer, historian, and anti-imperialist activist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 6, 1928, in Newark, New Jersey. Passed away on July 9, 2018.
Nationality and Profession(s)
William Blum was an American citizen by birth, with a career spanning various professions: writer, historian, journalist, activist, and analyst.
Early Life and Background
Growing up during the Great Depression had a profound impact on William's worldview. His family moved to New York City when he was young, where he developed strong anti-capitalist views from an early age. Blum studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1950 with a degree in physics. However, it was his work as a journalist for the _Washington Post_ and later as a foreign policy analyst that solidified his commitment to exposing U.S. imperialism.
Major Accomplishments
Blum's most significant contributions include:
Rigorous Critique of U.S. Foreign Policy: Blum's works consistently highlighted the dark underbelly of American involvement in international conflicts, including the CIA-backed coups and assassinations that marred the country's foreign policy.
Author of "Killing Hope": This 1995 book detailed numerous cases where the United States had supported or directly carried out violent regime changes around the world. The publication sparked widespread debate about U.S. motives and actions in international relations.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Blum include:
Blowback (2000): This book discussed how U.S. foreign policy often generates unintended consequences, such as terrorism, that can harm American interests.
Rogue State (2000): A comprehensive examination of the United States' role in perpetuating global instability and violence.
Impact and Legacy
Blum's impact on public discourse is undeniable:
Challenging Mainstream Narratives: Through his writing, Blum consistently challenged prevailing narratives about U.S. foreign policy, forcing readers to question what they thought they knew.
Inspiring a New Generation of Activists: His work inspired many young people to become engaged in anti-imperialist activism and critical thinking.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
William Blum's influence on modern thought is multifaceted:
Unflinching Critic of U.S. Imperialism: As a persistent critic of American imperialism, Blum's voice continues to inspire those seeking truth in international relations.
Pioneering Anti-Imperialist Activism: His unwavering commitment to exposing the negative consequences of U.S. foreign policy has left an enduring legacy.
William Blum's life and work are a testament to the power of unrelenting dedication to uncovering truth, even when it challenges deeply ingrained beliefs or interests.
Quotes by William Blum
When will the dropping of bombs on innocent civilians by the United States, and invading and occupying their country, without their country attacking or threatening the US, become completely discredited?
I trust God speaks through me,’ said Bush the younger in 2004. ‘Without that, I couldn’t do my job.
After World War II, the United States, triumphant abroad and undamaged at home, saw a door wide open for world supremacy. Only the thing called ‘communism’ stood in the way, politically, militarily, economically, and ideologically.
Do you remember the classic example of chutzpah? It’s the young man who kills his parents and then asks the judge for mercy on the grounds that he’s an orphan. The Bush administration’s updated version of that was starting a wholly illegal, immoral, and devastating war and then dismissing all kinds of criticism of its action on the grounds that ’we’re at war.
The United States is not actually against terrorism per se, only those terrorists who are not allies of the empire.
Far and away the most important lesson to impart to the American mind and soul: regardless of our lifetime of education to the contrary, US foreign policy does not ’mean well.
The National Endowment for Democracy, an agency created by the Reagan administration in 1983 to promote political action and psychological warfare against states not in love with US foreign policy, is Washington’s foremost non-military tool for effecting regime change.
The United States is not concerned with this thing called ‘democracy’, no matter how many times every American president uses the word each time he opens his mouth. As noted in the Introduction, since 1945 the US has attempted to overthrow more than fifty governments, most of which were democratically elected, and grossly interfered in democratic elections in at least thirty countries.
Former Chinese Premier Chou En-lai once observed: “One of the delightful things about Americans is that they have absolutely no historical memory.
The “trickle-down” theory: the principle that the poor, who must subsist on table scraps dropped by the rich, can best be served by giving the rich bigger meals.