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JENNINGS</font><br> </b></font><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#FFFF00">Author</font></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <TABLE BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 id="navigation"> <TR> <TD><a HREF="index.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_16', 'images/navi_16-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_16', 'images/navi_16.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_16" SRC="images/navi_16.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="author.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_18', 'images/navi_18-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_18', 'images/navi_18.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_18" SRC="images/navi_18.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="praise.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_20', 'images/navi_20-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_20', 'images/navi_20.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_20" SRC="images/navi_20.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="buy.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_21', 'images/navi_21-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_21', 'images/navi_21.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_21" SRC="images/navi_21.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="links.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_22', 'images/navi_22-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_22', 'images/navi_22.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_22" SRC="images/navi_22.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="media.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_23_2', 'images/navi_23_2-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_23_2', 'images/navi_23_2.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_23_2" SRC="images/navi_23_2.gif" width=160 height=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><a HREF="correspondance.html" ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('navi_25', 'images/navi_25-over.gif'); return true;" ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('navi_25', 'images/navi_25.gif'); return true;"> <IMG NAME="navi_25" SRC="images/navi_25.gif" WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=27 BORDER=0></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD style="border-bottom:0px;"><IMG SRC="images/navi_26.gif" WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=40></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="160" height="100%"> <tr> <td valign="middle" background="images/home_35.gif" width="160" height="71" align="center"> <b><font face="Verdana" size="2"><font color="#FFFF00">April 2007</font><br> </font><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana" size="1">From</font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" background="images/home_35.gif" height="100%" > <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" > <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><IMG SRC="images/home_31.gif" WIDTH=72 HEIGHT=89></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center" style="padding-bottom:15px;"><b><font face="Verdana" color="#FFFFFF" size="1">Forge Books<BR> </font></b><b><font face="Verdana" color="#FFFFFF" size="1">New York<BR> </font></b><font face="Verdana" color="#FFFFFF" size="1"> Patty Garcia <BR> <A HREF="mailto:patty.garcia@tor.com">Forge Publicity</A> <BR> 646-307-5406 <BR> <br/> For PR please contact:<br/> Laura Reynolds<br/> <a href="mailto:laura@reynoldspublicrelations.com">Reynolds Public Relations</a><br/> 434-295-1128<br/> 202-669-1882 </font> </td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> <td valign="top" height="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" height="100%"> <tr> <td valign="middle" bgcolor="#640f0c" width="100%" height="45" style="padding-left:15px;"><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#ffffff"><b>About The Author</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62">&nbsp; <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="448" background="images/head.gif" height="25"> <tr> <td width="100%"><p style="margin-left: 27"><font color="#ffffff" face="Arial" size="2"><b>PHILLIP JENNINGS</b></font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62"><p style="margin-left: 25; margin-right: 15; margin-top: 10" align="justify"><font color="#FFFFFF" face="Arial" size="2">PHILLIP JENNINGS left the Marines as a captain and then flew for Air America and served in the CIA before a successful banking career. He won the Faulkner Society short fiction award in 1998. He lives in Kirkland, WA.<br> <br> </font></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62">&nbsp; <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="448" background="images/head.gif" height="25"> <tr> <td width="100%"><p style="margin-left: 27"><font color="#ffffff" face="Arial" size="2"><b>Interview #1</b></font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62"> <div style="padding-left:15px;padding-bottom:15px;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;color:#ffffff"> <br/><p>John Woods, CEO of IndieTV and a writer, interviewed Phillip Jennings about the publication of Goodbye Mexico. John previously interviewed Jennings on the release of Nam-A-Rama. They haven't spoken since.</p> <p>The interview actually begins with Gearheardt, one of the protagonists in Nam-A-Rama and Goodbye Mexico. Jack, his buddy and fellow protagonist joins also. Phil is in the head.</p> <p> <b>John:</b> Before we get to Goodbye Mexico, which I understand is about the CIA, let me bring up Iraq. Are your feelings still the same? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Pretty much. I like the hell out of it, John. I think it's put the U.S. on the map. You can't buy that kind of press coverage for all the teenage orphan girls in Guatemala. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> The teenage orphans in </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Just an expression. The point is that the world now knows we kick ass. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Well, I guess so. But what about the kids who die? What about ? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> John, we covered this last time. There was a very wise U.S. president who once said: "If I have to worry about folks getting killed, I might as well not have the goddamn war powers." </p> <p> <b>John:</b> And that was president& ? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Jamison, I think. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> I don't think there was a President Jamison. </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> I'll check and get back to you. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> But my point was comparing Iraq to Vietnam. What are your views? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> I think we've just about made the leap. I don't think anyone has conceded the point, but it appears we've almost got  em identical. Except of course the Vietnamese weren't Muslims. I don't think. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> And you think that's a good deal? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Well, let's look at the Vietnam results, John. First, we pounded the piss out of their army. They could barely beat the Cambodes after we finished with  em. Now they're sucking up to every western businessman with a fast food franchise and they're beating their swords into mother-boards. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> They're what? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Don't you read the bible, John? Anyway, it is pretty damn apparent that we won all but the PR battle. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Jack, you haven't said much. Do you agree with Gearheardt? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> (laughing) Not very often. My friend has a good heart, but he sometimes glosses over the details. Like the wonton destruction of civilizations. Whatever the intent. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Yes, he can miss that kind of detail in his rantings. Sometimes </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Watch it, butthead. See you, Jack. (He leaves) </p> <p> <b>John:</b> So Jack, are you satisfied with our position in Iraq? Was it a mistake? Can we win? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> No, no, and we already have. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> We've already won? I'm not sure most would agree. </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> We beat the fourth largest army in the world. Did it pretty easy too. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> But the I know this is a word you don't want to hear civil war? The Iraqi dead? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> First, there is no question we won. Second, no outside force can stop civil war. And third, the average deaths per year are less than under Sadam. All death is regrettable. With exceptions such as Sadam, Hitler, Ted Bundy, guys like that. But the U.S. cannot prevent grudge fighting. It's impossible. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> You said that you weren't satisfied with our position. </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> We need to bring the troops home. The President needs to go to the U.N. and ask for a resolution that asks us to stay or go. If it's go, we're outta there. If it's stay, then come on down France and Germany. And he needs a vote of confidence from the people of Iraq. If they vote no, let's high-tail it. But it makes little difference. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Because? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> Congress will force us out. They've found an issue they can exploit and they will grind the Administration's face in it until he says Uncle. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> You're obviously a Republican. </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> I'm obviously a realist. Look, when the Democrats give us a choice, I might even like it. But polls that show more people would rather not have war than have war? Meaningless. Down in the silliness of  When did you stop beating your wife? </p> <p> <b>John:</b> You're really not a Republican? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> Republicans are too arrogant, too out of touch with America and trust Wall Street too much. Democrats are too whiney, too pandering, and prefer to power to glory. And they don't appreciate how great this country really is. Oh, I know they would go ape-doodle over that description. But this moral equivalency, do your own thing crap is ruining our country. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Power to glory? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> It's something Gearheardt says. I don't know for sure what it means, but I think its right. Term limits would solve most of the problems in Congress. Or you could let retiring Congressmen have an hour Ft. Knox when they leave. They get to keep all the money they can stick---wherever. But after that they have to shut up and live in the district they represented and have meetings every day with senior citizens and serve on Building and Grounds committees in retirement complexes. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> We're kind of off the track, but you don't like Senators and Representatives do you? </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> They should all be horse whipped. The partisanship in Congress now is the biggest threat to the future of this country we have ever faced. There are a handful that I would trust to babysit kids. Most of them are idiots. </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> (sitting back down with a beer and sandwich) Except for Pee Wee Herman. Thank god they got that guy off the streets for a while. Busted his butt in a theater. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> You criticized the politicians who tried to manage the war in Vietnam, you criticize the same thing in Iraq. So what is your idea of our foreign policy? What should we do? </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> Fu </p> <p> <b>Jack:</b> Shut up, Gearheardt. We need to get world support for Iraq or get out. That simple. And what we should learn from Vietnam, Kosovo, and Iraq is this no more sending our troops to foreign soil. Bring  em all home and train the hell out of them as special ops guys. We can no longer have ground warfare conducted by US troops. It won't work. It won't get better. It won't change. We use the Air Force to pulverize threats to the US. To rid countries of despots, and to protect Americans and American property abroad. Somebody jacks with us bomb the hell out of them. Special ops teams do the dirty work around the world, off the front pages. We give medical and economic aid to those who need it and don't squander it. Squander it and we stop giving it. Period. We give generously and without expectation of anything except not threatening us. Threaten us we bomb the hell out of you. </p> <p> <b>John:</b> Works for me. </p> <p> <b>Gearheardt:</b> I go along with the bombing part. </p> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="448" background="images/head.gif" height="25"> <tr> <td width="100%"><p style="margin-left: 27"><font color="#ffffff" face="Arial" size="2"><b>Interview #2</b></font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62" height="100%"><br/> <div style="padding-left:15px;padding-bottom:15px;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;color:#ffffff"> <p><b>A Warm Cup of Napalm with Phillip Jennings</b> <p> &bull; <b>ON WAR:</b><br/> Some people might rather play tennis than drop flaming liquid from a twenty million dollar airplane onto people running around on the ground. It's a matter of individual choice. We shouldn't start wars or fight wars when we're drunk. Will future presidents and the congress keep that in mind? I doubt it. </p> <p> &bull; <b>ON PATRIOTISM:</b><br/> Why would a Marine officer, who loves his country and the Corps, and who proudly served in Vietnam (and later in Laos with Air America, Inc.), write Nam-A-Rama? The book lampoons all levels of involvement, military and civilian, politician and activist. The characterizations go beyond silliness and cluelessness to venality and evil intent. Do I really believe that the actions of leaders, pro- and anti- Vietnam War, were more than mistakes and misjudgments? The simple answer is yes. </p> <p> &bull; <b>ON IRAQ:</b><br/> I am assuming that we had Helen Keller drive a Porsche about a hundred miles an hour through Baghdad and write down her observations and that's what we used for pre-invasion intelligence. The point is that we assumed too much. There is probably a large part of the American populace that assumed Iraqi men would kill just to get Baywatch reruns. Now 'extreme partisan politics' is keeping us from addressing the issues. This war, contrary to old blather, is too important to be left to the politicians. </p> <p> &bull; <b>ON LOSING VIETNAM:</b><br/> We thought that our incredibly superior fire power would overwhelm the enemy. At TET 1968 the enemy lost around 50,000 men in one long weekend blast. Almost as many as the U.S. lost in ten years. I don't remember them surrendering. I think they sent six or seven fresh divisions to the south almost immediately. Did you think I could just give you an answer in 25 words or less on how we lost the war? I probably could have won the war by myself except for Darryl Thompson. An army guy. Lost the war for us. I'm still mad at him. The little bastard. </p> <p> &bull; <b>ON SATIRE:</b><br/> Satire is the sugar coating on something that is too bitter to swallow. It can reach more people, a broader spectrum. Satire is why Jon Stewart is a more popular source for news than Dan Rather. The lessons of Vietnam are too important to be left to the academics and historians. NAM-A-RAMA is gallows humor for the most part. You know that Freud wrote that gallows humor was an indication of a grand soul. I believe that with all my heart. Actually I don't read Freud, but Tom Robbins said Freud wrote it and no one tells the truth more than Tom Robbins. </p> </div> </td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#640f0c" STYLE="padding:3px;text-align:center"> <font color="#ffffff" size="1" face="Verdana">Copyright </font><font color="#B9A004" size="1" face="Arial"> ©</font><font color="#B9A004" size="1" face="Verdana"> 2007 GoodByeMexico.com</font> </td> </tr> </table></td> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><IMG SRC="images/home_39.gif" WIDTH=43 HEIGHT=28></td> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#365d62"> <!-- Start of StatCounter Code --> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> var sc_project=555224; var sc_partition=3; var sc_security=""; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script> <noscript> <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://c4.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=555224&amp;java=0&amp;security=" alt="free hit counter" border="0"></a> </noscript> <!-- End of StatCounter Code --> </td> <td valign="top"><IMG SRC="images/home_41.gif" WIDTH=45 HEIGHT=28></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table> </BODY> </HTML>