The need for a national security state was on the rise post-WWII. The U.S., left in a state of uncertainty after the war, created a system of covert bureaucracies within the government to gather “intelligence concerning the intentions and capabilities of actual or potential enemies” (Dean 2). However, this alertness of “‘threats to national security’” expanded on an international scale, and led to many methods of negative intervention being justified as a way of protecting the U.S. Examples of this are the overthrow—or attempt—of less stabilized governments in other countries, assisting in the assassination of foreign leaders, and “abetted authoritarian regimes in the murderous repression of their own people” (Dean 2). These secret governing laws, missions, and decisions were unbeknownst to the American people, and even leaders within the U.S. government. This normalcy and use of state secrecy quickly spread throughout the nation and led to a culture of secrecy (Dean 2). The “need” for government secrecy because of the war soon transitioned to the new national scare of communism. While the U.S. was fighting an enemy outside of this country, there was now the “security threat” of targeting those who were—and deemed—communist, and even LGBT (Dean 2 and 3). These negative tactics and methods of intervention used on other countries were now being directed at the American people; now looking for an enemy inside the country.
For the people of Cedar City, the imposition of propaganda from the National Security State Department on the minimal impact of nuclear testing was most notable when the cattle started getting sick from radiation remnants. The animals and their offspring were being affected by the radiation on the land, leaving the people and sheepherders from Cedar City unconvinced by the government’s reassurance that the nuclear testing was not harmful in any way. Before, when the nuclear test had just started in this area of Nevada, there wasn’t much thought to the impact of the tests being done, because no one was noticing the effects. It wasn’t until the radiation from the testing started to show physical consequences on the cattle in the area, that perspectives on what the government was saying started to shift. Some people even started to put together that, just like how the cattle were developing diseases, dying, and even passing these ailments to their cattle, the people’s diseases, cancers, and newborn complications were also stemming from the same problems (Fox 19). The American people were told by their leaders that nuclear testing was safe and that doing these tests was necessary for the safety of their country. However, this trust in the U.S. government started to waver for many living near the testing site. Soon, the deception being told to the American people about the “minor” impacts of these nuclear tests was less believed by these neighboring communities. The people were told that all the health problems with their cattle were not a result of the radiation and fallout when these people knew better. They knew their land and cattle better than anyone. When these sheepherders and cattle farmers expressed these problems and concerns, scientists and leaders favoring nuclear testing would confuse them with complicated and useless terms and belittle them. These instances started to show the power of government secrecy.
There is no question that the National Security State continued to be used after the Cold War. Even the intention of this system’s original purpose changed and was used in different ways during the Cold War era. The utilization of secret governing methods during the Red and Lavender Scare is an example that these covert bureaucracies continued to be used—and even abused—however government leaders saw fit. For the existence of the National Security State today, we do not need to look further than the past month. One example that goes in hand with Fox’s reading is the seizure of and fearmongering against undocumented people and immigrants. There are a lot of ways to go about this urgent discussion. The comparison is made to Fox’s reading—and even the propaganda video on the Necular testing—regarding how the U.S. government is promoting and encouraging the detention and deportation of undocumented people. Specifically, the reactions of the Cuban people in Florida before and after the intense action being taken by the U.S. government with ICE. A large population of Cuban immigrants in Florida voted for the promises made by Trump during his campaign, with some even aiding in his campaign. However, once he was inaugurated the promise of deportation became real. These Cubans—and many other immigrants—believed that these promises of deportation were supposed to protect and keep the American people safe. It wasn’t until these people were being actively impacted that they expressed uncertainty about the government’s true intentions. This example was used because it relates to the similar realization of the American people and the damage caused by the nuclear tests. The people were told they were safe, being protected, and would not be harmed. However, these very same people who believe these promises are being harmed by the leaders who said they were “protecting” them (Fox 19). The similar part that is the most interesting is the fact that even though people see the damage happening, they actively choose to believe that the reasons for what is going on are because of anything else other than wrongdoings and manipulations from the government.
Will Wright 