How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
[…] one day Milo contracted with the American military authorities to bomb the German-held highway bridge at Orvieto and with the German military authorities to defend the highway bridge at Orvieto with antiaircraft fire against his own attack. His fee for attacking the bridge for America was the total cost of the operation plus six percent, and his fee from Germany for defending the bridge was the same cost-plus-six agreement augmented by a merit bonus of a thousand dollars for every American plane he shot down. The consummation of these deals represented an important victory for private enterprise, he pointed out, since the armies of both countries were socialized institutions. (24.44)
To make a profit, Milo not only conspires against his own country, but he manages to get paid by both sides. His only loyalty lies with his syndicate.
Quote #5
This time Milo had gone too far. Bombing his own men and planes was more than even the most phlegmatic observer could stomach, and it looked like the end for him […]. Decent people everywhere were affronted, and Milo was all washed up until he opened his books to the public and disclosed the tremendous profit he had made. He could reimburse the government for all the people and property he had destroyed and still have enough money left over to continue buying Egyptian cotton. Everybody, of course, owned a share. And the sweetest part of the whole deal was that there really was no need to reimburse the government at all. (24.69)
America condemns Milo for turning on his own country until he shows that he has turned an enormous profit that will benefit the government. This time, it is not Milo who is the greedy one. The American people must also bear the blame for their greed in stopping their persecution of Milo once they realize that they all profited from the deaths at Pianosa.
Quote #6
The four men in fatigues lifted the coffin on slings and lowered it into the grave. Milo shuddered violently.
"I can't watch it," he cried turning away in anguish. "I just can't sit here and watch while those mess halls let my syndicate die." (24.114-115)
Milo's greed – his desire to get the liability of the cotton off his hands – replaces any compassion he has for Snowden even as he watches the poor man's funeral. His pity is re-channeled from Snowden to his syndicate.