Of course, we all know that today is Veteran’s Day, the day when all “good” Americans bow down to and give thanks to all those who have “served” this country. In reality, they did serve the country, or more accurately the state, but never the individual.
The common notion is that all those who enter the military and do the bidding of the government, are serving all of us by protecting us from invasion and harm, and are protecting our freedoms. In addition, it is put forth by those in power who prosecute war, that the United States and its military are a “force” for good around the world. You see, by murdering, maiming, and destroying the lives and property of those abroad, and then stealing their natural resources, America is helping them to have a better life, or so the story goes.
Everywhere I turn today, there is an abundance of obnoxious displays of false patriotism, a literal celebration of killing. This show of “national respect” is so misplaced and misguided that it is truly sickening.
Every single intervention by the U.S. and its military, and every single war, has the exact opposite effect of what is believed by most in this country. Instead of protecting us, these heinous acts make us much more vulnerable to harm. Instead of protecting our freedoms, our freedoms disappear, and the tyranny dramatically increases. And in this process of interference and aggressive war, all those countries targeted are not only stripped of all they have worked for, but they are stripped of their own freedom, and are left to bury their children and families.
While “war is the health of the state,” it is at the same time the bane of all that is holy and righteous. It is the most heinous display of evil that men commit, and in the case of the U.S., it has never been warranted.
Instead of saluting the flag, and honoring those who follow orders to slaughter others without cause, I suggest we all reflect on the real consequences of murderous aggression. I suggest we reflect and remember all those millions of innocents who have died for absolutely nothing! War has never been, nor will it ever be anything to applaud or worship. It will never be a “force” for good. It will never bring us anything but our own eventual extermination!
“When men hire themselves out to shoot other men to order, asking nothing about the justice of their cause, I don’t care if they are shot themselves.”
~ Herbert Spencer, Facts and Comments [1902]
Considering that today is “Veteran’s Day,” I would suggest watching this video posted this morning by Daniel McAdams at Lew Rockwell.