February 29, 2012
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Our Veterans have been violently betrayed.
**my last post hit a nerve and promoted a HUGE amount of discussion and while, unfortunately, many people seemed to simply read the title and comment without giving consideration to the text or even rebutting many of the points I made I feel like those who did, especially active service military members and veterans, have left my blog believing that I am promoting a hatred towards them. I assure you that I am not. I believe that there is little to no separation between who a person is and what they are supporting or actively doing. I apologize for any misunderstanding but I will forever stand by my assertion that I cannot support current members of the armed forces while they are actively involved in the mess they are involved in. I do not feel that you can be against our current military occupations and wars and yet still be supportive of the people who are engaged in those wars, it strikes me as a contradiction. I’m fine with you openly disagreeing with me and since I’ve said my piece here in the main post the comment section is all yours.
If you feel like you need more space to air your opposing views or even those who want to elaborate in agreement of what I have to say do it on your own blog and I will not only post a big fat link to it at the bottom of this post but recommend it(Make sure you post a link to it in the comment section). I appreciate all who read my posts wether they agree or not.***
The purpose of a government and it’s military
While I do not support what we are doing in other countries, and I do not support the people who are involved in it from the top down there is a HUGE misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up.
I believe, as a Libertarian, that the sole purpose of Government is to protect the liberty of it’s own people from foreign and domestic hostility. I believe our military should exist, and it should continue to exist with the purpose of protecting us.
It almost goes without saying that not a single one of our liberties is being protected in our ongoing wars across the world (a small exercise to prove this point, name a liberty being protected in the war in Iraq). Our actions overseas have created a toxic atmosphere that has forced millions of foreigners to rise up against what they perceive as a nation trying to build and maintain a global empire. Our meddling in the affairs and governments of other sovereign countries has created, over the years, an incredible amount of hostility towards the U.S.
From our government funding and support of Iraq and it’s former dictator Saddam Hussein and the CIA training and funding Osama Bin Laden received to our governments constant screwing with the government of Iran we have fostered a growing resentment and retaliation towards our policy of nation building in the name of “protecting our foreign intrests.”
What does all of this have to do with the Veterans?
I firmly believe that the overwhelming majority of Veterans in our nation have been left out to dry because of our current state of affairs and the way we spend our money. Our policies have put an unsustainable emphasis on building and growing an out of control military regime while focusing almost no attention to the people our government has relied on, over the years, to impose it’s corrupt ideals.
If a country wants a man to risk bodily damage or even death for his country that same country should be prepared to reward that individual with the same level of commitment.
We bribe our citizens into joining the military with benefit packages and bonuses, we convince them they are joining to protect our nation and preserve freedom. We emphasize their “defense of the constitution” and then we abandon them when we are through with them.
Ask any member of the Armed Forces, and if he or she is honest with you, they will tell you they were lied to when they joined on about a dozen or so levels. Ask any Vet how his pension is looking, or how great his healthcare is, or even if they are taking care of his permanent injuries and he will have you sit down and listen for HOURS to stories of abuse and neglect.
While my views may appear to be contradicting each other on the surface, with a little more thought I believe anyone with a conscience will come to the same conclusion.
So what do I propose we do? What is my brilliant idea to solve our problems?
I’ve never been a fan of intelectual sloth and I really believe that spending an immeasurable amount of time focusing on the problem without a proportional amount of time spent creating a solution falls into the category of laziness. Here is what I propose:
* Make securing our borders the top national security priority.
* Avoid long and expensive land wars that bankrupt our country by using constitutional means to capture or kill terrorist leaders who helped attack the U.S. and continue to plot further attacks.
* Guarantee our intelligence community’s efforts are directed toward legitimate threats and not spying on innocent Americans through unconstitutional power grabs like the Patriot Act.
* End the nation-building that is draining troop morale, increasing our debt, and sacrificing lives with no end in sight.
* Follow the Constitution by asking Congress to declare war before one is waged.
* Only send our military into conflict with a clear mission and all the tools they need to complete the job – and then bring them home.
* Ensure our veterans receive the care, benefits, and honors they have earned when they return.
* Revitalize the military for the 21st century by eliminating waste in a trillion-dollar military budget.
* Prevent the TSA from forcing Americans to either be groped or ogled just to travel on an airplane and ultimately abolish the unconstitutional agency.
* Stop taking money from the middle class and the poor to give to rich dictators through foreign aid.
No country should ask for someones life and, in return, give them a lifetime of suffering.
***As I stated at the top of this post: The comment section is All yours, I’ve said my piece here in the main article BUT; If you feel like you need more space to air your opposing views or even those who want to elaborate in agreement of what I have to say do it on your own blog and I will not only post a big fat link to it at the bottom of this post but recommend it (make sure you post a link to it in the comment section). I appreciate all who read my posts wether they agree or not.***
Comments (22)
The entire time I was reading the first part of your post I had this image of somebody on knees saying “I’m not worthy”. I know it is from a movie but cannot for the life of me remember which. I love that you pointed out contradicting yourself. I was actually thinking that while reading the second part. I didn’t see how one could NOT support the troops but support the veterans. You however made some valid points. The government should end up to there side of the deal and take care of the veterans after its done and over with. That is only fair.
Lets sum this up. Basically you read my mind from yesterday. I truly believe that if the USA minded their own business we would not be involved in no where near the amount of “drama” we are constantly in.
I just wrote a blog basically in your comment box. I was going to say sorry for it but I’m not. My site is just way to weird to post something serious like this.
Again…KUDOS
The military now has the same problem it had in VietNam, ie: its leaders tell the politicians what they want to do, what needs to be done and then they are overridden by politicians in Washington who think they understand better. So, the active members of the military have two choices: leave the military (and, if everyone did that, who then would protect our borders?) or they can work from the inside to find a compromise. You draw a very distinct all-or-nothing line that would leave our asses hanging out in the breeze for the Osama’s, the Qhadaffi’s, the Khomeni’s, the Guzman’s of the world to ride through and pillage our land while you kick at the dirt and pout in the corner about how everything isn’t exactly how you want it all the time. I’m SO thankful the men and women of our military don’t behave like the spoiled child that you are.
Ok I remember. The whole I’m not worthy thing. That 70s Show where they find Donna’s mother’s underwear in Eric’s car. The guys start worshiping Eric…Yeah
@Crying_In_Color - waynes world!
I don’t agree with all of your points, but I agree with some of them. Either way, I am glad that you can express them, even knowing that there would be a huge backlash. You have balls, and you have thought out ideas, and didn’t make your points for the sole intent of pissing people off. There’s a huge difference between writing a post to piss people off and writing a post to disagree with the opinion of so many, and my hat is off to you, sir.
@justfinethanku - It’s an old problem. Read Kipling’s “Tommy”
http://faxmentis.org/html/kipling.html
If you don’t know, it’s where the Brits got the nickname from Jerry in the Great War.
I love this one…and you were dead on. I was raised in a military family on both sides, pops part of one of the most elite Special Forces and he’s told me stories that he should have pretty much have taken to his grave and I’m sure most of them he has. Our government is seriously jerking the American people and our Service men and women. I personally think that we have become naive to whats happening behind closed doors and also in plane site. It has become or is becoming the Government and the American People. I say this because it seems like our government loves to paint us a dream with Politicians bickering back and forth on great things to come for the people yet still sleeps with the enemy. I heard this one day:
“I realize that there is something going on. The Government is fooling the people and this isn’t how life should be. We’ve been conditioned since birth to go to school, go to college, get a job, family, house, party, travel, spend money, become in debt and etc just as long as we stay out the way. But the moment an American wakes up to the truth he or she is met with resistance of some sort we’re deemed Un-Patriotic.Our service men and women sent to protect assets, banks blow money, jobs are outsourced, and we’re falling apart fast….but what can we do, its nothing we can do, its just the way it is…”
It’s just the way it is? or the most common thing to throw out there “oh we just gotta vote the right person into office”…don’t worry I’ll wait…we’ve waited 44 times and I guess we may have to wait for the additional 44th President right. The amount of money we spend on foreign aid, the billions spent on war and etc while the American people continue to be put on the back burner is scary. Sir your views are so on point especially your mentioning of resolving the problem…It was said that the people shouldn’t allow the government to pervert its power and we’ve allowed that…”What good fortune for the governments, that people do not think” – Adolf Hitler…that quote holds a lot of weight from what is going on smh
@BoulderChristina - “O then we’re just like ‘eroes from the army’s glorious past. Yes, it’s “God go with you, Tommy,” when the trip might be your last. “
I read “The Queens Uniform” a while back…interesting and I see the relation.
@Crouchingbigtoe - Maybe it’s early, or maybe I’m stupid, but I didn’t get any of the references you just made! I am sure they were good, though!
Your proposals are why Ron Paul is your candidate, and mine too.
@BoulderChristina - nah you’re not stupid especially since you’ve actually reached out in clarification of my statements…lol good? maybe lol…as far as that small piece of a poem its a one of the pieces of Kiplings “Tommy”. Pretty much admiring the work…now if the other references you’re touching on is of the three paragraphs up there that I was just voicing myself on is what you’re talking about then there are TONS of specific references I could have added to what was stated but just too much to put in and I didn’t feel like typing a book. Plus my thoughts to words seems a bit all over the place…what are some of those references of mine that I can briefly shed more light on?
Also, above you say you don’t agree with all your points…were you talking about justfinethanku and this topic of his blog lol…if so I’m curious to know what those points were that you didn’t agree with if you don’t mind.
@Crouchingbigtoe - I will have to look up that poem! Regarding what I do and don’t agree with, it’s irrelevant. I was mostly referring to his blog last night. Though I do have my own opinions, I like to hear opinions that differ from mine so I can have a broader understanding, and maybe even be enlightened enough to change my own opinions. I rarely, if ever, engage in a political debate because it isn’t my area of expertise and I would never go to somebody else’s blog to disagree and say, ” I think you’re wrong”. I think he’s (OP) pretty cool, even if I don’t always agree. I need more friends with differing views, I don’t need a hoard of “Yes” people.
*horde, not hoard. My bad.
I agree with your proposals at the end, which is why I support Ron Paul. I just don’t share your view of service members. I know too many of them to think as you do.
@BoulderChristina - Amen to that…you definitely have an open mind which is a beautiful thing to have. As a writer/poet I’m constantly reading and traveling be it politics, culture or what have you. I’m definitely open to hearing others opinions as well…I don’t know everything and I’m always learning. Shoot, I loved to be proved wrong no matter what I say. political debates are very – touchy with many people ESPECIALLY with the people who only want to see one side lol because when you touch a nerve its funny to see them rant. Political debates is a love hate thing with me lol…. Oh man…the “yes” people…they’re everywhere lol. I love open minds like yours.
@BoulderChristina - haha I knew what you meant its all good.
you have no understanding of the big picture.
I think when most people say they support the troops they’re really just saying they hope they don’t die.
Great post. I like the troops because they are doing a selfless thing, even when on a tour of duty. It’s the government that I question.
I was inspired by this post to write my own post on the subject of Supporting the Troops. Whether I have been inspired to any great effect will no doubt become obvious soon enough. I’ve mentioned this post on mine.
Reading things like this (along wiht the discussion) makes me glad I subscibed to you my friend!
I spent twenty years in the army, and another twenty working in the army as a Civilian.
I’m in agreement with nearly everything you say, except about not supporting troops fighting in undeclared, useless wars. In the Nuremberg (sp?) trials, we didn’t accept the defense of Nazis that they were “just following orders.” But these people were war criminals who had committed unspeakable atrocities against Jews and others. But I respect the soldiers in both the enlisted and officer ranks who must follow the orders of the Commander in Chief. Since the commander is elected by the people, I see it as following the will of the people. That’s just the way I see it, and I respect you for calling it the way you see it.
But I do agree with you down the line in all the other areas. We haven’t fought a declared war since WWII. We haven’t fought a war to win since WWII. MacArthur tried to go for the win in Korea, but was fired for his trouble. We haven’t fought a war where our freedom was threatened since WWII.
I don’t know if this one is by Kipling or not: ”God and soldier we adore, in time of danger, in time of war, Danger past and all things righted, God’s forgotten, the soldier slighted.”