Veterans day-Another celebration of militarism

by SJ Otto

Every year I write something about veteran's Day. That is the day this country (United States) honors its vets. Since after World War II, the US fought the cold war and now it just fights to preserve a giant empire against ISIS (Islamic State). For the first time in the history of the world, the US has built the largest empire since the Roman Empire.

Nothing has ever existed like this before. Every country in the world has to live with this empire trying to force its will on the world. So far there are no other super powers that can rival the US Empire since the fall of the USSR. However ISIS is putting up a real fight. They have the land. They have an extended network of people to inflict civilian casualties in case they lose their land and state. But they are probably about to lose their so called state. When they do, it will be a little like the US winning the cold war over the Soviet Union. But ISIS was never as strong as the Soviet Union. And with our new prez., Donald Trump, he may send in the gazillion US troops it takes to l liquidate those people. President Barack Obama wants it to look like our puppet government troops of Iraq are in the process of "liberating their own country." However it is likely that Trump doesn't care if it looks like the Iraqis or US troops are doing the so called "liberating." He is not into subtleties. He is the US bull-in-the-China-shop. Results count and providing a saving face for imperialism will not be necessary.

From the National Interest:

In military terms, we know that roughly 750 military bases and installations staffed by American military personnel exist in approximately 130 countries around the world. We know that the United States accounts now for roughly two-fifths, 40 percent, of all military expenditures in the world.

What few Americans realize is that our standing as the richest most powerful country in the world demands that those in weaker countries suffer without those things that we take for granted. We have the best in electronic devices—iphones-computers-etc. And we have the best motor-vehicles and cheapest gas of anywhere in the world.

We have an unlimited supply of water, food and electricity. Not everyone in the world has those things (see A Nicaraguan travelogue—First hand look at 3rd world poverty).

The Melian dialogue—by Thucydides –the city of Athenians and the people of Melos-Relevant Quotes:

”Since you know as well as we do that right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must" 

And the biggest lie of all—“These people fight for your freedom—Freedom isn’t Fee!”

To which I state:

No one in the US is fighting for your FREEDOM!!  -

NO ONE!!

Pix by KidsKonnect.