Veteran's Day—A celebration of arrogance—Which I continue to oppose, year after year

By SJ Otto

Every year I run an article to commemorate various holidays—some traditional, as Halloween or Christmas. Not being a Christian I don’t celebrate Christmas, but instead I celebrate the Winter Solstice. There are some holidays, Thanksgiving comes to mind, where the tradition involves controversial events or beliefs.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and it is probably my least favorite holiday in the US. All across the nation, and on my TV, people will honor the brave men and women who fight wars to keep America the dominant world power. It is a system of imperialism. It is built on arrogance, violence and war. Not long ago I heard singer Patti Smith say something to the effect, that it is ridiculous that we still have the institution of war in the 21 century. One person after the other will claim that “freedom isn’t free.” But I for one do not feel free, due to this country occupying other people’s nation.

One thing that is different this year, an I’m proud to point out that in Congress we have Rep. Ilhan Omar,  Minnesota's 5th congressional district. She is the first congress person in at least 30 years to actually question our nations imperialist actions.

"From Transcript, via Democracy Now!

AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! I’m Amy Goodman, as we turn now to Congress member Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota congress member. She is the first Somali American elected to Congress, the House of Representatives, one of the first Muslim women in Congress. In February, Ilhan Omar questioned U.S. special envoy to Venezuela Elliott Abrams on Capitol Hill.

We welcome you to Democracy Now! Congress member Ilhan Omar, before we talk about the remarkable rally held for you, in defense of you, yesterday, just outside the Capitol next to the Reflecting Pool, if you can comment what’s taking place right now in Venezuela, the U.S.-supported coup attempt against President Maduro?

REP. ILHAN OMAR: Thank you, Amy, for having me. It’s really great to join you all this morning.

I concur with what Professor Sachs was saying. You know, I mean, a lot of the policies that we have put in place has kind of helped lead the devastation in Venezuela. And we’ve sort of set the stage for where we’re arriving today. This particular bullying and the use of sanctions to eventually intervene and make regime change really does not help the people of countries like Venezuela, and it certainly does not help and is not in the interest of the United States. And I think, finally, we have folks in Congress that see what Professor Sachs was referencing."

This country still occupies Ira and Afghanistan. We do not need to occupy anyone. I’m proud that after all of these years, we finally have ONE person in Congress that has stood against imperialism. I finally have one thing to celebrate this year.

This year and every year I oppose imperialism. I have nothing against our vets, they did what they believed was right. The wars they have fought were immoral and always will be.

If you love cheap gas and cheap resources, at other people's expenses—thank a vet.