Edwin Starr said it best in his song War. "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"
As a libertarian, I continually struggle with the widespread acceptance, and in many cases, love of war by Americans. Since I detest aggression, I therefore despise war. The only legitimate force that is acceptable in my opinion is that for self-defense of life, liberty, or property, and self-defense should not allow for any use of force that extends past defense to aggression. It is irrelevant to me whether one’s defense is protected individually or collectively, so long as the non-aggression principle is followed.
I was reminded of the lack of understanding of morality, and the lack of any adherence whatsoever to any idea of non-aggression or compassion, when I listened to the testimony by the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, during a hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee recently. The questions and testimony seemed to concentrate not on any just cause for continuous wars, or on war itself, but on who gets to make the decision to go to war. I came away with the distinct impression that there was no concern at all for those being sent to die, or for those foreigners being killed, but only for those on high who get to claim the glory for the slaughter!
Just today in the news was the story of a sergeant in the Army who methodically murdered 16 innocent civilians in southern Afghanistan. After he shot and killed these people in their homes, 9 of which were children, he proceeded to pile their bodies, and burn them. President Obama and Leon Panetta expressed their condolences, and of course promised investigations. They also said, with unmitigated audacity, that this "incident" does not represent the "exceptional character" of our military. This statement is beyond pathetic, and is without conscience! No apology for an immoral war of aggression was forthcoming, but only a statement lauding the murderers themselves! These people are not fit to represent anyone, and are complicit in all these barbaric acts!
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We got to get out of the 'war' mindset and call it what it really is- Orchestraded stir ups by CIA operatives. Don't believe me than just google the 1953 Iranian coup d'etat because this is how it works. It's all about the monetary (MONEY) relationship between the legislators, the armed forces and the defense industrial base. It's called the Military Industrial Complex. Pres Eisenhower understood the relationship and warned about it.
ReplyDeleteWe have to stop falling for the lines we are fed that it's for democracy or to protect us against terrorism.
This is why the establishment politicians don't want Ron Paul gaining any momentum. He will ruin it for them and their bank accounts.
We had-
ReplyDeleteReagan-Grenada, Bombing of Libya
Bush Sr.-Gulf War
Clinton-Bosnia
Bush Jr-Afghanistan, Iraq
Obama-Egypt, Libya
See the pattern. And how have WE benefitted from all of this? We haven't. It's cost us many lives of our own service men and woman and has put us in debt.
1989 Invasion of Panama by US. We captured Noriega. He was tried for drug trafficking, racketeering and money laundering.
ReplyDeleteHow did we benefit from this? 24 US troops lost their lives.