Comments on: What Would Martial Law Look Like?

By: chris

chris — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:19:58 +0000

The confident, mighty and secure do not need such displays. Militaries may arguably be the natural outcome of nationalism, even not approaching jingoism. But militaries are the hand of government sponsored murder. Give government any resource and it will find ways to use it.

Such public displays prominently show our fear, and are symbols of our response to fear. And we pass it along to the next generation at worst with merely a frown on our faces, rather than anger at the rape that is really is.

“War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.” Madison

By: Mike of the Great White North

Mike of the Great White North — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:07:11 +0000

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people!

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:13:21 +0000

Tom, alas, in this post-9/11 era, citizen self-service is no longer allowed.

But at least they have not yet banned taking photographs on the Smithsonian Mall….

By: Tom Blanton

Tom Blanton — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:42:06 +0000

Nice pictures, Jim. The decorative fencing is especially pleasing. What a glorious day in DC!

I hope all the citizens remembered to thank the guardians of our way of life for their service. As for me, I’ve been serviced so well I can hardly sit down. I’d like to thank all the government folks for their service by volunteering to go without all their servicing - they deserve a break. I’ll just serve myself.

By: David Hill

David Hill — Mon, 14 May 2007 23:49:37 +0000

I was in Tehran in 1979 when martial law was declared. There was a tank on a busy intersection near where I worked. A demonstration marched down one street and the officers gave the order to fire into them. Instead of carrying out the orders the enlisted men turned on their officers and joined the demonstrators. I should hope something similar would happen here,

By: Alpowolf

Alpowolf — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:16:22 +0000

Why does celebrating “Public Service Recognition” always involve are rulers brandishing heavy weaponry?It reminds me of that Calvin and Hobbes cartoon, where the two of them are “playing war”. Hobbes asks “How come we play war and not peace?” Calvin replies “Too few role models.”

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:35:34 +0000

Steve - Thanks for the plug!

If folks here haven’t taken a look at Steve’s Aging Hipster blog, it is a hoot. It is as honest on politics as the day is long - and that is such a rare virtue these days.

Plus, thanks to Steve’s cultural insights, I’ll never think about the state of Georgia the same.

By: Original Steve

Original Steve — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:14:32 +0000

http://theaginghipster.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-jim-bovard.html

By: Original Steve

Original Steve — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:10:44 +0000

Its just more proof of what is happening regarding the military-industrial complex.

Remember, when we get out the Iraq War, They are going to “follow us over here.” So, we just cant even think about cutting all those juicy contracts.

By: Sol

Sol — Mon, 14 May 2007 05:45:45 +0000

“I was struck by the atmosphere at the military exhibition - the soldiers acted like it was practically a party.”

They probably feel that being anywhere except Iraq or Afghanistan is a party.

By: Mace Price

Mace Price — Mon, 14 May 2007 04:07:49 +0000

…Thus do we see where telling the truth, per the record of Congressman Ron Paul gets a Politician, even in The LP. Don’t reckon I need to tell yeh why the Devil in The South is often referred to as “Ol’Nick”…as in Niccolo Machiavelli. Appropriate as hell too. To my mind Politics are nothing less than Diabolic.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:55:17 +0000

Actually, I think Ron Paul would be a much more accurate comparison to Vallandigham. Paul has shown great courage throughout his career - he has stood on principle so many times, and willingly paid the price and suffered the odium. (Curious how Beltway Libertarians have paid so little heed to Paul throughout his career, even though he has courageously lived what they have sometimes talked about).

By: Mace Price

Mace Price — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:48:15 +0000

…OK Jim you ain’t a Politician. So technically the comparison misfires. But jest by a whisker.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:37:28 +0000

Wes, lucky for us that Congress is keeping such a close eye on the military to make sure it strictly obeys the law and respects the Constitution.

As I gazed upon the howitzer with the Capitol Dome in the background, it occurred to me that there is no need for a military coup - the vast majority of the House and Senate would not think of challenging the military.

Of course, the Defense Secretary would be pushing his luck if he tried to make his horse a formal member of the Senate.

By: W Baker

W Baker — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:33:57 +0000

Jim et al.,

Very signifigant point, although with a slightly different contex: ‘it struck me that the soldiers thought it was a party’! You slipped up and really meant a political party rather than a good night on the town!

It is my submission, having seen the military from within and without, that the present Pentagon, post Eisenhower, and particularly under Republicans in the late 20th and early 21st-centuries, would be considered a coup in any other country in the world.

I challenge anyone,anywhere to lay out the reasoning or facts for this blog’s readers that an organization that controls as much money, resources, and political/social reverence as the Pentagon does to describe that instititution in any other terms than a coup d’état!