Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, pegged to the end of the First World War. Unfortunately, almost all the lies that propelled that war have been lost in the Memory Bank.
The following 8 minute video is a potent reminder on both the nature of war and the nature of politicians who send men to slaughterhouses for national glory: [[SKIP DOWN TO SEE THE VIDEO – @$ WORDPRESS BLOG SOFTWARE]]
[hat tip to Daniel McAdams]
James Bovard
Unfortunately, almost all the lies that propelled that war have been lost in the Memory Bank.
Ha, you’re right about that. I still run into neocon types that tell me it’s a good thing “we” fought that war because “otherwise we’d all be speaking German”. Ignorance is warmonger bliss.
They also get bliss by having other folks do the fighting for ’em…
Dear Jim: Have read & loved your writing/thought/books since early ’90s. For others, tried to find from “Terrorism & Tyranny” the source for “The Powerpoint that Rocked the Pentagon” from salon.com, summer ’02 – not in their archives anymore! Recall it predates the “axis of evil” speech. Can your hard cc/reference? Tx,Q
Every once in awhile I think that the political system in Starship Troopers – only veterans can vote – has some merit, on the theory that those who’ve seen the horrors of war may be less likely to subject others to the the same on personal whims.
Then I remember two words.
“John McCain.”
And the fantasy vanishes.
If only I could rid myself of my fantasies that easily….
Or go for fantasies worth having. Claire for President. Brian as Secretary of State. Yours truly as the Attorney General.* Yourself as Speaker of the House.
*Secretary of Defense might be fun, too.
Me as Speaker of the House?
Surrounding by 430+ rascals? (excepting Ron Paul)
Geez, why don’t you just nominate me to be warden of a penitentiary? Actually, there would probably be more innocent people in prison than in Congress.
I’ll switch w/Jim. He’d be a lot better dealing with the dapper “leaders” around the world and scarfing those exotic morsels, quaffing real beer! Hell, he’s already tromped through most of Virginia! What better prep is there?
As Speaker, I’d like nothing better than to “share” a few thoughts with that room full of scumbags and scrungebuckets. (no worries re Ron Paul; he’ll be President, right?).
BTW, James, thanks much for that most remarkable video. I’ve taken the liberty of posting same at my place – with proper attribution.
BW