A society so militarized

[TBF]

that it must control the message of it's war-mongering and how people react to it. I have been mulling this over as I look at my Facebook Feed this weekend and read the posts from various parties about how we must recognize our "memorial" day weekend. Some folks are telling me our dead must be honored - and only our dead (italicized no less - they are very particular about how to celebrate the holiday). Some are saying it is a time to remember all of our military. Some are more concerned that everyone enjoy the 3-day weekend (especially if they have something to sell you at 20% off and free shipping). What a giant clusterf*ck. So, I did some searching to find out where these memes are coming from. I haven't been very successful in that regard, but I did find an oped piece that I can at least relate to -

Posted: May 26, 2014

Please Stop Sharing This Memorial Day Shaming Meme:



Facebook users are all probably familiar with this popular meme, which reads “Memorial Day, in case you thought it was National BBQ Day,” (Or some variation thereof.)

This Memorial Day meme has been popping up across social media and spreading like wildfire this year, and it is (I suspect) part of a larger sanctimonious trend on sharing sites. Before, it wasn’t really considered polite to be so rudely critical of a person’s individual regard of Memorial Day, or how they celebrate it.

That’s one of the many reasons I’d like to see this “in case you thought it was National BBQ Day” image disappear off Facebook, and there are a few more ...

< snip >

... However, there’s a thing with using tragedy to impress a point. A cheap shot at Memorial Day celebrations serves no one because it doesn’t do any work to actually help or honor veterans or fallen soldiers.

It’s slacktivism at its worst, because it seeks to provoke guilt while actually doing nothing. If you feel so strongly about Memorial Day not being National Barbecue Day, then ask a veteran about their service.

Thank a veteran for their service. Thank every veteran you spot, friend or not yet acquainted, for their sacrifices and work. (Our government sure as hell isn’t doing anything close to it.)

<snip>

Fight for veteran’s benefits. Do all in your power to make sure the elected officials who represent you do a good job of serving the men and women in uniform who serve the entire nation ...


Read entire article here: http://www.inquisitr.com/1268086/memorial-day-in-case-you-thought/#9BqTIoBmxS8Wuc4I.99

[merrily]

1. I got brainwashed into thanking veterans for their service. I stopped a few years ago.

[Stryst]

2. Thank you

I hate being thanked for something that I'm not sure was the right thing to do.

[TBF]

3. I can imagine the mixed feelings. nt

[merrily]

4. I worry about glorifying war.

I also worry that, if I thank someone I pass on the street, how will that affect some kid who may hear me? Will he or she grow up thinking fighting wars is a good and desirable thing?

The Fourth of July concert in Boston used to be a fun thing. It got to be more and more an homage to the military and less and less about everyone loving their country. And, after the Marathon bombings, the Fourth of July concert looks as though Boston is an occupied zone. We are going too far, I think.

[Stryst]

5. I will fully admit

That military service did good things for me. I learned a lot of life skills, got an education, and dropped a lot of my "dirty slacker" habits.

I'm also deaf in one ear and had regular nightmares for years. So, you know, a wash.

All things considered though, I'll sell a kidney to put my nephew through college before I let him join the military to pay for school.