I'm sure all you DU history buffs know this, but...

[tmooses]

while writing a letter to the editor drawing an analogy between Bush's privatization of social security, the "free lunch" remark by his adviser and the Hoover administration, I ran across some information on General Smedley Butler. He was an active supporter of the Bonus Marchers during the "Hooverville" period. Some of his remarks seem to ring particularly true today and I think can remind us that members of the military do have different opinions. Here is part of a speech he made in 1933;

"War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
<snip>
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.

There isn't a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its "finger men" to point out enemies, its "muscle men" to destroy enemies, its "brain men" to plan war preparations, and a "Big Boss" Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.
<snip>
It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle- man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.

I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of
higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.

<snip>


Her is the link: http://www.beachonline.com/hoover.htm

[whalerider55]

1. read on, my inquiring friend

Butler is in my opinion ('umble though it may be) a giant among our military leaders, a man i rank with Eisenhower and possibly even CLark as among the few really understanding how the system works and what we need to do about it.

real heroes.

thanks for reminding me about Butler

whalerider55

[NMDemDist2]

2. mark twain did a great article on the same subject when we were in the

Phillipines waging imperilistic war there

check this out, still true 100 years later

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic", Updated (1901)
Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored;
His lust is marching on.

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps --
His night is marching on.

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!"

We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;*
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on!

In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom -- and for others' goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich --
Our god is marching on.

[For PaisAn]

3. never saw that before

It certainly does ring true, as if it were written today. Members of the military, once they face the ugly honest truth, do see war for what it is. Bush and Co., chickenhawks in general, will likely never see the truth. Or if they do, they just don't care.

[stevedeshazer]

4. Excellent reminder

General Butler's remarks are highly relevant today.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Nominating and Bookmarking

and kicketykick :kick::kick:

[slaveplanet]

6. Key figure in thwarting the first fascist coup attempt on the USA

True American hero ....I'm afraid this time round , no one has stepped to the plate....

http://wfmu.org/listen.ram?show=10938