Tag Archives: patriotism
Fourth of July Musings: The Curse of Exceptionalism and the Perils of Patriotism
“…empire-building has always been the path of this vocally republican nation. Like racism and slavery, empire evolved rather than ended.”
Chris Hedges | Democracy in America Is a Useful Fiction
The fiction of democracy remains useful, not only for corporations, but for our bankrupt liberal class. If the fiction is seriously challenged, liberals will be forced to consider actual resistance, which will be neither pleasant nor easy.
GUNS AND HOTDOGS | How the U.S. Military Promotes Its Weapons Arsenal to the Public
In addition to standard TV advertising and flyovers at the Super Bowl, the U.S. military spends tens of millions of dollars each year on live events that function half as recruitment pitches and half as visceral plugs for its spectacular high-tech weaponry.
Wm. Astore | A Force Unto Itself: A Military Leviathan Has Emerged as America’s 51st and Most Powerful State
This rise of privatized militaries and mercenaries naturally contributes to actions that are inherently un-democratic and divorced from the will and wishes of the people. It is also inherently a less accountable form of war, since no one even bothers to count the for-profit dead, nor do their bodies come home in flag-draped coffins for solemn burial in military cemeteries; and Americans don’t approach such mercenaries to thank them for their service. All of which allows for the further development of a significantly under-the-radar form of war making.
Chris Hedges: The Real Enemy Is Within
Du Bois also knew that the costs of maintaining empire were offset by the profits. “What do nations care about the cost of war, if by spending a few hundred millions in steel and gunpowder they can gain a thousand millions in diamonds and cocoa?” he asks.
Tomgram: Nan Levinson, America’s New Military Mystique
Levinson: Fear can be a useful political tool because people who believe they’re surrounded by enemies are primed to accept almost anything. When you feel you’re losing control, the response is often to try to get more control, which is part of the appeal of the BDSP crew, with their exaltation of swarms of people in uniforms equipped with tanks and guns.
“Honor the Dead, Heal the Wounded, Stop the Wars”> Come Home America & Democracy Now!
Democracy Now! Special on Memorial Day and thoughts on Memorial Day by Thomas Knapp of Come Home America Another Memorial Day in This Endless War By Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan In a remarkable but little-noticed oversight hearing last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee looked at “The Law of Armed Conflict, the Use of […]
Two by Robert Reich> True Patriotism and Memorial Day Thoughts
True Patriotism MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012 robertreich.org True patriotism isn’t cheap. It’s about taking on a fair share of the burdens of keeping America going. Those who earn tens of millions of dollars a year but pay less than 14 percent of their incomes in taxes, and argue the rich should pay even […]
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