I find it overwhelming. I live in the Midwest, where military veterans and war worshippers are a dime a dozen. My conscience dictates that I cannot engage in the collective celebration of militarism, so I try not to leave the house if possible. But, of course, my email gets spammed with “patriotic” messages and my facebook lights up with messages telling everybody to thank a veteran.
Still, as much as you try to turn away, days like today show us how far we have to go. Honestly, I know many on this board are not Christians, but have you ever noted that so many “Christians” are more excited about the “true” message of Veterans Day than they are about the meaning behind December 25? It amazes me.
The emotions are almost out of control. If ever there were a purely statist holidy, this is it, and if ever a libertarian is to get physically assaulted for his views, I’m guessing it would happen either today or on Memorial Day.
I’m curious to see if any of you have had any uncomfortable moments about this day and/or how you deal with it.
Of course, I still pay my respects to the people in the military who had to die on both sides, as well as the civilians. It was terrible and tragic. Both my grandfathers and my great uncles were forced to fight on behalf of the Germans.
I think we should take this day to remind ourselves how terrible war and intervention really are. If anything, this should be a reminder on how we ought to conduct our foreign policy.
Maybe I should post a message on Facebook thanking my grandfathers for their brave attempts to secure living space for the Third Reich? I wonder how well that would go over…
I just made my facebook status a comment about Veteran’s Day meaning more to people than Easter. I think that’s a bad thing. I’ve got some friends that were/are in the military. They ain’t keeping me free. Simply being in the military does not a hero make.
The biggest issue with it is although it is ostensibly to commemorate the 1st World War, well over the pond in the UK it is anyway, somehow it gets morphed, in the public consciouness, with the 2nd since it is all about “The War”. And as everybody knows if Britain and America had not got involved then Hitler wouldn’t have stopped at the world, he 'd be half way to Jupiter now.
As well as delegitimising democracy, as Hoppe had admirably done, the 2nd World War needs to be completely demystified. Just a quick note who ended up with the greatest increase in land post 1945- Good Ol Uncle Joe.
Everything that is horrible about bureaucrats and government employees is ten times as worse with the military. The welfare/regulation/corporate state is just a parasite on the productive sector of the economy. The military is the same way, except even worse since it’s responsible for killing and destruction.
Why don’t conservatives see the military as a government program too?
Fortunately I only had to wade through Facebook statuses about thanking the vets for their sacrifices and so on. But my Facebook status read: “Veteran’s Day: Remembering how many millions of people needlessly died at the hands of the state.”
I know exactly how you feel. I was in the Marine Corps from 2001-2006 and after 2 tours in Iraq I was fed up with the lives being wasted. But every year I go through this day where family and friends thank me for my “service”. I give a half nod of my head and move on. They probably think I am just being humble. If they only knew what I really wanted to say. I don’t engage family on topics concerning the military. I have said all I can say about it and they can either take it or leave it. I have had my own mother role her eyes at me and let out a large sigh of frustration after revealing to her my anti-war/military stance. If I can’t even have a rational conversation with my own mother without her getting up in a tizzy then I won’t even attempt to engage the mindlessness of the others who worship at the alter of the warfare/welfare state.
I find the people who are the most pro-war, flag waving in your face with chants of “USA USA USA” are those who have never even been in the military, much less been in a war zone.
I think it’s an important day so that people remember at least something about WWI (people generally know nothing about history). Consider America’s involvement:
Wilson ran his re-election campaign on the slogan “He kept us out of the war”. A month after re-election, he entered the war.
In order to supply enough soldiers for his agenda, he forced a great part of the population into servitude and sent them to Europe, many of whom died there in violence/disease.
In order to finance his agenda he resorted to taxes, debt and printing, harming the free dealing between his subjects.
As a result of the war, Wilson established the League of Nations which would not only evolve into the ridiculously corrupt and statist United Nations but would also provide the basic ideology of Neoconservatism.
Perhaps Veterans’ Day may spark an interest in people to learn about WWI and its grave crimes against liberty. Remember that the veterans, to whom the day is dedicated, were largely victims of this ideology of statism and aggression.
You said it all right there brother. I salute you for having the courage to examine your ideas and adopt a set of values that may indeed make the world a better safer place. Like it or not you might just be a hero.
It seems a red poppy would represent an antiwar seniment rather well but does it actually represent a more prowar stance the way the american yellow ribbon does?
That isn’t photoshopped is it? I love certain parts of the various cultures of the Isles. Especially how they can be so direct at “sticking it to the man” .
No, it is not photoshoped. But it was spun as ‘these are only the actions of a few extremists who do not represent anyone’. Though it seems to me it would take at least several extremists to unfurl a 50 foot banner.
In American movies if there is a British person he will be reserved and sophisticated. But in my experience they are friendly and natural. Maybe it’s a class thing.
Thats quite a shame. But its only english people devout loyalists that would probably be offended.
I think they are mostly friendly as you put it…although Londeners can be really really rude. But all big cities have people like that. After living, I can say that with regards to the poppies its less nationalism, and it really does feel like a state of mourning for all those who died…and for what? Thats the image my school gave anyway.