General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)At what point does obsessive disdain for the military become pathological? [View all]
It has become downright comical to read the fevered references the name "Smedley Butler" by some at DU.
I wonder how many of them know a thing about Gen. Butler? Like the fact that his views on war were forged by combat in the Philippines, China (Boxer rebellion), the Banana Wars (to protect American grower's interests) in Central America and the Caribbean, and Honduras. Or that he was awarded his 1st Medal of Honor for action in Mexico and his 2nd in Haiti? Basically ALL of his combat experience was seen as a result of engagements he was sent to fight in order to preserve American business interests. Gee, I wonder why he said "War is a racket". Perhaps it was because all of his wars were precisely that.
But Smedley Darlington Butler died in 1940. Do any of the people who so love to fling his name around doubt that he would have been proud to serve in either Europe or the Pacific during WWII? Or Korea?
And does anyone doubt that while Smedley Butler might have questioned the rational for some of the conflicts in which this nation has become embroiled; he would not have hesitated to smack the shit out of anyone who denigrated the men and women who went to fight in those conflicts? Hell, he would have feasted on any one of the numerous smug, uber-hip individuals who invoke his name today.