I believe it all comes down to control of the narrative - the whole "land of the free and home of the brave" nonsense, with its implication that "the finest fighting force in history", which is "a force for good" that can do no wrong, is out there preserving our way of life - with Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA" in the background.
These are powerful myths that have socialized generations with beliefs that blind the majority to what all the gleaming weapons and tough-looking men in camo are really about. Consider all the television and print ads from defense contractors that 'thank our heroes', while extolling the brilliance of their weapons.
In 1943, a photo of dead soldiers lying face down in the beach sand of Buna, New Guinea created a hysteria in the States about the costs of war. By modern standards it was tame - no faces and the bodies were not torn up. But it was a shock then to people who had been shielded from the realities of war.
I fear what it will take now to wake people up to the costs of a militarized society.
Hello TomR... If DJT destroys the Economy, which looks likely, the USA will not be able to Afford $1,000,000,000,000+ Yearly... The Chinese has in some ways surpassed the USA in some Domains for a lot less...
The arms industry (for the US that includes the domestic gun industry) here and in many other countries is what drives their economies. It's what makes some people incredibly rich and our societies infinitely poorer in every way. It's a tragedy, it's a screaming outrage, it's a devastating attack on the environment and on life, and it shows us that there are far too many dumb, greedy, power-hungry war-mongers busy among us at their murderous work with no end to their craziness in sight. Incessant war has become the hallmark of the Western world, particularly of the US, which, to its everlasting disgrace, beats without stop on the drums of war.
Excellent article, but the US has in the past come back from a war to say time for peace, as it did after WWI and 1812. That is all well and good, but eventually someone sells some silly crusade.
Without an ethos of neutrality, like Switzerland, we shall go back to the periodic warmongering, even if we learn some lessons from our current foolishness.
I'm a johnny-one-note on neutralism and do not apologize.
United States OF America. “America” is more than just the US. Small distinction, I know, but it has to be made. Other countries in the Americas definitely don’t want to be lumped in with the trash US.
Professor Jeffery Sachs in this Duran video, explains with inside knowledge, how apt your article title is these many years later after Sachs was an Economic Advisor to Russia and the Eastern Block. I always listen to the views of the Professor. I'm only 1/2 hour into the hour + video, but I have to go now. It got my interest so far: https://rumble.com/v6wxd3u-the-price-of-empire-w-jeffrey-sachs-live.html
The tRump administration supports war???? Difficult to believe, when 1) the GOP promised to cut military spending in the last election cycle; and 2) by his own admission, our Dear Leader has stopped six---count 'em, SIX---wars just in the last few months, as he explained to Keir Starmer on Monday. Surely, he's the peaceful-est President ever. /s
News Item: Trump sets August 8 ~ one day before the 80th anniversary of the follow-up to America’s launch of Cold War I on August 6, 1945 in Hiroshima ~ as the “new” [sic] deadline for Putin to end America’s Proxy War with Russia in Ukraine. And has ordered two nuclear submarines to an “appropriate” position regarding Russia [ https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/trump-deploys-2-nuclear-subs-after-medvedevs-foolish-inflammatory-statement ]... :
Again, yet, and still, Bill, the bottom-line, bullet-hits-the bone Question is HOW?
HOW do we “cut war and weapons spending dramatically...and reinvest that money in Main Street USA”?
And You answered Your own question when You stated that we must be “willing to stop empowering the warmongers among us” and “demilitarize” America, politically, economically, diplomatically, socially, and culturally.
Where is that will to “stop empowering the warmongers” and to demilitarize America going to come from?
And even more critically: And then What? How is that Will to be materialized in the Real World? And made successful?
If i had the answers to those Questions, i would be sharing them; and not seeking them.
Sure, Jeff. I think about this a lot. It's easier to say where the answer isn't coming from. It's not coming from Democrats or Republicans. It's not coming from Congress. It's not coming from the richest among us, nor from corporate and financial elites.
Fundamentally, the first step is publicly funded elections. No more lobbyists. No more "legal" bribes. That requires a reversal of the SCOTUS Citizens United Decision. It requires legislation or a Constitutional amendment.
How to force that when war and weapons are bipartisan? Probably only through mass organizations and protest. Or perhaps the creation of a viable third party--but that will be staunchly resisted by Dems and Repubs.
The short answer is we need a lot more profiles in courage to counter the profiles in pusillanimity produced and elevated within a corrupt system.
The system as it exists today seems unreformable and unstoppable, but history teaches us that sometimes a crack can widen to a fault that leads to an earthquake quickly and unpredictably. So the only recourse is to keep fighting, to keep the pressure on, hoping those cracks will indeed lead to something greater.
i know You think about all of this a LOT, Bill. That is exactly Why i subscribe to and financially support BV.
One problem with “mass organization and protest” as a means, method, and mechanism to make Anything happen that is Anti-TRUMP/MAGA/Etc is that ~ one week shy of 200 days of TRUMP 2.0 and all the Bullshit ~ his approval ratings still are in the low-to-mid-40s; only slightly less than the percentage of Popular Votes he received in November.
So in all likelihood, any sustained mass organization and protest against Trump will bring forth a very lively, well-financed [and informed] Anti-Anti-Trump counter-protest. With all sorts of opportunities to stage “false flag” events precipitating militarized Law Enforcement’s response. And steps beyond that to maintain “Law and Order... .”
And i have to ask: What “crack” do You see developed [or developing] in the American system of Government and Governance that portends the possibility of widening “fault” that will lead to that “earthquake”? And what will that earthquake lead to?
If it leads to Chaos, then the Only alternative is Tyranny.
For the first time in my life, Bill, i am no longer even remotely Optimistic about the future of the United States. And it’s not because I am Pessimistic about that future. It’s because i have become Realistic.
Instead of more "Profiles in Courage," Bill, we get "Profiles in Cowardice" as offered by the Eisenhower Media Network, of which You are a Senior Fellow.
For BVers not familiar with the EIN's spotlite on the Cowardice of this Nation's leadership, please go to https://www.profilesincowardice.org/ and cast Your vote.
"We are in a Constitutional Crisis.
"Trump is amassing power in the executive branch, ignoring Congress and the Courts. Meanwhile, leaders who have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution are sitting on their hands, silent in the face of the country’s descent into fascism.
"We’re highlighting our country’s greatest cowards, leaders past and present, who are silent despite the urging of their constituents and countrymen to speak up and do what’s right, all to avoid any accountability or career repercussions.
I'm 2 days late to comment on the article just seeing this Opinion in the New York Times Wednesday: Brennan and Clapper: Let’s Set the Record Straight on Russia and 2016
"The assessment also found that the Russians had developed a “clear preference” for Mr. Trump and aspired to help his election prospects"
Trump was calling for better relations with Russia, which makes COMMON SENSE, and I support that.
Russia got the signal the US was on the Path to WAR with the 2014 Obama-Biden US-CIA orchestrated Regime Change of the Democratically Elected Russian friendly Ukraine government, installing an anti-Russian government, that immediately started shelling the majority Russian speaking UKRAINIANS bordering Russia.
That was brave for Trump to say in Public because wanting better relations with the Soviet Russians got Kennedy killed, a modern day political martyr.
Watching the 2016 US Election closely from CanaDa my assessment informed me Trump was a self-centred, Egotistical Megalomaniac, and a serial LIAR preaching NIHILISM defined as: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless. Nihilism is a condition in which all ultimate values lose their value.—
It's a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths and conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility.
Still watching from CanaDa, I see Trump is acting out TODAY what I thought in 2016.
The Great Jewish Prophet Isaiah saw the Jewish People were already lost some 2600 years ago writing in chapter 59:
"For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness.[...]
The way of peace they don't know; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goes in them shall not know peace.[...]
And JUDGMENT is turned away backward, and JUSTICE stands far off: for TRUTH IS FALLEN in the STREET, and EQUITY cannot enter."
With that outlook recorded so long ago, is it any wonder this generation doesn't know what to believe?
Obviously you can't see it, but I see that 2600 year old Prophecy in plain English, easily applies to Israeli Jewish activities TODAY as the Prophet saw. Isaiah is saying Israeli Jews are so unlike God then and now. It's man in man's image!
Ray: I became a Secular Humanist/ Agnostic when I studied the Bible. sadly there is no Jesus/ God. My God is the God of Einstein, & Spinoza, Saganist!!
Forever wars making the rich richer. I found the following clip really interesting about the many ways the MICIMATT steals from the taxpayer to make the wealthy even more obscenely wealthy:
I believe it all comes down to control of the narrative - the whole "land of the free and home of the brave" nonsense, with its implication that "the finest fighting force in history", which is "a force for good" that can do no wrong, is out there preserving our way of life - with Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA" in the background.
These are powerful myths that have socialized generations with beliefs that blind the majority to what all the gleaming weapons and tough-looking men in camo are really about. Consider all the television and print ads from defense contractors that 'thank our heroes', while extolling the brilliance of their weapons.
In 1943, a photo of dead soldiers lying face down in the beach sand of Buna, New Guinea created a hysteria in the States about the costs of war. By modern standards it was tame - no faces and the bodies were not torn up. But it was a shock then to people who had been shielded from the realities of war.
I fear what it will take now to wake people up to the costs of a militarized society.
Yes--we need to change the narrative and the culture that glorifies wars and warriors.
Hello TomR... If DJT destroys the Economy, which looks likely, the USA will not be able to Afford $1,000,000,000,000+ Yearly... The Chinese has in some ways surpassed the USA in some Domains for a lot less...
The arms industry (for the US that includes the domestic gun industry) here and in many other countries is what drives their economies. It's what makes some people incredibly rich and our societies infinitely poorer in every way. It's a tragedy, it's a screaming outrage, it's a devastating attack on the environment and on life, and it shows us that there are far too many dumb, greedy, power-hungry war-mongers busy among us at their murderous work with no end to their craziness in sight. Incessant war has become the hallmark of the Western world, particularly of the US, which, to its everlasting disgrace, beats without stop on the drums of war.
It’s not kings, presidents, prime ministers,
governors, mayors and politicians
that will make the world a better place
for future generations;
it is ordinary people doing the hard work
and daily heavy lifting,
ordinary people moving things
step by step in the right direction.
It’s not generals, commanders, soldiers
and national guards that will fight
for freedom, peace and democracy;
it is ordinary people taking their battles
to the streets and social media,
ordinary people practising
non-violent civil disobedience
on the front lines.
It’s not bankers, investors, executives
and multinational corporations that will keep
the economy running and put an end
to poverty, hunger and suffering;
it is ordinary people spending, giving,
donating and helping out;
ordinary people investing
their time, energy and money
in worthy causes.
https://dianeengelhardt.substack.com/p/ordinary-people
Trump's MO to make America 1st is to beggar it's neighbour and allies.
Governments and Individuals TODAY, appease Trump more than Hitler was appeased in 1938 and the result will be the same, NO Peace in OUR Time!
Ray - to be slightly vulgar - is that 'beggar' or 'bugger'?
Beggar thy neighbour and bugger? It always depends on any Individual POV.
Excellent article, but the US has in the past come back from a war to say time for peace, as it did after WWI and 1812. That is all well and good, but eventually someone sells some silly crusade.
Without an ethos of neutrality, like Switzerland, we shall go back to the periodic warmongering, even if we learn some lessons from our current foolishness.
I'm a johnny-one-note on neutralism and do not apologize.
United States OF America. “America” is more than just the US. Small distinction, I know, but it has to be made. Other countries in the Americas definitely don’t want to be lumped in with the trash US.
1 minute 57 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBmRtDJrC4M
2 minutes and 7 seconds: https://vimeo.com/935438280
Amen to that
ان شاء الله
Professor Jeffery Sachs in this Duran video, explains with inside knowledge, how apt your article title is these many years later after Sachs was an Economic Advisor to Russia and the Eastern Block. I always listen to the views of the Professor. I'm only 1/2 hour into the hour + video, but I have to go now. It got my interest so far: https://rumble.com/v6wxd3u-the-price-of-empire-w-jeffrey-sachs-live.html
The tRump administration supports war???? Difficult to believe, when 1) the GOP promised to cut military spending in the last election cycle; and 2) by his own admission, our Dear Leader has stopped six---count 'em, SIX---wars just in the last few months, as he explained to Keir Starmer on Monday. Surely, he's the peaceful-est President ever. /s
News Item: Trump sets August 8 ~ one day before the 80th anniversary of the follow-up to America’s launch of Cold War I on August 6, 1945 in Hiroshima ~ as the “new” [sic] deadline for Putin to end America’s Proxy War with Russia in Ukraine. And has ordered two nuclear submarines to an “appropriate” position regarding Russia [ https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/trump-deploys-2-nuclear-subs-after-medvedevs-foolish-inflammatory-statement ]... :
Again, yet, and still, Bill, the bottom-line, bullet-hits-the bone Question is HOW?
HOW do we “cut war and weapons spending dramatically...and reinvest that money in Main Street USA”?
And You answered Your own question when You stated that we must be “willing to stop empowering the warmongers among us” and “demilitarize” America, politically, economically, diplomatically, socially, and culturally.
Where is that will to “stop empowering the warmongers” and to demilitarize America going to come from?
And even more critically: And then What? How is that Will to be materialized in the Real World? And made successful?
If i had the answers to those Questions, i would be sharing them; and not seeking them.
Sure, Jeff. I think about this a lot. It's easier to say where the answer isn't coming from. It's not coming from Democrats or Republicans. It's not coming from Congress. It's not coming from the richest among us, nor from corporate and financial elites.
Fundamentally, the first step is publicly funded elections. No more lobbyists. No more "legal" bribes. That requires a reversal of the SCOTUS Citizens United Decision. It requires legislation or a Constitutional amendment.
How to force that when war and weapons are bipartisan? Probably only through mass organizations and protest. Or perhaps the creation of a viable third party--but that will be staunchly resisted by Dems and Repubs.
The short answer is we need a lot more profiles in courage to counter the profiles in pusillanimity produced and elevated within a corrupt system.
The system as it exists today seems unreformable and unstoppable, but history teaches us that sometimes a crack can widen to a fault that leads to an earthquake quickly and unpredictably. So the only recourse is to keep fighting, to keep the pressure on, hoping those cracks will indeed lead to something greater.
Apathy and surrender are not options.
i know You think about all of this a LOT, Bill. That is exactly Why i subscribe to and financially support BV.
One problem with “mass organization and protest” as a means, method, and mechanism to make Anything happen that is Anti-TRUMP/MAGA/Etc is that ~ one week shy of 200 days of TRUMP 2.0 and all the Bullshit ~ his approval ratings still are in the low-to-mid-40s; only slightly less than the percentage of Popular Votes he received in November.
So in all likelihood, any sustained mass organization and protest against Trump will bring forth a very lively, well-financed [and informed] Anti-Anti-Trump counter-protest. With all sorts of opportunities to stage “false flag” events precipitating militarized Law Enforcement’s response. And steps beyond that to maintain “Law and Order... .”
And i have to ask: What “crack” do You see developed [or developing] in the American system of Government and Governance that portends the possibility of widening “fault” that will lead to that “earthquake”? And what will that earthquake lead to?
If it leads to Chaos, then the Only alternative is Tyranny.
For the first time in my life, Bill, i am no longer even remotely Optimistic about the future of the United States. And it’s not because I am Pessimistic about that future. It’s because i have become Realistic.
Don't make me cry into my oatmeal this AM, Jeff.
Instead of more "Profiles in Courage," Bill, we get "Profiles in Cowardice" as offered by the Eisenhower Media Network, of which You are a Senior Fellow.
For BVers not familiar with the EIN's spotlite on the Cowardice of this Nation's leadership, please go to https://www.profilesincowardice.org/ and cast Your vote.
"We are in a Constitutional Crisis.
"Trump is amassing power in the executive branch, ignoring Congress and the Courts. Meanwhile, leaders who have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution are sitting on their hands, silent in the face of the country’s descent into fascism.
"We’re highlighting our country’s greatest cowards, leaders past and present, who are silent despite the urging of their constituents and countrymen to speak up and do what’s right, all to avoid any accountability or career repercussions.
"MEET THE COWARDS... "
I'm 2 days late to comment on the article just seeing this Opinion in the New York Times Wednesday: Brennan and Clapper: Let’s Set the Record Straight on Russia and 2016
"The assessment also found that the Russians had developed a “clear preference” for Mr. Trump and aspired to help his election prospects"
Trump was calling for better relations with Russia, which makes COMMON SENSE, and I support that.
Russia got the signal the US was on the Path to WAR with the 2014 Obama-Biden US-CIA orchestrated Regime Change of the Democratically Elected Russian friendly Ukraine government, installing an anti-Russian government, that immediately started shelling the majority Russian speaking UKRAINIANS bordering Russia.
That was brave for Trump to say in Public because wanting better relations with the Soviet Russians got Kennedy killed, a modern day political martyr.
(free link to read the article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/opinion/trump-obama-treason-russia-miller.html?unlocked_article_code=1.a08.6Cev.oX44zlFTzeEE&smid=url-share
Watching the 2016 US Election closely from CanaDa my assessment informed me Trump was a self-centred, Egotistical Megalomaniac, and a serial LIAR preaching NIHILISM defined as: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless. Nihilism is a condition in which all ultimate values lose their value.—
It's a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths and conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility.
Still watching from CanaDa, I see Trump is acting out TODAY what I thought in 2016.
The Great Jewish Prophet Isaiah saw the Jewish People were already lost some 2600 years ago writing in chapter 59:
"For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness.[...]
The way of peace they don't know; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goes in them shall not know peace.[...]
And JUDGMENT is turned away backward, and JUSTICE stands far off: for TRUTH IS FALLEN in the STREET, and EQUITY cannot enter."
With that outlook recorded so long ago, is it any wonder this generation doesn't know what to believe?
Man created God in his own image....
Obviously you can't see it, but I see that 2600 year old Prophecy in plain English, easily applies to Israeli Jewish activities TODAY as the Prophet saw. Isaiah is saying Israeli Jews are so unlike God then and now. It's man in man's image!
Ray: I became a Secular Humanist/ Agnostic when I studied the Bible. sadly there is no Jesus/ God. My God is the God of Einstein, & Spinoza, Saganist!!
Fireman, there are so many contradictions in your comment I don't know where to begin!
I'll make it simple then I am a-- "Secular Humanist"
Forever wars making the rich richer. I found the following clip really interesting about the many ways the MICIMATT steals from the taxpayer to make the wealthy even more obscenely wealthy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNX4QA4mNmE
Sharing to Facebook now. Thanks for another excellent post!
This article's title is 'perfectly put', Bill.🤭