See other War, War, War Articles
Title: An Open Letter to the Troops: You’re Not Defending Our Freedoms
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://www.lewrockwell.com/hornberger/hornberger187.html
Published: Jun 1, 2011
Author: Jacob Hornberger
Post Date: 2011-06-01 06:13:49 by Ada
Keywords: None
Views: 284
Comments: 21
Dear Troops: Yesterday – Memorial Day – some people asserted, once again, that you are “defending our freedoms” overseas. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those people are just repeating tired old mantras. The reality is that you are not defending our freedoms with your actions overseas. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Your actions overseas are placing our freedoms here at home in ever-greater jeopardy. Consider your occupation of Iraq, a country that, as you know, never attacked the United States, making it the defender in the war and the United States the aggressor. Think about that: Every single person that the troops have killed, maimed, or tortured in Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Yet, the countless victims of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq have friends and relatives, many of whom have become filled with anger and rage and who now would stop at nothing to retaliate with terrorist attacks against Americans. Pray tell: How does that constitute defending our freedoms? It was no different prior to 9/11. At the end of the Persian Gulf War, the troops intentionally destroyed Iraq’s water and sewage facilities after a Pentagon study showed that this would help spread infectious illnesses among the Iraqi people. It worked. For 11 years after that, the troops enforced the cruel and brutal sanctions on Iraq that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children. (See “America’s Peacetime Crimes against Iraq” by Anthony Gregory.) You’ll recall U.S. Ambassador to the UN Madeleine Albright’s infamous statement that the deaths of half-a-million Iraqi children from the sanctions were “worth it.” By “it” she meant the attempted ouster of Saddam Hussein from power. You will recall that he was a dictator who was the U.S. government’s ally and partner during the 1980s, when the United States was furnishing him with those infamous WMDs that U.S. officials later used to excite the American people into supporting your invasion of Iraq. The truth is that 9/11 furnished U.S. officials with the excuse to do what their sanctions (and the deaths of all those Iraqi children) had failed to accomplish: ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein and replacing him with a U.S-approved regime. That’s what your post-9/11 invasion of Iraq was all about – to achieve the regime change that the pre-9/11 deadly sanctions that killed all those children had failed to achieve. No, not mushroom clouds, not freedom, not democracy, and certainly not defending our freedoms here at home. Just plain old regime change. In the process, all that you – the troops – have done with your invasion and occupation of Iraq is produce even more enmity toward the United States by people in the Middle East, especially those Iraqis who have lost loved ones or friends in the process or simply watched their country be destroyed. In principle, it’s no different with Afghanistan. I’d estimate that 99 percent of the people the troops have killed, maimed, or tortured in that country had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. Why did you invade Afghanistan or, more precisely, why did President Bush order you to do so? No, not because the Taliban participated in the 9/11 attacks and, no, not because the Taliban were even aware that the attacks were going to take place President Bush ordered the troops to invade Afghanistan – and, of course, kill Afghan citizens in the process – because the Afghan government – the Taliban – refused to comply with his unconditional extradition demand. You will recall that the Taliban offered to turn bin Laden over to an independent tribunal to stand trial upon the receipt of evidence from the United States indicating his complicity in the 9/11 attacks. Bush responded to the Taliban’s offer by issuing his order to the troops to invade Afghanistan, kill Afghans, and occupy the country. In the process, U.S. officials installed one of the most crooked, corrupt, and dictatorial rulers it could find to govern the country, one who is so incompetent he cannot even hide the manifest fraud by which he has supposedly been elected to office. In the process of installing and defending the Karzai regime, the troops have killed brides, grooms, children, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and countrymen, most of whom never attacked the United States on 9/11 or at any other time. They simply became “collateral damage” or “bad guys” for having the audacity to oppose the invasion and occupation of their country by a foreign regime. (It should be noted for the record that U.S. officials considered these types of “bad guys,” as well as Osama bin Laden and other fundamentalist Muslims, to be “good guys” when they were trying to oust Soviet troops from Afghanistan.) Was there another way to bring bin Laden to justice? Yes, the criminal-justice route, which was the route used after the 1993 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. That’s right. Same target, different date. In fact, the accused terrorists – Ramzi Yousef in 1993 and Osama bin Laden in 2001 – were ultimately located in the same country, Pakistan. In Yousef’s case, he was arrested some three years after the attack, brought back to the United States, prosecuted, and convicted in federal district court. He’s now serving a life sentence in a federal penitentiary. No invasions, no bombings, no occupations, no killing of countless innocent people, no torture, no war on terrorism, and no anger and rage that such actions inevitably would have produced among the victims, their families, and friends. In bin Laden’s case, we instead got a military invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, where the troops have killed, maimed, tortured, and hurt countless people who had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. How in the world have your invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq defended our freedoms here at home? Indeed, how have the assassinations and bombings in Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, and who knows where else defended our freedoms? All these things have accomplished is keeping foreigners angry at us, thereby subjecting us to the constant and ever-growing threat of terrorist retaliation here at home. As I have pointed out before, the U.S. military – that is, you, the troops – have become the biggest terrorist-producing machine in history. Every time you kill some Iraqi or Afghan citizen, even when accidental, ten more offer to take his place out of anger and rage. That’s the same thing that was happening prior to 9/11. In fact, there were some, including those of us here at The Future of Freedom Foundation, who were warning prior to 9/11 that unless the U.S. Empire stopped what it was doing to people in the Middle East (including the deadly sanctions on Iraq, the support of Middle East dictators, the stationing of U.S. troops near Islamic holy lands, and the unconditional money and armaments to the Israeli regime), Americans would be increasingly subject to terrorist attacks. On 9/11, we were proven right, unfortunately. (See Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire by Chalmers Johnson.) How does the constant threat of terrorist retaliation arising from your actions in Iraq and Afghanistan make us freer here at home, especially when you – the troops – are responsible for engendering the anger and rage that culminates in such threats, owing to what you are doing to people over there? Consider also what the U.S. government does to our freedoms here at home as a direct consequence of the terrorist threat that you, the troops, are producing over there. It uses that threat of terrorism to infringe upon our freedoms here at home! You know what I mean – the fondling at the airports, the 10-year-old Patriot Act, the illegal spying on Americans, the indefinite detention, the torture, the kangaroo tribunals, Gitmo, and the entire war on terrorism – all necessary, they tell us, to keep us safe from the terrorists – that is, the people you all are producing with your actions over there. In other words, if you all weren’t producing an endless stream of terrorists with your invasions, occupations, torture, assassinations, bombings, and Gitmo, the U.S. government – the entity you are working for – would no longer have that excuse for taking away our freedoms. This past Sunday, the Washington Post carried an article about American wives who were recently greeting their husbands on their return from Afghanistan. Newlywed Anne Krolicki, 24, commented to her husband on the death of one of her friends’ husband: “It’s a pointless war,” she said. That lady has her head on straight. She’s has a grip on reality, doesn’t deal in tired old mantras, and speaks the truth. Every U.S. soldier who dies in Iraq and Afghanistan dies for nothing, which was the same thing that some 58,000 men of my generation died for in Vietnam. Please don’t write me to tell me that you all are good people or that you’re “patriots” for simply following whatever orders you are given. All that is irrelevant. What matters is what you are doing over there. And what you are doing is not defending our freedoms, you are jeopardizing them Sincerely, Jacob G. Hornberger President The Future of Freedom Foundation Reprinted from The Future of Freedom Foundation.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Ada (#0)
Dear Jacob, Everything in your letter to the troops is true but spoken primarily to the ignorant youth that have opted to join the military, some out of economic necessity others out of economic dependence, and yet others out of a desire to hurt and kill people. However, my quick letter to you is to remind you and anyone reading this letter that you and they are the pay masters. Jacob, you and the rest of the U.S. Taxpayers fund this murder and mayhem and know better. You know this war is about increasing the wealth of the already mega rich. The blood is on your hands, Mr. Hornberger, and yours too Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer. All of the excuses in the world aren't worth the death of one innocent child. Quit making excuses. Stand up for righteousness and if you can't fire the murderers in D.C. at least resist paying them in any way that you can.
You have to understand that all slavery and freedom originates in the mind. When your mind allows you to accept and understand that the United States, Great Britain and the Vatican are corporations which are nothing but fictional entities which have been placed into your mind, you will understand that our slavery is because we believe in fictions. Stephen Ames
deleted
The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one. "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." - Ben Franklin
Regarding your "James Blunt"song, it's interesting that high voice and all he was a SAS soldier for his Military time. I suspect he formed some of his philosophy while in the Service.
Brilliant. Send this one to everyone that you know.
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is still missing its idiot.
Maybe the tyranny would continue but it would do so without the support of those who are truly against it. These wars demand popular support to continue. Besides the wars there are a plethora of other reasons to quit funding U.S. INC. Other than fear of persecution there are no good reason to fund them. Fuck the debt - it's an illusion dreamed up by IMF Globalists in collusion with others of their ilk in high financial circles. There are a million ways to resist tyranny.
You have to understand that all slavery and freedom originates in the mind. When your mind allows you to accept and understand that the United States, Great Britain and the Vatican are corporations which are nothing but fictional entities which have been placed into your mind, you will understand that our slavery is because we believe in fictions. Stephen Ames
Participation in war has different effects upon different people. Those that become accustomed to it are sick or deranged.
You have to understand that all slavery and freedom originates in the mind. When your mind allows you to accept and understand that the United States, Great Britain and the Vatican are corporations which are nothing but fictional entities which have been placed into your mind, you will understand that our slavery is because we believe in fictions. Stephen Ames
I suspect a lot of folks who worship at the feet of big government and especially the military won't like that but it's 100% factual. Good article.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein
Fuck the debt - it's an illusion dreamed up by IMF Globalists in collusion with others of their ilk in high financial circles. There are a million ways to resist tyranny. Indeed. As I have told people for many years now, what would they do if even 10% of the people just told them to ef off and refuse to file any more tax forms, etc.? They sure can't prosecute all of them and house them all.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein
i feel guilt every time you post this, but in my defense and as you know, we tried this resistance and had to wave the white flag or wind up like the NH Browns.
good essay except that Jason's stated reasons for our presence in Afghanistan is not accurate. plain and simple, the US gov wants their stuff and, OBL didn't do 911.
War is a racket. The wise steer clear of the whole clusterf*ck.
There's more than a few here who would be immediately Browned should we, at this stage of the game, suddenly decide to opt out. We can nickel and dime'em and try to game the system as best we can.
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is still missing its idiot.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Those people are just repeating tired old mantras. The reality is that you are not defending our freedoms with your actions overseas. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Your actions overseas are placing our freedoms here at home in ever-greater jeopardy. Bravo!
"Now more than ever, we need access to the crucial authorities in the Patriot Act" - Attorney General Eric Holder
NATO and its partners have decided to extend their military mission in Libya for another 90 days. NATO chief added that the decision "also sends a clear message to the people of Libya: NATO, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you. We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer."
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is still missing its idiot.
I hope Gaddafi suppresses the civil war in his country, and as an added bonus, blows every NATO plane that wanders into his airspace out of the sky.
"Now more than ever, we need access to the crucial authorities in the Patriot Act" - Attorney General Eric Holder
It should also send a clear message to the American people. "The president can order an attack on any country at any time for any reason, and there is nothing that your or your representatives can/will do about it". It's getting harder to get through to the folks over on the nest. For all their vaunted opposition to the war(s), it is still not enough of an issue for them to hold as a litmus test regarding their willingness to vote for Obama a second time.
Democrats don't mind war as long as they can have big government. Republicans don't mind big government as long as they can have war. deleted
The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one. "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." - Ben Franklin
I know how it makes people feel that have a conscience and I regret it too. I know a lot of people that don't give any of it a second thought. I know some people that are too stupid or to busy or too something or other to even start to get it. I also know that you've done much to further the education of the masses and have supported others doing the same. Everyone's investment in liberty, freedom, and peace may be different. All I know is that if we really want to stop this perpetual war machine before it (openly and blatantly) attacks us we all have to do something. The FED keeps moving and seems uninhibited by our efforts thusfar. It's one thing to keep investing in something wherein we've witnessed a positive outcome, but to keep voting for federal thieves and perverts after 100 plus years of negative outcomes is insanity. The Tax thing is much like Eric mentioned above. They can print money and don't need taxes except for control. As far as the guilt thing goes, we all should feel guilty. We've allowed the media and other forms of propaganda to determine for us at least to a certain degree what's right and wrong or what's acceptable. I think that's shameful. Every individual has to answer to his or her own conscience. In a free country as we're alleged to live in it shouldn't be difficult, but it has become a full time occupation. It doesn't have to be this way but the only ones that can change it are us.
You have to understand that all slavery and freedom originates in the mind. When your mind allows you to accept and understand that the United States, Great Britain and the Vatican are corporations which are nothing but fictional entities which have been placed into your mind, you will understand that our slavery is because we believe in fictions. Stephen Ames
They are, or in some cases, have become, partisan Democrats. Partisans of either flavor are "walk arounds" for me. There can't be viable political debate with people who rationalize voting for war by saying "the other guy would have been worse." When neither is acceptable, or Constitutional, vote for a 3rd party, or stay home. Anything else simply lends support for endless war.
"Now more than ever, we need access to the crucial authorities in the Patriot Act" - Attorney General Eric Holder
Exactly ... you'd be amazed at how nice it is to have disappeared and not get any unexpected mail from anyone ... no junk mail ... non-existence is a pleasure. James, I have never seen a time in my life when a tax revolt was more deserved. The absolute arrogance of Uncle Sambo to tell the "little" guys that they have to bail out the "TOO BIG TO FAIL GUYS" makes me want to tell em to fuck off again !
You have to understand that all slavery and freedom originates in the mind. When your mind allows you to accept and understand that the United States, Great Britain and the Vatican are corporations which are nothing but fictional entities which have been placed into your mind, you will understand that our slavery is because we believe in fictions. Stephen Ames
Yeah, I know. And when the "little people" have to bail out "the big people" something is amiss.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein
#2. To: noone222 (#1)
#3. To: noone222 (#1)
#4. To: Ada (#0)
#5. To: Eric Stratton (#2)
Actually, we're way beyond the capability of the taxpayers to fund these wars, you know that. Ergo, even if the Tyranny collected no taxes, it would still be going on. The only difference; the debt would increase more, that's all. Same as the debt wouldn't be so big if taxes were higher.
#6. To: ndcorup (#3)
I suspect he formed some of his philosophy while in the Service.
#7. To: Ada (#0)
Every U.S. soldier who dies in Iraq and Afghanistan dies for nothing, which was the same thing that some 58,000 men of my generation died for in Vietnam.
OsamaBinGoldstein
#8. To: noone222 (#5)
Besides the wars there are a plethora of other reasons to quit funding U.S. INC. Other than fear of persecution there are no good reason to fund them.
OsamaBinGoldstein
#9. To: noone222 (#1)
#10. To: Ada (#0)
#11. To: Ada (#0)
#12. To: christine, noone222, 4 (#9)
#13. To: Ada (#0)
Yesterday – Memorial Day – some people asserted, once again, that you are “defending our freedoms” overseas.
#14. To: Jethro Tull, 4 (#13)
from ino.com - we're going to keep on killing Libyans for three more months -
#15. To: Lod (#14)
NATO and its partners have decided to extend their military mission in Libya for another 90 days. NATO chief added that the decision "also sends a clear message to the people of Libya: NATO, our partners, the whole international community, stand with you. We stand united to make sure that you can shape your own future. And that day is getting closer."
#16. To: Lod, Jethro Tull (#14)
Your vote is steering the country
If you believe in small government, then you shouldn't be in the White House.
#17. To: noone222 (#5)
(Edited)
#18. To: christine (#9)
#19. To: PnbC, 4, *Obama Blood Dancers* (#16)
(Edited)
It's getting harder to get through to the folks over on the nest. For all their vaunted opposition to the war(s), it is still not enough of an issue for them to hold as a litmus test regarding their willingness to vote for Obama a second time.
#20. To: James Deffenbach (#8)
Indeed. As I have told people for many years now, what would they do if even 10% of the people just told them to ef off and refuse to file any more
#21. To: noone222 (#20)
Exactly ... you'd be amazed at how nice it is to have disappeared and not get any unexpected mail from anyone ... no junk mail ... non-existence is a pleasure.
OsamaBinGoldstein
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest