4um: Stop thanking the troops for me: No, they don’t “protect our freedoms!”

The millions of Americans who regularly watch nationally televised NBA games are, by now, familiar with the “NBA Cares” commercials that run quite frequently during the season. The series of promos is meant to illustrate the league’s commitment to serving the community in a variety of ways. One particularly touching example involves a collaboration between the NBA, the V Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; in the spot, several prominent players are shown visiting children stricken with cancer, many of whom look genuinely thrilled to be meeting their heroes. The league deserves credit for encouraging its players to put their fame to good use by bringing some badly needed joy to these children’s lives.

Not all of the “NBA Cares” promos are about serving the least fortunate members of our society, though. The league is determined to show its commitment to both ends of the spectrum of power. In one spot, NBA stars can be seen, not playing board games with children devastated by cancer, but, instead, touting the greatness and indispensability of the most powerful institution in the world, the United States military.

We discover that Brooklyn Nets star Paul Pierce is incredibly grateful, at a deeply personal level, that the men and women of the U.S. military are willing to “protect” him and his country (“I’m so thankful that they are able to do that for me, to make this a safer place for me to live”). Roy Hibbert, starting center for the Indiana Pacers, sees Pierce’s gratitude and raises him in a big way, making the latter’s sentiments seem woefully weak by comparison:

This is just an extraordinary sentence. It contains three distinct, factual claims. While the first two are highly debatable, let us suspend consideration of them in order to focus on the third, which is actually an outright falsehood. Not only does Hibbert confidently assert that “we wouldn’t have freedom” were it not for the beneficence of the U.S. military, but that this is “obviously” so.

Freedom has become one of those politically charged terms that means whatever people need it to mean. There is no coherent conception of freedom, though, in which it only exists at the pleasure of the U.S. military. It’s simply a non sequitur. The “freedoms” most Americans think of when they hear the term are enshrined in constitutional and statutory law. They are in no way dependent on the size, scope or even the existence of the U.S. military. If John Lennon’s ghost assumed dictatorial control of the U.S. government tomorrow and, as his first order of business, disbanded the entire military, Americans’ “freedoms” would not suddenly vanish.

Other than military promotion, there is no other conceivable context in which an athlete, officially representing a major professional sports league, would go on television and say something that is so bizarre, explicitly political and manifestly untrue. Whether Roy Hibbert was simply reading something that was handed to him, or expressing his own sentiments, is immaterial. What is problematic, in any case, is that this peculiar, nonexistent connection between “freedom” and the military continues to be perpetuated as an uncontroversial truism, and is met with virtually no resistance, at least within the confines of the mainstream.

The corollary to the claim that our freedom exists only at the pleasure of the military, of course, is that the same military can revoke said freedom if it so desires. Indeed, as Hibbert so bluntly put it, “obviously we wouldn’t have freedom without them.” This widely held belief, that our freedom is bestowed on us by soldiers, has obvious implications for how the public views the military. One such implication of the ubiquity of this myth is that people will feel they owe boundless gratitude to the military as an institution and all the men and women who serve in it.

Often, the spectacle of public gratitude to the troops reaches comically absurd proportions. During the 2013 World Series, Bank of America, that beacon of patriotism and benevolence, sponsored an initiative called “Express Your Thanks.” For each photo, message or video submitted that expressed thanks to the military, the bank donated $1 to nonprofits that support service members, veterans and their families. On the program’s website, several such expressions are highlighted, including, most prominently, a message from Melissa, who, on behalf of her family, offers thanks to the troops for “safeguarding our freedom.”

“Express Your Thanks” received considerable on-air attention during the World Series itself. Before Game 1 at Fenway Park, Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He was joined on the mound by three veterans, all of whom are Medal of Honor recipients. In an interview with MLB.com after the game, Yastrzemski contrasted the universal gratitude felt toward the military today with an earlier, less seemly time, when our heroes were subjected to an annoying diversity of opinion:

“In ’67, you had a very anti-war thing,” Yastrzemski told MLB.com after bringing the Fenway crowd to a roar. “Not right now where they’re supporting our troops and things of that nature. So it’s very different times.”

The undercurrent of all this is that “support” and “gratitude” for the military and those who serve in it is intrinsically apolitical. It’s just something that all decent Americans understand and respect. This approach serves a very important purpose, which is to further blur the lines between patriotism and support for the military. Americans of conscience who do not “support” the troops, particularly those who volunteer to fight in wars of aggression, are not allowed a seat at the table in this paradigm. Their existence is not even acknowledged, in fact. These are “very different times,” in the words of Yastrzemski, and our society has progressed to the point where such shrill voices are no longer relevant.

Supporting the military, though, and expressing gratitude for what the military is actually doing around the world, are nothing if not explicitly political sentiments. To suggest otherwise is fundamentally dishonest. It reduces sincere dissent on these matters of such tremendous consequence to our culture and our politics to nothingness.

Bank of America provided American flags to each attendee of Game 1 at Fenway Park, and “asked those in attendance to wave the flag during “God Bless America” (before the bottom of the seventh inning) as an expression of thanks to U.S. troops.” It was just assumed that each one of the many thousands of people in Fenway Park that night did, indeed, feel thankful for U.S. troops. After all, who wouldn’t? It is difficult to fathom a quicker path to self-marginalization than to decline participation in such a feverish expression of flag-waving and gratitude.

The combination of unanimous, entirely uncritical appreciation for the military, and the irrational belief that we owe gratitude to the troops for virtually everything we cherish in life, up to and including freedom itself, is very dangerous for our intellectual culture. It stifles any potential for rational, coherent discussion on these matters. It makes us, free citizens of a constitutional society, meek and excessively obeisant. During the World Series games, under the hashtag “TroopThanks,” Americans tweeted their appreciation for the troops. One such tweet thanked the troops for allowing us to “live free.” Another offered a stern “reminder” that we are only able to enjoy the World Series “because of those who protect our freedoms every day.” This is, of course, preposterous, but it is hardly a fringe belief. It reflects many decades of highly effective propaganda that has convinced generations of people that there is virtually nothing for which we should not thank the troops.

The NFL, with a culture that mirrors that of the military in many ways, is always more than willing to provide a massive platform for hyper-nationalistic promotion of the armed forces. Indeed, the league proudly states that “supporting the military is part of the fabric of the NFL.” This year, for Veterans Day, that “support” came in the form of an initiative called “Salute to Service,” which is all about “military appreciation.” Players donned camouflage gear and helmet decals honoring the armed forces. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck ran out of the tunnel during player introductions side by side with a service member, with the latter waving an American flag. As in baseball’s “Express Your Thanks” program, fans were “encouraged” to “demonstrate their military appreciation.”

The core message of the NFL’s initiative is clearly articulated by Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin in a recent promo spot. Irvin opens by explaining that, sometimes, we must set aside the petty business of breaking down football games, and take a moment to “salute the people that inspire all of us.” (As is very common in pronouncements of appreciation for the military, “all of us” are automatically consigned to agreement.) Furthermore, the ability to “get away from our world, and whatever’s going on in our world” and talk about football — “that’s called freedom,” in the unusual mind of Michael Irvin, and “that freedom is not free.” Whom are we to thank for this? As it turns out, it’s the troops! Indeed, they are the ones who “make it possible” for Irvin and his colleagues to go on television and discuss football. Again, there is seemingly no limit to the scope of human activity that many of us sincerely believe would not be possible were it not for the military’s selflessness.

We need not thank the troops for every breath we take. When we do, we reduce our entire existence as free people to something that only exists at the whim of the U.S. military, and suffocate critical thought about the military and what it’s actually doing in the world.

“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken

" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11

I hated the MILITARY, I was a GRUNT...whether volunteer or drafted grunt makes no difference. Most of us did and do come from the very lowest class of society.

We despise the fraud of patriotic bullshit as much as anyone. The majority of the flag wavers never been there, never did that, but were are perfectly willing to send others to bleed and die.

Grunts are mandated by oath to follow (lawful?) orders of their superior officers and the President.

But officers are not mandated by their oath to follow orders so officers can/should disobey any order that violates the US Constitution.

Yet how many officers or for that matter perfumed generals have disobeyed or refused orders that have violated the US Constitution like for example the recent foreign wars of adventure/empire in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya all of which violated the US Constitution because they were wars of choice and convenience, not wars of necessity for national defense?

2. I disagree with your statement about economic levels of recruits now. In your day, grunts came from low economic levels but these days with our nation's high unemployment rate and mainly low paid service jobs or shovel ready jobs being available, the military is being chosen by the middle class to a higher percentage than both low and wealthy income brackets, because the military can either be parlayed into steady employment/a career or at the very least military service can offset costs for college or technical training.

See the "Recruitment by Income Decile" chart for years 2005-2010 in this article:

There is one significant variation these days between "paid volunteers" and draftees of olde.

The economic threshold is still there, always will be, however by paying more than minimum wage, the government is able to screen out those that lack education skills.

In WW2 reading and writing was not mandatory as they needed bodies and paid $26 dollars a month. So, in reality, now they are "hiring" the upper level of the lowest class.

In the coming war in Asia, there will be a tremendous need for bodies, thus the middle class will get a large taste of war. Few of the elite ever go in harms way.

MILITARY is protecting the business interests and supply chains of the people who buy influence in American politics. MILITARY is protecting the interests people who have enough money to buy freedom for themselves and who want less freedom for average Americans. MILITARY is doing the overseas dirty work of Zionist millionaire politicians like Feinstein and nanny-state-loving billionaires like Bloomberg — people who protect themselves with armed guards and work to forcibly disarm average Americans. MILITARY is fighting to serve the political interests of Barack Obama, and will probably be fighting for Hillary Clinton in a few years. In many cases, MILITARY might be just be fighting to keep the military-industrial complex running — because what the hell would all of those people do if the military stopped fighting?

In a sane and righteous patriarchy, honoring the fallen and returning warriors who fought against foreign aggressors — or even for the glory, honor and prosperity of their tribe — would be sacred and serious public business.

But the American people are only getting poorer as American leaders get richer, and the question of fighting for the honor of the American people as such is completely alien to contemporary American discourse.

Average American men have a far better chance of being murdered, enslaved or imprisoned by the American government than they do of being murdered, enslaved or imprisoned by some foreign invaders.

And it is ultimately the implied power of MILITARY to put down with shock and awe any twinkle of American revolution, secession or insurgency that keeps the corrupt regime of bankers, corporations and politicians comfortable in their spendy socks and bulletproof limousines.

MILITARY isn’t just protecting our access to iPads and ensuring that we won’t have to pray facing the Kaaba. MILITARY is also protecting the American ruling class from the American people.

It is a horrible awakening for a unworldly 18 year olde kid to come to the realization that they are expendable. Written off with the stroke of a pen.

One friend was finally written off two years ago, after being shot down over North Korea in 1952. Sixty long years after the fact. None of us at the bottom started the war, but we paid for it.

So you're saying that Josh "Gold" Cohen will be able to lurk in the rear as a REMF supply sergeant and run a black market....err, irregular "business enterprise" out the back door as his "family" has done in past wars??

It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory which stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts, and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and country, and invoked the God of Battles beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpourings of fervid eloquence which moved every listener. It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety's sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way.

Sunday morning came -- next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams -- visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender! Then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation

*God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest! Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!*

Then came the "long" prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory --

An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher's side and stood there waiting. With shut lids the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued with his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, "Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord our God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!"

The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside -- which the startled minister did -- and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes, in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said:

"I come from the Throne -- bearing a message from Almighty God!" The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. "He has heard the prayer of His servant your shepherd, and will grant it if such shall be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import -- that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of -- except he pause and think.

"God's servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two -- one uttered, the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him Who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this -- keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain upon your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse upon some neighbor's crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it.

"You have heard your servant's prayer -- the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it -- that part which the pastor -- and also you in your hearts -- fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: 'Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!' That is sufficient. the *whole* of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory--*must* follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!

"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it -- for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

(*After a pause.*) "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!"

It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.

There you go. What most people these days consider "patriotism" is actually nothing more than flag waving jingoism.

Expressions of gratitude for military service, especially on Jew-controlled media is just hokey propaganda by Jew duals to make the military attractive so more recruits keep joining to replace those killed or wounded fighting Israel's wars.

Have you ever read of jew control of the rise of Mao and China since WW1? They have been and are sitting in the background of the Chinese government just as they do ours.

Yes, somebody here (was it you?) posted some information about the bagelsniffers skulking around behind the scenes of Maoist China from the very beginning.