Flag, anthem, veterans, overseas military operations, the constitution- all claimed to be giving rights depending on what comments you read on flag protest/pledge of allegiance posts.
The Constitution does not give rights. It places limits on government.
Which overseas military operations have been conducted in order to defend the constitution?
Which overseas military operations have been conducted in order to defend free speech rights?
How do decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) work to defend the constitution?
Many comments on pledge of allegiance and national anthem posts like this one:
“…our soldiers fought for the right to choose whether you stand for the anthem or not.”
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
How does the executive branch of government defend the constitution via US foreign policy?
Do Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem groupthink/obedience/conformity drills get in the way of people asking questions?
Did high levels of reverence for the flag lead to the decades of undeclared/unwon wars that came after the 1940s? How about the 16 years of war that came after 911?
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
16 years later- still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq and Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Homeland Security Vote of Confidence
Chicago and western suburbs-
Federal agents swing into action after more than 52 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of heroin move past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Chicago and western suburbs:
“Ten years ago, labs were an issue but now most meth comes from Mexico and Central America, he said. Of all the meth busted in Wisconsin, 5 percent was made here, he added.”
Federal agents take 29 kilograms of cocaine & 8 kilograms of heroin off the streets of Cleveland after product moves past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into local communities.
“Q: How are illegal opioids coming into the Cleveland area?
A: The most known or common way is the Mexican cartels are bringing it up.”
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Local authorities swing into action after strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- fail to keep heroin out of Philly.
Federal agents dismantle meth pipeline that had operated from Mexico to Denver and Wyoming since 2007– after product moved past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into local communities since 2007:
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mall shootings, child abduction, etc.
American popular and political culture insists on dividing people up into groups- then assigning a separate value to each group.
“Megan Malia Leilani McClung was the first female United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq War. Major McClung was serving as a public affairs officer in Al Anbar Province, Iraq when she was killed. Wikipedia”
The draft ended in 1973. Any NFL player who potentially dodged the draft would have to be in their 60s. Any of these guys still around to suit up for Browns games?
Veterans earn rights?
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949) let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Hey school teachers-
If veterans earn rights, why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
If veterans earn rights, why were women not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
If veterans earn rights, why was it that until July of 1971, 18 year old adults could not vote? Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
A few months back there was a discussion about NAS Whidbey jets training over the Olympic Peninsula.
A question came up:
Why are NAS Whidbey jets not doing their training over a military reservation in Eastern WA, California, Nevada, etc. The federal government has set aside huge amounts of land for this purpose.
Answer:
It would take too much jet fuel to move aircraft back & forth over a long distance.
But wait:
Jet fuel available for round trip flight to Indianapolis to “wow race fans.”
I have no problem with the US Navy on Whidbey Island.
No problem with hearing jet noise on Whidbey Island.
Please- just don’t stroke me about budgets for jet fuel or claims that decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.
Recommendation for budget savings: Phase out failed wars that never end.
Huge amounts of cash already spent on these facilities:
Towns and communities have their local sign ordinances, but that’s not good enough.
Children might wander into a retail shop and pose as someone over 21- then buy product?
The freedom talk is just for federal holidays & overseas military operations.
Will the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Why do people believe The Troops are defending American rights and freedoms– as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
“Federal law says it’s illegal, in any quantities.”
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
The freedom talk is just for federal holidays & overseas military operations.
Tax money- which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs– also goes for bombing Iraq and Afghanistan. US bombing of Iraq goes back to 1991.
Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.
Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.
People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for failed wars that never end. The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Are federal public assistance programs working?
Summer feeding programs have been set up to provide meals when school is out.
Love to see newspeople ask: If a family qualifies for free and reduced price school breakfast and lunch- wouldn’t they also qualify for year-round public assistance to provide meals at home? Would this reduce the need for summer feeding programs?
USDA Federal School Lunch Program- Virgin Islands:
In the News: World War II veteran finally receives his high school diploma nearly 80 years later
“Henry’s dedication to his family, community and country is what Superintendent Dr. Shaun Nelms says they’re trying to teach the students as East High.”
Yes, Dr. Nelms, great lesson for the rest of your students- go ahead and blow off getting your diploma. Looks like it wasn’t really relevant to his success since he was able to earn a two year degree- no high school diploma required.
Wonder what he and other WWII veterans think about failed wars that never end?
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
Left the above comment here and here. Both comments have been deleted- though they contained no hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacks on other commenters, etc.
“From Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma to Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota and all across the South, inexpensive methamphetamine is flowing in from Mexico, fueling what police and epidemiologists say is an alarming increase in the number of people using the drug, and dying from it.”
Still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq & Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mall shootings, child abduction, etc.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
Recommendation: Phase out failed wars that never end.
Stop telling us that undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights & freedoms.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
“Loyalty Day was designated a holiday in 1958 by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It is meant to celebrate loyalty to the United States and the heritage of American freedom.”
With all this talk of freedom- would it be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Any team that cannot fully participate in White House events should suffer a loss of DOD funding for giant flag rituals, halftime ceremonies honoring decades of failed wars that never end, etc.
“Less than one-half of one percent of Americans currently serve in uniform, while the 99-plus percent realize the benefit while bearing none of the burden.”
“And mandatory two-year national service — civilian or military — is imperative to help us understand the responsibility, as well as the rights, of citizenship and build our connections with our fellow citizens.”
Recommendations for ending the divide:
Stop glorifying military service.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
Stop telling us that undeclared/unwon wars overseas are somehow linked to American rights & freedoms.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Some businesses are now setting aside parking for veterans. The designated spots we are talking about here are for all veterans- no requirement Re: earning the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, having any physical disability, etc.
Where are the veterans who don’t want free meals, discounts, head of the line privileges at the airport, etc.
Hey veterans- do you get special parking spots on base? Why move to divide people up into groups of first & second-class citizens away from the base?
This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
It’s tricky business.
Small military town Veterans Day parade– canceled due to lack of interest:
“But, despite Oak Harbor’s deep military roots, drumming up interest and support for the parade, held since 2012, has been difficult. Parade coordinator Terry Lacey said he won’t be holding the parade this year because of a lack of interest.”
The parade is canceled, but here is a reminder of what it was all about:
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
Voting-
It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.
US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.
It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Hey school teachers– if veterans fought for our right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Things have changed over the past 40 years- even though we’ve had a modern & powerful military force this entire time.
I grew up in the 60s & 70s- back in the days when veterans were not seen as a separate part of American society.
Veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys didn’t have separate parking places at the grocery store or over at the hardware store.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Meet a veteran who isn’t shy about going out & grabbing a couple free meals- it’s a proud thing:
The cultural move towards glorifying military service may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards shutting down failed wars that never end.
“Gen. Neller responded by acknowledging that the Marine Corps needs to change, while offering few further details.”
“This is a problem with our culture…I don’t have a good answer for you,” Gen. Neller said, stumbling over his words. “That’s a lame answer ma’am, but that’s all — that’s the best I can tell you right now.”
Some believe that all who wear uniforms are heroes. It’s always good as part of a marketing and advertising campaign.
You don’t have to look too far to find comments that refer to the troops as “heroes.”
Some are.
No one who did time in an average military unit would be comfortable with everyone present being called a hero. Some units would be the exception, but for most people who did time over the years, calling everyone a hero would have no connection to reality.
Reality, and an honest understanding of why we send The Troops to far away places isn’t what we’re about though.
Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys didn’t have separate parking places at the grocery store or over at the hardware store.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
Maybe it’s time to start thinking of people as individuals, rather than as members of a group.
It’s not just The Troops. Stories of police misconduct are easy to find, along with former school teachers convicted as sex offenders after engaging in sexual encounters with their students, Border Patrol fraudulent overtime requests, corruption, etc.
I have never complained about jet noise- on the web or otherwise. I’m not interested in shutting down the Navy on Whidbey, but it’s time to stop glorifying military service.
Almost every article related to NAS Whidbey features at least one comment that repeats the old, Cold War-era slogan- telling us that It’s The Sound of Freedom!
Sound of Freedom?
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Troops were nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949. How many US wars have been won since then?
Why the constant support for The Troops defending American rights & freedoms when the reality is that the US is involved in failed wars that never end?
It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.
US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.
It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Hey school teachers– if veterans fought for our right to vote- how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Does all this fighting for freedom mean it would be OK to grow a marijuana plant in the back yard?
Can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
Veterans are in the very best position to know that their time in uniform is irrelevant in terms of American rights & freedoms. Very few seem to speak out.
“Now, law enforcement estimates that about 90 percent of the meth consumed in the United States comes across the border.”
Washington State:
The US spends about $41.2 billion each year on the US Dept. of Homeland Security.
If the State Patrol was awarded many additional millions of dollars each year to go after drunk drivers- & the problem got worse- would newspeople ask questions?
Would any investigation take place?
Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.
What part of the story is missing?
Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?
Americans are constantly praising & thanking The Troops for keeping us safe.
Still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq & Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
What prevents the badass terrorists we are supposed to stay scared of from blowing themselves up in a crowded airport just short of the screening checkpoint?
Ditto for hundreds of events nationwide each year at rock concerts, baseball games, basketball games, pro sports events, college events, etc.
Heroin traffickers lead the way.
We know that the people who move heroin into the US do so free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, paperwork reviews, etc.
Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:
Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping heroin out of local communities?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
What keeps terrorists out while heroin comes in?
A $41.2 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep cargo trucks from moving large amounts of heroin and fentanyl from Central America into the Bronx:
Wonder what was happening at border crossing inspections during the almost 3 years these folks were under investigation. Do the good guys who made the local bust notify the good guys at the border about the weak links in their process?
Imagine that LE authorities observe a shoplifter or bank robber in action. Instead of going in to make an arrest they back off and conduct an investigation that goes on for almost 3 years. What if they applied the same tactic Re: crimes involving arson, terrorism, child abuse, DUI, etc.
I’m not interested in shutting down the Navy on Whidbey, but it’s time to stop glorifying military service. Lose the macho swagger. Lose the all caps comments, multiple exclamation points, & multiple ellipsis. Lose the group identity speak. Don’t tell us that our rights and freedoms come from people in uniform, or that we wouldn’t be able to post comments on the web if not for military operations in distant lands.
US foreign policy can be hard to explain & understand.
Freedom isn’t free?
If a house is prevented from burning, is it because firefighters protect our rights and freedoms?
Think of your local fire dept.- it serves a clear-cut purpose, no need for people to repeat phrases or slogans in order to justify its existence.
We don’t claim that firefighters protect our rights and freedoms- as if they are part of some kind of civil rights organization. No need for a parade of fire trucks at the next football game to maintain the proper attitudes of support for the work these people do.
“This year, it’s the 70th anniversary of the Air Force, so they will lead the way, said Christine S. Thompson, a sports outreach specialist in the office of the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs.”
“The Air Force turns 70 this year, and what better way to celebrate our birthday than to have the Thunderbirds do the flyover for the Super Bowl?” said Katie Spencer, the sports outreach program manager for the Air Force.
Sports outreach specialist, sports outreach program manager? It’s a full-time job at the Pentagon to craft & send the right messages through military pageantry at major sporting events.
Meanwhile- A $41.2 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep cargo trucks from moving large amounts of heroin and fentanyl from Central America into the Bronx:
Heroin-trafficking cartels move product into local communities while we’re in a life and death struggle with some folks in Yemen? Maybe our sports outreach professionals can help to make sense of all this?
Five Presidential Administrations have had their hands on the wheel in Iraq. The US has been bombing there- going back to 1991. Certainly, the current refugee/travel restriction situation is tied to a post Desert Shield militarized foreign policy.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
In the news: Mayor Severns is headed to DC in March to support NAS Whidbey. A local petition tells us that “maintaining freedom” is part of what the base is about.
I’m not interested in shutting down the Navy on Whidbey, but it’s time to stop glorifying military service.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
If The Troops were an NFL team, sports talk radio would feature comments like:
The Troops were nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949. How many US wars have been won since then?
Why the constant support for The Troops defending American rights & freedoms when the reality is that the US is involved in failed wars that never end?
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
