Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Ohio Barbarian's avatar

Great post. I'm a veteran, albeit not a combat veteran thank the gods, but I have known those who were and every time someone says "Thank you for your service" to me, my stomach churns.

Now I just say, "I served Big Oil, not you," because in my case it was true.

Expand full comment
Baz's avatar
May 28Edited

Thanks for that thought provoking piece Mark. This is a huge problem on a societal level too of course. The militarisation of civil society especially your police and ‘security agencies’. The normalisation of conflict. The mindset of your political classes which has morphed over time into seeing America’s political and economic future tied to those 700 plus military outposts globally. The fact that your citizens are armed to the teeth is almost unique amongst western countries. Swearing allegiance to a flag enables young minds to imagine the glory engendered in its defense.

Some amazing paradigm shift would be required to disarm America, does anyone think that is ever going to happen given the way our world has evolved?

Expand full comment
12 more comments...

No posts