LIBERTARIAN: “War Is a Racket”

Sunday, November 27, 2016

http://tomwoods.com/ep-791-war-is-a-racket-the-life-and-thought-of-maj-gen-smedley-butler/

Ep. 791 War Is a Racket: The Life and Thought of Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler
25th November 2016 Tom Woods

CJ Killmer, host of the Dangerous History Podcast and popularly known as Prof. CJ, joins me to discuss the antiwar views of the fascinating Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler, author of War Is a Racket.

Book Discussed

War Is a Racket, by Major General Smedley Butler
https://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.html 

Guest’s Website

DangerousHistoryPodcast.com
http://dangeroushistorypodcast.com/ 

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Can’t we look under the covers and see that the USA’s “defense” is not the problem. It’s the “offense”.

“Department of Defense” is definitely a deliberately mislabeling of an identity.

I read this back in the mid 70’s after 4 years in the USAF. It completed my change into a little L libertarian as well as a real anti-war zealot. (Not the psuedo ersatz anti-war movement that comes out whenever there is an R in the White House and disappears when it’s occupant is a D!) It’s short and sarcastic so I really liked it. It’s a quick read and if it doesn’t influence your thinking, please let me know.

I especially like his idea that the military vote on “going to war” decisions. There’s a reason that few of the politicians and bureaucrats have their children in the military. Remember Heinlein’s Starship Troopers’ universe? One does not merely have the right to be a citizen and vote by virtue of what Heinlein called the mere accident of birth; rather, one has to earn this right through Federal Service that tested one’s ability and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good of the polity. Bet not a lot of vets would vote for any, if not all, the undeclared wars the USA has been in since WW2?

It should be required reading for the USA citizenship exam and I be you’ll never see it in the Gooferment Skrules.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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GUN: A defensive firearm, quickly accessible in the living room … …

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/11/no_author/always-have-defensive-weapon-quickly-accessible/

Elderly Hamilton Man Shoots Robbery Suspect
By Bob Irwin AmmoLand.com
November 19, 2016

*** begin quote ***

USA – The Journal News in Hamilton, Ohio reports 11-02- 2016 an 88-year-old resident had just finished washing his car in the front yard of his home Tuesday night when a man and a woman cornered him.

They demanded money and forced him into the house.

Once inside the victim said they hit him in the face and in the chest. He thought he was going to be severely beaten. The male robber taunted him “You don’t have a gun, do you?”

*** and ***

A defensive firearm, quickly accessible in the living room, saved this victim’s life. One would not expect any 88 year old to survive a physical beat down. Hopefully there is enough physical evidence available to allow a quick apprehension. The cowardly animals that attack such elderly victims really need to be off the street.

The victim was apparently cool, calm and experienced enough to intend a non-lethal shot. Amazing! The criminal’s comment about the victim indicates that he was perhaps the burglar who stole it previously.

He obviously didn’t feel comfortable taking a life. Many would argue that was a mistake but it’s unfair to second guess victims who were in the situation. It was a choice that is only his to make.

*** end quote ***

One can never know for sure what we would do in that circumstance.

I’d like to think I could be that cool under pressure.

I’m unaware of any instructor who teaches anything but shoot for the center of mass.

I’d agree that these two leggett varmints need to be put down quickly before they kill someone else. Like a bear that kills a human get euthanized. These two criminals may have learned to kill their victims. 

Sitting here on my couch, as a pro-life little L libertarian, I’d have shot both for the center of mass. If for no other reason than to save their next victim’s life.

So sad to have to say that, but that victim’s life is worth saving.

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TINFOILHAT: Was Patton killed to shut him up?

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/11/bill-sardi/silencing-patton/

Movie Review: Silence Patton
By Bill Sardi
November 19, 2016

*** begin quote ***

General Patton was outspoken.  He was no diplomat.  He saw no romance in war as military recruiters often sell to young men.  He had the unflinching nerve. He didn’t mince his words.  He spoke with bluntness.  He was not politically correct. 

*** and ***

World War II on the Eastern Front was wrapping up.  German generals signed an unconditional surrender agreement on May 7, 1945.   US generals would return home to face hearings and inquiries about the war.  As the film indicates, General Patton was going to disclose all the screw-ups and mistakes on the war front.  Somebody didn’t want Patton’s bluntness to reach Congress and the American people. 

*** end quote ***

With very sketchy information at the time, my late uncles — who always suspected FDR caused Pearl Harbor — always believed that he was assassinated to shut him up. They felt it was to protect “the establishment”. 

Maybe that where I get my own tin foil hat?

What would Patton have exposed?

The sell out to the Russians by the communists in the US Government?

Sully the reputations of MacArthur, Ike, and other generals?

Maybe expose the profit makers in war on both sides?

We may never know.

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INTERESTING: “better off eating the box it comes in”

Monday, November 21, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/11/15/krispy-kreme-sued-over-fake-blueberry-donuts/

SNACK-FOODS
Krispy Kreme sued over false advertising of fruit, maple doughnut ingredients
Published November 15, 2016
FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

Instead, the complaint alleges, the donuts are made with “nutritionally inferior ingredients.” As one example, on its website, Krispy Kreme lists the ingredients for its “Blueberry Sugar Bits” as consisting of sugar, corn syrup, palm oil, and a variety of artificial flavors and colorants– but no fruit. 

*** end quote ***

Seriously?

Is the plaintiff seeking to get good nutrition from something called “Krispy Kreem”?

Can’t find where I heard it, but some web doc (I think) said when it comes to “frozen prepared food” that you’d “better off eating the box it comes in”.

When you read the ingredients above, you would be better eating box or bag that the “crispy cream” came in!

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POLITICAL: Close the UN and make it into condos

Sunday, November 20, 2016

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/world/americas/united-nations-trump-climate-change-iran-cuba.html?_r=0

Donald Trump and the U.N.: Signs of Clashing Views on Many Issues
By SOMINI SENGUPTA and RICK GLADSTONE
NOV. 19, 2016

*** begin quote ***

The optimists among them are expressing relief that Donald J. Trump said nothing during the campaign about dismantling the United Nations altogether — or turning its iconic tower facing the East River into condos.

*** end quote ***

This has been a disgrace. Its record for interference and the results speak for itself. And, their “human rights” committee is a joke.

So, if DJT wants to withdraw our financial support and ship it out to where it wants to go, then that’s fine with me.

And I’m sure the subjects of Comrade DeBlasio would be happy with the traffic improvement.

There are better ways to waste money then this international disaster.

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VETERANS: I didn’t know about the Arlington Ladies

Saturday, November 19, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/11/at-arlington-national-cemetery-americas-heroes-are-never-buried-alone.html

MILITARY
At Arlington National Cemetery, America’s heroes are never buried alone
Published November 11, 2016  FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

Whether it’s in the rain, snow or sweltering heat, no matter what branch of America’s armed services is being honored at Arlington National Cemetery, there is one thing that remains constant – they will never be buried alone.

The fallen servicemen and women’s funerals are attended daily by the Arlington Ladies, a group of volunteers who cover all Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard burials at the historic cemetery in Virginia.

“Some veterans or their families learn about the Arlington Ladies and think that they need to schedule us, and that is never the case,” Air Force Arlington Lady Sandra Griffin said in an AARP video released this week in honor of Veterans Day. “Regardless of the situation whether there is family or not, we’ll always be there,” she said.

*** and ***

On any given weekday at Arlington, as many as 30 war dead and veterans are laid to rest, according to AARP Bulletin.

In addition to the funeral rituals of a honor guard, rifle volley, the playing of taps and the presentation of a folded American flag, the Arlington Ladies speak to the families of the fallen and hand over envelopes to their next of kin.

Inside the envelopes? A condolence card from the armed service’s chief of staff and a handwritten note from the Arlington Lady, usually written after researching the service member’s life online.

*** end quote ***

Well done, ladies. At a time when talk is cheap, their actions say it all.

Brings a tear to the eye of this grumpy fat old white guy injineer.

As I’ve said before, when there is a KIA, the funeral should be attended by the politicians that “represent” that “casualty”. That means both of the Senators and the Representative should meet the family and grieve with them. Maybe then they’d be more considerate of how they use them as props for their political ambitions and “great” ideas.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: The wisdom of the Dead Old White Guys

Friday, November 18, 2016

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/11/11/113000-votes-pa-wi-mi-gave-trump-56-electoral-college-votes/

108,600 Votes Swing 46 Electoral College Votes to Donald Trump
by MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY 11 Nov 2016 

*** begin quote ***

Trump won Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral college votes, by 68,236 votes, Wisconsin, with its 10 electoral college votes, by 27,257 votes, and Michigan, with its 16 electoral college votes, by 13,107 votes.

Had those 108,600 votes gone to Hillary Clinton, she would have won the presidency with a a 278 to 260 electoral college victory over Trump.

*** end quote ***

You have to admire the wisdom of the Dead Old White Guys.

They constructed a system that made politicians pay attention to the small states.

Stuff all the ballot boxes in Chicago. Have all the dead folks vote in California and New York. Fudge the all the polls. Slant the news. 

It doesn’t matter if a politician ignores “electoral map”, they will lose. 

Pretty sharp system to ensure a “national fairness”!

Of course, now the losers want to do away with it for a straight popular vote. And if that happens, let the stuffing begin!

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LIBERTARIAN: This little L libertarian salutes a peace activist

Thursday, November 17, 2016

http://keywestlou.com/who-is-pouring-tea-who-is-presiding-at-the-punch-bowl/

WHO IS POURING TEA? WHO IS PRESIDING AT THE PUNCH BOWL?
Posted on November 7, 2016 by keywestlou

*** begin quote ***

I wrote a lengthy column about Jeanette Rankin three years ago in KONK Life. An interesting woman.

On this date in 1916, Rankin became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. From Montana. Western women worked shoulder to shoulder with the men. They had a different respect than their eastern compatriots.

Rankin did not last long in office. One term. She was a pacifist. Voted against entry into World War I.

Some twenty years later, Rankin was again elected to the House. Again, only for one term. She was the sole vote against the U,.S. declaration of war against Japan following December 7, 1941.

Rankin needed police help to leave the House building following her vote. A crowd of angry persons had her confined in a telephone booth.

Enjoy your day! 

*** end quote ***

I didn’t know this before today. I did know that there was only vote against entry in WW2.

You have to respect someone with the courage of their convictions.

Perhaps she saw that the Lusitania was not what it seemed (i.e., it was carrying munitions), that “war” would turn dead Americans into big profits for the war industry (shades of Ike warning the USA of the military industrial complex), and that George Washington warned about becoming entangled.

Then in her next term, she saw that it was FDR’s plan to end the depression, again turn bodies into profits, and turn the USA into a global empire.

Special place in heaven for her.

Most libertarians value peace as a principle because it minimizes the State.

Special thanks for the wake up by Petrone, Louis S. “Key West Lou” (MC1957).

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INTERESTING: How did they tell time?

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/how-did-native-americans-keep-time-without-a-watch-or-calendar/

How Did Native Americans Keep Time Without A Watch (Or Calendar)?
Written by: Tammy Robinso

*** begin quote ***

In today’s modern world, it is easy to tell time. There are clocks on buildings, billboards, cell phones and microwave ovens. Then there’s the old-fashioned grandfather clock in the hallway.

But what if you didn’t have a watch? What would you do then?

And if you didn’t have a calendar, would you know when winter was coming? When it was the appropriate “time” to plant? To harvest? How old you are? How long would it take for you to “forget” to mark down a day or several days, or several weeks, thus obscuring even your age?

Native people had certain signs that they relied on and they actually had a very good sense of “time” — even though it differs from what we would consider time today.

White Man’s Time Clock

For many tribes, the clock – the one the Europeans used and brought to America — was a strange thing that was not easily understood. Some tribes thought that since the clock moved on its own and that it sometimes made sounds, it was a living thing.

*** end quote ***

It really is an insightful question. People work themselves to death by the clock.

Perhaps it’s better to ignore “time” and focus on “life”?

I often rant about Time Zones and Daylight Savings Time. Is this the meme that illustrates how crazy our species is?

Do we needlessly complicate “life” by our paradigms and memes on “time”?

Imagine the simplicity of a “universal time zone” like GMT. It just means that a nine to five job in New York would be a “Two to 10”. Each of the current time zones would just adjust their labels. And no more confusion as to what time is the there!

Laugh!

And DST is just stupid and kills people.

Not likely to change but it does give us an interesting insight.

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VETERANS: World War II combat veterans are life’s work

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEEN_AGING_COMBAT_VETERANS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-11-10-15-35-48

Nov 10, 3:35 PM EST
CALIFORNIA TEEN DEDICATES LIFE TO FINDING WORLD WAR II VETS
BY JOHN ROGERS ASSOCIATED PRESS

*** begin quote ***

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For as long as he can remember, Rishi Sharma’s heroes haven’t been sports stars or movie stars or any other kind of stars. They’ve been the U.S. combat veterans who won World War II.

Alarmed that even the youngest of them are now in their 90s and dying each day by the hundreds, the Southern California teenager has launched a campaign to try to ensure each one’s legacy.

“I’m on a mission to in-depth film interview a World War II combat veteran every single day,” the earnest 19-year-old says after a recent afternoon spent in the living room of William R. Hahn of Los Angeles, where Sharma mined the 93-year-old’s memories for hours.

*** end quote ***

An admirable effort.

I wish that I had captured the stories of all my relatives, some of whom were vets.

A great project by a son of immigrants.

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