Military forces used to be called “The War Department.” But that sounded too vivid, so they brought in the re-branders.
Now, the United States with its 800-plus military bases around the world and constant war-making, uses the term “Defense Department.”
Actual defense, however, (true security) would depend on diplomacy. Not war. Not genocide, murder, domination, imperial invasion, stealing of resources, nor subjugation.
Do our own national level representatives (U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta) actually work for true security, or for warism?
Dolores Howard
Paso Robles
This article appears in Sep 19-29, 2024.
Other countries want to harm you. You are being protected and you should be grateful. Now it’s up to you to better your life with all that is provided. Many people are able to do it. Blaming the government won’t improve your life. Put a little effort in. Just try. You will see how easy it works. Mind your own business and don’t help those that don’t deserve help.
Negotiation and diplomacy are good, but unless that are backed up by a forceful “or else” in the form of a credible military, they are merely just pathetic pleas to “please don’t hurt me”.
Thank you Shanti Harris for so eloquently and factually describing the horrendous condition of American society because we give almost a TRILLION dollars to an obscene military budget, making defense contractors rich beyond the dreams of avarice while our schools crumble, kids go hungry, people die from lack of medical care and on and on. The military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about has been diabolically successful, and every one of us is paying the price.