War Is A Racket

"War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.

I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag. 

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.

There isn't a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its "finger men" to point out enemies, its "muscle men" to destroy enemies, its "brain men" to plan war preparations, and a "Big Boss" Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism. 

It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty- three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle- man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.

I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.

I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested. 

During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents."

-Marine Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler 

Why You Should Admire Richard Nixon

Amidst the recent news that LBJ believed Nixon was sabotaging Vietnam peace talks shortly before the 1968 Presidential election – let’s just say that tricky Dick’s legacy as a crook, traitor, and all around vile human being has been sealed.

However, I feel that Nixon was in fact the archetypal American political animal – one in which much of Washington’s current political scum take cue – and one that you too should admire and emulate if you want to be a powerful business man or politician in the modern United States.

Here’s why:

Political prowess – Nixon was not one to be fucked with. If you crossed him you were sure to end up on his enemies list. Yes, he had a fucking enemies list. Not quite as hardcore as Obama’s Disposition Matrix – but scary nonetheless. If you’re an aspiring Wall Street Banker or Congressman, then you should already have one – if not – get to work.

Ruthlessness – The genocidal acts carried out by Nixon during Operation Menu and much of the Vietnam War will forever echo in the annals of history as proof of the existence of Satan. But his ruthless and decisive decision making at the time are characteristics you’ll have to master if you want to get to the top.

Whatever it takes attitude – If you’re not willing to break some laws or some necks during your climb to the top of the mountain of power – then you’d better stay at home. Nixon – as we all know – was all too willing to do a little of both. Just make sure you don’t get caught.

So, there you have it – want to make it big in America? Then you’d better leave your morals and soul at home and do your best impression of our vaunted 37th President.

Truth from the Grave

From John Cusack's IAmA on Reddit a brilliant quote from Hunter S. Thompson;

"We have become a Nazi monster in the eyes of the whole world -- a nation of bullies and bastards who would rather kill than live peacefully. We are not just Whores for power and oil, but killer whores with hate and fear in our hearts. We are human scum, and that is how history will judge us. No redeeming social value. Just whores. Get out of our way, or we'll kill you. "Well, shit on that dumbness, George W. Bush does not speak for me or my son or my mother or my friends or the people I respect in this world. We didn't vote for these cheap, greedy little killers who speak for America today -- and we will not vote for them again in 2002. Or 2004. Or ever. "Who does vote for these dishonest shitheads? Who among us can be happy and proud of having all this innocent blood on our hands? Who are these swine? These flag-sucking half-wits who get fleeced and fooled by stupid rich kids like George Bush? "They are the same ones who wanted to have Muhammad Ali locked up for refusing to kill gooks. They speak for all that is cruel and stupid and vicious in the American character. They are the racists and hate mongers among us -- they are the Ku Klux Klan. I piss down the throats of these Nazis. And I am too old to worry about whether they like it or not. Fuck them."

Oscar On Mistakes

“Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Sage advice indeed – makes my mistakes – most of which were committed in states of utter inebriation more palatable.

Indeed – they make me a more dynamic person – and what great tales I have to tell my descendants!

I will have to omit various salacious details – of course.

Has Lee Atwater's political strategy died?

Has Lee Atwater's Republican political strategy - hard-edged campaigns based on emotional wedge issues - taken its last gasps of life?

President Obama's resounding victory (despite being the first President to win since FDR with a 7.9% jobless rate) indicates - as Bob Dylan would say - that times they are a changin'.

Hate mongering - it seems - can't rally the numbers needed to win elections nowadays in America.

A new progressive coalition of women, minorities, and the so called 'millennials' or Generation Z have made their voices heard.

Though President Obama's victory spiel did come off a bit like Kenny Powers;

"And together with your help and God's grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth".

I tend to side with Jeff Daniel's Newsroom tirade on this one.

But I guess that's one of the prerequisites of being a politician - you can't actually tell the truth.

So the big question is WWLAD? Or What Would Lee Atwater Do? I'm looking at you Karl Rove.

Enemies of Peace Win Reelection

It's great that President Obama won - because he smells less rotten than the alternative and speaks with a silver tongue. But of course - it's all a facade.

The very truth of it is that the President of the United States and congress are owned by the same big money special interests that have controlled American politics for decades.

The same enemies of peace - as FDR put it in 1936 - business and financial monopolies, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering - are alive and thriving and consider the United States Government as a mere appendage to their own affairs. No one man - even if he is the President has the power to unhinge these parasitic entities.

Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

The President's reelection speech was emotionally jarring - as it was carefully crafted to be - but if the present is an indicator of the future - it seems likely to be one of more weapons proliferation, increased militarism on American soil, suppression of internet freedoms, and expanded federal powers.

Democracy is an antiquated idea and the repercussions of its faults are well represented in the inherently corrupt nature of the United States Government.

Do the 'millennials' have the fervor to throw off these shackles? Or have they already bought into the establishment's system?

Why I Will Never Vote Again

I know – it's a terrible thing to utter in the midst of nationalistic cries professing the importance of voting.

We rebelled against a tyrannical King for this right.

Don't forget to vote!

Our forefathers perished by the thousands on the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima for this right.

Don't forget to vote!

Countless more died in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam so we could choose our representatives.

Don't forget to vote!

Ninety thousand U.S. troops are in Afghanistan protecting our freedom to vote.

Vote – because if you don't the Taliban wins!

But really – truthfully – it’s all bullshit wrapped in a big fucking patriotic lie.

You better vote – or they'll take away your guns, or your right to choose, or your hard earned paycheck!

So, yes don't forget to vote! And don't forget to say your prayers too!

Don't Forget to Vote!

Why Anarchists don't vote

By ELISÉE RECLUS

EVERYTHING that can be said about the suffrage may be summed up in a sentence.

To vote is to give up your own power.

To elect a master or many, for a long or short time, is to resign one's liberty.

Call it an absolute monarch, a constitutional king, or a simple M.P., the candidate that you raise to the throne, to the seat, or to the easy chair, he will always be your master. They are persons that you put "above" the law, since they have the power of making the laws, and because it is their mission to see that they are obeyed.

To vote is befitting of idiots.

It is as foolish as believing that men, of the same make as ourselves, will acquire in a moment, at the ringing of a bell, the knowledge and the understanding of everything. Of course it is so. Your elected person shall have to legislate on every subject under the moon; how a box of matches should or should not be made, or how to make war; how to improve the agriculture, or how best to kill a tribe of Arabs or a few Negroes. Probably you believe that their intelligence will grow in proportion to the variety of subjects they have to give their minds to; but history and experience teaches otherwise.

The possession of power has a maddening influence; parliaments have always wrought unhappiness.

In ruling assemblies, in a fatal manner, the will prevails of those below the average, both morally and intellectually.

To vote is to prepare shameful treachery and traitors.

Electors do certainly believe in the honesty of the candidates, and this is to a certain extent existing while the fervor and the heat of the contest remains.

But every day has its tomorrow  As soon as the conditions alter, likewise do men change. To-day your candidate bows humbly before your presence; to-morrow he will say "pish" to you. From a cadger of votes he has turned to be a master of yours.

How can a worker, enrolled by you amongst the ruling class, be the same as before, since now he can speak in terms of equality with the other oppressors? Look at the servility of any one of them, written all over his face, after paying a call to a "captain of industry," or when the King invites him to the ante-chamber of his court!

The atmosphere of the "House" is not for deep breathing; it is corrupt. If you send one of yourselves in a foul place, you must not be surprised afterwards if he comes back in a rotten condition.

Therefore, do not part with your freedom.

Don't vote!

Instead of intrusting the defence of your interests to Others, see to the matter by yourselves. Instead of trying to choose advisers that will guide you in future actions, do the thing yourselves, and do it now! Men of good will shall not have to look long in vain for the opportunity.

To put on others' shoulders the responsibility of one's actions is cowardice.

Don't vote!

What makes a great person?

I think truly great people appear just a few times during the course of our lives.

They’re the ones who inspire others.

They’re the ones who change the courses of our life.

They’re the ones who turn normal people into great people.

And when they’re gone – they don’t leave an empty void – rather a garden of other great people forged in their essence.