When I hear some comfortable, middle class, often middle aged, jackass American say with the deep feeling of a robot– "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE" to a returning combat veteran, I am reminded more of the famous Russian psychologist Pavlov than of a Norman Rockwell scene- with its usual patriotic sentimentality.
Can an honest pacifist say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE? Is it not a bit like asking a devout Jew to make the sign of the cross when walking past a Catholic Church?
Only the politically illiterate can continue to believe that modern American wars are all about making the whole world safe for democracy. They are more about making the world safe for the ONE PERCENT.
We can only hope that our returning combat veteran does not end up homeless, jobless, and insane.
Submitted to: letter@globe.com
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| Background Image: Norman Rockwell's ""Homecoming GI" (detail) link to Michael Moore's 2013 article: "I do not support the troops" |
Can an honest pacifist say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE? Is it not a bit like asking a devout Jew to make the sign of the cross when walking past a Catholic Church?
Only the politically illiterate can continue to believe that modern American wars are all about making the whole world safe for democracy. They are more about making the world safe for the ONE PERCENT.
Submitted to: letter@globe.com
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Ron