Read the whole thing.
Key grafs:
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...I think my Russian friend is looking farther than my American friend. Every falling culture has had its embers of honor glowing as the darkness gathered around them, and they weren't enough. In fact, that's why they are remembered. Wherever they are in this country now, they all need the hot fan of history across their faces right instantly, because the Russian is right about this:
"I see my beautiful America becoming a communist shit-hole."He knows what he's talking about, and so does everyone with whom I've spoken about this. That is an urgent fact, and the young officers' honor won't stop it, or what it will eventually require. Look at it this way: they can be disposed of, too. Don't even think that it couldn't happen here. Lots of things are happening here that untold generations never dreamed for America. That's because principles really matter, and you don't have to be a genius to see the new ones...
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Alea iacta est.
It appears that Mr Beck's "Russian Friend" is more American and a better patriot than he ever dreamed he could be.
ReplyDeleteI would disagree with his statement that US troops have never turned their guns on the people. Sherman's march to the sea would be one case in point and the Wounded Knee incident would be another. Of course, most history courses don't linger very long if at all on those atrocities or any of the many others. My guess is that most US citizens have no idea of what I'm talking about.
Woodward, in both the cases you mention, the military could quite reasonably make the case that their targets were NOT U.S. citizens, and were threats to the constitution. In hindsight, I think Sherman was wrong about the threat, but that was less obvious in his day.
ReplyDeleteFor a more recent, more shameful example than yours, try the massacre of the Bonus Army: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army.
More on the bonus army:
ReplyDeleteBonus Army