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Sky Jewels

(8,466 posts)

11. I wish more people would realize that the U.S. military

Sun Sep 17, 2023, 02:19 PM

Sep 2023

has largely been a pawn of the very wealthy and elite to enrich themselves. It has been used for good a few times, such as WWII and the Navy Seal raid on Bin Laden and perhaps Bosnia, maybe some other examples, but for the most part it has been used to go on the offense in the pursuit of corporate and individual enrichment, not to protect our "freedom." Of course too many people have paid for this wealth-acquisition mission with their with their lives or their health, but just because untold numbers were wounded or killed does not mean we owe automatic and unquestioning deference to the U.S. military and the poohbahs who control it.

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I've been listening to A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn [View all] milestogo Sep 2023 OP

The best history book I ever read. Layzeebeaver Sep 2023 #1

Yep. I've donated a copy to every school my daughter attended underpants Sep 2023 #2

In 1964 I had a us history teacher riverbendviewgal Sep 2023 #18

Great history book. I still gasp for air thinking about Zinn's description of slaves packed in tiny Silent Type Sep 2023 #3

That was my reaction to the first chapter - on Columbus. milestogo Sep 2023 #4

I have a pet peeve about Columbus. He did not discover this country. Lonestarblue Sep 2023 #8

Vikings arrived in Newfoundland Canada in 1021. milestogo Sep 2023 #9

Columbus's own writings on the matter are horrific. Johnny2X2X Sep 2023 #10

Agreed. yardwork Sep 2023 #31

I've been listening to it, too. Excellent corrective to the enormous biases in how our history is Martin68 Sep 2023 #5

Especially depressing is that the pursuit of and means to power, wealth and control KPN Sep 2023 #30

Loved Zinn. usonian Sep 2023 #6

Sobering read duckworth969 Sep 2023 #7

I wish more people would realize that the U.S. military Sky Jewels Sep 2023 #11

yup milestogo Sep 2023 #15

Well said n/t Doc Sportello Sep 2023 #20

I remember when I would read or hear on the news that American military was sent to some Delmette2.0 Sep 2023 #24

I wish the media talked about why we have a refugee crisis on our southern border. yardwork Sep 2023 #32

Yes, it is beyond tragic. Sky Jewels Sep 2023 #35

Long ago in my life, a total wakeup call from the myths delivered at school. RobertDevereaux Sep 2023 #12

That nook is probably banned nu magad riverbendviewgal Sep 2023 #13

I am currently rereading Zinn and I think you left out one of his most important topics. That is the flashman13 Sep 2023 #14

I haven't gotten that far yet. milestogo Sep 2023 #17

I just read a piece in Dissent (current issue) Dave says Sep 2023 #27

Anyone remember this scene... keep_left Sep 2023 #16

Yes, and that is what I thought of when I read the OP. c-rational Sep 2023 #28

I run a social group for progressive women coffeenap Sep 2023 #19

Fairy Tales, all of it. milestogo Sep 2023 #21

Milestogo, where are you listening? Prairie_Seagull Sep 2023 #22

I get a monthly purchase from Audible. Listen on my kindle or phone. milestogo Sep 2023 #25

I like the tactile experience of reading a book and have resisted Audible for years now. Prairie_Seagull Sep 2023 #29

Commie propaganda! LymphocyteLover Sep 2023 #23

Not just critical race theory - historical critical theory. milestogo Sep 2023 #26

There are a lot of history classics out there, or they should be Warpy Sep 2023 #33

I've been a "history" person since the age of 12 303squadron Sep 2023 #34

another good book is 'lies my teachers told me' mopinko Sep 2023 #36

Zinn is fascinating ITAL Sep 2023 #37