Support Our Troops — Bring Them All Home Now

Samuel Johnson said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” H.L. Mencken expanded that definition when he said, “Patriotism, in truth, is the great nursery of scoundrels.… Its chief glories are the demagogue, the military bully, and the spreaders of libels and false history.” I think of this definition every time I hear the … Continue reading “Support Our Troops — Bring Them All Home Now”

Peace Is Profitable

Most discussions about the costs of war focus on two numbers: the cost in dollars and cents and the more profound and heartbreaking cost in lives. Yet even as depressing as these numbers are, the figures discussed rarely encompass the whole truth. Over many generations those in power have learned there are benefits to keeping … Continue reading “Peace Is Profitable”

If Killing Is Wrong, Then War Is Too

You can’t teach people that it’s wrong to kill people by killing people. I’ve said and written this so often that I’ve almost forgotten what it really means. A good friend of mine recently brought me back to reality. He asked simply, “Well, then, if you don’t teach people that it’s wrong to kill by … Continue reading “If Killing Is Wrong, Then War Is Too”

Why Peace? Why Not!

“Having seen the people of all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson My most natural … Continue reading “Why Peace? Why Not!”

Gitmo’s Gotta Go

The Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, perhaps better known by its nickname “Gitmo,” is an affront to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the legacy of our national heritage. It should be closed now and all the people detained there returned to the place where they were seized. In this I wholeheartedly endorse … Continue reading “Gitmo’s Gotta Go”

The Myth of Defense Cuts

Despite all the hysteria, wailing, and gnashing of teeth from Washington war hawks, there are no spending cuts proposed in the defense budget, nor is there any change at all in our defense policy. Typical of the frenzy was the comment by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) that the “massive cuts” … Continue reading “The Myth of Defense Cuts”

The Sun Never Sets on the US Military

Once again, President Obama has ordered U.S. soldiers into harm’s way unnecessarily. Last week, he quietly told the U.S. Congress that he had sent 100 U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers into Uganda to help governments in central Africa fight a rebel army that’s been rampaging through the region for more than 20 years. This is … Continue reading “The Sun Never Sets on the US Military”