Whenever an image of a flag about memorial day is accompanied with the message how you should always be unconditionally thankful because of the freedoms you enjoy are because of those who died in wars, it gives me pause.
It makes me think of two things. On one side those who died at wars of choice. The reason why they went to war is not because of our freedom or to bring people freedom, it is our lifestyle. We need oil, we need rare metals, we need need cheap labor. We need to sell weapons to create jobs and feed the economy.
We are hated, not because people hate our freedom, they hate being our slaves.
The other is those who died committing war crimes. The sound of the American war machine is not one of freedom, peace and prosperity; it is for many one of terror. Yes, we are not the only one and maybe we are not the most brutal choice. We are regardless, participant and enabler in many places.
Every country wants to believe they are the good guys, that we are on the right, we believe in our exceptionalism. Black and white.
Reality is grey.
It is a day of mourning, reflection and remembrance. Sometimes for people and sometimes for ideals.
It makes me think of two things. On one side those who died at wars of choice. The reason why they went to war is not because of our freedom or to bring people freedom, it is our lifestyle. We need oil, we need rare metals, we need need cheap labor. We need to sell weapons to create jobs and feed the economy.
We are hated, not because people hate our freedom, they hate being our slaves.
The other is those who died committing war crimes. The sound of the American war machine is not one of freedom, peace and prosperity; it is for many one of terror. Yes, we are not the only one and maybe we are not the most brutal choice. We are regardless, participant and enabler in many places.
Every country wants to believe they are the good guys, that we are on the right, we believe in our exceptionalism. Black and white.
Reality is grey.
It is a day of mourning, reflection and remembrance. Sometimes for people and sometimes for ideals.
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