Mike Shanklin on Veterans' Day

wow

you tell em' Shanklin. . political consultants up - Veterans down

the REAL HEROES are not soldiers,(sarcasm) the real heroes are the political directors of the Libertarian party. Americans should not waste thier time bringing thier children to lay flowers on grandpa's grave, they should be talking those kids to hear a lecture on Austrian economics.

Bend over Shank!
I have an award for you, it's not a purple heart but it does have a purple tip.

I couldn't agree with you more! America has gone into the middle east with oil and profit in mind for the military industrial complex. Bush and his band of criminals have dragged other countries along with them into the abyss with his "either you with us or you are with the terrorists" lie. Tell me that the body scanning and sexual groping at airports is freedom.

You know the interesting thing here is the out-of-control spamming going on here kind of symbolizes libertarian and neocons philosophy of deregulation. this is what you get without regulation - business gone amuck.

There also is something REALLY condescending about people always emphasizing going into the military as "serving your country", as if there's NO OTHER WAY to possibly serve it. Putting yourself on the line in some bullshit war is the best or only way? ...Really??

What about fighting for freedom and the disadvantaged in Washington? What about joining, say, the Peace Corps and helping out 3rd World peoples? What about giving capitalism to more less-developed nations so they can grow economically? What about general community service?? How are those not ALSO "serving your country"?

This militarist bullshit has gotta end. There are MORE ways- some which in certain instances can be considered far more noble- than simply joining the military to fight for or serve your country.

Let's put this in perspective EVEN FURTHER: Let's say Bush and his cronies in Washington decided to go FULL-BLOWN with their anti-civil liberties and war powers tendencies. Let's say that they turned America into some sort of martial law dictatorship or oligarchy. People are losing freedoms by the DAY. And yet, you decide to go to Iraq RIGHT BEFORE all this transpires because Bush says "Our freedom is under siege from Saddam Hussein." Then when you come home, what happens? You find your nation is fucked. Your efforts were for naught.

And who knows! You could've been the difference between America turning into a dictatorship and staying free. I'm not necessarily saying this will happen anytime soon, but it's worth thinking about. It's yet another flaw in the whole "fighting for our freedom" bullshit viewpoint.

I'd rather stay here at home and fight for our freedoms. It is NOT "the soldier" who defends freedom more than the journalist or libertarian or libertarian-leaning politician. That's a load of CRAP. Maybe in 1776 that made sense. Or 1941. But in 2010, that's just garbage dumb people spew so they don't have to actually THINK hard about why we're over there or how it doesn't make any actual sense.

All the Right's silly patriotic slogans and symbols are just cover for the fact that they HATE freedom and sovereignty. Deep down, they only want a very LIMITED notion of freedom for America. But they say they LOVE freedom and get boners just thinking about it to prevent themselves from having to face the hard truth. If the Right in this country TRULY cared about freedom, I think they'd do a lot more fighting for it than just repeating tired slogans, catchphrases and worshipping false idols.

"These people are just fulfilling a contract which they are getting lots of money to do"

Eh? Did you seriously say that? No they aren't especially not for what they are at risk for. You reduce military service down to just getting a paycheck.

Many of the actions that we deem heroic have less to do with killing the enemy and more to do with aiding fellow soldiers. A number of Medal of Honors have been awarded to soldiers who risked their lives many of whom lost it in the process to give their fellow soldiers ie their buddies a chance to survive.

We tend to honor that type of sacrifice not some Rambo gutting his way thru an army single-handedly.

I think that says a lot about our society and the men and women who serve in the military.

In other words even if a war is controversial like Vietnam and Iraq, there are still moments when soldiers can and will show individual heroism for the sake of others.

You just make them out to be mercenaries and duped pawns who don't even deserve sympathy according to you.

Then you tell us to look at a policeman and politician with disdain because they are part of this corrupt political system (because libertarains can't get elected?). That's hardly a productive way of doing things especially as your perception of the world is more than a little askew.

What's the point of having TWO days dealing with veterans? So Memorial Day honors DEAD veterans, and Vets' Day does the same for living ones? Why not just consolidate the two, at the very least? Seems like a frivolous way for pro-military folks to get ONE MORE DAY to celebrate their militarist bullshit fairy tale.

"We're defending freedom in Iraq." uh, no you're not! At least not OUR freedom here in the U.S. "They hate us for our freedom." Actually, no rational person believes that, especially experts like Michael Scheuer.

I'm so SICK of how pro-military and pro-war this country is as a whole. It's fucking insane! Now, I'm not against ALL wars; there's a time and place for war. But more times than none in our nation's history, we've been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The only wars of ours that were truly justified in my opinion are Revolutionary War, MAYBE the Civil War, ww2 and perhaps the War of 1812, since I'm not fully steeped on how great our nation was or was not threatened by Canada or the British or both. That's it!

Korea, Grenada, Nicaragua, Panama, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and so many other nations we've invaded never were and probably never WILL BE threats to our way of life! They were fucking useless. Pointless

Mike Gravel had the balls to stand up and say that our soldiers died in vain in Vietnam in 2008, and I agree 100%. They may BELIEVE that they're "serving their country", but sometimes there is a HUGE disconnect between belief and reality, esp. among my fellow Americans.

And frankly, I'm TIRED of having to always honor veterans. Why?? Why is every fucking veteran deserving of our respect? Shouldn't we put military service in perspective? I mean, if you died nobly fighting the Nazis, that's great. I support that. But if you wasted time in Iraq, sorry. At least the people who went to war before we ended the draft could use the excuse "Well, i had no choice in the matter", although there WERE plenty of people who successfully dodged the draft and got away with it nonetheless. But with an all-volunteer military, a person who joined just recently HAD to have known he'd be involved in some bullshit like Iraq or Afghanistan. he HAD to have foreseen we'd get into another quagmire, rather than a noble effort like WW2. We're never gonna get into another more noble war effort like WW2. It's just not gonna happen. All wars in the present and future will be total bullshit, I guarantee.

If someone wants to go into one of those quagmires and become part of the problem, why should I support them? Fuck this pansy-ass "support the troops but don't support the war" crap. I DON'T SUPPORT BOTH! You made the stupid-ass choice to get involved with the American military in a time like this. You should've known better. Don't come crying to me when you finally figure out it was a waste.

Seriously, who the fuck are we "defending freedom" from in Iraq? "insurgents"? Oh yeah, they'll "follow us home", just like the Vietnamese, Grenadans, Koreans, Iraqis in the early 90s, Germans, Japanese, etc. Oh wait... THEY DIDN'T! There's no reason to believe it'll be any different with Iraq or Afghanistan!

TERRORISTS ARE FIGHTING OCCUPATION! Yes, terrorism is also stupid and evil because it kills innocents, but these people are fighting what they view as occupation. If we REMOVE the occupation, they will stop, at least when it comes to killing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. DUH

What kind of stupid idea is it to create MORE terrorists by going into Iraq and provoking the radicals? Going into the hornet's nest is a worthwhile strategy... how?

Why is that so hard for neocons to understand? It's fucking garbage just how much the average American is UNWILLING to question the military... ever. It's as if questioning the military is akin to questioning America itself and calling it all sorts of bad names. WHO is immune to criticism? NO ONE if you ask me, not even the military.

I mean, recruiting in high schools? Seriously...? Does no one see that as kind of fucked up? yeah... I wanna graduate school just to join the military, get sent to some hot shithole, and get killed or a leg blown off. And then get treated like SHIT by my own government, which claims it "cares" about its troops, and eventually become homeless.

That's just not my thing.

Veterans' Day isn't just about current wars but all veterans from the beginning of the country.

Way to shit on people in uniform with ignorance and libertarian propaganda. Love the ending shout out to libertarians BTW [eye roll]

There is no myth undone here as he doesn't give any real supporting evidence. This is just his opinion which I don't find very convincing.

While I cannot honor someone who fights in a illegal war and kills knowing that it is wrong. I do however honor the service of those who did so feeling as if they were 'protecting our freedoms'. Knowledge of a war's illegality and the innocence of the enemy and continuing to follow orders to kill is not an honorable thing. However, some soldiers find themselves over there before they figure out that the war is wrong. In that situation, when bullets start flying one must do what is necessary. I do not judge for this.

If you served honorably, my hat is off to you.

You fall to pieces in the first thirty seconds. You are protected merely by the fact that you were able to post this inane dribble on the internet without armed men kicking your door down and taking you away.

You should be fucking ashamed of yourself.

Your a chubby lil libertarian, I guess you spend all day at your computer?

fuck libertarians. you are stupid corporate pawns who would gut civil rights and sell your own grandmothers for a nickel. there i said it. do you honestly think your politicians wouldnt sell you up the road as soon as they were elected? in the name of "free market capitalism?" morons.

im a veteran, fuck you.

Who the fuck is Mike Shanklin?

I do agree with you , these wars were illegally started . I do NOT agree , that those who serve in the military get well paid -- they get shafted big time . I do NOT agree that they are lesser in any way and should be looked down on . There are many ignorant people in all walks - who can know everything ? Certainly not YOU . IF we all got proper education , and I believe that is a right and vital to civilization cohesion , many problems would be solved .

Mike, you are off base with this one my friend. I surmise from your view of the Military that you haven't served. I have. Our Military is the most professional organization to arise from our civil endeavors. During training and service, you are encouraged to voice objections and report crimes. No blindly following orders, there are classes during basic training that detail Chain of Command and how to report violations/objections. Now what a unit conspires and commits under duress, is human nature at it's worst. Can you argue that we need a standing Armed Force? Are you aware of the level of discipline needed for humans to act as a unit? High. Surely you are aware of the fickleness of war, how sometimes Odin arrogantly withholds victory. Regardless of the politics of the situation our members are risking the most precious thing given to us: Life, for the worst thing given to us: Oil. That being said, your angst should be directed at upper level leadership. The ones pimping. If you look closely you will see sevice member's lives today are traded for Fuel and Corporate Interest, not Freedom. They have been reduced to bodyguards for Americorp, think of the life energy given up for a full tank of gas. I do...Bring 'em Home.

Many call us (libertarians) "isolationists" but that is in fact not true. We (libertarians) are anti-imperialists. There is a difference.

Isolationism: a policy of non participation in international economic and political relations

Libertarians are believers in free trade and free markets. The forefathers said trade with all and make entangling alliances with none.

Imperialism: a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries

Spreading "freedom" at gunpoint?!?!

Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure. – Robert LeFevre

hey, i get your arguments, agree with many of them, and i understand you aren't trying to be aggressive but i serve my country because of many reasons. i swore on an oath to defend the constitution and be a leader and be vocal when we do invade constitutional rights. I am NOT a pawn, I am NOT a serf, as you stated at 6:00. and as far as being "created equal," you mention servicemen and women should be looked down upon. its kinda hard to follow a belief when you feel like it attacks you...

LOVE IT!!!!

The solution would be to not blame vets - avg. age 22 - and blame the blatantly ignorant masses who keep electing the same shitty civilian puppet criminals to represent you. The military is under civilian authority... not the other way around... so blame the idiots that keep voting left-right left-right. I know plenty of libertarian vets that don't give a crap about either party or which faction elected what puppet to screw us. Reagan, Bushies, Obama... f*ck 'em all!

This all fine and good for those who have served and I thank you , but where are you now that Communist are in the White House,

I must say, If our country were attacked, on our soil, I would the first one in line to sign up and fight for this country that I love, but I will not condone a war of aggression on the foreign soils of other free and sovereign nations.

I do not even remotely support these unjust wars which we are in, but I respect the choices of our service men and women, no matter how wrong I believe such a choice to be.
We should not use this day as a way to justify these wars, but we must not go to the other extreme and use it to disrespect our fellow countrymen simply because they have been mislead and misinformed, as I see it.
They made the decision, and the best we can do for them is to inform them of the truth and how our interventionism is only making us more and more hated among the peoples of this Earth.

I do agree, that if we really want to honor our veterans, we should bring them home and stop wasting their precious and valuable lives on unreasonable and completely unnecessary wars.

Part of being completely socialized , is the realization , that one does well to serve something bigger that themselves . One could join the peace core , be a fireman , or a doctor . There was a huge jump in people joining the military AFTER 9/11 because many felt the call . What you call statism , I call compassion . The very foundation of civil society .

He says he doesn't feel safe, then goes on to talk about how we haven't been "attacked" since Pearl Harbor...

We're one the most hated countries in the world, if not THE most hated and yet the last time we were attacked on our soil was almost 10 years ago. Considering how big this country is, the freedoms allowed to citizens which arguably decrease security and level of hatred for the US, I'd say 10 years is pretty fucking good. The military and government agencies are a large reason for this.

You say soldiers don't question authority? They're rarely supposed to, it's an all volunteer military, no one forced them to serve.

If America is attacked will you take up arms and defend it's citizens and freedoms? Because I know 3,000,000 men and women who will in a heartbeat.

"Give thanks for those who defend democracy - for they bear the gift of liberty and pay the price of freedom."

amanda owns stanklin

shanklinmike self promotion spam

This typical libertarian analysis is simple minded, and insulting to people who choose military service, or any other kind of public service.

Reliance on a superficial jargon, e.g. "statism;" reflects a poverty of intellect, and a failure to grasp social and political complexities.

Every veteran ive ever talked to claims they are no hero... even the ones that risked their lives to save others. The fact is that as long as humans exist on this little dustball of a planet there will be conflict. Soldiers are heroes in my book because we need someone to risk their lives so that the weak wont have to fend for themselves. The problem is politicians who send our young men and women out there to kill and die for less than noble reasons (resources, territory, political power, etc.).

Also i find it "interesting" that this Amanda Owens person only comments on Mike Shanklin posts and now shes even plugging your own ideas. Yeah you totally dont have people ghost voting your stories to the top or anything Mike...

My father is a Viet Nam veteran so I do honor Veterans Day, but I also understand the other argument.

I cannot honestly persecute the soldiers that gave their lives for what they believe in. Just can't do it and I don't support any of the wars.

Happy Veterans Day.

I agree that there is way too much fucking military worship. We shouldn't assume that just because they are in the military that their service was honorable or that they are good people. But I wouldn't categorize every single member of the military as you just did. Their are those that go in with honorable intentions of serving their fellow man and volunteering their life in case we are in an actual just war. Also people like Adam Kokesh that went in to Iraq thinking that he was going in to clean up the mess the our military made. But I agree with the premise of honoring the troops by bringing them home.

Mr Shanklin,

I am in the military. I have no "blinders." I am not rich. We do more work than those at Taco Bell and have more on the line. This is not a very good Veteran's Day message. How about this.... SUPPORT THE TROOPS; END THE WAR. By the way, any small ounce of support you once had from this "pawn" you just lost. I joined the military under my own selfish interest and I denounce your comments that suggest I am just a subject to the state. As far as I am concerned they are subject to me. I will follow orders as long as they can give me money, education, and experience in the career field I love. You know nothing of the military, and I hope you cease any further ignorance on the subject. I do not support this war, but I will be the first one up to put my life on the line for your ignorant comments if I needed to. I am sick of your broad generalizations of military members. I question authority. I can do it minimally at work, but I do it quite often outside of it. Do yourself a favor. Never generalize anyone or anything especially when you know little about the group you try and generalize. This is ignorance, and I have no room for ignorance in my busy day. With that being said, good bye Mr. Shanklin.

Very Respectfully,

Jesse Hagler
Support the troops; end the war.

It's funny to see neocons pretend to "support" our troops and at the same time support the use of our men and women to perpetuate our interventionist foreign policy and expand the military industrial complex. While I did have an uncle who served in the military, he understands that soldiers fight to protect the state, not to protect the so-called "freedoms" we supposedly have. While I understand why anyone would serve overseas, it's just sad to see our government mislead our troops into fighting for their own selfish desires. As Gen. Smedley Butler once said "War is a Racket."

What you are saying isn't going to be popular, and as a member of the military, I can't say I like to hear what you are saying but it is true.

We are just pawns, tools of the state. In my case and many others, my enlistment was voluntary. I did it for myself, and my own interest.

There are no real heroes' in war. At best, every death is a tragedy.

"Clichés about supporting the troops are designed to distract us from failed policies, policies promoted by powerful special interests that benefit from war."
-Ron Paul