I’ve been thinking about this amped up conservative rhetoric that liberals and leftists hate America. We all know that’s BS. Right? Except it’s not, and we should respond to it for what it is.
“I love an America I grew up in. I love an America I believe in, that I lived most of my life in. Now, the idea of America that you’re fighting and “winning” for is killing that America I live in, that I love. So you’re right. I hate what you imagine America to be… because it is trying to murder the America that I love. And I don’t use the word “murder” lightly, and I apply it to you. And if that means to you that I hate America… then you’re right! The America you believe in isn’t lovable.”
That’s all.
Every time the violence of the American empire is turned inwards (unless it’s only on marginalized people), its privileged citizens say it’s not who they are and liken it to Russia, or China, or whoever the enemy of the day is. What do you think you participated in as a soldier? This IS America, you’re just part of the group that experiences it this time - and it would have to become much worse than it is now to be a fraction of what black people (or indigenous people, or many other groups) have experienced in your own country or Iraqi people have experienced at the hands of your soldiers and sanctions.
You imagine I thought America was wonderful before Trump? No. I love America and will fight to make it better, not because I’m suddenly shocked to discover it’s not what I always thought it was, but because I’ve always fought for it to be better.
Mostly, cleaning things.
This is a weak deflection. You were part of a system whose purpose is to destroy the lives people around the world who might harm US hegemony. Some members of the British navy at the height of their colonial power only cleaned warehouses, they still maintained a system that enslaved and massacred hundreds of millions. You should be ashamed of having been an American soldier, not proud to have served your country.
Hmm… sorry, no. I was no more a part of that situation than any other citizen. And I’m not ashamed in the least. Not. In. The. Least.
Other than being part of the army, lmao. Didn’t know all of the citizens of the US served in the military, you learn something new every day.
“I’m not ashamed I contributed to and participated in the oppression and domination of most of the world” is not the good reply you think it is. The American military just weeks ago finished helping Israel strike their neighbors to allow them to more easily continue their genocide. Rethink your pride.
I had literally nothing to do with that. I haven’t been in the army in almost 30 years. But also, oppression and domination isn’t all the army does. Or even mostly. I fixed mine detectors, and mines are a particularly horrific form of warfare, particularly to civilians. And you have the whole corps of engineers. Plenty of jobs in the army are just jobs.
But insofar as I was part of the big stick that enabled speaking softly to succeed, yeah I’m proud of that.
“I was proud to be part of the vast apparatus of violence that America threatens everyone with to get their way”
If it means diplomacy over war? Yep.
You are from a country that has been at war almost continuously for as long as anyone in it can remember.
Diplomacy is when you force Haiti to lower its minimum wage so your monied class can get even richer
“Speak softly and carry a big stick” is a reference to Teddy Roosevelt and his military-backed coups, invasions, and threats to control and disrupt Caribbean, Central American, and South American countries and people. Teddy Roosevelt himself was deeply racist and did his best to finalize anti-indigenous American genocide campaigns.
The kind of things you helped with, just not written about correctly in the history books yet.
So, which wars did you assist by “cleaning”?
…
For a brief shining second I thought you had said “not proud”. Was Fallujah “speaking softly”?
Voted against that administration.
And then fought for it
As opposed to the other party that destroyed Libya.
The administration stays the same despite the figureheads changing.
“Listen I wasn’t the one doing the oppression! I was just fixing stuff used to oppress people.” Is not exactly a flex homie
Ah yes. Mine detectors. A famously oppressive tool.
“Anyone seen any mines!?!?!”
Instead of helping the local economy make them themselves they have to come from america lol
Where were they used?
This is quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever read, so congrats on that
You need to read more. Fuck, I’ve said dumber things than that.
Only time you’ve been right in this entire thread.
Hitler’s chauffeur: “I only drove a car”.