Thank You For Your Service? No Thanks! By Gary D. Barnett
(2012-04-26 at 12:25:07 )

Thank You for Your Service? No Thanks! by Gary D. Barnett

It would be very diff icult for me to think of any term that disgusted me
more than those words uttered continuously in the presence of virtually
any soldier in the United States: " Thank you for your service! "

What service is actually being praised by those conditioned to say these
empty words? Why are they thanking and praising nearly every soldier
they see?

- Is it because hatred of the U.S. is increasing, and new enemies are
being created in the Middle East and all around the rest of the world?
- Is it because thousands and thousands of innocent people are being
killed now in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Syria,
Yemen, and many more are being threatened?
- Is it because 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 foreigners, mostly innocent
civilians, have died just since World War II due to U.S. interference
and war?
- Is it because indef inite detention without due process, torture,
assassination, and rendition are now common and accepted practices?
- Is it because suicide rates among American soldiers have increased 80%
since the Iraq War began?
- Is it because mental problems now send more military personnel to the
hospital than any other cause?
- Is it because destruction and separation of military families is
rampant?
- Is it because civil liberties have all but disappeared due to so-called
terrorism legislation? (terror legislation would be more accurate)
- Is it because of the creation of the USA PATRIOT Act, Military
Commissions Act, NDAA, TSA, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?
- Is it because of the massive buildup of killer drones abroad and at
home?
- Is it because the huge def icit spending to support multiple aggressive
wars is causing economic chaos?
- Is it because of the surging number of double amputees of American
soldiers?
- Is it because of increasing energy costs due to the United States
unwarranted presence in the Middle East region?
- Is it because the domestic police have now become a brutal militarized
force, bent on controlling the entire population?

I could of course go on, but the picture is clear. Those who continue to
believe the propaganda about all U.S. wars leading to the protection of
freedom, and to our national security, are blinded by ignorance, and
consumed by pathetic false patriotism. No U.S. wars have ever served the
purpose of freedom; they have only served to destroy it.

Due to these wars of aggression and occupation, our freedoms are
virtually non-existent today. We are spied upon, tracked, searched
without warrant, sexually assaulted, and radiated. There are now
checkpoints in many parts of the country where it is demanded that we
"show our papers," and killer spy drones are f illing our skies.
Government agents and the military are patrolling all U.S. borders, and
Blackhawk war helicopters sporting heavily armed soldiers hanging on
tethers are fl ying over our cities.

Because of these wars, the government has gained enormous power, and
continues its assault on liberty. A police state environment has taken
hold, and if not curbed soon, will lead to Martial Law in the near
future. The DHS has purchased enough killing ammunition to murder more
than twice the population, and on the say so of one man, Americans can
and are being assassinated. Why?

In order for our national security to be defended, we first have to be
attacked. That has not happened. In order to protect freedom here at
home, all foreign wars must cease, and all the government agencies and
" terrorism " legislation created since 9/11 should be abolished
immediately! Every U.S. base on foreign soil should be closed, and every
troop stationed in another country should come home and enter the
private sector. At least that would be a good start.

There is a reason that the young are sent as cannon fodder to die in the
wars of the politicians, bankers, and corporations. They are less likely
to challenge the orders they are given; orders meant to be obeyed
regardless of the immoral nature of those demands, and regardless of the
horrible consequences they will most certainly face. Those who " serve "
do not serve the people who falsely praise them; they only serve one
master, and that master is the nation state and its benefactors.

It Is Not " We The People!! "

Thank you for your service? Absolutely Not!
We Can Not Aff ord Any More Of This Kind Of Service!

April 21, 2012

Gary D. Barnett is president of Barnett Financial Services, Inc., in
Lewistown, Montana.

Copyright © 2012 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or
in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.