Outside Insight

I have mentioned in previous posts my disagreement with the existence of permanent U.S. military bases around the world. To me these bases speak of silent wars against countries who we have no reason to be at war with. Perhaps this is why our government engages in quiet and private military occupations. So is it war? Is it occupation? Is it stealing? Is it fair? Is it our place? It surely isn’t humanitarian aid. Do we really think that these military bases are not negatively affecting entire communities around the world? And why do we think that expanding ourselves at the expense of others is OK? I thought modern people considered themselves “sophisticated” and “civilized” people.

If we don’t want responsibility for other countries’ issues - like hunger, climate issues, violence, drugs, etc - perhaps we need to give up our control of their resources and our not-so-secret expansionist desires. The U.S. government clearly behaves as if it owns the world! and in the name of “Patriotism” and “American Freedoms” our government has instilled in the American people the idea that everything the government does must be right and must be for our benefit and freedom (which apparently the world hates - haha), even if the rights and freedoms of others are ignored and violated. In other words, all that really matters is us! I often hear people ask “why do people hate America?” and I can only say “That’s an “interesting” question!” but the real answer is Our Deep Ignorance.

How can we expect the people of those countries to be happy about what we do in their lands and how we affect their lives and their ability to survive on their own? Our government is not only occupying sovereign countries, it’s also pushing for international policies that make the people of poor countries (like Haiti) 100% dependent on us through Free Trade agreements, through so-called ‘economic opportunities’ and the World Bank, etc, etc, etc.

Unfortunately, the media in the U.S. is controlled in such a way that the US people are the last to know of their governments doings. And in an effort to not feel guilty as an “American” we defend what is wrong - the government - not realizing that the only way to stop corrupt leaders is “the People”. ‘Patriotism’ disables the People’s ability (and right) to stand against what is wrong; patriotic people are meant to NOT question their government and that’s the first mistake we can make.

These military bases are not one isolated case, it’s not just happening in Iraq or other war zones - the U.S. government has been bullying the whole world! and it has been happening during this nation’s entire teenage sovereign life time, abroad as much as it still happen within our borders with wars that most U.S. minorities (especially Native Americas) are familiar with.

If we were in the place of the people affect by U.S. government action abroad, wouldn’t we be fighting a war or two already - defending ourselves as most Americans think we did to revenge 9/11? Ah, I forgot most of the countries we occupy and conquer don’t have the weapons or the money for that! Some things just work out to our benefit. Flex those muscles Bush-ites! Show us what a big bully you can be - yes “be all you can be”! But don’t expect any love or admiration….