Anabaptists and Veteran Discounts

I recently witnessed a further slide of Anabaptism into cognitive and ethical dissonance. As the Amish have moved more and more into the mainstream economy (our local paper's 'Service' section is now dominated by them), they are falling into the traps and enticements of mammon. And as a result, they are getting involved in politics - no doubt fostered by the Christian Right's outreach and attempts to woo them.

The Zombies of 9/11

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/10/1197055903/for-a-new-generation-of-marines-9-11-is-history?ft=nprml&f=1122

I caught this report on 11 September which was in connection with the anniversary. It's rather stunning to consider that even after all these years there are people still buying into the discredited narratives. There's no reflection. They are truly zombies – unthinking semi-sentient beings enslaved to the state and its manipulative narratives and rhetoric.

An Ugly Christian Life

https://www.beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/3-things-a-christian-should-consider-before-serving-in-the-military

Fesko begs many questions in this piece. From his adoption of the culture's language of 'service' to the tacitly endorsed feminism in speaking of a military career, he simply assumes in good Kuyperian fashion that the military is a viable option for the Christian.

The Ukraine War: A Double Windfall for Western Capitalism

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230109-macron-s-pension-reform-necessary-changes-to-an-unsustainable-system

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50670613

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/macron-boosts-french-military-spending-by-over-a-third-to-transform-army/ar-AA16z12S

This double windfall for capitalism is most clearly demonstrated by recent events in France. President Macron has announced pension reform. He argues (contrary to the numbers) that the present system is unsustainable and as such he wants to raise the minimum retirement age and expand the contribution requirement resulting in lower payouts for some. The money just isn't there, he argues.

Inbox: Are American Soldiers Losers and Suckers?

Despite Trump's near panicked claims to the contrary, the witnesses that testify to have heard him say as much are credible. Trump's selfishness and self-absorption know no bounds. He cannot conceive of anyone believing in anything greater than one's self – let alone believing in it so strongly that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives for it. And thus to the bafflement and irritation of those serving under him, he as president of the United States impugned the memory of fallen soldiers buried on French soil.

Lessons from the USS Theodore Roosevelt Incident

This is not a topic that is of particular interest to me but there are some noteworthy aspects to the story. I am referring of course to the virus outbreak on the American aircraft carrier, the leaking of the captain's communiqués, his being relieved and now the fallout.

A Murder in Mali

https://theintercept.com/2018/11/16/seal-team-6-green-beret-death/

I had almost deleted The Intercept from my bookmarks. The news magazine started out as one of the most interesting and cutting edge news websites in the aftermath of the Snowden affair but has since been appropriated and even dominated by reporting more or less in line with the Left-wing of the DNC. It went from being Anti-Establishment to being reformist and advocating many of the pseudo-Left views represented by people like Bernie Sanders. For some time it has seemed like Glenn Greenwald is about the only reporter left who has anything interesting to say.

South Korea's Almost Coup

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/korea-army-plot-coup-ousted-leader-power-56593736

The actual story here is that the South Korean (ROK) army doesn't act independently of the US. While officially the US doesn't take over operational control unless a war breaks out, practically speaking the South Korean military is a creature of Washington.

NATO GDP's and the 2014 Narrative

Trump's criticism of NATO member countries is getting some press and yet once again mainstream outlets like NPR and the BBC disappoint.

Brazil is Heating Up

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/nov/30/exhibition-nudity-brazil-culture-wars-sao-paulo-mam-masp-modern-art

This article makes for a disturbing read and while I don't wish to dwell on the particulars I simply wanted to post something about the changes taking place in Brazil. The Evangelicals are on the rise and it would seem Brazil is headed toward a culture war.

Remembering The Sand Pebbles

This article caught my eye because it referenced The Sand Pebbles and I immediately thought of the old Steve McQueen movie. I remember watching it many years ago and being baffled... why were American troops in China during the 1920's? It got me to digging.

Ken Burns and Vietnam Revisionism

https://bracingviews.com/2017/09/20/the-vietnam-war-a-tragic-mistake/

I haven't watched the Ken Burns series on Vietnam and there's a good chance I won't bother with it. Why not? Because despite all the hype and praises heaped upon it I expected it to be more or less as the author of this link has described it.

Burns is only going to go so far in criticising the United States. Tied to the Establishment he's not going to risk burning his bridges with PBS, the educational mandarins and the host of foundations and corporations that promote and fund works such as his.

A Very Confused Marine

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/04/27/punished-marine-gets-religious-liberty-case-heard-in-militarys-highest-court/

This is one of those stories that got a lot of traction in Evangelical circles but it's so fraught with problems it's difficult to know where to begin. I see little point in investing a great deal of time and energy in hashing out an extensive commentary but a few points are warranted.