Friday, April 2, 2010

War is a Racket

I am starting a suggested reading list and I'll post a book for your consideration each Friday. Since amazon.com carries my novel, WHITE POWDER, I'll provide you a link to that company so you can read more about my selection and decide whether or not you may wish to add it to your library.

This week's selection: War is a Racket, by Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC. General Butler was awarded the Medal of Honor twice and the Brevet Medal, once. The Brevet Medal is essentially a Medal of Honor, awarded at a time when the Medal of Honor was limited to enlisted ranks. So General Butler effectively won the Medal of Honor three times. That makes him the most highly decorated soldier in American history.

It's a book that is opposed to war in the sense that wars (such as the most recent Iraq War) were designed to benefit corporations and not necessarily American interests.

Those of you who know me personally, know I'm not a powder puff pacifist. However, General Butler makes a very valid point and it's one worth considering when one considers "war" and whether the war is justified. You who know me will also know that my opinion of war also includes that if you think a war is worth fighting, you should be willing to send your children, knowing they will all die in that war. I'm not saying that they'll all die, but you need that mind set to determine whether or not the war is worth fighting. Somebody's children will die.   It puts a slightly different spin on things, doesn't it? 

Consider the book by General Butler.

2 comments:

WoFat said...

General Butler is often quoted by Marine authors. By all accounts a great man and a super soldier.

darlin said...

Unfortunately, yes someones children will die in war. The book sounds intriguing, after reading your book though, I highly doubt that it will compare... I'm not going to say that I won't read it, I'm just saying that I've now read one heck of a good book, it's going to be a tough one to follow!

Happy Easter LL.

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