Sixty-five years ago today, on December 7th, 1941, Japanese pilots bombed the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. World War II had started more than two years earlier. But -- prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor -- America was having none of it. Remembering World War I, most Americans were anxious to avoid a repeat performance.
Having cracked the Japanese codes, American "leaders" knew the attack was coming, but they had no interest in preventing it.
Instead they moved all their carriers out to sea, left a few rusty old battleships in port, and manned those ships with thousands of sailors -- whose lives would be sacrificed for policy considerations. The aim was to produce a catalyzing event, after which it would be easy to lead the American people into another foreign war.
America had built up its military forces in order to fight foreign wars in the past. But after each of those wars were over, the size and the budget of the military were greatly reduced.
But no such reduction happened after World War II; instead a mostly imaginary enemy was created, and instead of peace, the world was treated to "the Cold War", the "Arms Race", and all manner of attendant horrors. The military and industrial capacities of the nation were combined, an enormous propaganda machine was erected to protect them, and soon began a series of undeclared wars, invasions, incursions, and police actions.
In some respects, the US military has succeeded; since the attack on Pearl Harbor, all wars have been fought elsewhere, the vast majority of the victims have been foreigners, and the United States has never again been attacked by outsiders.
With the demise of the Soviet Union, it began to appear that the world was once again on the brink of peace. Had this happened, a drastic reduction in the size and power of the US military would have been necessary.
But that could never be allowed. So, since then, the attacks have come from insiders, and the results have been tragic, both for the United States and especially for the rest of the world.
In my opinion, we should honor the military-industrial-propaganda complex with the biggest birthday party ever. Sixty-five years old and still going strong! How remarkable -- have some cake and ice cream.
And then we should have another party -- a retirement party! Give it a pat on the back and a gold watch and send it on an ocean cruise.
The Bermuda Triangle is lovely this time of year, don't you think?