Ancient Illegal Activities Abroad

In 1935, Major General Smedley D. Butler, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, published a groundbreaking pamphlet titled "War is a Racket." The pamphlet, penned after Butler's retirement from the military in 1931, became a standard of antimilitarism and anti-imperialism in the USA, and continues to be relevant today, marking 90 years since its publication.

Butler, who joined the U.S. Marines in 1898 at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, served in various countries throughout his 34-year military career. He was stationed in Cuba, China, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, and the Philippines. Butler was involved in almost all of the U.S. military interventions during this period, which saw the implementation of modern counterinsurgency tactics, including jungle warfare, house-to-house combat, forced labor, and persecution of political opponents.

One of Butler's most notable stations was in the Philippines, where he was instrumental in quelling the Philippine-American War. After his service, he was promoted to lieutenant at the age of 16, and later fought against the Spanish colonial power and later against the Cuban independence movement.

In 1935, Butler wrote a manifesto titled "War is a Racket," arguing that war is the most profitable and malicious swindle, benefiting only a small group of insiders at the expense of many. In the same year, he made a statement to the U.S. Congress, expressing his view that war is a deceitful crime.

The pamphlet caused a stir, with Butler receiving threats and facing potential court-martial. However, the U.S. Secretary of State apologised for the incident, and the charges were eventually dropped.

Fast forward to 2021, and the legacy of Smedley D. Butler continues to resonate. A Marine Corps base in Okinawa is named after him, and his words continue to inspire those who question the motives behind war and the actions of powerful elites.

In recent news, Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to Chicago, a controversial decision according to some. Meanwhile, Trump's views and actions are facing surprisingly little resistance from the elites, raising questions about the true intentions behind such actions.

As we reflect on the life and work of Major General Smedley D. Butler, it is important to remember his courage in speaking out against war and the powerful elite, and to continue questioning the motives behind military interventions and the actions of those in power.