I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend while remembering the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to defend America and freedom.
It seems the neo-socialists don’t want to feel left out during this weekend of patriotism and honoring the fallen. Liberation News, the “newspaper for the party of socialism and liberation,” today published an article entreating leftists to insert politics “back into” Memorial Day:
To truly honor Memorial Day means putting the politics back in. It means reviving the visions of emancipation and liberation that animated the first Decoration Days. It means celebrating those who have fought on the side of justice, while exposing the cruel manipulation of hundreds of thousands of U.S. service members who have been sent to fight and die in wars for conquest and empire.
The author, Ben Becker, is an adjunct instructor at the City College of New York. In his piece on Memorial Day, he posits that the true meaning of the holiday has been altered:
These days, Memorial Day is arranged as a day “without politics” — of a general patriotic celebration of all soldiers and veterans, regardless of the nature of the wars they participated in. This is the opposite of how the day emerged, with explicitly partisan motivations, to celebrate those who fought for justice and liberation.
Becker writes that the ruling class disguised the origins of the holiday in the days following the end of the Civil War. It is worth noting that Becker has admitted that his goal is to “defeat the right-wing in America,” a talk he gave as part of panel in 2010 at the National Conference on Socialism:
There are two sides of our strategy, a socialist strategy. We have to be with everyone who wants to fight the right, but be clear that the rightward trend cannot be defeated by siding with “good” capitalists over “bad” capitalists. All wings of the capitalist class are headed in the same direction, and it will take a mass movement to overthrow capitalism to turn it around. That is a big task—and we are not the first to articulate it—but that is the task nonetheless.
A google search reveals a plethora of articles on the history of Memorial Day, albeit without Becker’s thesis that it has all been a coverup:
While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868.
As Becker seeks to appropriate this day for his own political purposes (“to overthrow capitalism”) the rest of us can remember that it is this current political system that has allowed for the greatest freedom, equality, and justice for all. Why does that make the neo-socialists so uncomfortable?
*Movie recommendation: for a look at a slightly different caliber of City College of New York output, check out “Arguing the World,” an excellent documentary on the “New York Intellectuals” Irving Kristol, Irving Howe, Daniel Bell, and Nathan Glazer.
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Comments
No surprise here. A revolution is these peoples’ cause celebre, and they have no idea why.
Considering that a mere 2% of a population that is absolutely dedicated to a revolution can actually effect one,the momentum of these lost, useful idiots — puppets, really — need to be countered by us not just in the next 6 months, but for many years to come. We need to root out from our schools the frauds, such as Elizabeth Warrens, who admittedly direct them. If not, get used to “Wisconsin” in perpetuity.
There have always been revolutionaries. I think the catalyst is less related to their numbers, whether 2% or whatever, and more to the acceptance of their cause into the mainstream. The counter-voice won’t really suppress their numbers, for example. But it is critical in order to provide contrast in the public sphere. Staying on theme in this thread, opposing anti-capitalism efforts doesn’t necessarily require a larger number, per se. But when an overwhelming majority of public communication (MSM, etc.) participates and promotes, the voice of capitalism must at least be very loud and convincing.
It is too easy for someone who is unhappy with their economic situation to fall victim to the anti-capitalism rhetoric at a time of high emotion (anger, frustration, etc.). A person may not want revolution, but be on board with retribution, of sorts. Surely that is why most progressives, Obama included, will not give up on the hate-the-rich theme even though it hasn’t achieved their goals. Yet.
Mr. Becker’s article absolutely disgusts me. I don’t understand how so many people deliberately ignore that Soldiers are committed to defending our country and constitution. They don’t pick and choose their battles based on some relative morality, they’ve made an oath to serve at the behest of a democratically elected government. Yes, we owe it to our fallen to look back and reflect on the decisions we make, so that we may make wise decisions in the future. But memorial day is not the day for that. Memorial day should be be about honoring that fierce loyalty and commitment our fallen Soldiers have shown. Because we the people were the ones that sent them.
You have to redefine heroes and heroism in order to convince people of your vision. We have plenty of examples of socialist heroes throughout history, and they look nothing like the noble soldiers we honor on Memorial Day. Think Che or Eugene Debs as examples of heroic socialists born of “personal sacrifice”.
The standard practice of all progressives (socialists included) is to rewrite history as an early step. Equally important is the need to impugn past culture and key figures.
Sadly, much of the modern media accommodates academia to that end. Speculating, the goal may be to provide a “preponderance” of evidence through public articles and academic output whether accurate, or not. In a similar fashion, warming/climate change has been promoted as incontrovertible, with “overwhelming agreement”, even though that approach is contrary to all historical best practices in science.
The Collective will misapproriate (i.e., STEAL) anything that is not vigorously defended, including the meaning of word and remembrances.
That idiot alludes to “conquest and empire”. Really.
Where? We essentially owned the world after WWII. We gave it back, with our help, continuing blood in defense, and treasure to succor the starving we had just beaten.
http://www.qando.net/
That image is what this day is about. Not some twisted lies told by a would be kommissar.
Socialism and liberation. I’ll stick with peanut butter and chocolate. If history has shown anything it is that socialism and liberation are mutually exclusive. You cannot have one and have the other.
Speaking as a veteran in a family of veterans. I would nothing more than the opportunity to meet personally with Ben Becker and give him a lesson in pain and sacrifice.
… socialism and liberation …
In my world view, those two things are completely antithetical.
Dear Mr. Becker:
Go f*** yourself.
Love,
People with common sense
“Hey, hey L-B-J, how many birth places for the holiday today ?”
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
We who believe in this nation and that on which it was founded, pledge to continue the struggle the very best that we can. So, Fallen ones, rest in peace. Rest in peace.
Socialists will attempt to appropriate ANY “day,” event, occasion, institution, and organization for their political ends. Appropriation is the only way they can do it.
Fly your flag all day (half staff until noon); take a look at your old uniform or service stuff (if you have some); offer a prayer of thanks for being alive when you are, where you are; go to a parade; barbecue a chicken, steak, hot dog, ribs, and some veggies; have a brew or a glass of wine—volunteer at a local USO operation if there’s one within striking distance. It’s what they’d want.
Boring Ben Becker has been given tomorrow by someone else, he’ll take it.
I’ll share Memorial Day with a WW II veteran and his wife. He’s a humble man, who insists, because he was a support troop, that credit goes to the combat troops. His country called and he served. He wasn’t wounded, didn’t get sick, and was never captured. Thus, he considers himself veteran “Lite”. G_D bless him!
I understand; my war was VietNam, my role was as his. Forty seven years ago – early VietNam – The support to combat ratio was something like twenty five or thirty to one. The volunteer military has brought it down, but the support’s still needed and still there, much is performed by the contractors people love to hate. In those days going was expected, to a certain extent you could be the master of your own fate, but you never knew for sure, you just did it. Athletes, entertainers, politicians, butchers, bakers, candle stick makers. I’m more convinced every day that it was a good thing and becoming equally convinced, sadly, that the nation could not handle it today. . . simply could not handle it. That s said, I will tell you, there are some simply amazing, wonderful people in the service today.
In Flander’s Fields is the standard, this seems to fit the times: Henry V, act iv, scene iii… Have a great holiday.
WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!
KING. What’s he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say “These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.”
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
Why should socialist show more decency than their president? He’s running a campaign ad on TV this weekend touting “his” veterans programs. Obama does the voice over, contrasting himself with those who “just make speeches.” He concludes by saying it’s especially important to remember this difference on Memorial Day.
He truly has no shame.
Obama considers himself a veteran … of community organizing. Same thing, right?
I am at the point I intend to have some urinal and toilet bowl stickers made with Obamessiah’s image on them. Good enough for Jane Fonda, even more appropriate for him. Just ask the Doctor in Pakistan just sentenced to 33 years for treason as punishment for his key part in “Obama’s personal victory” over Osama Been Leaded.
As a veteran of a long ago war, this Memorial Day let me tip my hat to another veteran who isn’t often thought of … Col James N Rowe and one more Capt. Humbert Roque Versace … both men who gave so very much more than I ever did, or ever could, and deserve to be remembered.
I would invite Mr. Becker to point out the economic system that exists today that has brought it’s participants the freedom from want and the freedom to pursue personal visions and the freedom from having to spend most of one’s time on immediate survival that capitalism has. Let’s go even further and include the last 200 years.
As is typical with those who are dissatisfied with inequities that appear IN ANY SYSTEM (due mainly to differences in circumstance, ability and access to familial assistance ) they point to these inequities as the ordained and ultimate result of capitalism but ignore all the stories of success and innovation that would never have seen the light of day under any other system.
Oh and don’t point to any countries in Europe as they are, at heart, capitalist systems and have only been able to sustain socialist programs due to the US providing the region it’s security for the last 60 years. (All whilst providing for the rest of the world’s).
Barack Obama suffers from the same narrowly focused mindset as he attempts to solve problems that don’t exist and caused problems that were of little impact to expand until his actions have crippled our economic vitality.
Think Zimbabwe. They thought all they had to do was redistribute the land to the poor and the system providing their food would still remain stable. They hadn’t reckoned on the amount of work the farm owners were exerting to make that system work. Once the farm owners were removed the system collapsed and the country now starves when it used to export food. It’s people are worse off and there is no end to their plight as everyone involved is invested in a solution that won’t solve the problems it caused. (Land reform has always been a leading slogan and aim of third world revolutions with communism or some such at their heart).
Thus does the Democrat party fail to see that their solutions will never work as well as what we had. That they can never achieve the kind of control and distribution that they will find is necessary to make their ideas work. They have and will find that more and more they must intrude the law into people lives to even begin to show the results they want or think they can achieve. As time goes on it will get more difficult and more laws will be required and soon the system is strangled by bureaucrats led by pie in the sky day dreamers who have no experience running a lemonade stand let alone a million dollar a year business.
Obama may be a Kenyan or Muslim or a pot smoking nitwit but one thing is certain; the direction he wants us to go is where EVERY government that has tried it is now rubble or surrounded by barbed wire. After having enslaved it’s people and murdered many of them.
HE MUST BE DEFEATED.
Well said. As for the real motivations of the progressive leftists, I’d cite the actions of the pigs in Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (written, strangely enough, by a Democratic Socialist in the UK). Under a Communist system, or even a full tilt socialist system, “party leadership” are invariably “more equal” than the populace, who of course, as less equal. The “more equal” crowd virtually need a “perpetual revolution” so they continue non-stop foment and agitation…even when they win and are in control. Don’t bother to feed hungry men, or free them enough (heaven forbid) to enable individual productivity, but rather keep them angry with each other by planting a suspicion that their neighbors are cheating and not as hungry. Keep all “lessor equals” distracted all of the time, especially with subjects that make no real difference to anyone.
Sound familiar? It is the modus operandi of the present day Democratic Party. They are not oblivious to it all, it is there intent, pure and simple. Thomas Jefferson and John Locke would be called rabid conservatives today, scorned, and run out of town.
Memorial day for ingrates. How cute.
In the first place, as a retired USAF Military person after 20 years of service, I will not be subjected to their incendiary propaganda of lies.
Secondly, elected officials make policy, not the US Military, which is mandated to be non-political in the defense of the nation, and as such the US Military is just the instrument of those policies of the Nation as represented and dictated by the elected officials.
And thirdly, these anarchistic statements from these perverted anti-American liberal socialist-marxists is inherently typical of their politically motivated radical ideological strategies and tactics to overthrow America’s Free Market Capitalism and US Constitutional Republic.
Like I have said many time before, the socialist-marxist left is a cancerous toxic ideology, and can and will completely destroy a civilized society of Freedom, Liberty, Democracy, and the Truth in a blink of an eye, as recorded history has shown. Isn’t that what the former USSR was all about, the deception and lies in the name of the people.. and the people suffered 70 years of brutality, oppression, labor gulag camps, torture, and murder because of it. Not to mention what the Communist Chinese and North Koreans are doing to their own people. And of course, they never fail to not mention any of that in their propaganda speeches, as they want no one to know about the truth, or they just want everyone to believe that is all just a rumour.. Amazing
To the far left, the truth is all subjective. It has to be because that’s the only way they can justify their own thoughts, words, and action, which is contradicted by evidence of facts, logic, and reason, aka the truth itself. Thus this is their whole premise of being and their paradox of existence, to make the insane sane, the illogical logical, and the lie the truth. This is their whole premise of being, the tearing down an destroying of everything that is good in this world just to make their statist utopian paradise of misery, poverty, and societal blithe a reality, and all to make themselves ideologically politically happy.
To deceive the people, liberals use their pretense of tolerance and inclusiveness mantra as a ruse to be intolerant, controlling, bullying, threatening, intimidating, coercive, and even physically violent to anyone they wish to, and pretend that the law is only what they say it is, and is only applied to who and what and when they say it does, excluding them of course. That’s the only way they can take over the Nation’s politics, is by brainwashing the people into believing that Individual Freedom and Liberty, Democracy and the US Constitution are bad and wrong, and that an all powerful govt is the only way, in the name of the people.
Isn’t it amazing that people actually believe them, but only after they have lost their freedoms, rights, liberties. and lives and families lives, do they finally get it. You would think that common sense, logic, and reason were enough to make people understand the differences and the consequences of those differences and act accordingly to those differences and consequences.. but no.. Amazing..
But we the Patriotic Constitutional Conservative Reagan Tea Party folks, will not wait to say- I told you so.. We will actively fight them and defeat them so that it never happens in the first place.
Well said. To avoid repeating myself, I cite my response to @Jake308 above (previously). That people believe them is similar to the deception & diversion utilized by stage magicians … distraction all of the time is their key tactic. For the unwashed (all of us not party to the deceptions)illusion becomes reality.
As an creaky old veteran I truly hope your conclusion paragraph is correct.
I Don’t tell Ben but In South Virginia I saw a Memorial Parade with Confederate Flags & uniforms.
Very stirring.
This Kimberlin guy reminds me of Justin Timberlake whom I never liked.
Like wrong thread . But then again these left men look all the same .
Anne, Socialists have always detested those who served.