The Marines are coming to...Protect the Protesters

[deLarge]

Dressed in uniform 16 or more marines so far and Army troops will be headed to the Occupy Wall Street demonstration to protect the protesters against the police crackdown.


My true hope, though, is that we Veterans can act as first line of defense between the police and the protester. If they want to get to some protesters so they can mace them, they will have to get through the Fucking Marine Corps first. Let’s see a cop mace a bunch of decorated war vets.

http://freakoutnation.com/2011/10/01/the-marines-are-coming-to-occupywallstreet-to-protect-the-protesters/

[Smyg]

Sense? Makes none.

[deLarge]

Sense? Makes none.

I'm still scratching my head on this one.

The guy is right, though, pictures of police macing military would definitely fuck with the collective consciousness.

[The Douche]

Uphold the constitution? oof...

[Smyg]

No, really. This entire protest movement is making no sense. At all.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

This is good news...??? I have no idea...

[Ele'ill]

They will be challenged by the police, when they don't 'comply' they will be arrested. When they resist arrest they will be sprayed and then arrested.


The state will shrug its shoulders all day long at peace and continue to spray and arrest. I'd imagine the best that can come of this entire peace movement is that the state feigns some weak facade of a defeat and proposes something as a victory that the inexperienced liberals eat up ravenously.

[The Douche]

How does it not make sense? You don't believe there can be veterans who are dissatisfied with the state of the economy?


Also you think the police haven't maced/arrested veterans before?

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/03/19/ba-protest20_ph2_0499927980.jpg

I've been to plenty of protests where veterans groups have had members get arrested.

[DeBon]

I don't understand... I though this was a radical left protest.. then I hear about Tea Part involvement.. now I hear about marines up in here?

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

[The Douche]

I don't understand... I though this was a radical left protest.. then I hear about Tea Part involvement.. now I hear about marines up in here?

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Did you read the article? Retired/ex-soldiers...

[Luc]

I don't understand... I though this was a radical left protest.. then I hear about Tea Part involvement.. now I hear about marines up in here?

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

I believe the protest doesn't have much of a single goal and is full of different groups for different things.

[DeBon]

I don't know really. I've seen a video here with a bunch of lefties with anarchy flags, some guys here talking about the gubment, just a bit of everything. And yea I read the article, I understand they're veterans.

[Magón]

I don't understand... I though this was a radical left protest.. then I hear about Tea Part involvement.. now I hear about marines up in here?

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

It's just a cluster fuck of various people and groups. There is no one group leading or majoring in numbers.

[The Douche]

I don't know really. I've seen a video here with a bunch of lefties with anarchy flags, some guys here talking about the gubment, just a bit of everything. And yea I read the article, I understand they're veterans.

So what about the concept of veterans who support OSW is confusing you?:confused:

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

IDK... what I've heard is that this was a group of veterans planning to participate in the Oct. 6 march in DC, the quote was taken out of context and spread online. But then again, that's another rumor so who the fuck knows. Maybe Radio Head will show up again.

[jake williams]

If you find any of this surprising or confusing I'm not sure what exactly your conception of working class politics is.

Soldiers are not bourgeois. Soldiers are people who have taken jobs which they see as relatively well-paying, available, and potentially beneficial to their own country and others. However this is not the view that many or even most come out with. In fact it's a common way which people become radicalized. Not always in healthy ways, but radicalized nonetheless.

The sort of finance capitalism represented by Wall Street is obviously harmful not just to US soldiers but to their friends, families, and communities (and most of the rest of the world). At least on a basic level they mostly understand this. It's neither surprising nor a problem that they're joining the protest movement. In fact it's an exceptionally good thing. Yes, a lot of their rhetoric (and politics) is problematic, but the thing about being involved in mass protest movements is people tend to learn a lot, and overcome rather than reinforce the shitty parts of their politics. Getting beaten up by cops could certainly be a part of that.

[Os Cangaceiros]

zomg so confused

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

BTW, there is a difference between workers in uniform drafted into the armed forces and paid mercenaries for the bourgeois state who volunteer to kill.

[Tim Cornelis]

I heard a fair or significant amount of veterans actually become anarchist, anti-establishment or anti-authoritarian since they have experienced first hand what authority does. At least, I've spoken to a veteran who became an anarchist and said this.

[Susurrus]

Whoo! These are true Americans!

[Die Neue Zeit]

That just goes to show the working-class background of so many soldiers and the not-so-working-class background of police officers.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

I don't know why so many people are surprised, like have we never heard of left-wing veterans or soldiers before? Half the protests against the wars have veterans leading them for God's sake, but we're surprised when 16 of them are going to defend Wall Street protesters?

[Gorra Negra]

Whoo! These are true Americans!

ohh please don't come all over your keyboard.

[Fawkes]

I saw some vets there on Saturday. Veterans are regularly involved in demonstrations in the U.S....

My friend joined the army and got deployed to Afghanistan just so he could have them pay for his college tuition. Of course, when the time came that his bill was due to the bursar's office, he had to write the check for it. The state loves shitting on veterans, this isn't too surprising.

This is cool and all, but the nationalist and macho rhetoric of that guy is pretty fuckin annoying.

[Искра]

That just goes to show the working-class background of so many soldiers and the not-so-working-class background of police officers.
And what is police if not a working class? The fact that they are on the system's side dosen't mean that they are not working class. Look at SA troops or Black Shirts for example...

[Gorra Negra]

This is an important protest bc. it begins to create a revolutionary mindset in mainstream america, questioning capitalism is not a crazy thing anymore. Having said that, these protest lack any type of structure or message besides saying they are 99% and they are tired of being screwed over. the end. They also include the tea baggers.

[Fawkes]

That just goes to show the working-class background of so many soldiers and the not-so-working-class background of police officers.

Actually, a lot of cops come from working class backgrounds. My roommate freshmen year had aspirations to become an NYPD officer and his dad drove an earthmover at a quarry and his mom was a tutor. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to torch a precinct and fuck up a cop as much as the next guy, but ACAB's a bunch of bullshit. Cops aren't all power-hungry monsters with itchy trigger fingers, some -- particularly younger cops -- are pretty alright people. And given the working-class background of many of them, there is potential for them to empathize and possibly even identify with us. Still, this doesn't change the fact that they, like career soldiers, are very much our enemies as long as they operate in active defense of the state.

[Gorra Negra]

the bolshevik revolution teaches us a lot about the copper question.

[DarkPast]

Actually, a lot of cops come from working class backgrounds. My roommate freshmen year had aspirations to become an NYPD officer and his dad drove an earthmover at a quarry and his mom was a tutor. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to torch a precinct and fuck up a cop as much as the next guy, but ACAB's a bunch of bullshit. Cops aren't all power-hungry monsters with itchy trigger fingers, some -- particularly younger cops -- are pretty alright people. And given the working-class background of many of them, there is potential for them to empathize and possibly even identify with us. Still, this doesn't change the fact that they, like career soldiers, are very much our enemies as long as they operate in active defense of the state.

I can vouch for this, two of my friends have cops in the family and both come from very much working class backgrounds (clerks, shop assistants etc.). In fact I'd say both families earn average or below average wages.

As for the reasons people become cops, I remember reading an article that compared the East and West German police force in 1989. The police departments on both sides of the Wall were asked about what reasons people gave for joining them, and the results were pretty much identical: 1. a desire to work with people, 2. idealism, 3. family tradition, 4. belief in the system and 5. the wish to serve one's country.

[MustCrushCapitalism]

What is this I don't even...

[citizen of industry]

I'm a veteran. After I got out I became radicalized. The armed forces (enlisted) is made up of workers and minorities. Getting out of the military and returning to the workforce can be a radicalizing experience. The welfare rug gets pulled out from under you and it's back to slaving away at a low wage and shitty benefits at a stupid job.

[Broletariat]

Cops aren't all power-hungry monsters with itchy trigger fingers, some -- particularly younger cops -- are pretty alright people.


I really couldn't give a shit if any cop is an "alright person," I don't care if Obama, George Bush, Putin, Stalin, Mao, etc. was a good person.

That amounts to nil when speaking in terms of politics.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Ah yes,
Makes so much no sense

[Ele'ill]

So long as they are 'cops' they are not our allies.

[Susurrus]

ohh please don't come all over your keyboard.

:lol: Sorry, it's just that one so rarely hears of Americans doing anything like this. Usually it's something either stupid, negligent, or exploitative. This protest seems to be bringing out the best (or worst) in people.

[The Douche]

Actually, a lot of cops come from working class backgrounds. My roommate freshmen year had aspirations to become an NYPD officer and his dad drove an earthmover at a quarry and his mom was a tutor. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to torch a precinct and fuck up a cop as much as the next guy, but ACAB's a bunch of bullshit. Cops aren't all power-hungry monsters with itchy trigger fingers, some -- particularly younger cops -- are pretty alright people. And given the working-class background of many of them, there is potential for them to empathize and possibly even identify with us. Still, this doesn't change the fact that they, like career soldiers, are very much our enemies as long as they operate in active defense of the state.

I'm just saying, I've never had a positive interaction with a cop... not one.

Even something as simple as walking up to a cop on the street in an unfamiliar city and asking for directions elicits the most suspicious and degrading stares from them.

There are kids I was friends with in school who became cops. As far as I'm concerned they're if not an enemy, then somebody who I have to be suspicious of. I don't associate with people who are police officers or have ambitions to become one, I consider that to be a risk to my safety.

[Smyg]

I've had nothing but unpleasant experiences here in Sweden with the police.

[Spets]

I heard a fair or significant amount of veterans actually become anarchist, anti-establishment or anti-authoritarian since they have experienced first hand what authority does. At least, I've spoken to a veteran who became an anarchist and said this.

So true, I know a guy who is Socialist and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

[Susurrus]

This is nothing new. The National Guard was sent to Detroit to help the strikers that took over the Ford plant back during the Depression.

It made FDR look good. This will make Obama look good.

Obama didn't send these guys in, these are veterans, not active duty.

[ColonelCossack]

Da fok?

I've posted that same one-line response about three times today... and I still mean it every time. :cool:

Seriously though, that's really, really, weird.

[The Douche]

So true, I know a guy who is Socialist and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

There are lots of socialists in IVAW and March Forward.


Like me.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

And what is police if not a working class? The fact that they are on the system's side dosen't mean that they are not working class. Look at SA troops or Black Shirts for example...

Oh no, not this shit again.

Please see:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2229047&postcount=23

http://www.revleft.com/vb/airport-screeners-get-t157163/index.html?t=157163

http://www.revleft.com/vb/could-you-consider-t156936/index.html?t=156936

[Rusty Shackleford]

Seriously, this isn't weird. this is a positive development.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313751_2306303891503_1066464366_2558972_1288177242 _n.jpg

[Susurrus]

Nothing new in disillusioned soldiers.

http://www.anarchy.net/images/flag.bmp

[Fawkes]

And what is police if not a working class? The fact that they are on the system's side dosen't mean that they are not working class. Look at SA troops or Black Shirts for example...

Yes it does.


That amounts to nil when speaking in terms of politics.
I never suggested otherwise. All I'm saying is that the common dehumanization of cops to simple machines is a dangerous thing. It's as problematic as thinking of murderers as just monsters. I don't think murderers (in most circumstances) should be treated as any other person would be, but that doesn't mean they should be thought of as monofaceted animals.


So long as they are 'cops' they are not our allies.
I know, and I said that.


I'm just saying, I've never had a positive interaction with a cop... not one.
I've had a handful, mostly when they would come to my house when I was younger for domestic disturbance stuff. Like I said though, that does nothing to change the fact that as long as they continue to be cops, they are inherently enemies of any working class movement.


I don't associate with people who are police officers or have ambitions to become one, I consider that to be a risk to my safety.
I don't willingly do so either. My roommate freshman year was assigned to me.

[Iraultzaile Ezkerreko]

I don't understand how anyone could be surprised by this. One of the best socialists I know and a good friend helped found the first active-duty chapter of IVAW.

[Kitty_Paine]

I don't understand how anyone could be surprised by this. One of the best socialists I know and a good friend helped found the first active-duty chapter of IVAW.

I agree. There are a lot of disenchanted military people out there. Especially those veterans who become injured then get fucked over afterwards by the government. And I think the number of these military types is only getting larger.

If you want to talk about something surprising/ironic I would mention the adds on this site for American military colleges and the USO... :lol:

[Binh]

This is highly misleading. Ward Reilly is a Viet Nam veteran and a senior citizen at this point. This is not active-duty personnel.

Also, I saw 3-4 active-duty personnel at the protest. They had huge cameras. They may have been military intelligence, I'm not sure. But they were in full uniform photographing us inside the park itself.

[Veovis]

Sense? Makes none.

The institution of the military may be an authoritarian arm of the ruling class, but individual soldiers may think differently. Besides, when people enlist they are obligated to serve for years at a time. That gives plenty of time for opinions to change.

[Ele'ill]

This is highly misleading. Ward Reilly is a Viet Nam veteran and a senior citizen at this point. This is not active-duty personnel.

Also, I saw 3-4 active-duty personnel at the protest. They had huge cameras. They may have been military intelligence, I'm not sure. But they were in full uniform photographing us inside the park itself.

This is kind of important to know about. Next time you see this get pictures/video of them. Perhaps if you're feeling bold approach them and ask them what they're doing. I can't imagine the national guard has been called in yet and military intelligence wouldn't likely be in uniform.

[Zav]

What is this I don't even...

Marines protecting the protesters? What the fuck is going on here?
I sense a ploy to make people accept a military dictatorship. That is the only reason I can see for this. That, or some commander grew a spine/conscience, which is unlikely.

EDIT: These marines are old. Seeing some of the shit that went down in 'Nam would explain this.

[The Douche]

For the millionth time, there are lots of military personnel who are revolutionaries or who are involved in protest politics.

I am an active reserve soldier and have been to plenty of protests. There are two whole organizations dedicated to anti-war veterans.

[Pretty Flaco]

What is this I don't even...

Marines protecting the protesters? What the fuck is going on here?
I sense a ploy to make people accept a military dictatorship. That is the only reason I can see for this. That, or some commander grew a spine/conscience, which is unlikely.

EDIT: These marines are old. Seeing some of the shit that went down in 'Nam would explain this.

I hope that's a joke, because if you're serious that's probably one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read on this site.

[The Douche]

I hope that's a joke, because if you're serious that's probably one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read on this site.

Thats why I'm here, its a deep cover operation to convince you to let me run the revolution for the US Army...

[Luís Henrique]

zomg so confused

If there was an actual revolution in the US, 99% of the American left would be so confused that they probably wouldn't notice what was happening...

Luís Henrique

[Fawkes]

Seriously, this isn't weird. this is a positive development.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313751_2306303891503_1066464366_2558972_1288177242 _n.jpg

That guy's the fucking man, linked arms with him on a barricade today.

[Red Commissar]

Nothing new in disillusioned soldiers.

http://www.anarchy.net/images/flag.bmp

This image has been passed around alot but I'm not sure if it is as it seems. A lot of what I'm getting the impression of is that this guy 'saved' the flag from some sort of anti-war demo and was showing it as a 'shameful' act. His (the guy in the picture) impression over the event was that basically he didn't go to Iraq so some 'college' kids could shit on 'our' flag.

There's definitely soldiers who became disillusioned with their time and they are all around. Unfortunately this fellow isn't one of them.

[Susurrus]

This image has been passed around alot but I'm not sure if it is as it seems. A lot of what I'm getting the impression of is that this guy 'saved' the flag from some sort of anti-war demo and was showing it as a 'shameful' act. His (the guy in the picture) impression over the event was that basically he didn't go to Iraq so some 'college' kids could shit on 'our' flag.

There's definitely soldiers who became disillusioned with their time and they are all around. Unfortunately this fellow isn't one of them.

Source? Also, how does taking a picture and putting it on the internet save it from desecration and from being shown in public?

[Blackscare]

This image has been passed around alot but I'm not sure if it is as it seems. A lot of what I'm getting the impression of is that this guy 'saved' the flag from some sort of anti-war demo and was showing it as a 'shameful' act. His (the guy in the picture) impression over the event was that basically he didn't go to Iraq so some 'college' kids could shit on 'our' flag.

There's definitely soldiers who became disillusioned with their time and they are all around. Unfortunately this fellow isn't one of them.

Considering you're spouting a theory you just pulled out of your ass, you seem pretty sure of yourself.



This thread makes me cringe so much. This site is full of fucking payasos.

[Red Commissar]

Source? Also, how does taking a picture and putting it on the internet save it from desecration and from being shown in public?

He 'saved it' from desecration by taking the flag to a VFW for disposal. The picture was just evidence of the deed.


Considering you're spouting a theory you just pulled out of your ass, you seem pretty sure of yourself.

This thread makes me cringe so much. This site is full of fucking payasos.

I don't know why you are acting so strongly against this and then condemning the entire revleft forum because of my post (What exactly has been wrong with this thread? I don't really see anything particularly head turning to be honest).

I didn't mean anything about the post in the way that was interpreted, if it came off wrong. I just don't like it when people spread these things, it's just as stupid when the tea-baggers produce random Marx quotes that never existed, or twist words of people out of context.

There was discussion on this image at snopes over the legitimacy of the thread. Some posts to highlight,


http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=53120&highlight=recruiting

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?p=1488700#post1488700

This is a very close friend of mine, and he is one of the most patriotic soldiers that I have ever known. He's been trying to get the truth about this picture out for months now. Here is the true story as told by James himself: "PLEASE READ; Years ago while recruiting in Lawrence, KS we saved a desecrated flag and took a picture of it. I have just discovered that this pic has been used for years on numerous websites as both anti-military/war propaganda or as a dartboard for accusations, I got called some pretty bad names. I want to spam this out as much as possible with the TRUE history posted inside the pic if nothing more than to clear my name a little. Can you please repost, tag or do whatever you can to get this out?" Inside of the picture states, "This flag was desecrated and used by anti-war protestors in Lawrence, KS in 2007. Afterward is was recovered by myself and the soldiers in my office and turned in to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for proper disposal in accordance with military customs and honors." It was turned into VFW 852 in Lawrence, KS, where my husband and I frequent, and my best friend and cousin are both employed, and everybody can verify my identity. If you would like more proof, feel free to message me on Facebook, and James and or myself will gladly accept you as a friend.


http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1490561&postcount=17


Can't have been before 2005. Fielding of the ACU (which the soldier is wearing) wasn't started until 2005, so he would be wearing the old BDUs if it was any time prior to that.

That being said, proudarmywife could just be confused about the date and/or some minor details of the circumstances. FWIW, if you look in the upper right corner, the back of a poster in the window is visible. Looks like a recruiting poster. You know, the sort of place a recruiter would work. Which fits with her story. Office looks kind of recruiting station-ish too. Not that I've been in one lately...

ETA: The table with the TV or computer monitor on it, just above the right corner of the flag at front, also seems to have a flag table cloth, just the sort of tacky display one would expect in a recruiting station. I believe proudarmywife's description of events is closer to the reality of the situation than first glance would indicate.

http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1490632&postcount=25

I assure you all that this is my friend, James Henry, who is a soldier in the National Guard. He was mistaken when he said the year was 2004. It was 2007. It was in Lawrence, KS. Call the VFW here if you wish to verify. James is now stationed in Olathe, Kansas. Again, if you send me a message on Facebook, I will direct you to James Henry, where you can verify for yourself that he is indeed that man in the picture. Snopes has my personal information and is more than welcome to contact me or James to verify my story. That's all I can do.


And a link to a thread in some autotech forum he had frequented,
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f42/american-flag-disgraced-w-pic-247340/#post3303293

Oh yeah, I'm a huge hipocrit. Sorry but thats just who I am. I didn't go to Iraq and get blown up 5 times and lost just about 25% of my hearing so these lazy ass college kids who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground can disgrace my nation's flag.

The American flag represents more than just Bush and the war in Iraq. It represents the entire history of our nation and the thousands of lives that were lost to make us what we are today. These kids don't get that. They think BUSH = AMERICA and thats it. They are content to be lazy, go to school, draw they're FEDERAL loans and grants while at the same time dogging the nation that makes it all possible.. It makes me sick.

I'm not trying to get an attitude, but you can't be military and live around a college campus without getting a chip on your soldier for these punks. If they have the balls to approach me and talk shit then thats fine. But doing this to a flag in my opinion is a pitiful act of cowardice and I am not driving by that house everyday seeing that.

But thats cool, I see what your getting at and your right. Thats just how I feel.

http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1492684&postcount=52

Agreed, this thread has gotton off topic. The original question posted was if the picture was really what it appeared to be, and I have given an honest answer to that. The original question was not in regards to the legality of him having the flag or if he "realizes" what he's fighting for. On a side note, however, James, my husband, and all of our military family friends have the same opinion. The flag represents our country that they fight for, and we stand by it. Period. And yes, James has read this thread, and has said that he didn't feel the need to add anything, due to the fact that I've supplied everybody with the truth. Neither of us can make anybody believe it. If you still feel James himself should post here, I will ask him to. He's currently staying here with me and my husband and will be for the next couple of weeks so maybe I can convince him he has the time Again, if anybody questions mine or James' identity, you can search for me on Facebook (Amy Kreutzer) and see for yourself that James is a close friend of mine.


A link is later produced to the person's facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150199056595418&set=o.208297985872671&type=1&ref=nf&api_key=5ee8132df8c1698415563b5144f7e628&

James W. Henry:

PLEASE READ; Years ago while recruiting in Lawrence we saved a desecrated flag and took a picture of it. I have just doscovered that this pic has been used for years on numerous websites as both anti-military/war propaganda or as a dartboard for accusations, I got called some pretty shitty names. I want to spam this out as much as possible with the TRUE history posted inside the pic if nothing more than to clear my name a little. Can you please repost, tag or do whatever you can to get this out? Thanks.


My commentary:
I was following that discussion on urbanlegends/snopes very carefully because I had seen the image too a while back and I really thought it was a moving thing if we had a soldier who could be seen doing that. But from the discussion the users had there it's readily apparent that there's much more to the picture that meets the eye. Even if there is no hard source to back up the claims here, the picture location definitely looks like a tacky recruitment office, and some other postings I gathered indicate he pinched the flag from someone's lawn or at least somewhere he had no business going. In short he got pissed off seeing it on someone's house or property and took it away.

It's not the first time we've had pictures taken out of context and let the internet take over from there. Personally I never got a satisfactory answer as to how this fellow's picture which he had apparently intended for personal purposes to 'log' what had happened even got viral in the first place.


I don't want to detract from this thread. I didn't spout this 'out of my ass', though I should have put these forward before hand.

[~Spectre]

"War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.

There isn't a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its "finger men" to point out enemies, its "muscle men" to destroy enemies, its "brain men" to plan war preparations, and a "Big Boss" Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.

It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.

I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.

I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents."

-- Excerpt from a speech delivered in 1933 by Major General Smedley Butler, USMC

[The Douche]

He 'saved it' from desecration by taking the flag to a VFW for disposal. The picture was just evidence of the deed.



I don't know why you are acting so strongly against this and then condemning the entire revleft forum because of my post (What exactly has been wrong with this thread? I don't really see anything particularly head turning to be honest).

I didn't mean anything about the post in the way that was interpreted, if it came off wrong. I just don't like it when people spread these things, it's just as stupid when the tea-baggers produce random Marx quotes that never existed, or twist words of people out of context.

There was discussion on this image at snopes over the legitimacy of the thread. Some posts to highlight,


http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=53120&highlight=recruiting

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?p=1488700#post1488700


http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1490561&postcount=17



http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1490632&postcount=25


And a link to a thread in some autotech forum he had frequented,
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f42/american-flag-disgraced-w-pic-247340/#post3303293


http://message.snopes.com/showpost.php?p=1492684&postcount=52


A link is later produced to the person's facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150199056595418&set=o.208297985872671&type=1&ref=nf&api_key=5ee8132df8c1698415563b5144f7e628&


My commentary:
I was following that discussion on urbanlegends/snopes very carefully because I had seen the image too a while back and I really thought it was a moving thing if we had a soldier who could be seen doing that. But from the discussion the users had there it's readily apparent that there's much more to the picture that meets the eye. Even if there is no hard source to back up the claims here, the picture location definitely looks like a tacky recruitment office, and some other postings I gathered indicate he pinched the flag from someone's lawn or at least somewhere he had no business going. In short he got pissed off seeing it on someone's house or property and took it away.

It's not the first time we've had pictures taken out of context and let the internet take over from there. Personally I never got a satisfactory answer as to how this fellow's picture which he had apparently intended for personal purposes to 'log' what had happened even got viral in the first place.


I don't want to detract from this thread. I didn't spout this 'out of my ass', though I should have put these forward before hand.

Ok, sometime this week I'll reproduce the picture in my living room so we can pass it around and it will be legitimate, that way everybody is happy.

[Red Commissar]

Ok, sometime this week I'll reproduce the picture in my living room so we can pass it around and it will be legitimate, that way everybody is happy.

Eh, well, on second thought looking how much of a dick this guy claiming to be the fellow in the picture has been trying to repair his image, why not make his life even more of a living hell? The 'patriotism' thing is a bit annoying, at least that's how he has been coming off to me.

Edit: Thought I'd share this- this is an upload showing some Marines there. "Fuck Hannity" etc.

0aaTGsGdp4c

[The Douche]

Fuck marines.









:p

[Susurrus]

I saw a couple people in camo uniforms at the occupy protest I was at.

[R_P_A_S]

BTW, there is a difference between workers in uniform drafted into the armed forces and paid mercenaries for the bourgeois state who volunteer to kill.

Because is a fact that most people who enlist do it with that notion right? "Im enlisting to be a killer in the bourgeoisie military! ah yes!" :rolleyes:

[The Douche]

I saw a couple people in camo uniforms at the occupy protest I was at.

Sadly I've seen some IVAW members claiming that there are people out (at least at the NYC occupation) wearing uniforms who were never in the military.