WAR MEMORIALS on the Capitol Mall
Last surviving World War I veteran Frank Buckles urged Congress to build a WWI memorial in Washington, D.C. (ADG 11-11-10). D. C. is known as the proud city of war memorials, but inaccurately, for it has not celebrated with public memorials most of USA’s foreign interventions and invasions, which have provided order to the world for 70 years. Those omissions must be rectified. Buckles is right, and let us do it right for all the wars. Here are a few of them:
Truman Doctrine, US Congress conferred upon the US government the right to intervene militarily in other countries; Greece becomes client state, 1947.
The overthrow of the government of Guatemala, 1953-54.
Eisenhower Doctrine, repeats Truman Doctrine in Middle East, CIA initiated overthrow of Syrian government.
CIA plots to overthrow leader of Indonesia, Sukarno 1957-8.
Invasion and occupation of Vietnam 1950-1973.
From 1955 to 1970 forcing Cambodia to join the US Holy War against Communism, Prince Sihanouk overthrown in 1970 in US invasion.
Laos 1957-1973, CIA and State Dept. machinations to exclude communists, engineering coups 1958, 1959, 1960.
Equador 1960-1963, textbook of US tricks.
Dominican Republic 1960-66, saving democracy from communism.
Chile 1964-1973, overthrow of president Allende.
Invasion of Grenada 1963.
Nicaragua 1981-1990, the Contras invade.
Panama 1969-1991, Panama invaded.
Iraq 1990-1991, “Desert Storm.”
Afghanistan 2001- invasion and occupation, US longest war.
Pakistan invaded by drones and special forces 2008-.
If you doubt the accuracy of these achievements, you’ll find the facts in William Blum’s Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II. And don’t miss Appendix II for the list of “Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-1945.”
Where would all of these memorials go? Ask yourself: what is the use of the Capitol Mall? Usually it’s empty. Let’s put it to good, patriotic use by filling it with memorial celebrations of our military and CIA interventions and invasions. Write to your Congressional representatives today.
Dick
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