Thursday, December 29, 2016

GRASSROOTS MILITARISM NEWSLETTER #2

OMNI

GRASSROOTS MILITARISM, ARKANSAS, NEWSLETTER #2, December 29, 2016.

 

Compiled by Dick Bennett for a Culture of Peace, Justice, and Ecology


Here is the link to all OMNI newsletters:

http://www.omnicenter.org/newsletter-archive/   For a knowledge-based peace, justice, and ecology movement and an informed citizenry as the foundation for change.

See newsletters on Indigenous People of the Americas Day, Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day for Peace, Military-Corporate Complex, Nonviolence, Patriotism, Recruiting, US Wars, and many more.



Contents:  Grassroots Militarism, USA, Fayetteville, AR, Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Newsletter #2
Context: US War Budget 2017
“$611 Billion Defense Policy Bill Signed.” NADG (Dec. 24, 2016). 

US Culture of War the Capillaries of Militarism and Empire
Keeping War Alive, Institutions, Activities Supporting the Wars
Battle Re-enactments in Arkansas
Naming Post Offices:  Navy Seal
Vets Stories Archived
Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame
Armed Forces Honor Day
Monuments

Keeping Veterans Alive,
Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville, AR

JROTC at Ft. Smith

Honor Flight

Statue for Col. Darby

Keeping Ark Military History Alive

Patriotic Corporate/Business:  Wal-Mart

Casino Gifts to Vets

Commodification of Vets

Google Search

Hastings and Dick on “Service”

Television:  Militarism in Homes

PENTAGON PROPAGANDA MACHINE
Television: GO ARMY Advert Campaign
Television/PBS


PBS in Arkansas, Pentagon Propaganda Machine in Our Living Rooms
PBS Pro-Vets, Pro-War, Pro-Empire
     Lidia Celebrates Vets “Defending” “America”
     Two Silver Star Medal Winners “Defend” “America”


Context: US War Budget 2017
“$611 Billion Defense Policy Bill Signed.” NADG (Dec. 24, 2016). 
This headline requires several clarifications.
     President Obama signed the bill but “harshly” criticized the continuation of Guantanamo, and was “highly critical of several other provisions.”  Still, this is his bill.
     The bill encompasses only moneys assigned strictly to the Pentagon.  For two examples: The $1 trillion budgeted for the coming decade for nuclear weapons upgrading and innovation is under the Energy Dept., and the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs are not even part of the same cabinet department.  The VA includes $78.7 billion in discretionary resources and $103.6 billion in mandatory funding.  Clearly, the military budget for 2017 is way more than $611 billio.
     Most important of all:  the Pentagon serves not for defense but for offense, as displayed around the world with over 800 military bases, ten carrier battle forces, and the planet carved into nine US military Commands.
     Thus, the Pentagon war budget (falsely labeled “defense”) is always underreported to the public.  You understand why I never refer to the “Defense” Department, but only to the Pentagon or the original War Department.  Please join me in this clarifying practice.
     Uncritical attention to all of the above by the public is the result of military influence throughout US society, like the capillaries in a body.  These militarized capillaries, however, can be distinguished and exposed, as many of OMNI’s  newsletters reveal.  For example, here is a partial sample from the dozen on militarism in the December 2010 newsletters: Dec. 29, http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2010/12/drone-warfare.html;   Dec. 27, http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2010/12/consequences-of-us-security-state.html;  Dec. 23: http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2010/12/militarism.html;  Dec. 19: http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2010/12/reduce-war-department.html and http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2010/12/costs-of-us-wars.html.


US Culture of War, Keeping War Alive
Cannon Firing, Battle Re-enactments in Arkansas, a Sample
Google Search, Dec. 17, 2016, Page One 
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield/
Recognized nationally as one of America's most intact Civil War battlefields, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park protects the battle site and interprets the Battle of ...
www.arkansas.com › Events
Cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled every hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See the ...Arkansas Parks & Tourism .... Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Missing: enactments
www.arkansas.com › Events
Arkansas Parks & Tourism. Arkansas.com Mobile .... Cannon Firing Demonstrations. ADD TO Trip Planner ... Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Park Grounds.
Missing: enactments
civilwartalk.com › ... › Events, Living Histories, and Reenactments
Dec 3, 2012 - 5 posts - ‎3 authors
Gunpowder smoke fills air at Civil War re-enactment in Arkansas Civil ... re-enactment soldiers charged up and down the battlefield and fired guns at ... Although smoke from the cannonsand muskets filled the sky today, there ...
m.arkansasonline.com/.../jacksonville-civil-war-re-enactment-set-r-2010...
Aug 29, 2010 - JACKSONVILLE Civil War re-enactment set for restored battlefield ... exchange gunfire and cannon fire in a full-scale Civil War battle re-enactment ... at 2 p.m. each day at the Reed's Bridge Battlefield on Arkansas 161 South.
www.arkansasonline.com/.../1862-civil-war-battle-relived-for-thous/?...a...
Sep 27, 2015 - NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE A cannon is fired Saturday ... of the battlefield Saturday during a re-enactment of the Civil War Battle of ...
https://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/.../may-2015-arkansas-civil-war-105...
Apr 28, 2015 - LITTLE ROCK—Re-enactments of battles at Chalk Bluff and Marks' Mills, ... of the Civil War in northeast Arkansas and a cannon-firing demonstration, ... of Civil War artifacts, will be held at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park on ...
www.arkansaspreservation.com/arkansas-battlefield.../summer-2015-arka...
Aug 21, 2015 - The Summer 2015 issue of the Arkansas Battlefield Update ..... people and featured a cannon and rifle display, re-enactment of the battle by ...
https://www.arkansaspreservation.com/_.../Arkansas_Battlefield_Update_...
Prairie D'Ane Battlefield, Prescott, Nevada County. Continued on ... a re-enactment at Jenkins' Ferry in. September ..... Cannon firing demonstrations: Aug. 27.
https://www.arkansaspreservation.com/_.../Arkansas_Battlefield_Update_...
Mar 31, 2011 - Battlefield through funding and development of .... “Fire in the Hole: Quilt Signals and Cannon. Blasts .... Bluff Civil War battle re-enactment until.

Remembering the Vets

Cemeteries
One Cemetery Not Filled Up

Resting place for veterans mostly empty in northeast Arkansas

4-year-old cemetery in Birdeye modern, manicured, but a long drive for many

This article was originally published June 19, 2016 at 5:27 a.m. Updated June 20, 2016 at 5:45 a.m.
maintenance-supervisor-david-ramsey-inspects-the-grass-around-headstones-at-the-arkansas-state-veterans-cemetery-at-birdeye-earlier-this-month-for-ramsey-a-former-mortar-platoon-commander-who-has-registered-for-a-grave-there-the-cemeterys-upkeep-is-a-duty-and-a-privilege
PHOTO BY HUNTER FIELD
Maintenance supervisor David Ramsey inspects the grass around headstones at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye earlier this month. For Ramsey, a former mortar platoon commander who has registered for a grave there, the cemetery’s upkeep is a duty and a privilege.

Late SEAL’s name goes on Arkansas post office By Frank FelloneNADG October 25, 2016 at 5:45 a.m.

kelley-brown-right-and-us-rep-bruce-westerman-unveil-a-plaque-monday-in-honor-of-browns-late-husband-adam-brown-that-will-be-placed-at-a-post-office-in-downtown-hot-springs-the-post-office-will-be-renamed-in-honor-of-the-navy-seal-who-died-in-combat-in-2010
Kelley Brown (right) and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman unveil a plaque Monday in honor of Brown’s late husband, Adam Brown, that will be placed at a post office in downtown Hot Springs. The post office will be renamed in honor of the Navy SEAL, who died in combat in 2010.



Gathering Soldiers’ Stories

Workshop keys on vets’ stories

State entries in library goal  By Nikki Wentling 

This article was published July 28, 2015 at 4:23 a.m.


Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Homage to the Slain: Arkansas Veterans Honored for Service.  NADG (11-3-16).   James Bronson ‘J.B.’ Jones, Fay Jones, and Paul Noland receive special coverage, and twelve more, briefer recognition.   All were inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

National Days

Fayetteville National Cemetery Honors Fallen Heroes In Memorial Day Ceremony.  POSTED 2:04 PM, MAY 30, 2016,
 ESTHER KATRO, UPDATED AT 02:06PM, MAY 30, 2016

The event was localized for those have also been interred at The Fayetteville National Cemetery since last year’s event.
“I think it’s just nice to come visit all of the veterans that fight for our country,” said Derrick Collins. “It’s good to appreciate them, because they’re here in spirit.”
The event also featured British Mountains Brass Band and a variety of patriotic music. Commander Bobbi Doorenbos of the 188th Wing of the Arkansas National Guard also gave an address.
Wreaths from various organizations and non-profits were also on display. The cemetery said a team of 100-300 volunteers prepared for the event.

Armed Forces Honor Day

Join Historic Washington State Park as we honor those who serve and have served in our military. Members of the military, past and present, receive discounts on tours and surrey rides. Celebrate and honor these great folks with us.

War Monuments

One decade, $700K of fundraising leads to unique monument.   Bella Vista, AR.  January 27, 2014.

The original idea, hatched in 2001 at Post 341 in Bella Vista, Ark., was simple enough: a granite wall of honor commemorating veterans from all branches of service, from all American wars since 1776, in the style of a similar monument in Mountain Home, Ark.
It would take $700,000 and more than a decade, but this idea would be realized several-fold.
Leonard Eisert’s brother had helped the project in Mountain Home and told Eisert about the veterans’ council they had formed. A team of seven septuagenarians representing the local American Legion and VFW came together to construct a non-profit that would work solely on this project, the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas. That team included Eisert, Bert Schindler, Art Leu, Richard LaBrie, Les Glader, Robert Johnson and Vernon Watten. Just assembling the 501(c)3 took two years.
Thankfully, Eisert said, one of the founding members was retired architect Watten.
“I never realized that Vern would design it so special,” he said. The monument that inspired the Veterans Wall of Honor is a tidy-looking granite wall on the edge of a local park. Watten designed several walls in concentric circles, with benches, more than 4,500 granite tablets honoring veterans, a 36-foot timeline of American military history with 67 brass plaques, 27 plaques honoring the U.S. presidents who served in the military, a central fountain, a grand entryway, the Preamble, military seals, benches and 18 flags. The circular design stemmed from two military themes: protection from the enemy as well as togetherness.
Watten built two plexiglass models of the design, and the Veterans Council got to work. They set up shop in front of Walmarts and grocery stores, at church groups and in banks, at schools and even at a funeral home. Each time, they’d bring one of the models, pass out brochures and accept donations for memorial granite tablets to go in the walls.
“It was fun doing that, too,” Eisert said. It created interest in the memorial itself, of course, but also in the local American Legion and VFW. Eisert said Post 341’s membership saw a boost and has one of the highest memberships in the state.
Touring was also essential to raising the funds. About half of the $700,000 needed was raised by selling granite tablets and other memorabilia. The other half came from individual donors and local businesses.
Eisert encouraged other Legion posts to consider constructing such a monument. Though it’s a massive undertaking, it creates lots of patriotism and grows membership. The Legion was able to get more involved in its community, too. He said the Auxiliaries, the VFW, the donors, Walmart and even the local garden club all partnered to power Watten’s vision.
Eisert’s main advice for those interested in such a project: “Start early.”
After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and construction, the Wall of Honor was dedicated in 2012. Watten, now deceased, lived to see it open. His funeral services were held at the memorial.
Eisert said it’s one of the area’s two biggest attractions. Schools, church groups and visitors come to enjoy it and celebrate veterans. He gives tours of the memorial, including tours to school groups. “I guess I don’t want to retire.”
“Just by having a memorial there, it increased the awareness of the patriotism of the whole area,” Eisert said. “The biggest aspect is giving the tours. I enjoy the tours and people coming. I think the world should see what we have. I think it’s really honoring all our people who served in the armed forces. It’s a place to honor our people.”
At least 12 events are held there annually, Eisert said, with the largest being the Veterans Day ceremony, which is put on by Legion Post 341 and assisted by VFW Post 9063.
The memorial is a quiet place set on about an acre and a half of land overlooking a lake near the VFW, which deeded the nonprofit the land for $1.
“Some people come there just to reflect. They have somebody on the wall. It’s not a church, but it’s a church without ceiling.”
For more information, visit the website: http://www.veteransmonumentbellavistaar.com/

PRAISING JROTC, MILITARIZING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Date: April 24, 2016
Publication: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Section: Editorial
Impressed at school
I was given the opportunity of witnessing a remarkable event on the 15th of April in Fort Smith. I was invited to assist in presenting an award to a cadet from the JROTC of Northside High School in Fort Smith.   Being a 33-year career person in the military I was still not prepared for the display of patriotism and committed purpose of the high school students celebrating their annual Military Ball. There was not a single longhaired, dreadlocked….”
Date: April 25, 2016
Author:    FRANK E. LOCKWOOD
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Publication: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AR) 


Honor Flight: Keeping the Past Alive
WASHINGTON – Servicemen from Arkansas and Oklahoma traveled Wednesday to Washington to remember their fallen comrades and see their nation’s battle monuments.
About 75 veterans, accompanied by scores of volunteers, flew from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in…

Date: May 4, 2016
Publication: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AR)
Veteran honored by flight
to Washington
On April 20, I was privileged as a World War II veteran to be included on the Oklahoma and Arkansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The purpose of these flights is to visit the various war memorials in and around the city.
I was with 13 other World War II vets and 60 vets from Korea and Vietnam. Also on board were escorts for each veteran (my daughter was mine), medics (fortunately, no situations arose), local TV…


Statue latest tribute to founder of Army Rangers
Date: April 28, 2016
Author:    BECCA MARTIN-BROWN
NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Publication: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AR)
Section: Style
Page: 57

The cover of Newsweek on Jan. 4, 1943, shows a dashing soldier astride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle chatting with French Gen. Henri Giraud. Even though he was born in Fort Smith, his hand-tinted image probably wouldn’t be easily recognized by many in the region.
But Army Rangers everywhere know William O. Darby’s name. And they regularly visit the Fort Smith Museum of History to learn more about the early life of the man who founded their elite military company during World War II….


Darby rides again
Date: May 8, 2016
Author:    ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Publication: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AR)

It’s a much over-used word these days, iconic, but it’s hard to avoid it when looking at a picture of William O. Darby, Colonel, U.S. Army, astride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle as he rides off to lead his men into action. They may have started their war as boys, but you can be sure they were men before it was over. And the right word is lead them, not command them. For the colonel never ordered his troops into battle. He led them, as befits any commander.
If the colonel needed any…

Panel starts work on stories of Arkansans’ roles in WWI
Date: May 1, 2016
Author:    JAKE SANDLIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Publication: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR) 

Long overshadowed by more visible remembrances of other wars, Arkansas’ stories of World War I will be given more public attention over the next two years.
The newly formed Arkansas World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee began working last week to coordinate events and memorials to mark the war’s 100th anniversary in 2017-18, and to make sure Arkansans’ contributions are recognized and remembered.
“Our charge is to commemorate this important event,” Department of…

Date: May 8, 2016
Publication: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Respect and gratitude
May 30 is Memorial Day, a time to honor all those who fought and died for our country. We also show respect and gratitude to those who serve us now. We pray for their safety wherever they are stationed. We thank their families too.
We fly the flag, we wear a lapel pin, we place flowers on loved ones’ graves, we march in parades, we sing the National Anthem and we thank the almighty God we live in a land that is free for us all.
It is also a day for…


Keeping Veterans Alive
Veterans Administration, Fayetteville Veterans Hospital
www.fayettevillear.va.gov/
Apr 5, 2016 - Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks provides health care services to veterans in northwest Arkansas, ... Official seal of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs ... Health Care Information · A-Z Health Topic Finder · My HealtheVet · Prescriptions Refills · Crisis Prevention · Mental Health ...
www.fayettevillear.va.gov/services/mentalhealth.asp
Mental Health Services can be accessed in the Mental Health Clinic off Woolsey Ave. in ... VHSO FayettevilleAR Crisis Line: 1-800-691-8387 then press 8.
Fayetteville Vet Center
This a counseling facility funded by the VA but separate from the VA Hospital just across College Ave./old 71B.  I talked to a representative who explained that it is in formal and is staffed entirely by vets.  A notice appeared in the NADG inviting vets to their open house to get acquainted with the services provided.


Keeping Arkansas Military History Alive
kay-tatum-center-and-about-65-others-gather-at-the-macarthur-museum-of-arkansas-military-history-on-monday-for-a-workshop-tied-to-the-library-of-congress-veterans-history-project-which-collects-preserves-and-makes-accessible-the-personal-accounts-of-americas-war-veterans
PHOTO BY BENJAMIN KRAIN
Kay Tatum (center) and about 65 others gather at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History on Monday for a workshop tied to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, which collects, preserves and makes accessible the personal accounts of America’s war veterans.  Of course no equivalent Museum or Project exists for Arkansas peacemaking.

 

PATRIOTIC Corporate & Business Militarism
Annual Walmart Celebration of Veterans, Bentonville, Ark.    November 11, 2013
http://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/executive-viewpoints/honoring-and-celebrating-americas-veterans
Thank you all for being here on this very special day.   
Today, we honor and celebrate the service of our nation’s veterans. We owe these brave men and women our security, our liberty, and our very way of life. We are humbled by their courage, by their sacrifice, and by their willingness to give their lives … so that others can be free. 
All Americans benefit from their service. And all American companies do too. We couldn’t be here – serving customers and growing around the globe – without the sacrifices made by our veterans.
So let me start by saying a heartfelt “thank you” to all who served. And I want to ask all the veterans with us today to stand once again and be recognized.
At Walmart, we honor our troops, our veterans, their families, and their values – and we are determined to go far beyond words and promises.
In January, Bill Simon announced our commitment to hire any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty. We are working hard to make sure every veteran who is leaving the service – and wants a job with us – will have one.
In my years at Walmart, I’ve never seen a response to something be so quick and so positive. What’s struck me is that no matter where I am, people come up to me and want to talk about this commitment.
And this is not about us. Whether I’m in our stores, or with leaders in Washington, D.C., or even in other countries…it’s clear that people understand the sacrifice our veterans have made. They’re excited to see them being honored and taken care of…just as our veterans took care of us.
But I want to be very clear about this: supporting veterans is not something we just discovered this year. It’s a part of who we are. Our hiring commitment is just the most recent step on our journey.
I want to share a few photos that help tell the story.
The first is this:  
Do you recognize Captain Sam Walton? Before he revolutionized retail, he served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps. And he brought his patriotism and his disciplined leadership to our company – traits we still have today. I show you this picture to remind us all where we started.
Just look at this next picture. This is a soybean field in Bellevue, Nebraska.  
Nebraska field veterans message

Right above it, you’ll see a runway for an air force base. For more than a decade, the associates there have created a message of thanks seen by all the troops as they land.  I show you this because it reflects the spirit that lives in our people. No one from Bentonville asked the associates there to do this. 
Now, this next picture is of another group of our associates – this time in Milton, Florida.  

What do they have in common? They’re all veterans. We have 43 veterans working in that one store. And that store is special, but it is not unique. We have 55 veterans in our distribution center in Sealy, Texas…and an incredible 184 veterans at our DC in Hopkinsville, Kentucky!
We’re the largest private employer of veterans in America. We estimate we have 100,000 associates who are veterans. And another 150,000 associates are part of veteran and military families.
The final photo I want to share is a woman named Elise Hackstall. Elise sums up for me why veterans and Walmart are such a good fit.


Elise is a graduate of West Point who served on active duty until 2008. 
We recruited her when she left active duty…and she immediately felt right at home. As she said: “Walmart’s three basic beliefs are so much like the Seven Army Values. It felt like ‘this is exactly what I’m supposed to do.’” 
We value the qualities our veterans learned in the service: leadership, commitment, discipline, problem solving. And we offer in return the chance to move up. As Elise said:  “Walmart is looking for someone who is always eager for that next level of responsibility. The military does the exact same thing.”
She joined us as a Developmental Shift Manager in the smallest store in her market. She worked her way up to Shift Manager…and then to Store Manager of a Division 1 store. Today, she serves as both the Store Manager at the biggest supercenter in her market… and as the Company Commander of her Army reserve unit. 
Elise is just one example of how much the current generation of veterans has to offer.  We want their talent and their leadership.  And we’re moving aggressively to bring them to Walmart.
I’m proud to share that our hiring commitment is off to a great start.  In fact, since our commitment launched on Memorial Day, we’ve already hired more than 20,000 more veterans. Isn’t that fantastic? 
I’m also proud to share that – this morning – we announced donations to two important organizations supporting military families: Operation Homefront and Fisher House. With these gifts, we’ll help provide meals, toys, and lodging for military families with a service member in the hospital…and we’ll help hundreds of soldiers come home for the holidays.
This is part of our commitment to give $20 million over five years to causes important to veterans and military families. And these are just a few of the ways that your company is committed to honoring those who serve.
So, we have a great program for you this morning. We’re pleased to be joined by Gary Sinise and so many distinguished guests and partners in serving our communities. We’re also honored to have a Gold Star family here with us today.  

This morning, you’re going to hear two themes:
First, we’ll highlight our veteran associates, military families, and associates serving today. You’ll hear from some of them directly.
Second, we’ll hear about the importance of giving back. We will rededicate ourselves today to honoring their service with our own. 
Again, thank you for joining us today to thank and honor our nation’s veterans.

Special Favors and Gifts to Veterans
Downstream Casino Resort, Veteran’s Day Buffet, Friday November 11, 2016.  1 Free Buffet for any active military or veteran of the U.S. Military.

Commodification of Veterans
Ad in NDAG (Nov. 7, 2016).   “Honor Your Hero!  Get 3 lines of text and an American Flag graphic for only $10.  Additional lines of text $2 ea.  A Photo would be $25.”
Advertising for Veterans Day 2016:   Walgreens.  “Military & Veterans Discount Day.  Nov. 11 20% Off.” 

MISC.  from GOOGLE SEARCH

1.    Grassroots American Militarism… For the Children

Mar 8, 2012 – Or “weighing in on the Kony 2012 campaign…” Here is the video: YouTube Preview Image. When I first watched it, having seen it posted on 

2.    `GRASSROOTS MILITARISM.’ – Tags: PAMPHLETS MILITARISM

connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/…/grassroots-militarism
According to Bennett, it is particularly appropriate to talk about militarism in the U.S.because there is no military presence there. The idea behind Grassroots 

3.    LASC Militarism Conference Workshop Schedule Announced

afgj.org/lasc-militarism-conference-workshop-schedule-announced
An outstanding line-up of workshops makes this conference on US militarism one of the Grassroots Congressional Lobbying to Close the SOA and Resist 

4.    Militarism and Grass-Roots Involvement in the Military-Industrial – Jstor

by NE Phillips  1973  Cited by 9  Related articles
Phillips /
MILITARISMAND GRASS-ROOTS INVOL VEMENT [629] ence-Conciliatoriness Scale. The four questions, in brief, deal with (1) whether the U.S. 

5.    Digital Journal: Ron Paul grassroot supporters release video on US 

runronpaul.com/…/digital-journal-ron-paul-grassroot-supporters-rele…
Dec 18, 2011 – Paul’s rejection of American militarism is one of his key political platforms  “This is a beautifully done grassroots video outlining the different 

6.    Trilateralism Resurgent Militarism

The U.S. is being plunged into another era of confrontation, intervention, and resurgentmilitarism. The Pentagon’s unremitting crusade for increased military 


We live or die alone and together
. . . Like Dr. King writing from Birmingham jail about praying long prayers and thinking long thoughts while paying his price alone after being arrested with 50 others, I think about EMTs, social workers in rough neighborhoods, the nonviolent resisters, the loggers, the cab (or Uber or Lyft) drivers, and I think about how we shower all our gratitude on those who kill, who bomb, who kick in doors, who drone to death and who pollute more than any other sector, and I just shake my head.
Save some gratitude for those who preserve life or provide you with the goods of life and stop the overweening, abject displays of mewling groveling at the altar of militarism. Historian William McNeill called the war industries and the military in general the first example of macroparasites on Earth. They take and destroy. Everyone else has to produce, create, and give.
Happy Earth Day. Peace.

Dr. Tom H. Hastings is Founding Director of PeaceVoice.

QUESTIONING MILITARISM OF GRASSROOTS ARKANSAS
WHAT CAN WE DO?

REGAIN TRUE NAMES
You recall “The War Department”?   In a linguistic coup, the Pentagon changed its name to the “Defense” Department when the Cold War shifted into high fear gear by the creation of the US National Security State  in 1947 (unified military services, CIA, National Security Agency, Truman Doctrine, McCarthyism).  Now most citizens of the US think all of our invasions, occupations, interventions are in “Defense”!    Let us never say or write “Defense” Department, but return to the true name: War Department.  It takes no extra time, costs nothing, and we have taken a small but important step toward demilitarizing the nation.

See Dick Bennett’s newsletters on “SERVICE”:





GO MILITARY ON TELEVISION

Because they did not originate in Fayetteville, AR, or in Arkansas, Pentagon recruiting ads and PBS are not strictly speaking grassroots, yet they did occur in my home—via TV.  Mainstream electronic media, including PBS, deal us a large dose of patriotism.


TELEVISION ARMY RECRUITING ADS
(I saw the GO ARMY ads on The Weather Channel.  –Dick)
Bottom of Form
Google Search December 19, 2016
www.goarmy.com/army-team.html
We're highly trained, adaptable and ready for anything. We are U.S. Army Soldiers and through every win, every day — we make a difference. #ArmyTeam ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gLmsR4jxeE
Oct 24, 2016 - Uploaded by U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Cyber national recruiting ad -- join the Army's cyber team!
https://www.youtube.com/user/goarmyvideos
Welcome to the official channel for GOARMY.COM maintained by the Army Marketing and Research Group. Here you can learn more about what it means to be ...
https://www.facebook.com/goarmy/
GOARMY.COM. 1144421 likes · 24213 talking about this. The Official Fan Page for http://www.goarmy.com. Learn more about the career opportunities...
https://www.ispot.tv/brands/ABS/us-army
Watch, interact and learn more about the songs, characters, and celebrities that appear in your favorite U.S. Army TV Commercials. Watch the commercial, share ...
matthewdemsky.weebly.com/uploads/.../the_effect_of_persuasion_in_go...
This analysis focuses on two specific advertisements from Go Army's recruitment campaign. The first is titled, “Army Strong” (Bandit36, 2007) and the second, ...
https://www.army.mil/.../new_army_ad_campaign_highlights_those_wh...
Jun 15, 2016 - The Army is launching the second phase of a new advertising campaign ... The AMRG mission is to support recruiting and retention through aggressive, ... "They believe theArmy is a last-resort place -- it's where you go if you ...
www.nytimes.com/2013/.../army-tries-a-reality-style-for-recruitment.htm...
May 21, 2013 - The Army is trying to produce commercials styled like a television reality ... Twitter; producing Webcasts from Iraq for its Web site, goarmy.com; ...
articles.chicagotribune.com/.../0508130068_1_leo-burnett-usa-ads-army...
Aug 13, 2005 - When Americans met their finger-pointing Uncle Sam during World War I,advertising became a linchpin of military recruiting almost overnight.


TELEVISION/PBS Glorifying Wars

 

Here are two programs during adjacent days in December 2016


“Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday for Heroes”.
 Lidia Bastianich hosts an “unforgettable holiday special celebrating veterans”; i.e., celebrating the wars they have experienced and are preparing to experience.  
Watch on AETN Friday, December 16 at 10pm and Saturday
For most, the holiday season is a time of celebration, spending time with family and friends, observing age-old traditions and enjoying favorite foods. For members of the military, the holidays can be particularly emotional, especially when they are stationed thousands of miles away from home, or are overcoming injuries from their service.
In the uplifting special, Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday for Heroes, Lidia meets with veterans who reflect on their service. Each discusses their longing to be reunited with family during holidays, the challenges and sacrifices of their work, and the pride they take in having defended our country. Together, they create a distinct image of the diversity of the United States military.  [Always “defended our country.”  The curse of the 1947 linguistic coup that changed the War Department (which it was and is) to the Defense Department has burrowed deeply within the consciousness of the US populace.  

     CSPAN 3, American History TV, 12-17-16. 
     Two Silver Star Medal Winners, one from Vietnam War and the other from the Korean War, speak to US Navy personnel at the “US Navy Memorial” telling their own war stories of defending their country and praising the audience for wanting to defend their country.  The elephant in the room was never acknowledged—that exceedingly few of the numerous wars in which the US has engaged, most of them started by the US, were legal, constitutional, moral, or needed. 
     As for the two medal winners, there’s no shortage of veterans who want to advocate war to our youth.  There are others, as with Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against War.   I would like to see a study made comparing the number of CSPAN programs presenting the patriotic and number presenting the critical point of view.  CSPAN, Public Television, should not be another conduit of Pentagon pro-war propaganda. 
     Public TV was established in 1966 to encourage public debate and critical thinking.  Too often instead we get pervasive pro-war, pro-empire propaganda.

 

Contents, Grassroots Militarism Northwest Arkansas, Newsletter #1, Chronological Order, 1989-2014
Dick:  Washington County USA 1989
Dick, Mullins Library, University of Arkansas 2003
Dick, Normalizing Militarism, One Newspaper  2008
Jonah Tebbetts, Ozark Military Museum 2008
Dick, Memorializing Confederate Cemeteries 2012
Dick, Study War No More
Dick, Our Troops Died for Our Freedom?  2012
Dick, Sacred Budget 2012
Washington Post editorial in Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 2012
Articles in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 2011-2013
Chrystal Bridges 2014 Serving the Complex
Dick, Honor Flight Takes WWII Veterans to WWII Memorial in Washington  2014



END GRASSROOTS MILITARISM NEWSLETTER #2, 2016

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