U.S. Foreign Policy: Blinded by Self-Righteousness, Greed & Arrogance; Held Together with Stupidity

Originally published at OpEd News, November 25, 2009.

Image, USAF Photo:

Full sequence of events leading to the crash available at YouTube:

On June 24, 1994, at Fairchild Air Force Base located near Spokane, Washington, an Air Force B-52 bomber crashed at the end of its air show. The aerial demonstration was awesome and chilling to watch. Reckless though it was, it appeared that the commander was in complete control of his craft, confidently demonstrating the might of his nation as represented by aerobatic maneuvers that he executed in his aging nuclear-strike bomber. Spectators on the tarmac watched, frozen with anticipation of what would happen next. Indeed, the crew aboard that multi-million dollar jet probably wondered what was going to happen as well. Given the aircraft commander’s history, every man on that airplane knew before they ever climbed aboard that they would be operating at the extreme edge of their performance envelope, the coffin-corner, as it’s called in the aviation world. When operating beyond this lofty point where pilot ability and design limits are exceeded the integrity of the aircraft is in jeopardy as well as the safety of the crew. While watching the sequence of events that preceded the tragic shattering crash and explosion, one could compare it to the equally reckless design and execution of our foreign policies.

Since 1897, when Theodore Roosevelt gave his speech at the Naval War College about war and his glorified ideas on the subject, the United States has pursued an aggressive foreign policy which has led to military and agency involvement in many countries. [1] Regime changes, vast amounts of foreign aid and various forms of covert actions have all been on the menu at different times and the potential for another firestorm always looms close by. Words like insurgents or terrorists will trip the switch on the propaganda and patriotism machines and the stage is set for another small elite group to take the nation into the fiery pits of hell. The designers of our foreign policy and the field marshals of war place the chess pieces of death and terror on the gaming tables and young recruits do the deed.

Never bashful about using the whip, since 1801, the United States has clashed 163 times in various ways with other countries, groups or governments.[2] Indeed, one only needs to look back at our own savage encounters with the indigenous people occupying the land of opportunity, our land and our opportunities. The land wasn’t fenced was it? Being on the winning side usually provides impunity from any war-crimes proceedings, however, the credibility of the great white father and his treaties still remain in question.

After the Spanish-American War in 1898, we really got into the swing of things and developed an enormous appetite for warfare and all the things that go with a militaristic state. The Philippine War in 1899 was followed by numerous military excursions and expeditions over the years. With the advent of WWI we were ostensibly ready to fight for freedom and democracy once again. Buried under the mass of propaganda and hype was the fact that Wall Street bankers had provided over two billion of dollars of loans to Britain for its war efforts.[3] Is it any wonder that we had to protect American interests? It was enough for Henry Ford to say some choice words about the cause of war as our leaders pressed hard to get involved; “It is capitalism, greed, the dirty hunger for dollars. Take away the capitalist and you will sweep war from the earth”. [4]

In Europe, during 1914, a relatively small group of men at the head of Central Powers of Germany, Austria, and Hungary, had taken steps to ignite the flames of war. Allied Powers responded with all they could muster and the eruption of battle began on July 28, 1914. Unbeknownst to the general public, under the cover of secrecy, plans for America’s involvement had been underway for some years. [5] At the end of hostilities, about 20 million people had died. Approximately 8,500,000 military personnel lost their lives and civilian losses range from 8 to 13 million. By all accounts, it was an accurate portrayal of hell. The bodies of those combatants and victims, laid head-to-toe, would encircle the approximate circumference of the globe, stretching eastward from New York City, all the way around to Los Angeles, California.

Arms races, secret covert operations like the Gleiwitz incident in Germany and the Tonkin Gulf Incident in Vietnam, scare tactics, overt aggressive acts, hatred, propaganda, lies and preemptive strikes are some the building blocks essential to make war. Imperialism seems to be in a class by itself. Most nations that go to war seem to use a number of these tactics or excuses to stoke up the smoldering embers. Once the decision to make war has become the mindset of the ring-leaders then selling the idea becomes the highest priority and the show begins. Mob mentality takes the place of rational thought and patriotism can be a useful tool to stir emotions. Patriotism in itself is simply a love for one’s country but it can also be used as a warm blanket to cover the dark festering moral collapse of a nation. Selling a war is big business. Aftermath is for the next generation. Before we leave the area of propaganda and omissions of truth, the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, authorized 50 commercial merchant ships to be built for use in wartime. The number was increased to 100 ships a year in 1939 and increased to 200 ships a year in 1940. So much for the surprise Japanese attack on Hawaii in 1941.

The loading docks where our nation’s war dead are brought home are now off-limits to photo journalists but countless stories are shown on television about brave young soldiers in rehab centers trying to adjust to life without limbs or sight. One has to question, is the television production showing their struggle more for the young veteran or is it for us, to ease our conscience for allowing them to be sacrificed for the war machine? One rarely sees photographs or film clips of the aging maimed veterans of Vietnam who are still in the VA hospitals thanks to the Whiz Kids and their Desoto Patrol. Forgotten also, except on Veterans Day, are the veterans of WWII and Korea. That’s aftermath, largely forgotten except for the individuals, their families and the people who work with them. Forgotten too, are the landmines and the toxic waste materials of war that contaminate the soil and rivers on and around the battlefields. They were the enemies though, right? Parabellum design defect disclaimer eliminates or reduces liability.

Precise body counts of modern war (Vietnam War, 58,178) have become an integral part of media reporting because of the changing nature of battle, i.e., smaller encounters but for longer periods of time. If there were a return of vast armies doing battle over large geographic areas, or possibly in the use of nuclear devices where whole cities perish, there might again be thousands of unaccounted-for losses. Regardless, estimates for enemy deaths always explode in numbers but are generally rounded-off. American deaths numbers are always exact; does that mean that not one more American than necessary was sacrificed to do the job? How thoughtful of our fearless leaders. With due respect here at home, other nation’s great leaders have shown similar examples of gross indifference.

An example of the callousness of war of some of its highest leaders can best be shown by their comments. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, when 19,240 British soldiers died, General Haig observed; “this cannot be considered severe in view of the numbers engaged and the length of the front attacked”. [6] Indeed, for General Haig, the situation was not severe, for he lived until 1928 with a title of 1st Earl Haig and received the thanks and gratitude of Parliament with a grant of £100,000. A corps commander under Haig echoed his feelings with an explanation for the failure; “the men are much too keen on saving their own skins….they need to be taught that they are here to do a job”. [7] In times of great national distress patriotism and propaganda can be linked together to insure victory for a greater cause and ease the pain of sacrifice. Late in WWII, General Curtis LeMay was responsible for the decision to fire-bomb Tokyo. More than 100,000 people, mostly women, children and the old, died in those raids. LeMay himself said that if the other side had won he would have been tried as a war criminal. [8] General Douglas MacArthur described it as one of the most ruthless and barbaric killings of non-combatants in all history. At the time the propaganda machine bathed the news in patriotism and thusly justified the killings as saving American lives. And we have outlawed game fowl-fighting in the United States because it is an inhumane act?

Dresden, Germany, was another target of firebombing; chosen more for psychological impact rather than strategic reasons. RAF and U.S. bombers dropped 3,900 tons of high explosives and incendiary devices destroying about 13 square miles of the city. Death estimates range from 25,000 to 40,000 for the actions on 13-15 Feb 1945. Never mind that the city was largely a cultural center with little military importance.

Truman used the advice of a very small select committee to make the decision to drop the atom bombs on Japan even though it is generally acknowledged that the war was over. Most likely, the true purpose was psychological; to threaten Russia with our military might; using war to prevent war.

With all the experiences of loss, depravation, waste and human tragedy one would think that the country would be reluctant to send one more American son or daughter to the incinerators of hell, but yet we continue to follow the Judas sheep right up the ramp to be slaughtered. Of course, those with such brilliant ideas of using deadly force are rarely seen in attack-chariots racing across the desert. Not to worry young person, stand tall and be what you can be; we’ll have medals for you and a flag for your parents.

More callousness of war and the utter disrespect for humanity was set forth when questions were asked about the sanctions against Iraq after the First Gulf War which can be linked to the reasons for the attacks on 9-11: CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl relied on this estimate (of infant mortality) in 1996 when she asked U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright, “we have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that is more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?” Albright answered; “I think this is a very hard choice, but the price, we think the price is worth it”. [9] Albright’s words echoed like thunder through the Arab world in the following years. Could it be that our current impasse with the Arab/Muslim world might have more to do with actions such as these and our ongoing aid program that finances continued settlement of contested lands than just their hatred for the American way of life? So, we have paid homage to Mars, the Roman God of War, by sacrificing a half million Iraqi children during the 10-year embargo of Iraq and the insurgents brought down the towers of capitalism in New York. Both sides, it would seem, have perfected terrorism; but will it be enough to satisfy the appetite of the God of war? Let’s see, whose move is it now?

Insane debt has crippled our nation’s economic system, hyper-inflation is a distinct possibility and floodwaters of discontent are rising rapidly, yet the government band plays on as if we are in the plush ballroom of the Titanic, dancing the night away. Wave the flag; beat the drums, faster, faster. Are we trying to replicate the events of WWI where global war provided a grisly picture titled “the sound of freedom”?

Thanks to our lobby system of government and an intoxicating sense of self-righteousness, we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again, generation after generation. We get involved in political campaigns but not in the day-to-day operation of our government carelessly allowing lobbies, PAC’s and special interest groups to take control of the congress.

Are there any spiritual consequences of spreading death and destruction over so many parts of the earth? Fortunately, for our conscience, one nation, under God, gives us the ultimate assurance of being right. How ironic, that Mohamed Atta probably chanted “God is Great, God is Good” as he slammed his hijacked airliner into the World Trade Center. Being right with God absolves either side of any adverse eternal consequences whether they are causing the deaths of innocent children or slaughtering the monsters of capitalism. If the other side worships a false God, heaven forbid, any restrictions on humane warfare are lifted.

Without a doubt, both current dominant American political parties mean well and profess a great love, respect and hope for thes country but both are ultimately beholden to the lobbyists who feed them. The lobbies could care less which party is in power; they will contaminate either with their lavish gifts and free money. It’s not the parties, it’s the system, and it’s broken. If the cycle of death, destruction and despair is ever stopped it will be the citizens who terminate it, not the groups who profit from it. The lobbies and special interest groups have never had a great concern for the health and welfare of the nation and probably never will. Self-interest is their overriding concern. Creating fear, selling arms, controlling foreign aid and influencing congress are all areas of interest to these groups. If the group has an official or patriotic sounding name it will almost make them an arm of the federal government.

A recovery from the power-dive would require that have an ethical, financially responsible and an unencumbered congress in operation and a fully engaged public to monitor and maintain itss direction. We have neither. Can it go on? Possibly, but recall the image of the stricken bomber at Fairchild AFB, Washington. The anatomy of a crash had been visible for years but no one had the leadership abilities to put a stop to the actions of a reckless flight commander. Remember the unrestrained actions of the pilot as he violated tenets of good airmanship. Think about where we are on the scale of violations; how many tenets of good government have we allowed to be violated? Imagine a bloated lobbyist at the controls of the B-52 (which represents our nation) banked at ninety degrees; the picture in the cockpit window terrifying, the earth sideways, seemingly frozen in time, as we hurtle helplessly toward impact. Then; silence, eternal silence.

We can take back our government and require it to make wise choices for sustainability or we can continue to follow the Judas sheep up the ramp on a path of death and destruction while it bleats out “freedom and democracy”.

These are the choices.

Endnotes:

[1] A Matter of Extreme Urgency, by Edmund Morris. Naval War College Review, Spring 2002.

http://www.nwc.navy.mil/getattachment/a0f0d39c-2ef0-490f-a142-c782541b4d13/-Matter-of-Extreme-Urgency,-A---Theodore-Roosevelt

[2] Archive of 163 U.S. Interventions.

https://www.adbusters.org/files/media/flash/hope_and_memory/timeline.swf

[3] “By 1917, the U.S. had loaned Britain $2.25 billion to finance the war”.

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=529

[4] Ford Condemns War Blames Capitalism, New York Times, 15 Nov 1915.

[5] What really caused WWI.

http://www.threeworldwars.com/world-war-1/ww1.htm

[6] Page 112, Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour, by Joseph E Persico.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Freedom Rider: American War Criminals, by Margaret Kimberley.

http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/freedom-rider-american-war-criminals

[9] We think the price is worth It, Lesley Stahl CBS interview with Madeleine Albright.

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1084

© Charles Foerster 2009

CF is a graduate of the University of Houston, a former Naval Aviator and a retired commercial pilot. He and his wife live in West Texas.