I didn't know, thanks for the lesson! Interesting how the Armistice Day-->Veterans Day rebranding echoes the rebranding (in the USA & Canada) of May Day into a vague, "what are we celebrating" holiday.
The rest of the world celebrates May Day as a workers' day. And it was originally designated as a workers day in tribute to seven workers who were unjustly tried and executed for a bombing at Haymarket, one of many places that had huge protests for better wages and working conditions back in the 1880s.
In order to maintain their profits, the rulers of the US empire have to create violence and upheaval abroad. It's totally connected with how workers within the "imperial core" (the U.S.) have seen lower and lower wages and poorer and poorer working conditions, as the military industrial complex's pace of warmongering quickens. I mean, Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria and Lybia, Ukraine, all in 20 years? More than just those!
I wish I knew of an essay to share with my friends who haven't figured this out (recommendations welcome!) Like an essay to teach them how completely abnormal it is that our country is constantly at war. No other country acts like this! It is NOT normal for a country's military to be occupying 20 different countries! How many is it? Heck, if we have 700 or 800 military bases, are we occupying territory in nearly every foreign country??
Part of the reason Americans are ignorant of how crazy this war mentality is is because of these slick rebrandings of holidays that should be reminding us of our history but instead serve as manipulations to accept an unacceptable status quo.
Thankyou Matt. I'm worried there will be a FF attack this w/e in London, to be blamed on 'Pro Palestinian' and 'Pro Ceasefire' protestors of course' because the ruling class has not, so far, managed to get the Met Police to 'cancel' the protest. The media buzz on this certainly indicates they are building up for something....
Tears in my eyes... beer tears, but genuine nonetheless. This time of year makes me as cranky as I ever get. I’ll email you what we’re doing in Asheville Saturday and hope I have your permission to quote you, with attribution, of course.
Beautifully written. Thank you! Our VFP Chapter in Milwaukee is hosting our annual "Reclaim Armistice Day" event on Saturday. Medea Benjamin will speak (virtually).
They should have changed the name to "Never Again" Day, Matt. Because, as you say, that's really what Armistice Day was originally about.
Nice Article.
I didn't know, thanks for the lesson! Interesting how the Armistice Day-->Veterans Day rebranding echoes the rebranding (in the USA & Canada) of May Day into a vague, "what are we celebrating" holiday.
The rest of the world celebrates May Day as a workers' day. And it was originally designated as a workers day in tribute to seven workers who were unjustly tried and executed for a bombing at Haymarket, one of many places that had huge protests for better wages and working conditions back in the 1880s.
In order to maintain their profits, the rulers of the US empire have to create violence and upheaval abroad. It's totally connected with how workers within the "imperial core" (the U.S.) have seen lower and lower wages and poorer and poorer working conditions, as the military industrial complex's pace of warmongering quickens. I mean, Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria and Lybia, Ukraine, all in 20 years? More than just those!
I wish I knew of an essay to share with my friends who haven't figured this out (recommendations welcome!) Like an essay to teach them how completely abnormal it is that our country is constantly at war. No other country acts like this! It is NOT normal for a country's military to be occupying 20 different countries! How many is it? Heck, if we have 700 or 800 military bases, are we occupying territory in nearly every foreign country??
Part of the reason Americans are ignorant of how crazy this war mentality is is because of these slick rebrandings of holidays that should be reminding us of our history but instead serve as manipulations to accept an unacceptable status quo.
I loved this piece. It calmed and inspired me to know that the writer exists in a time of monsters.
"And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds."
Thankyou Matt. I'm worried there will be a FF attack this w/e in London, to be blamed on 'Pro Palestinian' and 'Pro Ceasefire' protestors of course' because the ruling class has not, so far, managed to get the Met Police to 'cancel' the protest. The media buzz on this certainly indicates they are building up for something....
Thank you, Matt!
Tears in my eyes... beer tears, but genuine nonetheless. This time of year makes me as cranky as I ever get. I’ll email you what we’re doing in Asheville Saturday and hope I have your permission to quote you, with attribution, of course.
Beautifully written. Thank you! Our VFP Chapter in Milwaukee is hosting our annual "Reclaim Armistice Day" event on Saturday. Medea Benjamin will speak (virtually).
VFP
Keep up your efforts cause there are soooo many sabre rattlers that only think war is the answer.
Nicely written Matt!