An article found on militarytimes.com, Friday, January 5, 2024:
Headline: Troops do not have an extremism problem, but veterans do, study finds
Under the Tag: Extremism and Disinformation
I find this to be VERY deceptive and VERY disturbing - the article itself, the intent behind the article, and the people promoting this Narrative.
There are a number of points to make in response to this article, but it all boils down to one issue: Propaganda for the purpose of destroying our Nation and taking away our freedom.
As the article is presented on the website, it frames the story as a report on a developing threat to our Nation. So, in response, I’ll do a little framing in my article. The website is related to a printed newspaper, Army Times, with which I am familiar, delivered to Army personnel; and also other publications aimed at other branches of the US Military. The author is credited at the end of the article as covering “disinformation and extremism for Military Times,” and is listed on their main website as “MVJ Extremism-Disinformation Fellow.” The Narrative behind the article is classic “us” against “them” - the divide and conquer strategy used by communists, Hitler and other tyrants to eradicate political opponents. In this case, it is separating current service members from former service members. The implications of this imagined dichotomy are VERY serious.
Further, the article opens with a photo, presumably from January 6, 2021, showing three men dressed in military style combat clothing and gear - including helmets. The picture clearly includes two flags - one, a Trump/Pence flag, and the other, a replica of a Revolutionary War flag. Remember - a picture is worth a thousand words. So, combine the clear visual reference to the January 6 protest/demonstration, combat dress, Trump support and “revolution” and the message becomes: “Trump supporters are dangerous and ready to overthrow the Government. And, always remember, the underlying reason for the events of that day are that the attendees - more than 100,000 - were there to protest what they believed to be a STOLEN election, and to ASK the Congress to reconsider certification of the election.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
~ Amendment 1, US Constitution
The January 6 RALLY was an attempt to send a message to the Congress and to the States (Freedom of Speech). It was peaceful until a small number of instigators incited violence and property damage (the Right to peaceably assemble). And, most importantly, the assembly was ASKING the Congress to take specific action (petition the Government for a redress of grievances). This was the intent of President Trump and the intent of most of the people at the Rally.
Although I am a veteran, I never served on active duty, was never stationed overseas and never served in combat. So, I cannot relate to any of those experiences, and I believe that those who have filled those roles have done far more than I. But, implying that this past service somehow results in violent extremism after separation is insulting and demoralizing to people who have voluntarily answered the call to the defense of our freedom and of our Nation. The article characterizes former service members as potentially forming or inciting an insurgency. (Remember how Vietnam veterans were characterized by the Left?)
Please read the Military Times article so you know what I am talking about. It’s only a few pages long.
The article relates that CURRENT service members are not the problem. It is only FORMER service members that pose a danger. This, in itself, raises several issues. Look behind the words and think about the meaning - the cause and effect, the message they are trying to instill in the thoughts of readers - active service members.
CURRENT service members, the young people who have been brainwashed by communist leaning government schools for the past decade or two are not the problem. They think Marxism is OK. They think the military should promote policies of the “Green” agenda, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), White Guilt (or White Privilege) and Social Justice. They have been trained to trust the authorities without question - no moral or ethical foundation and no training in independent critical thinking. Soldiers are REQUIRED to follow LAWFUL orders. But, when they don’t understand our history or our Constitution, how will they have any ability to judge for themselves what is lawful and what is not? With a foundation in Marxism and “trust the authorities,” they will have no ability to see the dangers of tyranny until it is too late.
On the other hand, older folks, like myself, having joined the military nearly 50 years ago, and having a somewhat better education, (at least a belief in the Righteousness of our Constitution), can see the decline in morality and ethics in our society, and the growth of tyranny in our federal government. I suspect that a large number of veterans have similar feelings. Yet, we are still living in the best country in the world. I think most of us want to preserve it - even if the younger generation does not understand why.
The Military Times article further states that service members transitioning to civilian life may not understand, or may have trouble adjusting to civilian life. I can’t relate to that point personally, but I suspect it is a wild exaggeration. Certainly, military life is more structured and predictable. But, our society is changing - and not for the better. In the military world, there is still some respect for seniors - officers and more experienced NCOs. I assume that there are still strict rules of procedure and behavior that are willingly followed (because they are STRICTLY enforced). In civilian life, however, we as a society, have lost respect for others. This is reflected in standards of behavior which are sometimes totally unpredictable - no discipline, no restraint - violence as the response to differing opinions. This is NOT the fault of veterans, and they have a right to be dismayed when they see it - either in individuals or in society as a whole.
One of the most disturbing points mentioned in this article, and taken for granted by the author (which in itself is a problem), is the use of “disinformation.” To an older guy like myself, this is the language of a Communist. This is the cabal in power determining what is true and what should be censored from public discourse. This is propaganda. This is the method of tyranny. We CANNOT allow this to continue. We, as veterans will not tolerate it. And THAT is what the tyrants in Washington fear.
So, what do they do?
Divide and conquer.
The underlying purpose of the Military Times article is to prepare CURRENT service members to believe that Trump supporters and veterans are a threat so that they can “rightfully” pit one segment of society, “the chosen” (current service members) against another segment of society, “the enemies of democracy” (veterans and Trump supporters). Then, when dissent must be quashed, there is an army of disciples who will be happy to see the “enemies” prosecuted and punished - regardless of defects in due process.
That is what is happening with the January 6 protesters.
There was NO “insurrection.” There was NO plan to overthrow the government. EVERYBODY knows this.
What there is is a NARRATIVE. That narrative is that we have violent rebels on the Right (Trump Supporters) who are trying to overthrow the legitimate government, and they MUST be punished in order to preserve our “democracy.” But, the fact remains that not one has been charged, much less convicted, of treason or insurrection. Yet, The Narrative remains, repeated constantly to us by the media, by the current administration in Washington, by the Congress, and by Courts. Many people have completely accepted The Narrative as truth, when in fact, is it a LIE being used as a tool to weaken political opposition. Former service members are lumped in with Trump supporters (there is a real overlap) and they are characterized together as violent extremists - a threat to civil society. This Narrative will ultimately lead to the destruction of our Nation and the permanent loss of our freedom.
This is the EXTREME danger that we face in 2024. And many VETERANS see this. In the view of the current regime in Washington, dissent cannot be tolerated. In my view, this is the behavior of the Soviet Union.
We - Veteran or not - CANNOT let this happen to the Greatest Nation the World has EVER seen.