We get a ton of submissions via our comms check portal but occasionally I draw some fire that catches my attention. I’m always open to dialog and good debate and I received permission from Steven to post his submission to me.

I personally believe that the United States is a country in good standing and I think I was on point regarding my statements to ABC News story about Stolen Valor; Steven calls me a liar, I say he’s arguing pure semantics.  Apparently Steven is drawing on his interpretation of Major General Smedley Butler, USMC, Ret. as he discusses the issue of war in his book War Is A Racket.

Judging from Butler’s interesting career and some controversy after his retirement I would love to go back in time and have a conversation with him about some great points he makes in his book. Disclaimer: I’ve only read portions of the book at War Is A Racket’s website.

General Butler

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Smedley Darlington Butler(July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940) was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, an outspoken critic of U.S. military adventurism, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S. history.

During his 34-year career as a Marine, he participated in military actions in the Philippines, China, in Central America and the Caribbean during the Banana Wars, and France in World War I. By the end of his career, he had received 16 medals, five for heroism. He is one of 19 men to twice receive the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded both the Marine Corps Brevet Medal and the Medal of Honor, and the only man to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.

In his 1935 book War is a Racket, he described the workings of the military-industrial complex and, after retiring from service, became a popular speaker at meetings organized by veterans, pacifists and church groups in the 1930s.