Next time you hear someone wondering why the United States’ status in the world has become so greatly diminished or why America has become a target for terrorism, consider asking them if they’ve seen the movie Red Dawn. In Red Dawn, the United States is invaded by the Soviet Union and a small band of freedom fighters (The Wolverines) fights against their imperial rule.
Why is is that when we watch movies like Red Dawn, Star Wars, or Avatar, we are repulsed by the concept of imperialism yet we complacently go along with our country’s unsatiable quest for empire?
The idea of “live and let live” still runs strongly through the veins of most Americans. We still value freedom and liberty but we allow our government to pursue overseas “assets”, build bases, and subjugate populations around the globe. We have been tricked into thinking that these interventions are for their own good. They tell us that they need to topple a despotic dictator, create democratic governments, pave the way for free markets, or fight terrorism before it hits our shores. The reality is much different. The reality is an unfettered quest for power and control by men and women whose only aim is to further their domination of others.
The recently proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), proposed by Senators Carl Levin of Michigan (202 – 224 – 6221) and John McCain of Arizona (202 – 224 – 2235), would allow the U.S. Military to detain Americans without trial anywhere in the world. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado (202 – 224 – 5941) has proposed an ammendment that would remove the portions of this bill that deal with indefinite detention.
Please consider calling these senators as well as your own senator to express opposition to this bill or to thank them for opposing it.
