I Don’t Appreciate the Military

By Laurence M. Vance

May 30, 2016

In addition to this being Memorial Day, the month of May is Military Appreciation Month. This follows Month of the Military Child in April. Upcoming in November is Month of the Military Family. I suppose that soon enough every month will be designed something related to the military.

I didn’t celebrate Military Appreciation Month. I didn’t read President Obama’s proclamation. I didn’t thank any soldiers for their service. I didn’t knowingly shake the hand of anyone in the military. I didn’t visit anyone in a VA hospital. I didn’t visit a war monument or memorial. I didn’t visit a military cemetery. I didn’t fly the American flag outside of my house. I didn’t attend a church service where members of the military were recognized. I didn’t attend any “tribute to the troops” celebrations. I didn’t attend a USO comedy show like President Obama did. In fact, I not only didn’t recognize Military Appreciate Month, I don’t appreciate the military.

I don’t appreciate the military making widows and orphans.

I don’t appreciate the military invading other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military claiming to be a global force for good.

I don’t appreciate the military opening up combat roles to women.

I don’t appreciate the military flying jets over sporting events.

I don’t appreciate the military wanting a higher budget.

I don’t appreciate the military preying on vulnerable high school students.

I don’t appreciate the military claiming to defend our freedoms.

I don’t appreciate the military occupying other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military reciting vile and filthy cadences.

I don’t appreciate the military garrisoning the planet with troops.

I don’t appreciate the military making Americans hated around the world.

I don’t appreciate the military launching preemptive strikes.

I don’t appreciate the military enforcing no-fly zones in other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting immoral wars.

I don’t appreciate the military providing disaster relief in other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military spreading democracy at the point of a gun.

I don’t appreciate the military bombing other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military recruiting gullible teenagers.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting unnecessary wars.

I don’t appreciate the military building overseas bases.

I don’t appreciate the military wasting millions of gallons of fuel.

I don’t appreciate the military killing civilians and dismissing it as collateral damage.

I don’t appreciate the military providing humanitarian aid in other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting foreign wars.

I don’t appreciate the military unnecessarily sending Americans to their deaths.

I don’t appreciate the military engaging in offense instead of defense.

I don’t appreciate the military bombing other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military rebuilding infrastructure in other countries after destroying it.

I don’t appreciate the military acting as the president’s personal attack force.

I don’t appreciate the military supporting a network of brothels around the world.

I don’t appreciate the military being the world’s policeman, fireman, and social worker.

I don’t appreciate the military intervening in other countries.

I don’t appreciate the military bombing, maiming, and killing under the flag of the United States.

I don’t appreciate the military blindly following orders.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting unjust wars.

I don’t appreciate the military advertising on billboards.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting senseless wars.

I don’t appreciate the military carrying out an aggressive, reckless, and belligerent U.S. foreign policy.

I don’t appreciate the military sponsoring race cars.

I don’t appreciate the military creating terrorists and insurgents because of its interventions.

I don’t appreciate the military carrying out drone strikes that regularly miss their targets.

I don’t appreciate the military changing foreign regimes.

I don’t appreciate the military advertising on television.

I don’t appreciate the military fighting wars that are not constitutionally declared.

I don’t appreciate the military lying to potential recruits.

I don’t appreciate the military unleashing sectarian violence in the Middle East.

I don’t appreciate the military making us less safe because of its interventions.

I don’t appreciate the military going where they have no business going.

I don’t appreciate the military bombing wedding parties in Afghanistan.

Fifty is enough. I think you get the point why I don’t appreciate the military.

If the things I have listed are true, and I have no doubt that they are, then why do so many people who ought to know better—including some libertarians—still go out of their way to try to find something to appreciate about the military? Are they military idolators?

I might appreciate the military if it actually defended the United States, secured U.S. borders, protected U.S. soil, guarded U.S. shores, patrolled U.S. coasts, and enforced no-fly zones over U.S. skies instead of doing these things in other countries. I might appreciate the military if it were a global force for good instead of evil. I might appreciate the military if it actually defended our freedoms.