On Friday's edition of the John Batchelor Show, John and Michael Vlahos talked about America's transit from republic to empire, although it was as much a dirge as discussion. (Part 1 and Part 2) Not easy listening for anyone who once saw America as a beacon of hope for the rest of humanity, but instructive for those Americans who've realized something went terribly wrong their system of government and can't quite nail down what it is.
Late last year U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who tendered his resignation a few days ago, quietly updated the national defense policy to reflect America's imperialism. From the Business Insider, June 2018 (H/T Moon of Alabama):
... For at least two decades, the Department of Defense has explicitly defined its mission on its website as providing "the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country." But earlier this year, it quietly changed that statement, perhaps suggesting a more ominous approach to national security.
The Pentagon's official website now defines its mission this way: "The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend the security of our country and sustain American influence abroad."
The new mission statement — featured at the bottom of every page on the site — removes the words "to deter war" while adding that it is the Pentagon's job to "sustain American influence" overseas. But strangely, the about page still carries the old mission statement, though it says it has not been updated since Jan. 27, 2017. ...The mainstream news media didn't inform the American public of the change in the wording and it's doubtful the Pentagon consulted with Congress or the White House before deciding to finally state the obvious.
Well. John and Michael said a mouthful last night. I think it's important to listen carefully to what they said and then think hard.
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