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Shahid Buttar's avatar

Walz's critique of the Iraq War, from the standpoint of a veteran who spent decades in the military, should be enough to make him an American hero. One hopes he will continue to heed the example of other contemporary heroes who dedicated their lives to higher principles, like Aaron Bushnell. I wrote about his profound act of dissent and conscience, which should shame every elected leader who supports the ongoing genocide in Gaza. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/dont-look-away

It's interesting that the last Democrat to run for the White House having publicly opposed the Iraq War went on to win it, only to then backtrack and buttress the military-industrial complex at every opportunity (while reviving Joe Biden's then moribund career) once he got in office. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/i/140911089/obamas-obfuscations.

Ultimately, weapons sales and militarism are at the core of the Washington consensus that unites the corporate political parties and their duopoly. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/weapon-sales-unite-washingtons-warring. In that context, Walz offers a different example—one emphasizing service, rather than his own self-aggrandizement, or transactional service to a set of industries. Beyond his various positions, that theme might present the greatest significance of his vice-presidential candidacy. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/a-senior-democrat-notes-how-career

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Jeffrey Harrison's avatar

We don't have political parties. We have political cults. The whole point behind an army in a free county is to protect the country. It is not to execute some fruitcake foreign policy cooked up by some congresscritters.YOU'RE NOT OBLIGATED TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY. I served 4 years in the AF during 'nam. I discouraged all 6 of my kids from entering the military (successfully). I told them that if they felt the country faced an existential threat from somewhere, by all means enlist. Otherwise, they should find their cannon fodder elsewhere.

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