284) Death Before Dishonor?
We have ALWAYS been told, countless times in countless ways, in countless films, countless ceremonies, countless lessons in school, countless stories, that "honor" (or "honour" to Canadians), is important to the military. Central, in fact. Soldiers literally die for "honor". The worst outcome of a military career, after all, is a dishonorable discharge. Even worse, in military culture, than literally losing your life.
But does "honor" actually mean anything, at least in the United States? Is it actually a deeply held value by those who serve? Or is it a con job designed to dupe people into sacrificing their morals, and even their lives, for other people's greed?
I'm sure this question alone would make many people enraged. How dare someone ask such a question? What kind of asshole am I? People sacrificed their lives for this!
Yes, that's exactly the point. And it's a valid question, because right now, the "honor" of the United States military is deeply questionable. Soldiers are already committing murder against civilians, for no reason except a deranged "Commander in Chief's" orders. Soldiers are turning against their own citizens. Soldiers are "just following orders" even when they know, with absolutely no doubt, that these orders are wrong, dishonorable.
And on Tuesday, when Pete Hegseth gathers the entire US military command structure together, we are going to find out the answer to this question, at least for them. Will all these battle-hardened "honorable" career soldiers stand up for their oaths, for their cherished values of freedom and "honor"? Or will they kiss the boots of an obviously corrupt, fascist billionaire and his incompetent, literally evil, regime? Will they stand for good, or will they reveal themselves to be mere, pathetic tools?
Because THAT is what is on the line here.
Watch closely what happens on Tuesday. Because on that day, and whatever aftermath follows, the entire concept of "honor" in the United States military will be revealed to either actually be something real, or an illusion, a lie that generations of people died for, believing it meant something. Anyone who believes in HONOR, and that includes many of my own friends who served in the military and have always supported the troops, should care about this.
What will this mean for the concept of "honor" in general? Probably nothing. The concept itself is much older than the US Military. But at the very least it will mean that the United States military is either commanded by honorable people, or by fools who will deserve, from that point onwards, no respect. Ever.
If they fail, then the entire military culture of the United States SHOULD be rejected as a sham. They should be given a "dishonorable discharge" from the rest of society. Right from the top to the bottom.
If they fail, if the ENTIRE leadership of the United States military kisses the boots of a leader and "follows orders", rather than upholding their honor, then they have no honor. Zero. None. And their entire culture, their military oaths, their "honoring" of all those who sacrificed their lives, for Freedom, will be a lie. Not according to me. According to them, by their own actions.
The world is watching. And we will never forget.