A Veteran's Warning | Smedley Butler

[@SmedleyDButlerIV]

Maj General Smedley Darlington Butler was my great grandfather! The man knew what he was talking about! RIP

[@ritamariekelley4077]

He has my highest admiration. He's been one of my heroes for years. If only we'd have listened to him. His words are so true today.

[@cory8837]

Dude! Your great grandpa was such an OG they named all 8 Marine bases in Okinawa after him. MCB Butler.

[@miapdx503]

Awesome 😏

[@San_Vito]

@@cory8837 Isn't that a little weird? I don't know... naming Marine bases in an occupied territory after a veteran than campaigned against imperialism is a little odd (even though I know the occupation of Okinawa wasn't exactly an imperialist action per se).

[@ciacutout]

Here is what I posted above...we are connected in the cosmos This site is SO TRUE... My family was associated with General Butler in Philadelphia. I have photos taken in the White House Rose Garden in 1934. We stopped the FIRST FASCIST PUTCH, in which FDR was to be REMOVED from the White House in his wheel chair. Later, most of my family was hired on to the CIA (me too unfortunately) . In addition, even though they just about everyone who did JFK, few know what they did to FDR. When they said FDR died of a cerebral hemorrage .....they forgot to tell you the REST of the story, that the hemorage was caused by a 38 caliber slug in Warm Springs Georgia...

[@unclearsector4266]

"Something something, let's blame the Maine on Spain." -Bill Wurtz, kinda

[@bennpenn5105]

The US has run out of Destiny to Manifest so they're looking for more. Hwaii! Cuba! wait, Spain controls Cuba. Well, blame something on them and go to war. *explosion* I know, lets blame the Maine on Spain! So they blamed the Maine on Spain.

[@pearllamb7232]

Wait Spain controls Cuba. Well blame something on them and go to war. Let's blame the Maine on Spain!

[@b1g_m00n]

lol same. Wurtz also says "america's run out of destiny to manifest"

[@thejaymanofficial102]

"This one can be Bangladesh later"

[@Randy-lr1rj]

@@thejaymanofficial102 " South Africa might need another minute to think about " - apparently they're still thinking

[@briangarrow448]

My father, a WW2 veteran, had a saying about the country he loved. America would support Al Capone as a dictator as long as he said he was anti-communist. My old man was right. Somehow I think he read Smedley Butler.

[@currentriver4951]

so afraid of shadows!!!!!! THE SHEEP R

[@legoworksstudios1]

I'd believe it. I'd probably also believe he'd be supported by Sen. McCarthy, our favorite anti-communist.

[@harryheller4476]

I mean, we forced Nixon to resign right? He was anti communist. I don’t think it’s as bad as your dad says

[@BIONICLECLAYPOKEMON]

@@harryheller4476 Yeah but a.) The issue is that this mentality is reserved for foreign nations, and b.) We _did_ let him basically pardon himself for his crimes and c.) We wanted to impeach him, it's less so we "forced" him to resign, he ran away from scrutiny and a likely trial, and we just let him.

[@kevinvan4310]

@@harryheller4476 If people can be convinced that a moderate democrat like Biden is communist, than the problem is just as bad as it always was. We still stage coups to this day when countries even go towards socialism, under the guise of fear of communism, when really, companies need the resources from those nations to thrive. Having fear of something like socialism and communism is the best way for the U.S justify expansion of industry, through subjugation of other countries

[@Warmaker01]

I'm a retired US Marine. All recruits in Boot Camp go through a period of learning the Marine Corps' history. Along with it many of its key figures. Smedley Butler is one of them. We're taught a lot about his military service and combat experience. We even learned about the Banana Wars that Butler was in the thick of. But we never knew WHY Butler and the Marine Corps were there to begin with. We knew about the Boxer Rebellion, how it was a big multinational effort against China. Dude, we were even side by side with the British, Germans, and Imperial Japan, as well as a host of others. But we never learned WHY there was even a Boxer Rebellion to begin with. "Rebellion?" you wonder to yourself. How can we have a "Rebellion" against America, Germany, Britain in a friggin' foreign country? We don't know about this. This isn't taught about in our schools in the USA. The Marine Corps didn't even mention in teaching about Butler, how he viewed war, as well as his other actions for veterans, the average American, and his protection of our democracy. I didn't even know about Butler's "War is a Racket" booklet until over a decade after I was in the Marines, and it was purely by accident. I was surprised as hell. I did not how Butler turned once he realized he and the Marine Corps were acting as thugs for big business and the banks. Butler is already a legendary figure in the Marine Corps' history. We don't even talk about the rest of his life that also made him a fantastic American.

[@michelestidhamwhitmore8313]

When my husband left for Afghanistan in Dec. Of 01, I began reading the history of Afghanistan. I knew the u.s. had trained Osama bin laden, I knew we had trained Saddam Hussein, but didn't realize the depth and breadth of our funding and training of the mujahedeen. We the u.s. have laid the path for our destruction. Howard zinns people's history of America, is a great book on our b.s.

[@fillosof66689]

The Boxer Rebellion was technically aimed at overthrowing the ruling Empress, and the rebels were extreme in enforcing their nationalistic ideals to say the least, brutally killing all Westerners they could get their hands on, as well as any Chinese people they saw as collaborators or ones that had converted to Christianity and refused to convert back despite the threats. So yes, the colonial powers absolutely put China over a barrel with the trade deals, and most got territorial concessions after the Rebellion as payment for their involvement. But the whole affair wasn't just big bad imperialists suppressing the will of the poor natives.

[@jolanderphilip]

My god The crayons eater Found a box of ball point pens Jesus Christ they’re evolving

[@wukanimation]

I am in the same boat, and I agree with everything you’ve said. I am only recently discovering Smedley Butlers writings, and I’m shocked. I’m a former active 0311 in IRR, now attached to a reserve infantry unit by choice. Next time I go to the base for drill, I’m detaching myself from it.

[@esterwyman]

WE ARE NOTA DEMOCRACY . WE ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC 🇺🇸❗️

[@Toleich]

"So it's all just about money?" "Always has been."

[@55Quirll]

Yep The winners 1. Suppliers of Munitions - Dupont for example - and those in Congress and the Pentagon - more so now than when he was in military, the Generals that is . 2. Most of the Generals of today are just armchair Generals seeing as very few have seen active combat. The Losers 1. The soldiers who were Maimed - physically and mentally -, wives, children and parents. They are the ones who paid the ultimate price. A good video and enjoy reading his book 'War is a Racket' which you can download as a PDF document free. Another good thing to read 'War Prayer' by Mark Twain also can be found on the internet and here on youtube.

[@liteney]

It's not about money, it's about power and control, and always has been. To deny that people were conquered, oppressed and enslaved by other people prior to Spain becoming a country, is pure racial hatred of Europeans.

Of course. The mighty dollar.

[@LeonardoWilhelm]

@@liteney Racial hatred of Europeans? Please show me the Transatlantic Slave Trade of other nations, I'm very curious to see what ghastly policies other nations have done to rival that scale. It's not about First Nations or other civilizations being more ethical, it's about enduring consequences of those special interests groups to this day. Europe (and Americans for that matter) have never paid reparations nor returned the stolen wealth of those countries.

[@liteney]

@@LeonardoWilhelm When are the blacks and browns going to pay reparations and return the stolen wealth they took from Europe, not to mention all the people they took for over 1,400 years, colonizer.

[@AlternateHistoryHub]

Fantastic video. Im glad I got to contribute a bit to it!

[@RyGuyMaster]

It's always fun spotting the different content creator littered in KB's videos. I was especially excited when I recognized your voice!

[@danielm5324]

Except Smedley Butler only became anti war profiteering after he bankrupted himself after years of trying to become a war profiteer himself. 🤷‍♂️

[@stevegruber4724]

That's why that voice sounded familiar!

[@devilspalm16]

I recognized your voice immediately and went to check the comments to see if you posted. Very nice!

[@TheBrickMasterB]

Same as devilspalm. Always excited to hear you narrate.

[@danielbtwd]

I spent 8 months fighting "communism " as a conscript in Angola for the south African defense force. Paid for by the Reagan administration. Who knows where the money went?? We were being paid 10 dollars per month. Also when we got home no one believed us as the government were denying any SA involvement. I finished school with a testimonial referring to my "considerable intelligence ". 25 yes later I learned that I have been living with the symptoms of PTSD. Seems like many of my brothers suffer the same. Personally I don't think there would have been the same level of interest by the powers that be if it weren't for the diamonds and de beers. All paid for with tax money.

[@danielbtwd]

@@johndillinger1918 I first tried it when I was in my thirties. It did help me quite alot. I don't think anyone with half a brain ever gets over the experience of mass slaughter of human beings. It brings home some horrible truths about the kind of world we are living in which is hard to forget.

[@WayTruthLife2100]

Bless your soul. I have and will continue to pray for you to have peace and for healing your mind, body, and soul. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You for ALL you've given; for this very day I am free because of your great gift to me, a stranger! Love you brother.

[@apollys1]

Namibian here. Thank you for your insightful story

[@danielbtwd]

@@apollys1 , I spent 4 months at Ondangwa. Fighting soldiers in Angola was one thing. Seeing how the civilians suffered was truly disturbing. This all happened in the late eighties. All in the past thankfully.

[@correctionguy7632]

This one is really obscure but I'll take my shot. Were you familiar with the diamond smuggling incident that happened?

[@Osric24]

I'm convinced Butler was a man ahead of his time. Incredible fella, stood up for the right thing as much as he could as loudly as he could. A true voice of justice we should listen to. But sadly, justice doesn't turn a profit.

[@matthewshelby4579]

The fruit of justice is serenity. Most important thing to remember. Butler's work bore bitter fruit. But the tree he grew still stands tall and strong. All we can do is water it over and over again.

[@chriskopp1361]

He's a mouth piece for fictional quotes and foreign spooks.

[@krono5el]

the Native Americans were singing the same story for 400 years before him.

[@BillyTheKidder]

@@chriskopp1361 Please explain that?

[@BillyTheKidder]

@@krono5el The apache..

[@eo7097]

Man, your comment about how the Philippine-American War is a D-list war reminded me of the time that an American-educated friend of my brother insisted that no such war happened and that the Filipinos welcomed the Americans with open arms. Clearly, clearly, the guy who didn't grow up in the Philippines knew the country's history better than those who lived there. Antonio Luna and Gregorio del Pilar would like to say hi to that guy.

[@redmeat4vegans62]

Well obviously this is true! They were grateful of the freedom we brought them, and how we made their country so much better. Just like we did in Iraq after the Iraqis welcomed us in Gulf War II ....... OH! Nevermind!

[@feastguy101]

Well, they DID welcome the Americans with open arms at first... just up until the point when they realized the Americans had no intention of leaving.

[@redmeat4vegans62]

@@feastguy101 Isn't that always the case? "Thank you for helping us get out rid of those jerks. 5 years later: When are you jerks leaving?" Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, .. Yes. America has a history of that. To be fair - we are far from the only ones. But we tell ourselves we are different - we need to stop lying to ourselves or actually live up to what we tell ourselves we are.

[@feastguy101]

@@redmeat4vegans62 yup, pretty much

[@leonardwei3914]

The Philippines greeted U.S. Troops favorable at first, thinking they would be liberated immediately from Spanish rule. Unfortunately, it devolved into the Philippine-American war and subsequent counter-insurgency and occupation. It was a hotly debated issue in the U.S. that divided public opinion much like the Iraq War after initial public support. Despite this, the U.S. did it's best to ready the island for eventual self rule, although the process was painfully slow. Despite this, U.S. and Philippine ties were strong enough to work side by side, especially in light of the (at times brutal) Japanese occupation during WWII. U.S. granted full sovereignty shortly afterwards.

[@iammrbeat]

Thank you so much for making a video about Smedley. So many people don't know about him!

[@DudesWithACamera]

Of course you like this you lefty Marxist haha

[@criticalcharge8172]

mr beast please give me money

[@oracle8192]

@@DudesWithACamera I highly doubt that Mr beat is a marxist. And why would a marxist have a particular liking to smedley butler? Am I missing something here

[@icenutsproductions9682]

Mr breast give me money

[@Junebug0369]

Mr beat!

[@pfcaraujo]

Read “War is a Racket” by Smedley Butler. Given to me when I was a young Marine. Thank you for such a great history lesson.

[@gregrourke4182]

Thank you. So few have heard of this book. (Thank you for your service. Mean it.)

[@questworldmatrix]

Did you leave right after?

[@pfcaraujo]

@@questworldmatrix doesn’t work like that.

[@durianjaykin3576]

@@questworldmatrix somebody still has to make a living

[@kilburn1313]

It has taken me nearly 2 years to get it from our local library & G'Day from rural South Australia

[@joschafinger126]

Here in Spain, that "splendid little war" had a very different impact. In the public and literary imagination, it put an end to Spain's empire and colonial ambitions; the " '98 Generation" is the most pessimistic, and pretty much most-studied, literary and generally artistic movement here. That war marks the beginning of a national identity rooted in past greatness lost, an image later to be used by Franco and, these days, his ideological heirs, as well as more reputable politicians. It has a great part to play in Spaniards' reaction to Gibraltar's being British, to Catalans and Basques wanting to go their own ways.

[@staringgasmask]

Tampoco exageres. El '98 fue usado sobre todo por Miguel Primo de Rivera en su dictadura, anterior a la República. La propaganda franquista se puede separar entre una llamada al orden, para apelar a los militares y a las clases medias, cierto carácter monárquico y tradicionalista, principalmente por parte de los carlistas, que terminó quedando diluido en la apelación al catolicismo. El último pilar propagandístico fue Falange, inspirada por la propaganda del NSDAP. Terminó siendo la principal hasta el fin de la guerra. Luego, la independencia basco/catalana lleva tratándose de la misma manera desde hace siglos, de hecho este es el primero donde aún no han llevado artillería a bombardear Barcelona por movimientos separatistas. Pero en el siglo XVII ya hubo una guerra de secesión. El nacionalismo vasco es algo totalmente distinto y no tiene que ver con lo del '98, eso te lo has sacado de donde has querido. Por último, Gibraltar lleva siendo reclamado desde práticamente después de que acabase la guerra de sucesión. También se cedieron territorios en Baleares en el mismo acuerdo que entregó Gibraltar, y sin embargo, esos territorios fueron invadidos poco después. Lo que pasa es que se fracasó en la toma de Gibraltar y se quedó como una espina, pero, otra vez, eso se remonta siglos atrás. Sí tienes razón en que después del suceso se empezó a apelar a "recuperar la grandeza imperial", pero enlazar eso al separatismo y a Gibraltar es pasarse tres pueblos. Y si con "herederos" de Franco te refieres a VOX, revisa la historia, porque Franco no fue ni falangista. Mandó España como mandó el Ejército, y hoy no hay ningún partido que lo defienda. Si insinuabas que eran fascistas o falangistas, pues tampoco, que quieres que te diga, leete a José Antonio, su léxico y visión es bastante distinto del de VOX.

[@krono5el]

without all the riches, incredible creations, and agriculture of the Indigenous American people europeans would still be living like its 1400ce. Cant Imagine a more important people to europeans yet they are the people europeans hate the most : P

[@Butter_Warrior99]

Huh, well. Thanks for the info. Hope things are well for you.

[@wildfire9280]

American imperialism creating the perfect conditions for fascism to thrive in???? That totally wasn’t on my bingo card!

[@MikeJones-ye6li]

​@LDS Yeah, but it was surefire Americans pushing Spain out of Cuba that created the conditions for Spain's fascism.

[@krankarvolund7771]

So, the businessmen called an anti-fascist, anti-business veteran to lead their fascist coup? Genius!

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

They only chose him because he was popular with the troops and the public.

[@lynxager]

Hey, they thought he would take the money and be good capitalist

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

@@lynxager They would have chosen MacArthur but he was disliked by the troops and the public after he chased the Bonus Army out.

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@Lobsterwithinternet Yeah, but if you're a little bit clever, you search a popular guy who will not betray you, no? ^^

[@redmeat4vegans62]

@@Lobsterwithinternet I can imagine that MacArthur was also such a prima dona that even the other prima donas (the corporate fascist - is that redundant?) could not stand his ass. How many times did he have his coming ashore in Leyete (his 'I have returned') reshot? MacArthur was such an insufferable ass, and a very bad general. Why he was not sacked after Philipine airfields were destroyed with planes on the ground 8 hours after Perl Harbor is a mystery to me. He should have been court martialed for incompetence and negligence.

[@ScienceAsylum]

"Then you have your B-List wars. These are the ones that most Americans a least know the name of and have a vague idea of when they happened, but the details are fuzzy and the reasons why are even more so." "This is what I would classify as a D-List war... because most Americans today have no idea we ever tried to take over the Philippines." *I feel called out.*

[@douglasdea637]

I knew about the Philippines, but then I've read Zinn. And I'm currently reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Bully Pulpit" which has chapters on Taft running things in the Philippines.

[@IronWarhorsesFun]

Lest we forget: Russia 1916.

[@leeroberts4850]

There was also the barber wars

[@douglasdea637]

@@leeroberts4850 Indeed, the Barbary pirates. Shows that America has been screwing around with the Mideast and Islam for a long time.

[@charlemagnethegreat2916]

Dont worry, even Filipino are taught half assedly about American atrocities during the war and the reason why we speak English and brought up "USA Numba wan"

[@yokogoph]

How forgotten the Philippine-American War is, and more so what caused it. It hurts legitimately since there is so much to go through.

[@peebay3515]

And we dusted off that practice in Nam and made free fire zones. And people wonder why a good chunk of the world hates us.

[@ThePremiumChicken]

The atrocities of the Japanese made sure the Filipinos forgot about it 😆

[@MrAnonymous825]

@@ThePremiumChicken no, we were just forced to love america since the US propped up president's that were very pro capitalist and made the philippines essentially a trading post where the profits don't even go to the islands

[@jonhanson8925]

It's depressing going to the Philippines and being surrounded by tens of millions of people whose past, present, and future is in a large part defined by the actions of your country, and then having to explain that basically no one back in America even knows jack shit about them or our history with them.

[@Leitis_Fella]

My history teacher in sophomore year made mention of the Filipino-American war, that it was a brutal conflict that was our fault, but didn't go into detail about it other than an anecdote of a US officer who made necklaces from the ears of Filipino combatants.

[@michaelriley2]

Gen. Butler was rough around the edges, but he was committed to America and it's veterans. He was a good man, we should have listened to him.

[@JohnBrown722so]

Stop talking

[@salamantics]

@@JohnBrown722soup yours

[@jeffslote9671]

No he wasn’t. At best he was a Soviet stooge. At worst he was actively working with them to topple America. The congressman holding the hearing on the plot was a Soviet spy. He actively participated in under mining America

[@alexwisniewski2309]

@@JohnBrown722sowhat?

[@billybob1723]

@michaelriley2 - Butler was listened to. Nothing was done because the crooks were were industry executives. The world was preparing for war and FDR knew he could not imprison those that we ultimately depended on to arm our military.

[@johnsmith3085]

Haven't clicked on anything so fast ever. I saw Smedley Butler and got after it. I recently read "War is a Racket" and it was refreshing. We were taught in the Marines that Ol' Gimlet Eye was a god of war. Turns out, he was more multifaceted than he got credit for. Happy Veteran's day!

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

He was just the opposite of the "god of war". He advocated for its abolition

[@lmao2302]

@@barquerojuancarlos7253 God of war but he's Kratos.

[@bogmanhimself4656]

the fact that they turned smedley into an advocate for the current state of the military is scary as hell. no offense :(

[@alloomis1635]

we had american history for two years in high schools and learned about, roughly, none of this.

[@celticman1909]

There is history, then there is real history. This is real history. In High school I read alot of too real stuff. Books like "Serpico", and up dates about the real situation in the Vietnam War. I was branded as a "Bad Apple" because I dared to question their bullshit curriculum, and wouldn't let them off the hook when they lied.

[@rhayat10]

Don't they focus mainly on black American history these days?

[@jlb9609]

@@rhayat10 No they do not.

[@jacksonsutrick1361]

Don't you love it when a nation censors its own history because it doesn't look good? I'm in high school now an I never got an inkling of any of this.

[@robertcomtois2168]

@@celticman1909 me to {free thinkers are dangerous}

[@lylecosmopolite]

General Smedley Butler is one of the most interesting career officers in American history. Even though I came of age during the Vietnam conflict, I was over 60 when I first read about him. I explain him by assuming that in some sense, he returned to his Quaker roots.

[@danawilkes6174]

Same here. I am 71 now, and it was quite a few years ago that I heard about him...

[@robertl5076]

Ümü

[@stephenwright8824]

I consider, at 53 and as a son of an Army vet (but the grandson of a WW II Pacific Theater Marine veteran), Smedley Butler one of my two favourite Marines in history; the second being General L.B. "Chesty" Puller.

[@55Quirll]

I'm 66 and learned about him several years ago. When you become a Marine you should be handed a copy of this book, told to read it from cover to cover and then write a detailed book report with citations from the book. 👍

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

Religion is a racket too.

[@garypowell4565]

“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.” ― Abraham Lincoln

[@rajkobjelica4905]

Unless you are american. Blame your poor educational system.

[@laniejuanitawhitehurst1624]

Dear Abraham Lincoln you don’t need to fool everyone just enough to carry out your objectives. As some people are in favor of your objectives so less than half of the people need to be fooled. This should be required for all students several years as most are clueless as to the real military involvement at the behest of big business and bankers around the world

[@orvileknox3130]

Ripley

[@chrismunoz4936]

I thought Bob Dylan said that

[@OspreyKnight]

Except you can. It simply takes time, patience, and someone to blame. Note the guy who thinks republican presidents are to blame for highly complex issues like the electoral collage. PS, democracy sucks if you're not part of the majority... whatever that majority is.

[@Zanzopan]

There is a reason Smedley Butler isn't taught in school.

[@koanikal]

Thankfully we learn a lot about him in the Marine Corps. Still hailed as a Marine Corps legend.

[@itsblitz4437]

Because he would inspire other veterans like him to this day to do the same.

[@annoloki]

because he's too old and too dead to go to school?

[@scottleft3672]

Yes, seditition is frowned apon.

[@Zanzopan]

@@scottleft3672 Dumb take on aisle 5.

[@jaybee9269]

I NEVER knew the meaning of the word “Boxer” in “Boxer Rebellion”! Thanks.

[@tomfrazier1103]

They called themselves "Harmonious, righteous fists" or some such, implying mano a mano combat, suggesting "We'd win in a fair fight". This is important for righteous branding. Someone else said "The line between good & evil is crossed in every human heart".

[@monophthalmus3254]

I thought it was an Amazon worker's strike.

[@Yora21]

Kung Fu War would sound much cooler.

[@ddieter02]

@@Yora21 Kung Fu War: Death by Industrialized Nations with Machine Guns

[@YOSSARIAN313]

@@tomfrazier1103 they were trying to save their homeland from foreign domination when their cowardly backwards government wouldn't and got massacred. The imperial court learned nothing from the opium war and preferred decadence to political reform. Kings have no place in the modern world.

[@oracle8192]

The only reason I even know who smedley butler is, is because he is a choosable field marshal in kiasseriech. I should really get out of the house more often haha

[@togamid]

Well, i learned that the US controlled the Philipines in Hearts of Iron IV, so I guess war history games have their reason for existing.

[@randommodnar7141]

Is that a metro reference

[@theforeigner5821]

Which of the factions get him?

[@Vesperitis]

Good one. 'Get out of the house more'. That's funny.

[@katrinaquijano7184]

@@theforeigner5821 Combined Syndicates of America

[@jsloc89]

I see I'm pretty late to the party, but I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy your videos. As a Panamanian who's grown up in the aftermath of over 90 years of American military occupation, and grew up being fed half truths about our great independence movement with just a bit of help from our US "friends", while also hearing bloodied stories of a still too recent invasion we were told was a "just cause", it's both refreshing and saddening to see that there was people, even back then, who saw the side of war that leaves broken people and ruined countries, all for the profit of a few. Please continue with all of your amazing work, as a fan of history, culture, psychology and economics, each of your videos is amazing in and out of itself :D

[@ritamariekelley4077]

I hate the imperialism of America, so many lies.

[@judedante4067]

I wonder how horrified Butler would be at the atom bomb. It's pretty gross how we're never taught this stuff in school.

[@franciscofernandez8183]

The quote about wars being won by scientist was fucking spot on.

[@InternetMameluq]

Not even a little.

[@monophthalmus3254]

We have Howard Zinn for that.

[@codiserville593]

He was exactly right with his prediction

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

Not just that. Imagine how horrified he'd be at our activities in South America and our wars in the Middle East.

[@paulharies]

"Why do foreigners always care so much about our elections lol" Me and so many people halfway around the world throughout history:

[@fuzzybuzzy3159]

@Iron Prefect Cope harder.

[@thebigksmoosey]

@Iron Prefect Probably eluding to the fact 76 million or so Americans voted for Biden/Harris? You basically said anyone who is American didn't support the winning candidate. Which is dumb, partisan, and wrong. Your attempt to discount half the voting population to support your narrative is in poor taste at least, and possibly even reckless. You ken?

[@thebigksmoosey]

@Iron Prefect My bad. I'm just a regular guy from Kansas, didn't realize my English was so hard for you to understand. Your whole line of argument is drivel. Americans are Americans, much as you hate to admit it. Democrats, Republicans, hell we even have a few Communists, Anarcho-Capitalists, Nazis, and even (shock and horror) Labor party members. One of the great parts of being an American, is that I can have any political view I want, including none at all. Not picking YOUR preferred political racket, doesn't make me not an American. A political party you disagree with and despise doesn't make them not American. I was born here, I vote. If I voted with you I'm no more or less American than if I voted differently. SOME of you folks get a real victim complex when you lose. It's weird, and honestly disturbing. I sincerely hope my English was up to your high standards.

[@fuzzybuzzy3159]

@Iron Prefect I'm a dude. :/

[@fuzzybuzzy3159]

@Iron Prefect Also, if you looked into anything Donald Trump has done that wasn't obfuscated by conservative outlets or pundits you'd understand that Trump ain't the sweetest peach in the orchid, let alone the Republican party. His spiritual advisor literally wants a theocracy, and most of Republican politicians are a part of her Evangelical branch of Christianity. Hate to break it to you, pal, but the only thing here that's anti-American is the very party you equate to the very country itself. Typical KZbin comment intelligence and introspection, so I'm not surprised just disappointed.

[@BEMEiTY]

Was just reading about Smedley a few weeks ago. As I've been having to navigate my dark and narrow paths out of combat induced insanity. How I speak about corporate interest reminds me of Smedley. It was somewhat comforting and validating to not feel completely alone in this battle.

[@deletedTestimony]

I'm looking for testimonials from Veterans for a book I'm writing. If you have some time to talk I would love to listen to your stories.

[@OlOleander]

I was tasked, during my too-short time in the Navy, to do a writeup of some decorated prior servicemen. It was nothing more than homework, busy work, designed to fill up our time since there wasn't any manual labor to waste our hours left during that month of the year. By chance, I chose - or was assigned, I don't remember - Smedley Butler. I remember feeling like the wool had been pulled away, that by pure chance I had learned things they wouldn't have wanted me to learn. But gee, I wonder why Butler isn't taught in schools? Hm.

[@thecurlyafro8496]

Powerful intro. Got me tearing up. I almost couldn’t do that “last about face” after 7yrs on the navy. It was hard. Especially living overseas with just my wife and kids in japan. I’m lucky I had my family for I didn’t know how to continue marching forward to “normalcy”. Thank you for that. Wish more people understood that. Keep making video Knowing Better. 👍🏽

[@aishbalev]

And here's sound footage of someone who served under the first roosevelt to remind you just how young your country really is

[@deanc9453]

+

[@JollyJuiice]

Pretty remarkable what we've done in such little time, innit?

[@LKRaider]

It took us a few wars, but we got it done

[@panachevitz]

And yet it's still 100 years-ish older than a united (and reunited) Germany and Italy, which didn't take their present forms until after our Civil War. I guess that's what happens when you don't have the imperial authority to force through those last couple of reforms in the HRE. ;)

[@ResortDog]

The entire world you mean, everybody most everything last 100 years or maybe few thousands more with any records we have found? The bud is the last and the best reason of the flowers life.

[@rachel_sj]

I think “How to Hide an Empire” by Daniel Immerwahr needs to be required reading in High Schools. It’s a very compelling read that also looks into the culture of what everyday people were taught to think about newly expanding territory grabbing, including the popularity of the Pledge of Allegiance and John P Sousa music. At the turn of the Century, the US was seen as much as an Empire as Great Britain. But we’ve seemed to have swept up all these land grabs an atrocities under the rug and somehow think we’re better than everyone else during that time period.

[@samclukey9802]

Haha, America's Empire never came anywhere close to Great Britain's. The British Empire directly controlled 25% of the world's land area at its peak. So while America's imperialist activities were bad, they weren't nearly as damaging to the world as those of the European Empires.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

@@samclukey9802 but only because the age of land based imperialism was already coming to an end when America got into the game. Otherwise I’m sure they’d have had a land-based empire to rival that of Britain. As it is, America moved to cultural hegemony, financial imperialism and putting military bases every-fucking-where. So it’s still very much an imperial nation, it’s just that the tactics have changed slightly.

[@samclukey9802]

@@katherinemorelle7115 modern “imperialism” is not comparable to how it used to be, with imperial nations genociding everyone they felt like getting rid of. Saying things are still that way is dishonest, just like comparing US internment camps to Nazi concentration camps. Just because something is bad doesn’t mean it’s the worst thing ever

[@samclukey9802]

@@katherinemorelle7115 and America didn’t fail to build as big an empire because they were “late to the game,” they were simply less powerful than European nations at the time

[@katherinemorelle7115]

@@samclukey9802 I didn’t say that imperialism is the exact same- I said that the tactics have changed. And they have. Financialisation as a neo colonialist tactic works much better than straight up invasion, as per the old colonialist model. And America was late to the “old imperialism/colonialism” game. Had it gone on for another 100 years, I have no doubt that the US would have amassed many overseas territories and colonies. But it didn’t. As we can see by the reaction the natives of the Philippines had- they expected independence. No, America was not as powerful as Europe at the time of peak colonialism. That’s not really an argument against anything I said. It took time for America to amass power, and during that time, colonialism as it had existed was fading away, to be replaced by a new method of imperialism. And in that new method of imperialism, America reigns as King. It is absolutely an imperial nation, it’s just that they way imperialism is done is changed.

[@KimchiFarts]

The most I know about Smedley Butler is what I learned in boot camp, “ Two Marines, two medals” Dan Daly and Smedley Butler

[@johnbrown2163]

My Veteran friends died for nothing. Many of us broken mentally when we got home. I'm broken.

[@McHobotheBobo]

Look up Mike Prysner, you can help stop war forever! It's a long, hard road but we must end capitalism - must advance beyond it - if we want to end these imperialist meatgrinders

[@breakingthemasks]

In what way are you broken brother? If you don't mind my asking.

[@emmanuelhtrevino]

@Irish Jester it is capitalism because capitalism supports cronyism and corruption. Anything for a profit regardless of the atrocities. An individual owner can be moral but when a corporation get big you are legally obligated to make the most profits. Regardless if that is pro war,pro child labor, pro environmental destruction. That is capitalism and one of many fundamental flaws of capitalism. No socialist or communist government has existed yet where a few elite people didn't control the masses. Some people call those governments state capitalist. The problem is always the few controlling the many. It is possible to have a different system. Just hasn't happened yet besides small communes. That are generally destroyed by capitalist

[@ertegin]

@Irish Jester the problem is capitalism

[@johnbrown2163]

@@breakingthemasks I lost everything and I have been standing here or years. I'm broken in many ways. I have the Right to the pursuit of happiness and the Right to self defense completely denied. That started the breaking of parts. I'm broken. Nothing I can do about it and that is being positive.

[@cynkingking]

When my grandson wanted to join the services in the United States I explained to him exactly what you're saying, that the job of the military is to break you down and then mold you into a killer. He chose another path and now works in IT and is very happy

[@Megaghost_]

We need more grandmas like you! :)

[@currentriver4951]

Awesome, I myself am a vet who got screwed over by govt, and talk every young person i can away from military. We were vaccinated ar gunpoint during gulf war, only Marines. A lot have gotten sick from gulf war 1. 300,000 disabled,cnn didn't show shit of truth.

[@DustWolphy]

I doubt anyone is really happy in IT but better than cannon fodder I guess. xP

[@tylerfouts9550]

I was going to try pararescue, but now that Biden is in office I'm rethinking it. No offense, but Biden likes the forever war, so I'm fine as a civilian for now.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

@@currentriver4951 What?

[@CSDragon]

I read this video title as "A vegetarian's warning: Smedley butter" and was very confused when you were talking about soldiers

[@TheDallasDwayne]

I would buy Smedley Butter

[@sheleavitt06]

I did the same thing😂😂😂

[@williamchamberlain2263]

"Smedley Butter: the traditional taste of colonialism"

[@paddymaguire2541]

some buttered vegetables can definitely kill you!

[@MichaelWilliams-gj4mk]

Butler was not a soldier he was a marine .don't disrespect him by calling him a soldier you asshole

[@backpackr]

A part of your soul is lost when you enlist. The fact I'm a "trained killer" is bothersome. Going to war also makes it hard. Veterans did awesome things then return to a mediocre life.. some of us figure out we have to do bigger things. I'm doing marketing and local broadcasting. If I were to lose that, I'm not sure what I would do. It scares the hell out of me.

[@enkidude]

Have you read sympathy for the devil or Kent Anderson?

[@lulumoon6942]

My father was a Korean War Conflict POW and Veteran. He gave me a similar view of the realities of war... and Intergenerational Trauma. May the Lord bless you with healing, purpose, and peace of mind. ❤️🙏💞

[@lulumoon6942]

Also, Viktor Frankl's old book, "Man's Search for Meaning," can be helpful for going on.

[@kenlandon7803]

My dogs are a great comfort to my physical injuries and other issues. They give me great purpose and companionship. Semper fi to all of you who served.

[@eamonia]

I tried explaining it to my wife. After a few sentences, I just gave up. It's like trying to explain surviving an avalanche to your cat.

[@mothman9713]

As a Quaker, Smedley 'the fighting Quaker' Butler was a living oxymoron.

[@koanikal]

It was a tongue in cheek nickname. So yeah, that was the point.

[@pychohobo1832]

Lol. Well that is very true. And from his picture with a moustache. It shows it. For I believe the reason the Quakers do not have Moustaches is becuase they are anti military. Military have always tended to have Moustaches and sometime beards with moustaches. This is true for most of history post Roman. And why it appears true the Quakers say this. For those that don't see it. Look for a Quaker that has a beard. They have no moustache. Im also believe that Quakers are not allowed to grow a beard until they are married. Excusing the time they go on thier pilgrimage at coming of age. ( I know it starts with an R, but don't remember the name) During that time. They do lots that they are not allowed.

[@Ott3r5losh]

It’s 3:06am in Australia I’m at my local maccas in the car because I had a “nap” at 5pm. Thank god for this upload

[@luda7549]

its 11:12AM in new jersey im in my house because i woke up at 8

[@JewTube001]

bro are you me?

[@farhananwar3186]

1:45am on my end bruv (WA boy)

[@JaviEngineer]

What the fuck is a Maccas?

[@andresolmos8639]

@@JaviEngineer McDonald's if I'm nota wrong

[@FallenCause]

Butler basically predicting the advent of nuclear weapons in that final monologue gave me chills. I hate that I never learned about him through high school nor college.

[@weirdwildweed6557]

"They don't want us to know!" the dummer we become the better... We must force the goverment to drop all charges against Julian Assang, he is the good guy. Julian Assang is only trying to inlighten the world of what warcrimes the leaders (owned and controled by the big Corporations) are using the taxpayiers money for and in the People's innorance are doing with or using their money for . But the goverment does not want the truth to come out! Thats why they want to silence Julian Assang .

[@olafvidar9315]

Smedley won 2 medal of honors.... 2!

[@lif3andthings763]

I did

[@tofu_golem]

You covered everything I would have wanted and then some. More Americans need to know about Smedley Butler. His book War Is A Racket is now in the public domain and can be read free & legal on the Internet.

[@pengfeidong5268]

Man, capitalism was so crazy “back in the day”, huh, *sweats nervously* Later in 2020: Tesla hires mercenary army, threatens to coup Bolivia to “enforce democracy”, demands free lithium

[@theultimategamer8537]

This right here just sums it up

[@femurbreaker4483]

So glad that monopolies don't exist anymore *Sweats harder*

[@dog-ez2nu]

I love how we learnt our lesson about unregulated capitalism AND fascism to just re-do them again now. Like how many painful cycles do we have to do this?

[@donalny]

@@dog-ez2nu depends on the lesson you think was learned.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

@@dog-ez2nu Until we nuke ourselves into oblivion

[@jones1351]

'They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor...' -- 2Pac, Keep Your Head Up

[@craiga2002]

The worst health problem among the poor in America is obesity, and its related diseases.

[@jones1351]

@@craiga2002 35.2 million (including 10.7 million children) faced hunger in America in 2019. America, the wealthiest country in world history. 600k homeless, juxtaposed with 12 million empty homes. U.S. wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan have cost $6.4 trillion since 2001. That total is $2 trillion more than all federal government spending during fiscal year 2019. So, I repeat, ‘they got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor’ - 2Pac, Keep Your Head Up Side note: most American Obesity is among middle aged and older, not children. Furthermore the irony is we're fat but malnourished at the same time. 'There's only one way to improve ghettos. That's to improve them out of existence' -- James Baldwin This country could eradicate poverty many times over. That it doesn't, while spending endless amounts on pointless endless wars... is simply criminal.

[@-----------------------------]

@@jones1351 85 billion is spent on food stamps. Mandatory spending aka social program spending sits at 2.966 trillion dollars Discretionay spending aka half of the military sits at 1.485 trillion. Social security and Medicare/Medicaid are the biggest spenders. Somehow in a country where we don't have free healthcare for all we spend a shit load of money on healthcare only to end up with selective people getting healthcare. I've never met a poor person with proper money management, go visit a food bank and take note at the vehicles there. The poor would rather live lavish while dragging themselves into poverty. The poor has always lived above their means. Why are low income people paying for post paid cellular plans? Why aren't they on a pre paid service or at the very least government provided cell phones? The poor will stay poor because of their mindset and lack of care to get out of poverty.

[@jones1351]

Thank you. A good challenge makes us dig deeper and learn more. The short response is: is it enough? In a country with a current GDP estimated at $21 Trillion is 79% going to 10% of families a fair distribution, while the bottom half get only 4%? With that spread is it any wonder that mandatory spending is what it is? But even at it’s current rate, is it enough? Since we still have poverty with outcomes rivaling some underdeveloped nations (infant mortality, etc.), I’ll say the answer is NO. As for you having ‘never met a poor person with proper money management’, I don’t know who you’ve met. But I do know that the tired trope of blaming the poor for poverty is older than the Republic. The poor don’t write the laws that create the wealth and income distribution of the nation. Getting a better Cellphone plan or driving a Junker (assuming one can even do that) will not lift people out of poverty. A better distribution of the income and wealth of this country - the wealthiest in world history -will. Small example: For the present federal minimum wage - $7.25/hr - to have the same buying power it had 50 years ago it would have to be $10.73/hr, today. That’s just flatline, adjusted for inflation (not a real raise). If it were pegged to productivity it would be about $20/hr. In Denmark, baseline employees at Micky D’s get $21/hr. The poor don’t determine the federal minimum. Rich Senators do that. As for spending on ‘social programs’ vs. military, that’s a false dichotomy. There is overlap. 20,000 military families are on SNAP. I’ve worked at military commissaries. I’ve seen family members using EBT cards, while their sponsors were in the desert being shot at. My beef is with how much of our treasure is spent on WARS as opposed to the poor. We shouldn’t have poverty in a country as wealthy as ours, is my bigger point. It’s not the ‘mind set’ of the poor that’s the problem. It’s the callous attitude and idiotic dogmas of those who run the country (the few, the wealthy, the greedy and ignorant) that’s kicking our ass.

[@nulolove]

@@----------------------------- bruh my mom worked 3 jobs just to keep the lights on and my brother had to sell drugs to get food in our house. And he took other jobs too. No one is poor cause of a mindset or living beyond their means. All of my clothes and shoes were handed down until I got my first job. There were days where I literally couldn’t eat cause we couldn’t afford food. I’ve been to food banks and you know what cars I see there? Old Toyota’s, Honda’s, chevys, and fords. Never seen no BMWs or Mercedes. And you forget that you need cellular connection and smartphones to be able to work in today’s environment? Nigga the way you talk sounds like you’ve never had to work hard and could look up statistics so you can say poor people aren’t working hard enough. How many niggas from the ghetto you know? How many poor ppl you know?? If you knew any you’d know that we have to carefully budget almost everything. I’ve never seen anyone in my neighborhood not have a budget. No poor person is trying to live lavish while living in poverty. Maybe don’t listen to prager U and Shapiro all the time and try to look into stuff yourself.

[@adamyahya4638]

Disposable Heroes - Metallica: Soldier boy, made of clay Now an empty shell Twenty one, only son But he served us well Bred to kill, not to care Do just as we say Finished here, greetings death He's yours to take away

[@joedehoe8352]

James hetfield is a genious great song especially the live video of 1985 pretty sure the song is also about football his inspiration since he played football qhos youth and highschool years

[@slowdownex]

Even after 3 years, I come back to this video to watch about once a year. Just 30 minutes, of straight facts. Until something changes significantly, I'll keep coming back to show support.

[@Ninerforlife1979]

The timing of this was as if you were telegraphing what was going to happen. As a veteran thank you so much for this!!!!

[@antoniolewis1016]

"I am probably growing hard hearted, for I am in my glory when I can sight my gun on some dark skin and pull the trigger" PROBABLY he says.

[@weirdwildweed6557]

Sadest talk of glory!

[@catrojana3694]

@@weirdwildweed6557 last time he called, he was still in hell.

[@besacciaesteban]

That's the middle of the path, when the mind reassures you that you do it because you enjoy it just to make some sense of the act. Rock bottom is when you don't even care anymore.

[@suziecreamcheese211]

Who said this and why?

[@besacciaesteban]

@@suziecreamcheese211 a man who was in active service during the phillipines rebellion.

[@tejashdasgupta1840]

War, war never changes. Only the weapons change.

[@lizardlegend42]

Since the dawn of human kind when our ancestors first discovered the killing power of rock and bone, blood has been spilled in the name of everything: from God to justice to simple, psychotic rage. Because war, war never changes

[@donalny]

I always hear that in Solid Snake's voice in my head.

[@tejashdasgupta1840]

@@donalny This is actually Fallout but I know what solid snake line you're referring to.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

@@donalny “War has changed. It's no longer about nations, ideologies, or ethnicity. It's an endless series of proxy battles, fought by mercenaries and machines. War--and it's consumption of life--has become a well-oiled machine. War has changed. ID-tagged soldiers carry ID-tagged weapons, use ID-tagged gear. Nanomachines inside their bodies enhance and regulate their abilities. Genetic control, information control, emotion control, battlefield control…everything is monitored and kept under control. War…has changed. The age of deterrence has become the age of control, all in the name of averting catastrophe from weapons of mass destruction, and he who controls the battlefield, controls history. War…has changed. When the battlefield is under total control, war becomes routine.” ― Solid Snake

[@luska5522]

But men do, trought the roads they walk

[@seattlegrrlie]

I had to hit pause at 8:40. My jaw dropped. I stopped breathing. I reread what that man said. People really feel that way. People alive right now really feel that way.

[@corngreaterthanwheat]

"He's just so smart, Jen-nay." -Butler, presumably after oppressing someone, but before advocating for veterans

[@shellbeebo]

Can you explain this? I just want to see if I'm missing something.

[@djdrav]

@@shellbeebo Forrest Gump. Hope that helps. 😉

[@corngreaterthanwheat]

@@shellbeebo If you're under 25 don't worry about it. Forrest Gump was before your time. KB said Butler was the FG of imperialism.

[@MrK00n]

@@corngreaterthanwheat not everyone comes out of the womb with vast amounts of knowledge. Make allowances for people to grow.

[@hamishneilson7140]

Thank you for teaching me the term Yellow Journalism, it's a term that I think we all should be using more often today instead of "click bait."

[@publicguy1664]

The entire MSM is yellow journalism these days. Its ALL pro-war, pro-fascist and anti-worker.

[@triggeredliberal7236]

@@publicguy1664 Nah remove pro-fascist and I must say you kind of correct.

[@publicguy1664]

@@triggeredliberal7236 It is fascist because the MSM are pro corporate-government entanglement. Mixing of big business and state is one of the pillars of fascism.

[@michelegosse7116]

evening despised gossip-smear popular rags were printed on cheap sh. tty yellow paper.

[@hamishneilson7140]

@@publicguy1664 You're making some very broad and generalized claims. Are you saying that both Fox and CNN are pro-war, pro-fascist, and anti-worker? If so who is a good alternative in your opinion. Furthermore, please explain your reasoning behind these claims.

[@ReapWhatYaSow]

Smedley Butler, truist definition of Patriotism. One of my favorite Marines.

[@JohnBrown722so]

No u don't sit down shutup 😊

[@JohnBrown722so]

I don't lie so why do I reapbthese lies u hide behind

[@ReapWhatYaSow]

@@JohnBrown722so I have no idea what the fuck you are talking about!

[@stealmysunshine]

The man was amazing.

[@kageakuma3009]

Smedley Butler is a true American hero, it's a shame he isn't taught in general American history in high school. I learned about him because I was a fan of FDR and did independent research on him. He may not have been president like Eisenhower (the last good Republican president) but he's an actual hero who saved our country.

[@zachb2046]

I've known about this man for years, Smedley Butler *tried* to warn us...

[@brianpeck4035]

Glad to see this. I have heard of Smedley and his book. My dad's grandpa just missed Cuba and was sent to the Philippines. He fought in WW 1 as well. He was unhappy that it was over...too much fun. I have his medals and am in the difficult position of feeling both pride and shame.

[@eldrago19]

"when someone makes a move of which we disapprove who is it we send to intervene? UN and OAS, they have their place I guess but first we send the marines." - Tom Lehrer

[@nopasaran191]

Great video that shines a light on our obsession with imperialism. It means even more coming from a veteran. Keep it up man. Solidarity and subscribed

[@theconqueringram5295]

It's a shame that these events are largely forgotten in US history. Thank you for making this video.

[@kjorlaug1]

This is Cody, from Alternate History Hub...

[@danielmartin9057]

I thought that’s who it was lol

[@usernotfound-jw7xs]

yes

[@movement2contact]

I don't know any of you guys references... 👴🏻😓

[@pedroleon4421]

@@movement2contact check out the channel alternate history hub, great content

[@lizardlegend42]

@@alexeyr8262 no, it's not

[@Ultraelectromagnetic]

Just want to chime in a bit. There's actually a long explanation as to why "Philippine-American War" is now the more accepted term instead of "Philippine Insurrection." It seems like a small thing, but to Philippine historiography the use of the term "insurrection" reflects the United States' refusal to recognize the Philippine Republic in order to justify US conquest of the archipelago. Both terms have been used during the period (aside from Filipinos, some Americans and other foreigners referred to it as a "war" from the beginning) but I think part of why "insurrection" stuck in the US for so long is precisely because it's "D-list" and most people there who do hear about it in school are never made aware that the Philippine Republic was much more than a ragtag horde of rebel tribespeople - which, if you look at American political cartoons of the period, is basically what the imperialist faction in the US were presenting them as. By the time the war broke out in February 1899, the Philippines had a democratic constitution, a government with elected officials and separation of powers, gov't offices and institutions, a formal military (they fought with conventional trench warfare for the first few months of the war before going guerrilla), and it controlled most of the archipelago's territory - it was a functional independent state, while the US only held the city of Manila and the bay. Thus the label "insurrection" was never accepted here in the Philippines, where we consider the Philippine Republic of 1899 the first constitutional republic in Asia, albeit short-lived. So you can imagine how much of a big deal it was for some Philippine historians when the US Government recognized this and changed the official Library of Congress entry from "Phil. Insurrection" to "Philippine-American War" (I think this was in 1998). Oh God that was longer than I thought it would be. On that note, thanks for making this video! I've never heard of Smedley before and now I'm trying to find a copy of his book. Cheers!

[@l.antoinetteanderson3736]

Thank you for your comment. If the book form is no longer available, or at an out-of-reach price: it should still be available on Kindle, where I purchased mine; i can read this title on the app on my Android Tablet.

[@r.guerreiro140]

With my due respect, would you mind to bring us more insights about your current president, Mr Duterte?

[@src175]

@@r.guerreiro140 He's kinda a failure. Typical Philippine political cronyism. Nothing new, in the end, but significantly more unintelligent sounding than previous presidents. At least Arroyo was somewhat erudite, even if she was a thief.

[@r.guerreiro140]

@@src175 Better a thief than a murder :/ But in other aspects of his administration?

[@src175]

@@r.guerreiro140 Cronyism, corruption, pointless public works projects like that stupid dolomite beach, absolutely awful pandemic response such as with his propensity to think that generals somehow know how to cure epidemics, he's just bad. He sold us out to China too, so that's a thing. Also, Arroyo stole hundreds of billions of dollars from our economy. That's pretty fucking bad, and I would not at all consider that better.

[@themissile3120]

So glad you kept this up after recently taking down a host of videos. Butler's story is an incredibly valuable one to know. Probably the most underappreciated historical figure I can think of.

[@bettievw]

I support veterans. Every veteran who is left without help is a veteran that we failed. But I don't support war. People often act like these are conflicting but I couldn't disagree more. Every western country spends exorbitant amounts of money on warfare, calling the army the "Ministry of defense" or whatever that country's alternative is. As if we're defending anything. My country, the netherlands, is currently participating in wars that benefit no one but companies. We continue to support other countries that wage illegitimate wars, and we refuse to use any of our power. Even though we have so much. I wish we could understand that war is nearly never just, and that the government will not act in out favor unless we *force* it to.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Better make sure Putin's on board with de-escalation

[@YvonneHoerde]

The main problem is that I guess war is bringing the worst out in every human being. Actually, all soldiers after wars should be entitled to special psychological help and special support for finding their place in the civilian society. It is great when they are rewarded with medals, extra discounts and all that but I guess that this is even much more important.

[@erlinggaratun6726]

I've been waiting for this for years. I've searched KZbin for a bio on Butler half a dozen times. One of the most impressive and interesting military thinkers ever.

[@willienolegs8928]

I found the book “War is a Racket” a while a go was fascinated by it but I know a lot more about Smedly Butler. Good man. Thanks for the video.

[@thomasgun1329]

I got a D when I did a story on the best general in American history . Dude you are the first person who recognize who this man is in fact your the first one other then myself. It’s happening all over again

[@anotherhairlessapewithanop7455]

did they say why

[@JoeMun]

Happy Veterans Day sir! Former active duty marine here. Love the content!

[@haplon33]

"The Gentleman from Cannibal Island" is my new moniker tyvm

[@alifqadrmuhammad4542]

Here is something to think over: cartoons from my childhood mocked the name Smedley; from Hanna-Barbarra to Warner Brothers. I wonder to whom this disrespect was directed? Major-General Smedley Darlington Butler is number one of the top five ALL-TIME HEROES of mine. Long live the memory and VALIANT efforts of The Great General!

[@brancellbooks]

I learned about the Spanish-American War because of the Disney musical Newsies. It takes place in 1899, and one of the characters mentions a war that ended recently. Some googling led to a realization that, indeed, things happened between 1865 and 1914.

[@hakon8220]

"Narration starts" Oh hai Cody from alternate history hub!

[@widgetfilms]

It's about time someone made a video about him.

[@danielm5324]

Except that it continues to leave out very important information, and I would argue that it's intentional. What most historical retellings wilfully ignore (including Knowing Better) is that Smedley Butler tried very hard to be a war profiteer himself for many years. His attempts began while he was still on active duty, and he was trying to sell artillery pieces, fighting knives, bayonets, and some other things... this was still common practice for higher ranking officers to sell designs to the government, but this was just starting to change while Butler was still serving. Likely, he would have been fine to sell them right after he retired. However, the attempt to court martial him near the end and all the high level controversy at the very end of his career didn't help his cause. Undeterred, Butler sank more and more capital into more designs and continued to pitch even more varied equipment to the government and was known to note that he was owed. He was now broke, and entered into politics and received an advance to write "War is a Racket." Butler likely would have always advocated for the Bonus Army, but beyond that, his positions come across as very disingenuous.

[@erraticonteuse]

@@danielm5324 It's possible he took a step back and realized "What the fuck am I doing?" He _was_ raised Quaker, who are generally pacifists and big on self-reflection.

[@danielm5324]

@@erraticonteuse it's possible. However, it just doesn't seem likely, considering he was still hard at it when he was approached to write and get into politics. And the fact that he - and most everyone that brings him up - leaves up his years of attempting to be a war profiteer himself makes it unlikely to me. It also seems VERY disingenuous to conveniently leave this years long effort out of his book and the recounting of the man. Like so many other war heroes, their accomplishments are best left to stand on their own. When you get into hero worship, you're usually very disappointed.

[@danielm5324]

@@erraticonteuse something else dawned on me... yes, he was raised Quaker. However, Quakers are known for total adherence to pacifism and to be totally opposed to taking oaths. After 30+ years in the Marine Corps, he would have regularly sworn oaths to the Constitution as an officer in the United States Military. With his impressive combat record as well, I believe it's safe to say he totally shed the faith of his childhood. I get where you're coming from, and I believe people can change. I also get what you're saying that possibly he may have reached an ethical ephinany in his older years that may have been influenced by his upbringing. However, given the circumstances of his change, the fact that he would refuse to disclose the reality of his attempts to enrich himself for many years via weapons/military gear production, the way he entered into politics, and the way most modern historians play along with the deception: I just find it totally unlikely.

[@solgato5186]

It's beautiful eh? There are videos about GSB and The Business Plot, Brown Brothers, Harriman, all those names from an intense time in US History to study. I'd rather be studing early & pre-Chalcolithic megaliths but people in the USA do not get an education about their own country without doing a lot of work to find a source that doesn't mine words or equivocate the truth into mush. So happy this channel is taking on pivotal moments in history and doing a fabulous job placing them in temporal context with other events people are more likely to have learned about. Basically I'm just excitedly saying YES! TO your comment. :*D

[@ains2904]

It ain't me. IT AIN'T MEEE! I ain't no senator son. It ain't me. IT AIN'T MEEE! I ain't no fortunate one.

[@StarlightEater]

Whats that from bud

[@C2yourself]

Tom Fogarty, Credence Clearwater band

[@danawilkes6174]

@@C2yourself John Fogarty was the lead singer of CCR...

[@lannyhammett119]

please............ dude enough

[@Jambi14]

I sit in awe every time I listen to one of your videos - especially knowing what the vast majority of americans (don't) know of their history. I thank my son so much for letting me know about your channel.

[@recreant359]

As a veteran I loved this, thanks for your service.

[@skepticalfaith5201]

Hearing this reminds me of Confessions of an Economic Hitman. That’s essentially Gen Butler. It’s good to hear he became anti-war later. Very interesting presentation. A Timeline might be a worthwhile addition.

[@jdc1957]

Bullseye.

[@quedtion_marks_kirby_modding]

12:56 The USA's support of panama's independence let Colombia to a period that I can only describe as being a simp for Germany. Our army was trained by germans, we supported the central powers (even tho for obvius reasons our support was very limited), when airforces became a thing all of our planes were made in Germany, we had German uniforms, etc. This lasted until a German U boat took down a Colombian fishing ship in 1941. We didn't became a friend of the USA until the korean war were the goverment decided to be close to the USA to grow the economy.

[@theultimategamer8537]

As a Canadian of a Colombian family I appreciate this history lesson.

[@quedtion_marks_kirby_modding]

@@theultimategamer8537 Your welcome.

[@FriedrichHerschel]

As a german I appreciate this history lesson.

[@redmeat4vegans62]

SO - you hated us for our freedom, and the freedom we gave to the Panamanians. Like the freedom to do exactly what we told them to do ..... Yes - and so many of my countrymen do not understand why so much of Latin America does not like the US and/or is leary when we start talking about 'liberating' Venezula.

[@feastguy101]

@@redmeat4vegans62 Colombia should liberate Venezuela and reinstate Gran Colombia... that would be cool

[@mikebrant192]

Great job! I've been trying to revive General Butler in people's minds, and the Business Plot seems to me a perfect mirror for today.

[@ethanmontgomery6099]

‘War is a Racket’ is one of the best pamphlets of all time and one of my favorite books.

[@Arcian]

I knew him from HoI4: Kaiserreich and the Business Plot, but had no idea just how based he actually was.

[@ZergRadio]

lol I totally misread the title as "A vegetarian's warning!" That thumbnail of banana's really fooled my brain :P

[@thelostcosmonaut5555]

Potassium deficiency is no laughing matter.

[@i.lostblur]

my "United States History and Government" teacher in a NYC Highschool definitely covered this. I don't remember if it was part of the text book, or if it was a facsimile that he just handed out as related material. i'm surprised that others report never learning about this in a public school so i'm grateful that you created this video.

[@adamchurvis1]

Of the 19 men awarded the Medal of Honor twice, five of these were Marines who were awarded the honor at a time (WWI) when Marines were awarded BOTH the Army Medal of Honor and the Navy Medal of Honor for a single incident. This makes the number of double-recipients 14, with only two Marines -- Smedley Butler and Dan Daly -- receiving the Medal of Honor for two separate incidents.

[@matthewshelby4579]

I have to be that guy and shoot in the dark. One of those men has to be Audie Murphy.

[@adamchurvis1]

@@matthewshelby4579 Nope.

[@matthewshelby4579]

@@adamchurvis1 Aw, come on, really?? That guy won so many medals they ran out of medals to give him!

[@adamchurvis1]

@@matthewshelby4579 He was awarded the Medal of Honor once, but he was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with bronze oak leaf, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with "V" device, and Purple Heart with two bronze oak leaf clusters.

[@kakirtog9610]

"Trust me, you want Carlos Maza to give it to you long" Hehe

[@CanalTremocos]

Wish I had such glowing reviews.

[@mellakat80]

Phrasing

[@dfunited1]

I knew I wasn't the only one who caught that.

[@XavierbTM1221]

that goddamn anchor baby

[@jamieschechner7954]

I was just thinking this. Long Lol

[@ho-hyongyoo3251]

Okay this is just scary how relevant how everything in this video.

[@r0br33r]

oKAY CAN WE JUST

[@TwoTreesStudio]

It's absolutely insane how many of these incidents were passing references in Archer. What a fantastic show...

[@johnwhite7219]

My dad who was a WW2 combat veteran told me the hardest thing to do was thinking ahead so you stayed out of potential fights. He was trained to kill with his bare hands and feared his training would come back.

[@dylanchouinard6141]

I only knew of Smedly Butler as one of the CSA generals from the Hearts of Iron IV mod Kaiserreich. Thanks so much for this awesome video!

[@theultimategamer8537]

Why is he a CSA general? Considering he was against a fascist plot to overthrow the government wouldn’t he stand with it against another civil war?

[@dylanchouinard6141]

@@theultimategamer8537 Well, I’m the Kaiserreich universe (which starts with Germany winning WWI) Douglass MacArthur tried to establish a military junta in America , so he could have defected to stop a perceived tyranny. Also the CSA in Kaiserreich isn’t the Confederate States of America, but the *Combined Syndicates* of America, so his personal politics might have played a role.

[@theultimategamer8537]

@@dylanchouinard6141 ah okay thanks for clearing it up

[@dylanchouinard6141]

@@theultimategamer8537 Yeah, the whole world that the mod creators made is crazy detailed

[@Kyle-rq1sr]

Smedley Butler was a true bad ass. In boot camp, we were taught about him and how he stood up against the corporate fascists that wanted to take over the government.

[@Szcza04]

Why then are so many ex millitary Neo Nazis

[@kevinconrad6156]

When I moved to the city I live in that has a Marine base I had just sold a house so I bought 10 copies of General Butler's book and left them in waiting rooms around town.

[@MrK00n]

Marines already know about Smedley Butler. He’s taught in boot camp. Butler and Dan Daily are the only two-time MoH recipients in the Marine Corps.

[@kevinconrad6156]

@@MrK00n That's is why I leave his book, they will read it. Of course they know General Butler, but few know or have read his book. And it is really three MoH since he got a Brevet medal before officers could get a MoH.

[@kevinconrad6156]

@@MrK00n Did you read his book in boot camp? This video was about his book and politics.

[@MrK00n]

@@kevinconrad6156 look man if it’s not color by numbers Marines don’t care. They’ll see it and go “oh more moto boot camp shit. I wonder what motard left that here” and then go back to dreaming about that sweet sweet back home poonani. Like 70% of the Marine Corps is concentrated in the lowest 3 ranks, and they are almost all under the age of 21. They DGAF about politics. They want to do their jobs and murk on fools. Sure there’s some super enlightened wannabe college boy types, but they are a minority. Most dudes just want to spend their free as far away from Marine Corps garrison stupidity as possible. If you want to influence thinking drop off copies at the VA hospital.

[@kevinconrad6156]

@@MrK00n Actually many of the marines here are not so thick headed since it is a Marine Corp Air Station, pilots and mechanics are usually brighter than the average Marine. Plus, see Smedly Bulers name on a book with the title "War is a Racket", some might get curious.

[@hunterhensley3670]

We still got yellow journalism lol “ weapons of mass destruction”

[@dr.OgataSerizawa]

Hunter Hensley Yep.....Fox News.

[@haught7576]

@@dr.OgataSerizawa if there is one thing you can’t differentiate between Republicans and Democrats, it’s their bloodlust

[@briant6333]

@@dr.OgataSerizawa et al. The news only tells you 2 things. What they want you to hear and what keeps you tuning in. The media loves war. They get to give themselves awards about how brave they are getting the shot of the kid dying and they get more people to watch and thus paid more by the advertisements .... tocatch the them. Media is a racket too

[@charlesward8196]

Yeah, Trump colluded with Russia, he must be impeached!

[@duzzitmatter8679]

WMD - Russian collusion, “2 weeks to flatten the curve” - Biden gets 80Million votes - absolutely no voter fraud - 19 Hijackers, Bldg 7, Gulf of Tonkin, Lusitania, etc, etc....it ain’t just Fox News my friend. If there is a dollar to be made and you’re in the way, you’d best step aside or reach out and get it for them. Btw...it’s no longer about the money. They have enough. It’s about the power. It’s being consolidated and you’re either the willing accomplice or a target. You’d best gird up your loins amigo....it’s gonna be a bumpy ride until we land.

[@pedroleon4421]

"and trust me, you want Carlos to give it to you long" AYOOO PAUSE

[@donalny]

It's that kind of party.

[@cosmictraveler1146]

Oh myyyy 😏

[@elviejodelmar2795]

I had my awakening when Col (ret) Aaron Bank, the Father of US Army Special Forces, told my graduating class from Special Forces Officer's Course that we Vietnam veterans didn't need to go to Vietnam. He knew Ho Chi Minh and thought we could have worked with him. He wrote that to President Truman, who chose to back French Colonialism.

[@jakewaugh2059]

Dude i just wanna say I think your content is extremely important for Americans. Thank you so much, you are truly doing us a serves with these videos.

[@WoddCar]

To address all the questions about comments from 5 hours ago, KB offers early access to videos to patreon supporters

[@aaronsandoval5392]

In the marine corps we learn about his medals of honor but nothing about what he did after

[@Wandering_Chemist]

Well probably best you didn’t because I already posted a comment on here about my story in the Marines and when I found out about all of what Butler did (kind of a military history buff) and started telling other people in my unit about who Butler really was and my Full Bird Company Commander got his degree in Military History and wrote his thesis on Butler. But he caught wind of what I was saying about Butler and dude I straight got threatened with a NJP (1 rank taken, 2 month half pay, 1 month EPD) if I didn’t shut my mouth about Butler. Only in the Marine Corps right? Lol 😂

[@Wandering_Chemist]

@Safwaan lol you think 😂 and it’s a big political game as well. What ever I’m out now.

[@Wandering_Chemist]

@Safwaan wait what? I hope you’re joking! I was praising you dude!

[@Wandering_Chemist]

@Safwaan I completely agree with you man

[@Wandering_Chemist]

@Safwaan yeah man why would you think I was insulting you? You could not have been more closer to the truth than most people I know.

[@emtee40]

I had an awesome conversation while renewing my license with an old lady who worked there about Smedley Butler. She mentioned how she was a history buff and I told her I was too. She then said she's REALLY into history of which most people don't know. I then asked if she heard of the Business Plot. She literally lit up and said, paraphrasing here, 'Smedley Butler should be celebrated'. It was a great conversation and I was up there well after I was done. Remember my fellow Americans, Eisenhower, Patton and MacArthur were responsible for the deaths of a few veterans protesting the lie FDR used during his presidential campaign to give WW1 vets a financial bonus.

[@kenharris5390]

Thanks for making this subject known to more people. Great stuff. The US government is even more beholden to its corporate paymasters, today more than ever. I think that US politicians should have their corporate donor's and lobbyists' badges and logos on their suits, just like racing drivers.

[@MikeJones-ye6li]

That's actually a pretty smart and practical way to help with the problem of hidden money in politics

[@TrueNorth1970]

Absolutely a fantastic video - kudos and hats off from Norway !

[@ScipioAfricanusI]

I was a fan of Tulsi gabbard when she ran. She signed my copy of War is a Racket. She said it was one of her favorite books. Great video!

[@alecfoster4413]

I knew I liked her for a reason!

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

My favorite Democrat.

[@solinvictus39]

Was very disappointed when she endorsed Biden. Showed me that when it counts she is just another politician.

[@thekeyandthegate4093]

@@solinvictus39 Can almost hardly blame her tbh. The DNC is corrupt to the core. If she spoke out against them or their message, she'd be smeared by the media and propagandized against to high hell. In fact, because she appeals to a lot of people who aren't neoliberal warhawks, you see far leftists and people who've fallen victim to modern yellow journalism spread conspiracies that she's a russian asset all the time on sites like twitter. It's a really sorry state of affairs. George Washington is proven right once again about the formation of political parties being a mistake.

[@ScipioAfricanusI]

@Kevin Tewey why a mistake? Her dropping out and saying she will vote for Biden was bad. She just said vote no for neera tanden As far as professional politicians go she is excellent I think

[@sillysimion6079]

Hollywood made a movie loosely based on the business coup called "Keeper of the Flame" with Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn. One thing you forgot to mention, the person that recruited Smedley Butler mysteriously died of a heart attack, once it all came to light. Smedley actually went to the press with it, when he was first approached, and along with a reporter who worked with him played along with the mysterious recruiter (The name escapes me right now) until enough evidence was gathered to go to the Government. Military war history online has an episode on the business coup, that's very good it's narrated by a Marine Historian, so does the BBC (Both on you tube). Smedley was so angry that Congress quickly swept this under the rug, he felt they did not take the threat seriously, what money and power buys you. The Marine Historian was a little more apologetic, saying there actually was no law at the time regarding a coup attempt from within the nation, especially during peace time, this did not come along until WW-2. But he also added, it did happen, Smedley was one of impeccable integrity, and honesty, and most of all a patriot. He gathered how it was to come about, using a veterans army to commit the coup, the names involved, who was to finance it, they were not sure what to do with Roosevelt though. They discussed either killing him if he refuses to comply or using him as a puppet president figurehead void of power. Then there's the reporter as a witness and his evidence. So when they say it can't happen here, it has!

[@lulumoon6942]

And we are still dealing with the effects of FDR...

[@Shannon_Vlogs]

I have always wanted to know more about Butler! I heard about him several years ago mentioned in a documentary. Thanks for making this video!