ever hear of Smedley Butler?

[Friar]

From 1933! sheesh...

http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm

[papau]

1. Great Speech! - thanks for posting! :-) n/t

:-)

n/t

[htuttle]

2. "I was a gangster for capitalism"

You bet I've heard of Smedley Butler. He wrote possibly the most damning indictments of US Imperial power before Chomsky came along.

I always wondered whether he wasn't the 'spiritual model' for Kirk Douglas's character in Seven Days in May. Butler was also apparently instrumental in preventing what could be called a coup against FDR by right wingers in government against the New Deal.

[Journeyman]

3. The entire speech is well worth the time. . .

http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm



A little bio to give more credibility to Maj. Gen Butler's work. . .



Smedley Darlington Butler

Major General - United States Marine Corps

Born West Chester, Pa., July 30, 1881

Educated Haverford School

Awarded two congressional medals of honor, for capture of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914, and for capture of Ft. Riviere, Haiti, 1917

Distinguished service medal, 1919

Retired Oct. 1, 1931

On leave of absence to act as director of Department of Safety, Philadelphia, 1932

Lecturer - 1930's

Republican Candidate for Senate, 1932

Died at Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, June 21, 1940

[Friar]

4. thanks for that link

Next time I'm asked if I have any heroes I'll know what to say.

[oneighty]

5. Smedley Butler

His memory is a frequent visitor to DU, and well deserved!

180

[Karenina]

6. Please let's keep this kicked

for the "as yet uninformed." He's an IMPORTANT historical figure and a TRUTH-TELLER.

[TacticalPeek]

7. One Marine.

Semper Fi.

[JHB]

8. Butler recording on Pacifica Radio

http://stream.realimpact.org/rihurl.ram?file=webactive/peacewatch/peace20030530.ra

Go to the 24:00 Minute mark.

[Friar]

9. Another thanks

for another great link. Some Dem should just quote that verbatim on the stump.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

10. As a former member of the worlds finest.....

we were taught all about his exploits in boot camp. 'Course the DI's never mentioned the speeches! :)

[oneighty]

16. Some time ago I visited

a US Marine site, reference to Smedely had been removed!

180

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

11. One Marine, one rifle, two (TWO) medals of honor

Semper Fi, Smedley. You da man.

[JohnKleeb]

12. Ive heard this great tale before

General Butler one of the most unknown tales of Profiles in Courage.

[Astarho]

13. kick

:kick:

[jody]

14. Smedley is the perfect icon of a 20th century American Patriot.

He single handed, prevented the Hearst and other US corporatists from overthrowing FDR's administration. The American Liberty League's involvement is not taught in American history, neither is the fact that the corporatists founded the American Legion as a US version of Mussolini’s Black Shirts and Hitler's Brown Shirts.

The head of the American Legion even made Mussolini an honary member of the American Legion.

The duPont head promised to provide arms and ammunition for an army led by Butler to overthrow FDR.

I believe Harry Truman was head of a senate committee that investigasted the matter.

[JHB]

17. Online review of a book on that topic

http://www.eclectica.org/v1n1/reviews/wharton_plot.html

The reason for the plot was the election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), a member of the same ruling circles as the cabal itself. March 5, 1933--the day after his inauguration--FDR embargoed the export of gold and declared a national bank holiday. He told the "Hundred Days Congress" to enact a New Deal into law. In striving against the Depression, FDR awakened hope in the American people, but he appalled bankers and industrialists. Who would pay for this New Deal? The rich feared changes to the US system of finance, a rise in taxes, possibly even (Heaven forbid!) socialism.

Rumours of the plot reached Washington, where the Committee on Un- American Activities (CUAA)--was already exposing fascist intrigues. Its cochairmen were John McCormack (D MA) and Samuel Dickstein (D NY). CUAA got in touch with Smedley Butler: did the general have anything to tell them? After prying out all the plans he could, Butler asked a friend, an experienced newsman, to confirm the whole incredible scheme. The reporter visited twice with an agent of the conspirators (a wounded Marine vet) and set down his findings.

Secret executive hearings of CUAA opened November 20, 1934. Sworn testimony showed that the plotters represented notable families --Rockefeller, Mellon, Pew, Pitcairn, Hutton; and great enterprises-- Morgan, Dupont, Remington, Anaconda, Bethlehem, Goodyear, GMC, Swift, Sun.... Some people named as plotters laughed, all denied everything.

"The reader who wishes to examine the official testimony is referred to the government report, `Investigation of Nazi Propaganda Activities and Investigation of Certain Other Propaganda Activities: Public Hearings Before the Special Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives, Seventy-third Congress, Second Session, at Washington, DC, December 29, 1934. Hearings No. 73-D.C.-6, Part 1.' Extracts of the censored testimony are revealed in the books A MAN IN HIS TIME, by John L. Spivak , and ONE THOUSAND AMERICANS, by George Seldes " (p 140).

[Devil Dog Dem]

15. Smedley's always been one of my heroes.

He gave up the shot to be Commandant of the Marine Corps becuase he wouldn't shut up when he saw corruption.