Heroes?

I’m ‘bout to spit a bunch of shit that ain’t so popular

Don’t try to slander me or twist and rearrange my words

I hear so much about these heroes fightin’ overseas

Aren’t all these wars illegal?  Of corporate decree?

Now we ain’t fightin’ for our freedom or to save the world

We’re just making customers out of these boys and girls

Create a marketplace with promises of all you need

Monopolize commodities, communities set up to bleed

Do you notice how the propaganda be runnin’ its course?

Malicious front legitimizing cabbalistic use of force

Don’t try to question the direction that it’s headed to

This mass indoctrination alienates the best of you

Public opinion doesn’t allow for any critical thinkin’

There’s just one flavor of the Kool-Aid that they got you drinkin’

It sets the standard which the talking heads will argue from

but baseless claims create a platform you can’t stand upon

Open your eyes.  It’s all just a lie.

Heroes of mine only fight for what is right.

I plan to sit upon a rocking chair in my old age

On a porch with revolutionary figures that defied the state

Of obedience to dominance of military ways

Entire generations taught that it’s acceptable to take

Life or limb from foes or kin

And then rinse. Repeat.  Do it over again.

- This song (well, it’s sort of a rap, actually) is one that I assume may be misunderstood from time to time.  At first glance it seems as if it is something that is anti-soldier or anti-patriotic.  In fact, it is more of a tirade against our Corporate-driven, militaristic culture.  It is because I am patriotic that this type of culture bothers me.

One of the more insulting aspects of this short-sighted and aggressively profit-minded mentality is the level of propaganda that is needed to “continue the lie” in the face of such obvious hypocrisy.  A  main component of this is the constant use of the term ‘hero’ to describe our fighting forces.   I sincerely believe that people who risk their lives fighting for something they believe in are heroes.  This, however, is not the case.   All of the  current wars and conflicts we are involved in are wars of conquest driven by an imperial mindset — not acts of defense to protect our freedoms.  Therefore, the use of  ‘hero’ cannot apply.  Using that term to describe the soldiers stokes the nationalistic fire by recalling  ‘historical’ (quotes on purpose) conquests and aggrandized icons of war.   It is also the reason why every sporting event sets aside  a special moment to remind you how heroic everyone is and to make sure you remember to be blindly patriotic.  After all, your comrades are watching.

This use of  ‘hero’ slyly undermines  the opposing viewpoint, as well, by allowing for any anti-war protestor to be described as being anti-soldier.  It therefore  makes the argument more personal and paints a certain, unenviable portrait of the protestor.  This, of course, stifles the less-than-courageous activist.

Our  soldiers are essentially being exploited to propel this sinister agenda.  I have family members that have served in the military — as do many of you.  This does not sit well with me.  When I see politicians talking about how much they support the troops and their families I often shake my head in disbelief.  If they were so concerned about them they wouldn’t send them off to faraway places to fight illegal wars.

War, in my opinion, is much too destructive to be celebrated — especially when it is driven by greed and hatred.  Let us realize the truth and foster compassion throughout the world.  We are not fighting for what they tell us we are fighting for. “Open your eyes — it’s all just a lie.”