"Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940),
nicknamed "The Fighting Quaker" and "Old Gimlet Eye", was a
Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps and, at the
time of his death, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. During his
34 years of service, Butler was awarded 16 medals, five of which were
for heroism. He is one of only 19 people to be twice awarded the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded a Marine Corps Brevet Medal and a
Medal of Honor, and the only person to be awarded the Brevet Medal and a
Medal of Honor for two different actions.
In addition to his military achievements, Butler was an outspoken critic of U.S. military adventurism. In his 1935 book War is a Racket, he described the workings of the military-industrial complex and, after retiring from service, became a popular speaker at meetings organized by veterans, pacifists and church groups in the 1930s.
Butler was involved in controversy in 1934 when he told a congressional committee that a group of wealthy industrialists had approached him to lead a military coup to overthrow Franklin D. Roosevelt's government, allegations that came to be known as the Business Plot. Those he said were involved denied it, and the media ridiculed the allegations.[1]"
Smedley Butler spoke out against the corruption of both corporations and government. He was right.
His book is short, basically just a few long essays. Here it is. Read it.
War is a Racket
by
Major General Smedley Butler
| Contents |
|
Chapter 1: War Is A
Racket |
|
Chapter 2: Who
Makes The Profits? |
|
Chapter 3: Who Pays
The Bills? |
|
Chapter 4: How To
Smash This Racket! |
| Chapter 5: To Hell With War! |
