"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers., In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism..."

121  2013-03-19 by godiebiel

"... I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents." - U.S. Marine Corps Major General, Smedley Butler in War is a Racket

Sadly, nothing ever changes !!

21 comments

12  OscillatingMan 2013-03-19

Straight from the horses mouth. I don't understand if he boasting or did he finally realize the role he played in the larger plan?

5  redhot916gear 2013-03-19

he has one hell of a story, he actually learned the error of his ways. the bankers actually wanted him to overthrow the gov't and he told congress , the banks countered that they would not hand the govt money so they waited till they were deep into war then they were prosecuted, he was a great guy actually

1  OscillatingMan 2013-03-19

That is good to know. I am sure that comforts South American affected. It is hard for me to judge military types because I have never been a part of that type of machine. I have also never had to kill to survive in a strange land either.

All I know is that in my heart I would know what I was doing was wrong. Hard to believe a man this intelligent was clueless.

1  redhot916gear 2013-03-19

we all become illuminated as we become aware how the world works around us. May I suggest this if you have not seen it already

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfEBupAeo4

-1  SweatBand 2013-03-19

I think he is boasting about his life's most impressive accomplishment.

3  WarHymn 2013-03-19

I don't. This is the same guy that undid the business mans plot.

2  OscillatingMan 2013-03-19

Sure sounds like it. I would be more proud selling Kia's then playing a major role in this madness.

11  KingContext 2013-03-19

He's not boasting. He's trying to expose the madness using his fame and acclaim. Keep in mind that this was all happening in the 1930s.

1  OscillatingMan 2013-03-19

I get that...

8  [deleted] 2013-03-19

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1  Offal 2013-03-19

War. War never changes. - some video game series

3  ronintetsuro 2013-03-19

some video game series

Fallout

1  [deleted] 2013-03-19

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2  Offal 2013-03-19

I agree, and didn't intend to challenge. It's the opening line to pretty much every Fallout game.

1  [deleted] 2013-03-19

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2  reconog 2013-03-19

Well if you ever do start with fallout

2  Bertram1112 2013-03-19

So we should change the way profit is made.

7  KingContext 2013-03-19

War is a racket.

3  [deleted] 2013-03-19

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3  badbillsvc 2013-03-19

people like him probably would, however, I do not believe the grunts would. The military is full of over patriotic kids.

2  [deleted] 2013-03-19

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1  badbillsvc 2013-03-19

Yea I feel you. I guess I still have a shred of faith in humanity, I think even the shit for brains "Fuck yea!" type would wake up and not pull the trigger. I pray we never have to find out who is right and who is wrong.

2  redhot916gear 2013-03-19

I read it and thought of smedley butler, what's my score?

2  Prometherion666 2013-03-19

I'll just leave this here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_plot

1  izucantc 2013-03-19

You should do an AMA.

1  hanahou 2013-03-19

OORAH Sir!