Objectivism and the Military
"Philosophy: Who Needs It" was delivered at West Point. Ayn Rand. Rand was acutely aware of the tension between the physical military fight against communism and the evil of conscription. Even deeper, almost nothing in military customs and culture speaks to egoism: military service is the epitome of altruism.
Many here were conscripted. Rand's lawyer, Henry Mark Holzer, represented several young men during the Vietnam War who claimed that involuntary servitude in the military violated the Ninth Amendment. The claim failed. (But see here for the arguments: http://www.henrymarkholzer.com/draft_...
I read Atlas Shrugged at age 16 in 1966. I resisted the draft when I was called in 1970. After a full day in the processing center, we all agreed that if the USA were invaded, I would volunteer: 1-Y.
Last November, I enlisted in the Texas State Guard. Twenty states have State Defense Forces (http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20... but see also The State Guard Association of the United States here: http://www.sgaus.org/) We do not carry weapons, and we cannot be sent overseas.)
And you might well ask: What if we were invaded? Good question! When was the last time that happened? 1812. (See my post on the "Star Spangled Banner" on the Rebirth of Reason website here: http://rebirthofreason.com/Forum/Gene... But, OK, reality aside, what if - theoretically - the USA were invaded?
OK... what if...
That is easy enough, perhaps, but what about short of that? Is it in your self-interest to prevent invasion? Facing Nazi Germany, Swiss general Henri Guisan, ordered his troops to ignore any order to surrender as enemy propaganda and to find past the last bullet until they had only knives. Germany bitched -- but did not invade Switzerland...
On the personal level, once you enlist (assuming you have a choice) where and to what extent do your loyalties and affirmations apply?
We say that the refusal of the population to support a war is indication that the war in unjust, yet from the Mexican War to Iraq, we have not embraced those who refuse... Indeed, we vilify them.
Many here were conscripted. Rand's lawyer, Henry Mark Holzer, represented several young men during the Vietnam War who claimed that involuntary servitude in the military violated the Ninth Amendment. The claim failed. (But see here for the arguments: http://www.henrymarkholzer.com/draft_...
I read Atlas Shrugged at age 16 in 1966. I resisted the draft when I was called in 1970. After a full day in the processing center, we all agreed that if the USA were invaded, I would volunteer: 1-Y.
Last November, I enlisted in the Texas State Guard. Twenty states have State Defense Forces (http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20... but see also The State Guard Association of the United States here: http://www.sgaus.org/) We do not carry weapons, and we cannot be sent overseas.)
And you might well ask: What if we were invaded? Good question! When was the last time that happened? 1812. (See my post on the "Star Spangled Banner" on the Rebirth of Reason website here: http://rebirthofreason.com/Forum/Gene... But, OK, reality aside, what if - theoretically - the USA were invaded?
OK... what if...
That is easy enough, perhaps, but what about short of that? Is it in your self-interest to prevent invasion? Facing Nazi Germany, Swiss general Henri Guisan, ordered his troops to ignore any order to surrender as enemy propaganda and to find past the last bullet until they had only knives. Germany bitched -- but did not invade Switzerland...
On the personal level, once you enlist (assuming you have a choice) where and to what extent do your loyalties and affirmations apply?
We say that the refusal of the population to support a war is indication that the war in unjust, yet from the Mexican War to Iraq, we have not embraced those who refuse... Indeed, we vilify them.
Such invasions helped collapse the Roman empire, and appear to be destroying the European Union and the United States. The question is whether or not we will let misguided compassion guide us to societal suicide. As an Objectivist, I see no gain in ignoring the problem.
Myself, my wife, and my oldest four all know how to properly care for and use a firearm.
"Armies Without Weapons": http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20...
"Leadership": http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20...
"Expendable in Fact and Fiction": http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/20...