He sounds exactly like my father..retired army 35 year's..machine gunner korea..intelligence in vietnam..retired at the Pentagon..my father forbid me from serving..he hated war..he always said if the American people knew what really went on in Washington they would burn the place to the ground
My grandfather was a para-sniper in Korea, died when I was a newborn but very progressive for his age, he would've been almost 90 now. You can't kill the truth, no matter what.
I really REALLY appreciate this book getting covered on the podcast. I think for a lot of people that have spent any time in combat a lot of the things in this book are hard to dissolve your own personal experiences and feelings and step outside yourself but once you do, every God damned last word in this book is the truth and you will know it to be truth with every fiber of your being. War is indeed, always has been, always will be, a RACKET
The Marine Corps is big on history and we had to learn of General Butler's accomplishments, being only 1 of 2 Marines to earn to Medals of Honor. Unsurprisingly they didn't tell us of this book though. I found out about a few years after I got out and sent it to all my Marine buddies after.
Years ago, back in 1993 when NCO school existed before Cpl's and Sgt's course I wrote an essay on this.....After it was turned in, I was told to write about something else....Later in my career I used to require Marines to read it.
The other marine that got the medal of honor got it fighting the jabs in ww2 right?? ..... I'm sorry but I've forgotten his name ... but apparently he was an amazing soldier. Shame none of the soldiers worldwide realise they are being used by globalist elites that all know each other.
0:00- intro, Sec of Navy- Smedley Butler, history of awards 3:30- Smedley's book and extreme statements and his views, deciphering kernels of truth in what people say 6:30- Who Smedley was, private school, enlistment in the military, first military actions 10:40- Banana wars 13:00- Tried to return his medal of honors, and how he earned the MOHs, rejected from WW1, Philly director of public safety/war on crime 18:00- Smedley wouldve killed it on twitter, continuation of his career 20:30- Summary of article of Smedley's speech 22:10- 1934, Business Plot 22:20- 1935- War is a Racket 24:00- Dave Berke's thoughts on Smedley and the USMC headshead's relationship with Smedley's writings 29:30- Why Jocko finally decided to read the book, the $1T war in AFG 31:00- First passage of Smedley's book, why war is a racket, fact checking 35:00- The price of the bill of war 37:30- Dave's thoughts on that passage, and low intensity conflict, Dave's memory of first time being shot at 40:00- Book continued, 40 million men being trained, WW2 coming up and he sees it, geopolitics of 1935 explained by Smedley 45:00- Smedley's argument and their thoughts on it 46:40- More reading of the book, profits of war broken down and explained, Jocko explains why America does so well in war- Capitalism. 54:30- More on profits in war explained by Smedley, unused gear 1:03:20- The soldiers pay the biggest part of the bill of war, and reprogramming soldiers upon entry to boot camp 1:08:00- Their thoughts on WW1 and price of war for soldiers at that time, and now people are a bit desensitized to stuff thru FPS games, but youtube still blocks out vids of genocides and brutal truths like that 1:14:00- Wish it was True by White Buffalo (this was in Punisher!)- th-cam.com/video/GkFy3ie7McM/w-d-xo.html and Rambo 1:22:00- More on the book, the human cost of the soldiers in war and payment to soldiers in war, liberty bonds 1:28:00- More on the Racket and how to destroy the racket 1:32:00- When rich parents sent their kids to war, the US Public opinion against Vietnam changing 1:33:50- more on book, vote on war to be declared by the fighters themselves 1:38:00- Dave and Jocko thoughts on it 1:39:40- Chapter 5- To Hell with War 1:43:30- Jocko's memory of the Battle of Ramadi, how awesome the US Military was and it relied on the humans fighting it, no one wants to downsize the military 1:50:00- Every nation should scrap every weapon, and the next war fought with chemical warfare 1:52:30- Russel Brand's podcast, war profitablity and capitalism driven by greed 1:59:30- They talk about helping people on the ground, taking out those who killed and raped citizens of the villages, regimes of the world that will do brutal things to little kids 2:04:20- Dave's thoughts on it, Chris Leon's death and a helmet to stop 762 rounds, companies and governments are just people 2:09:00- Survivor bias in companies 2:12:00- Jocko's first recorded appearance, the Warfighters History Channel program on Marc Lee- old men want to go to war, and young men do too 2:17:39- Final thoughts 2:24:00- How to stay on THE PATH 2:41:00- Closing Gratitude
Thank you. If you will, Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@@bluecrossmovement5324 Regarding planned market economies, restrictions on freedom, and lack of Christian ethics,, consider what PM Maggie Thatcher said, "Eventually, you run out of other peoples' money." Totalitarian governments over the long-term collapse (Cuba, Argentinia, Venezuela, Soviet Union, and the German Democratic Republic - DDR). Your comments were concise, clear, and comprehensive. Thanks!
@@michaelwaldmeier1601 thats exactly the problem. The ultra wealthy are stealing all the resources and hoarding all the monies. Thats our money, not theirs. So what happens next? As automation takes place and everyone loses their jobs they will become dependent on current welfare structures which is already a tug of war with the ultra wealthy, & theyre winning. We get less & they take more. Our quality of life will continue to degrade as jobs disappear. But, those in government will work to broaden their positions as not to be lost to automation. So the govt will get bigger & more authoritarian, the ultra wealthy will continue to take all the money, and we will be criminalized by countless laws while our rations become thinner. Thats where we are headed now, my plan is to stop the theft, give the wealth to the proper owners, We the People, allow automation to take its place while minimizing govt & give the ultra wealthy a new unlimited field of resources, to prevent what you are saying. Dont just listen to old rhetoric, apply critical thought as to why anyone ever made such deductions. This is the way out for everyone. If we dont take it, you can expect govt to grow, wealthy to keep taking, and the common peoples suffering to increase. Ill look forward to your subscription and shares. Thank you very much.
@@michaelwaldmeier1601 the Argentina type tales are lies. They are in bad positions because our corporate masters pay our politicians to put tariffs on them because they attempt to give the mineral rights of their lands to the people. Thats also why a private company from Florida was hired to try and capture Maduro, because he wants his people to be free, but shell and exxon cant have that because if the World sees it be successful everyone will want that model. You should really apply some critical thought and do your research better. It seems as though you may only be watching fox. Lets talk more if you still have doubts about your programming.
This is what I have been wanting to see leaders like Jocko get into. We MUST have leadership at this very moment. Leaders who can make sense of all the current events and who pulls the strings. Thank you for having this tough discussion Jocko and Co.
@The Sports Dispatch 100% America is doomed. The majority of people are brainwashed . I have stacks of science publications with articles on the importance of facial expressions. This mind slavery and intentional division of the people is a surprise to me. I had no idea how dumb most people are. Drywall masks prevent viral transmission now.
Appreciate the open-minded discussion. We can't assume that every extreme sounding view is inaccurate. Some things have gotten out of hand, and bringing attention to a problem (and possible solutions) is a good thing. Keep up the good work.
@@paulbarclay4114 I wouldn't say they were dumber but the amount of information we intake that's a whole another subject but my point is this guy was way ahead of his time
I’m going to come at this from a perspective most maneuver guys don’t have. I’m a 20 year veteran of the Ordnance Corps, been a mechanic the whole time one of my broadening assignments was know as “training with industry” it was here I started to realize that GEN Butler was right. It was confirmed when I left active duty and worked for a year with a major defense contractor. When I was told bluntly. “We don’t support the troops we make money.” I quit and have been a military technician and reservist ever since.
Thank you Jocko for finally covering this book. I have been with this podcast from the beginning and this episode comes as I just got back from going through my cousins possessions. She served bravely, had a huge heart and gave everything she had till the end. R.I.P Pfc Sheryl Koch. You will be missed.
@@jessee7334 Nah bro it's really a good book. The edition I have has illustrations that are absolutely chilling. Rarely do people speak so candidly as General Butler.
Agreed. But we have this now, Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@@bluecrossmovement5324 Your idea has so many flaws it would break my fingers replying to all of them. That last part about the hemp revolution though, that revealed who I am talking to. With that in mind, good luck, I wish you all the patchouli and hemp you can stomach. When someone comes to steal your stuff, but you aren't home, remember it isn't a violent crime, so don't bother with insurance or whatever, your personal property rights do not matter. Also, when the government seizes your home via eminent domain, same thing, it isn't violent, so don't worry about it. Meter all internet devices? Are you out of your mind? I can tell you're high with ideas like that.
@@karlchilders5420 Ive been waiting all day for a pessimist, and here you are. If you were alive when the first combustion engine vehicle was made you would have been the guy riding a donkey, shaking his like saying,"naw, itll never happen." Then that car would have cranked up and dripped oil as it sputtered off down the road as if it were about to fall apart, but look at us now. You can be as limited as you want, and as afraid as you want, but that doesnt mean we all have to. Enjoy your evening, if youre able. Cherrio, mate
It was very interesting to see Jocko and Dave attempt to maneuver on Smeadley's position early on. Hard lessons that we have seen echoed by some of the greatest Americans i.e Eisenhower.
Jocko's moral-based defense of war works up until the country two doors down has the same moral problem as the one we're fighting but lacks the same strategic or resource advantage, so we do nothing about it. That turns the moral defense into just a "good excuse" that will get abandoned as soon as its expedient to do so, leaving only the real reasons bare for all to see. Then there's the Afghanistan departure, after which I watched talk show hosts, politicians, and news anchors do flips trying to justify that pull out while reassuring themselves that we were all still good people that cared about women's rights and our allies that we "sadly couldn't do anything to help now", despite being the world's greatest superpower. That indicates that it was never really about human rights; that was just a convenient bonus.
Ya they never tell you about his book or the alleged “business plot”…..but, I don’t think the army or navy would even bring a guy like him up as part of the boot camp curriculum
@@jeffrunge6427 since there’s been no reply I’d be willing to say that no they did not, the Marine Corps have always been Americas shock troops and by extension the shock troops for Wall Street, that’s a huge reason corporations always have former Marine and other Armed Forces officers at the top of their hiring
Thanks a lot for this one. I remember asking about Smedley Butler on your forum a few years ago. I think I even sent you this book as a present, along with the Larken Rose book. You really respect the author and give his ideas a fair consideration - a rare occurence in all the histrionic echo chamber opinion screaming these days. And your discussion also changed my mind about the racket aspect of war. Yes, there are aspects of that in the organizing of modern wars - and there are other aspects as well.
Roger that. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
Before I enlisted my father and pastor had me read this book. A good read, and provides another perspective on war. My views very much align with Jockos
I never minded serving and fighting for USA and spoils but to see the spoils go to globalism and our enemies, and using pysops on our own people is a jump that many Americans are starting to wake up to and question...especially when our current coward in chief sells out to our enemies like China so they can have the lithium mines in Afghanistan...
Sometimes, wars are fought for ideals and values. We use the term "Muslim extremists" now, but it is their religion that says to kill infidels, and always has been. That is not to say they don't expect their efforts to be profitable. Some native Americans tribes would kill other tribes members. Simply because they thought the others interior and not worthy to let live. Or look at the Rowanda genocide. I call that a war, and there wasn't any profit motivating them that I know of. But you're wrong Charles. The very fact that we as a country fought against the Taliban in Afghanistan, for 20ish years, and LOST over 1 trillion dollars, (not including lives and most recently equipment and stability) shows that. We DIDN'T take ownership of their oil or industry, we gave them control of their wealth. We wanted to stabilize the region by destroying heinous people and regimes, to bring a better life to the population. If our goal was spoils as you put it, what were we after?
@@jessetheunending9357 read war is a racket. The war on terror is definitely about money. The goal was never to enrich the nation it was always to enrich the elite and the deep state. Open your eyes
Charles, my eyes are open, but all I see from you is cynicism. And you still didn't answer my question; what "spoils" specifically were we after, our did we get? More than just "war is profitable" or "businesses profit from war". Don't rush, do your homework, tell me what we/the USA took from them. No broad generalities, no "well they won't tell you what they took, bs" if you can't prove it, it doesn't count.
@@jessetheunending9357 look up lithium deposits in Afghanistan, and then there’s all the heroin used to fund illegal on and off the books black ops, and we get to test all the new toys that the military industrial complex comes up with in another country before we bring them back home (ever heard of a drone or biometric identification?) there’s a million benefits (for the people in power) to the war on terror which is actually a war OF terror, and then there’s always the never ending “justification” for increased defense budgets, multi billion no-bid contracts to every senators friend, relative, or donor, and the continued federalization of everything (because only they can “keep us safe”) and the psychological operations that are run against our own people and the entire world (Covid-19!) never ending wars provide continuous lessons learned for the people who run the world since hindsight is 20/20 it’s ALL about money AND power, ever heard of a “temporary government program” it’s funny because the “small government republicans” are always growing the government and once they start doing one thing they never stop thus the cancer that is “the system” keeps spreading, you gotta keep paying your taxes to pay for the food stamps of hundreds of thousands of people who we let into the country (many of whom are only coming here because they’re country was destroyed by the wars) and at the same time you better not leave your house or your going to spread COVID and then you realize the irony that anyone can cross the border without the “vaccine” yet you! Better get yours or be outcast from a society that eats up whatever propaganda their media outlets of choice shove down their throats It’s not a theory, it’s fact
Anyone see a similarity in Lt Col Stuart Scheller’s message for accountability and his perspective on what’s happening now with military industrial complex seemingly echoing what Maj Gen Smedley Butler has wrote about in this book. Seems like these cycles of problems persist through time. The question is, what is the solution?
The biggest difference is MGen Butler had the brains to keep his suck shut til he was out, THEN write a book and conduct lectures. LtCol Scheller isn't wrong in his idea, only in his approach. HE damn well knows he should have kept his mouth shut and got out, THEN blow stuff up. He can't accomplish a damn thing while in uniform. It will NEVER happen.
@@karlchilders5420 If his trial gains media attention then maybe. I am not sure how court martials work really so maybe the press won't have as much access though.
@@georgea.567 They won't allow press access to the trial. They shouldn't either. This guy is going to get crucified because he didn't use common sense. Is he right? Damn straight he is. Was he smart? Nope, dumb as a box of rocks. He could've and should've gone about this in a completely different manner which would (a) have been more effective and (b) caused less material and emotional harm to himself and his family and his Marines.
@Duncan Macleod Don't misunderstand, I wish him the best and want him to remain fiscally and physically unharmed. I wouldn't wish what he's going to go through on my worst enemy. As they say though, do the crime, do the time...
Wow, never in a million years would have thought Jocko would cover this content, even though he sand bagged it a bit at the end, good one on you my friend. 💪
Hello gentlemen. I frequent the podcast from time to time. I like the variety of topics covered. Today this episode shows up on the algorithm, i am appreciative that this this book is covered. I believe it takes strong people to discuss this topic. I know many sweep this type of topic under the rug. I am appreciative that this was chosen to be discussed.
Positive Change. The symbol of my movement is a plus sign with an equal sign, for Positive Equality. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
..Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
I'm checking u out BCM... Utopia sounds good,and that's what you just sold me. Subbing and looking forward to researching what sounds like the world needs now badly!
@@kevinporter5146 thank you both, Im working on a new post now. Its delicate process since this is a movement for unity I not only have to find open minded people, but also try to open the ones who are closed off. Thank you both, again. Please comment with any questions, concerns or objections and we can hash it out. Lol. No pun intended.
Jocko, To say you and your men who served under you, were courageous is an understatement, but speaking the hard truth of reality is more courageous. Ask Socrates.
Not surprised to see fence sitter Jocko say that a much superior veteran in Butlers views are "extreme". Jocko has made his entire reputation as being this "tough Navy SEAL" despite barely seeing combat meanwhile Butler was apart of 5 separate engagements and won top marks and is telling you the system is broken. Yet Fence sitting Jocko acts like this somehow an "extreme" position.
He gives respect to his unique insight and where it comes from. What did you make a career on? Let's see if we can find a critque. Your comment sounds arrogant.
Anyone who refers to themselves as Jesus Christ is crazy, as you are. You go teach Jocko about toughness lol! The book is over 100 years old, times and situations change.
Congratulations on your 300th episode Jocko! I'm still catching up on all the previous one's. Keep up the important work. And as always, forever endeavor my friend.
Hi Jocko, I’m a big fan. Thank you for all you do. At approximately 34:35 into Jocko Podcast 300 you indicate a “kinda of a negative on this one” regarding Major General Butler’s book passage as it relates to territory gains as spoils of war. You counter by indicating the US’ geographical territory as established and that since Butler’s assertion there have not been territory gains. In the game of domination, I assert that geographical gains are the least sophisticated. And while perhaps the US has not annexed more physical territory since Butler’s writing, I submit that his analysis-as it pertains to the US-and assertions should not be discounted or diminished regarding this point.
"I fear the rise of the military industrial complex." Remember President Eisenhower's famous quote. It foreshadowed things like defense contractors being the biggest profiteers from Afghanistan. Defense contractors and Afghan elites pocketed a nice chunk of the 2 Trillion recklessly spent. I think it's safe to say the war in Afghanistan WAS A RACKET and THE WORST military blunder(not only in American history) but in all of human history. Defense spending does need to be cut and wasteful military spending does need to be checked. Despite the loss in Afghanistan, the American military is not a pushover. We needn't worry about being overrun by a foreign power. China and Russia don't want those problems(U.S. military wrath) but I fear this country is crumbling from within. We're at war with and defeating ourselves.
@@happysappy7851 Ridiculous!...what, all of a sudden?: “Hahaa!...our alchemists have discovered how to make synthetic opioids! Shut this war down, it’s no longer needed...we’ve got the answer to all our problems!”... we’ve been able to make opioids synthetically for a long long time, fentanyl, which wasn’t even the first, has been around since 1970s.... at least those who claim the war was a conspiracy for oil (this too IS untrue) have a better argument: the planet’s economies depend on oil - at least exponentially more so than the global economy for opioids....My guess: you’re a little too ‘loyal to the foil’ yourself
The truth hurts, many will be in denial, others may wake. We may slowly, very, very slowly, I hope, fade. Prefer Biden to Trump, wish were a strong third party candidate. If Biden re-elected, he may not survive his term and Harris will be our first female POTUS, time will tell the tale.
Their is a reason why Maj Gen Butler is a legend in the Corps. People arent built like him anymore. We benefit as americans from so much of what he did as a Marine and after he retired from the corps. I wont apologize for the things Maj Gen Butler did or said. I know his heart and mind are in the right place. When it comes to the military industrial complex he knows more then most. He is no traitor like so many now. Get some d-dog 🐶. You are not forgotten your life has been an inspiration for so many fellow devil dogs 🥲
Serendipitous topic (particularly Butler's challenging the meaning of his service and Lt. Col Hackworth's frustration with his men being treated improperly, and the historical events of both men's time) seeing how Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller is now in solitary confinement at Camp Lejeune.
A good follow-up to Smedley Butler's book would be "We Shall Not Cease" by Archibald Baxter, another anti-war book, also written by a man profoundly disillusioned by WWI, which was also published in the 1930s. Baxter was a conscientious objector who was imprisoned and transported to France and, for refusing to fight in what history has come to see as a pointless war, was subjected to Field Punishment No.1. He was repeatedly tied up to a post in No Man's Land and left there in the hope that German shells or bullets would kill him. Other "conchies" (as the army called them), were either killed or broke under the pressure. Baxter didn't.
Pleasantly surprised to see this as a subject for a Jocko episode and looking forward to digesting this whole thing. I cannot recommend enough the Behind the Insurrections episode about Smedley Butler and the Business Plot. Interesting parallels to recent events...
The argument isn't just about US manufacturers making supplies for our American service members. The problem is one the waste of, marking up the price value and selling it to both sides for profit. You three completely miss the mark when Butler said War is a Racket. Yes, the US soldier will be happy getting the needed ammunition to fight, but the soldier will be equally angry when he finds out the reason why his friends are dead is because that same ammunition manufacturer supplied the enemy and the bullets they pulled from his friends were American made. Additionally, just because the government commits fraud and waste and they have done it for a long time, it doesn't make it okay. This is a logical fallacy. We should be asking for a change and backing up the ideology to break up the military industrial complex. We shouldn't be excusing it and saying oh well it's always been like this.
I'm a 45yo retired vet. 7 combat deployments. I stay close with 2 of my military brothers. Most of my friends have never served, so they usually don't understand why I don't believe in world peace. It's not a cynical thing. World peace was achievable when there was vast space separating tribes, religion, nations...but we're a global society now. No more space! Throwing around the phrase 'world peace' is nothing more than a preparatory command to be ready for war. A justification. A passive aggressive marketing strategy for nations to gear up for war. The more we are ready to accept the impossibility of world peace, the closer we are to achieving it! Until then, every day is a training day! Just my opinion. Thanks Jocko and Echo. Love the work brother! Cheers
“when [the law] has exceeded its proper functions, it has not done so merely in some inconsequential and debatable matters. The law has gone further than this; it has acted in direct opposition to its own proper purpose. The law has been used to destroy its own objective: It has been applied to annihilating the justice that it was supposed to maintain; to limiting and destroying rights which its real appeal was to respect. The law has placed the collective force at the disposal of the unscrupulous who wish, without risk, to exploit the person, liberty, and property of others. It has converted plunder into a right, in order to protect plunder. And it has converted lawful defense into a crime, in order to punish lawful defense.” - Frederic Bastiat
I have said, for a long time now: A company exists solely to make money, not to produce a product or service. Producing a product or service is HOW it makes its money, but the purpose of a company IS to make money. It is therefore the responsibly of those in charge to produce a product or service that will enrich/benefit the lives not only of those in charge, but of the customers and employees, and not put profits above the wellbeing of others. Keep in mind, I have no problem with people making money, and tons if it, as long as it's not hurting people for the sake of profit. Money isn't evil, it's a tool. It's what we do with that tool that counts. Further, if you don't like how some rich person is using their money, and you live in the USA. You have the same opportunity to make money and do with it what you want, congratulations! Now quit whining about how someone else makes more money than you do!
Great discussion. You guys do a great job of seeing things from different angles. And i appreciate the breakdown of the book. Yes, people make money off of war. Yes, its amazing that a ship can be built in a day. Both were paid for in blood. Your words are both soothing and eye-opening. Thank you for your work.
Was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to cover this book. Perfect timing though, considering what is going on right now with our top Generals and politicians.
"You have a government organization that's running things and it's not your money? You're gonna get fraud, waste and abuse in a big way, and that's why it's usually better to have a little bit less government control over things... keep things as decentralized as possible." - Jocko This is the key insight to get down to the bottom of the problem and to start thinking about the problem's solution. War making and governance in general need to be funded in a different way. Citizens need the ability to withdraw funds and services if they are not happy with either. This is the only way to mitigate the waste, fraud, and abuse. Voting means nothing to stop government criminality. The ability we have to control corporations, at least those we pay directly, is vastly superior. The real problems occur when you have corporations who benefit by huge government contracts. This is the most unaccountable scenario imaginable. You have a government who forces you to pay, and then they give the money to a private corporation. Both checks on the abuse of power are nullified. This is why the military industrial complex has gotten out of control. This sort of corruption in America goes back to Lincoln and his preferred plan of "internal improvements" which in his time was just a system of government handouts to the wealthy to build railroads and become immensely wealthier. As long as we have a system where the government spends money it takes from others by force either through direct taxation or deferred taxation through loans from the central bank, i.e. as long as those in power get to spend other people's money, we will have problems with corruption. And maybe fully private or market based governance is too radical of an idea, but Jocko mentioned a great solution which can happen in the here and now: decentralization. If the US broke up peacefully into a few or more sovereign states which still retained a defense compact with one another, we'd mitigate much of the militaristic excess we see now. Smaller states are more accountable to the public they serve. They are more likely to trade peacefully with others, and hence much less likely to wage unnecessary wars of aggression overseas. The more political options we have nearby the more we as citizens can peacefully vote with our feet and change our residence without too much trouble. It is a real solution that can happen tomorrow if enough of us wanted it. It is also a solution which allows for the cooperation of a wide variety of political ideologies and sets of principles.
Jocko, I’m curious to know if you have any thoughts on USMC Lt Col Stuart Scheller and his videos calling out senior military leadership. Thanks for all that you do!
@@aurelius333 I think he tried not to be so direct about it but said people have more of an impact in the military when they're still a part of it even with bad leadership, rather than leaving and not having any possibility of influence in the chain of command at all.
War is old men talking, and young men dying. That is the saying Jocko was trying to refer to about old men and war. It's from Homers Iliad, thus it has been a truism for some time now.
Kind of interesting how history repeats itself, isn't it? I'd be curious to know how much the numbers from 2001-2021 parallel the numbers from 1910-1918 ...
Given how slowly people learn lessons, we'll prolly have similar situations in 3000 with whatever countries still exist at that point, as they desperately fight over perceived differences, resources, and personal values Maybe by 5021 war will will be gone tho 🤷🏼♂️
History doesnt repeat itself, but criminals do when they continue to get away with it. We do need a reset, but we can make it a soft one. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
I’m really glad Jocko read the book and dissected it on air. But my only issue with Jocko’s take, as has been my issue with him since day one, is that I really think he ignores are doesn’t assume malicious intent enough among corporate interests and in some cases military leadership. I know from his perspective he sees people trying to do the right thing. But my military experience was much different. It was ineptitude and immoral decision making. Like he said, each military experience is unique. But mind left me very cynical about the whole picture of our military. Much like General Smedley Butler’s
Well, this is the same guy who when reading a history of the Boer Wars, said that the concentration camps there were built "to protect the women and children"...
I'm glad that Jocko is aware of the massive bubble he lives in/interacts with. Great podcast, I want to resurrect Smedley and install him as president. Edit: About war profiteering. I don't think you'll find a reasonable person that doesn't want their countrys military to have the best gear. The issue, as you mention at one time, is the colossal waste/colossal profits.
Maybe we have better options. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc. In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
You need the best gear for a war that is NECESSARY. You don't need ANY gear for a war that is UNNECESSARY. If it's true that "A job worth doing, is worth doing well," then the logical converse MUST be ... You figure it out.
@@williamclayton9566 we're broadly corrupted. Thank you. Please Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that. The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything. End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others. Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around. Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities, space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc. etc.. There is much more to this but in any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel for more info, supporting information, and please share to help change the World forever.
Bear in mind, when fact checking our (USA) Imperialism, we didn't give the Philippines back to the Philippinos until we made our arrangements for our purposes. There existed the question if we were going to just keep it, like Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico or Hawaii.
It stands the test of time. Bc it was truer then and before the brits and the rest fought their hearts and and sacrificed so much truly needed us it was truer
I think the saying Jocko is referring to at 2:12:51 is from Blood Meridian. "All other trades are contained in that of war. Is that why war endures? No. It endures because young men love it and old men love it in them. Those that fought, those that did not." Please for the love of God cover Blood Meridian on the Podcast!!
The way we left Afghanistan stabbed me in the heart. Left a brother in Iraq buried him personally in 2008. For what??????for fuking what???? 2004-2005 Iraq, 2010-2011 Afghanistan route Clearance. WTF were we doing there????? What good did we do???
Jocko missed the mark on this one big time. I’d like to chalk it up to him not having done his homework, but until proven otherwise, I will assume he is putting the spin on General Butler’s work because he is being told to, or, because it undermines his own service record.
@@cdrtej That’s quite obvious. I’m attempting to understand how anyone could read War is a Racket and come away with his position. The sad part is, anyone can listen to the whole book in less time than it takes to listen this episode.
That execution video that Jocko describes 1:11:47 is some old school Kazaa / Morpheus / Limewire shit. Crazy to consider I must of been about 13 or 14 when I watched that. Stays with you forever.
56:40 Jocko hits on THE problem with the US federal govt (and not just with the military): when you are spending someone else's money, you don't care much about where it comes from or where it goes. Frustrated with lack of accountability in our govt?? Politicians spending other people's money to make themselves look generous and virutous. Frustrated with inflation? Politicians instructing the fed to print money non-stop; again, someone else's money. Frustrated about a bloated bureaucracy? The bureaucracy exists because there's no fiscal discipline ANYWHERE in our federal govt. Our founding fathers would be shocked at how badly we've allowed the feds to run our lives and regulate/control the economy.
That was one of his (Butler's) main points; that soldiers used to get actual for real payment for their services, but the big guys realized they could just hand out medals for a lot cheaper. Jocko and the other guys act like Butler was going around showing off his medals. He thought they were silly.
He sounds exactly like my father..retired army 35 year's..machine gunner korea..intelligence in vietnam..retired at the Pentagon..my father forbid me from serving..he hated war..he always said if the American people knew what really went on in Washington they would burn the place to the ground
My grandfather was a para-sniper in Korea, died when I was a newborn but very progressive for his age, he would've been almost 90 now. You can't kill the truth, no matter what.
My dad's roommate was first marine recon USMC. He said the same thing. War is a game, played and died by poor young men for the means of old rich men.
He’s exactly right about what he’s telling you.
I really REALLY appreciate this book getting covered on the podcast. I think for a lot of people that have spent any time in combat a lot of the things in this book are hard to dissolve your own personal experiences and feelings and step outside yourself but once you do, every God damned last word in this book is the truth and you will know it to be truth with every fiber of your being. War is indeed, always has been, always will be, a
RACKET
Who knows what chemicals have been absorbed or injected , even the fumes from the leaded gas was making people crazy.
There’s an old saying “ It’s a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”. You’re right it was hard to come to grips with!
Yeah, fuck capitalism fr.
@@Michael-en7of that sounds like Eugene V Debbs
The Marine Corps is big on history and we had to learn of General Butler's accomplishments, being only 1 of 2 Marines to earn to Medals of Honor. Unsurprisingly they didn't tell us of this book though. I found out about a few years after I got out and sent it to all my Marine buddies after.
Years ago, back in 1993 when NCO school existed before Cpl's and Sgt's course I wrote an essay on this.....After it was turned in, I was told to write about something else....Later in my career I used to require Marines to read it.
Correct we only learned of the heroic side of things.
@@jamesgunnyreed wow, how did they explain it?
Yep. They kind of gloss over that in MCRD don't they? Lol.
The other marine that got the medal of honor got it fighting the jabs in ww2 right?? ..... I'm sorry but I've forgotten his name ... but apparently he was an amazing soldier.
Shame none of the soldiers worldwide realise they are being used by globalist elites that all know each other.
0:00- intro, Sec of Navy- Smedley Butler, history of awards
3:30- Smedley's book and extreme statements and his views, deciphering kernels of truth in what people say
6:30- Who Smedley was, private school, enlistment in the military, first military actions
10:40- Banana wars
13:00- Tried to return his medal of honors, and how he earned the MOHs, rejected from WW1, Philly director of public safety/war on crime
18:00- Smedley wouldve killed it on twitter, continuation of his career
20:30- Summary of article of Smedley's speech
22:10- 1934, Business Plot
22:20- 1935- War is a Racket
24:00- Dave Berke's thoughts on Smedley and the USMC headshead's relationship with Smedley's writings
29:30- Why Jocko finally decided to read the book, the $1T war in AFG
31:00- First passage of Smedley's book, why war is a racket, fact checking
35:00- The price of the bill of war
37:30- Dave's thoughts on that passage, and low intensity conflict, Dave's memory of first time being shot at
40:00- Book continued, 40 million men being trained, WW2 coming up and he sees it, geopolitics of 1935 explained by Smedley
45:00- Smedley's argument and their thoughts on it
46:40- More reading of the book, profits of war broken down and explained, Jocko explains why America does so well in war- Capitalism.
54:30- More on profits in war explained by Smedley, unused gear
1:03:20- The soldiers pay the biggest part of the bill of war, and reprogramming soldiers upon entry to boot camp
1:08:00- Their thoughts on WW1 and price of war for soldiers at that time, and now people are a bit desensitized to stuff thru FPS games, but youtube still blocks out vids of genocides and brutal truths like that
1:14:00- Wish it was True by White Buffalo (this was in Punisher!)- th-cam.com/video/GkFy3ie7McM/w-d-xo.html and Rambo
1:22:00- More on the book, the human cost of the soldiers in war and payment to soldiers in war, liberty bonds
1:28:00- More on the Racket and how to destroy the racket
1:32:00- When rich parents sent their kids to war, the US Public opinion against Vietnam changing
1:33:50- more on book, vote on war to be declared by the fighters themselves
1:38:00- Dave and Jocko thoughts on it
1:39:40- Chapter 5- To Hell with War
1:43:30- Jocko's memory of the Battle of Ramadi, how awesome the US Military was and it relied on the humans fighting it, no one wants to downsize the military
1:50:00- Every nation should scrap every weapon, and the next war fought with chemical warfare
1:52:30- Russel Brand's podcast, war profitablity and capitalism driven by greed
1:59:30- They talk about helping people on the ground, taking out those who killed and raped citizens of the villages, regimes of the world that will do brutal things to little kids
2:04:20- Dave's thoughts on it, Chris Leon's death and a helmet to stop 762 rounds, companies and governments are just people
2:09:00- Survivor bias in companies
2:12:00- Jocko's first recorded appearance, the Warfighters History Channel program on Marc Lee- old men want to go to war, and young men do too
2:17:39- Final thoughts
2:24:00- How to stay on THE PATH
2:41:00- Closing Gratitude
Thank you. If you will, Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@@bluecrossmovement5324 Regarding planned market economies, restrictions on freedom, and lack of Christian ethics,, consider what PM Maggie Thatcher said, "Eventually, you run out of other peoples' money." Totalitarian governments over the long-term collapse (Cuba, Argentinia, Venezuela, Soviet Union, and the German Democratic Republic - DDR). Your comments were concise, clear, and comprehensive. Thanks!
@@michaelwaldmeier1601 thats exactly the problem. The ultra wealthy are stealing all the resources and hoarding all the monies. Thats our money, not theirs.
So what happens next? As automation takes place and everyone loses their jobs they will become dependent on current welfare structures which is already a tug of war with the ultra wealthy, & theyre winning. We get less & they take more. Our quality of life will continue to degrade as jobs disappear.
But, those in government will work to broaden their positions as not to be lost to automation. So the govt will get bigger & more authoritarian, the ultra wealthy will continue to take all the money, and we will be criminalized by countless laws while our rations become thinner.
Thats where we are headed now, my plan is to stop the theft, give the wealth to the proper owners, We the People, allow automation to take its place while minimizing govt & give the ultra wealthy a new unlimited field of resources, to prevent what you are saying.
Dont just listen to old rhetoric, apply critical thought as to why anyone ever made such deductions. This is the way out for everyone. If we dont take it, you can expect govt to grow, wealthy to keep taking, and the common peoples suffering to increase.
Ill look forward to your subscription and shares. Thank you very much.
@@michaelwaldmeier1601 the Argentina type tales are lies. They are in bad positions because our corporate masters pay our politicians to put tariffs on them because they attempt to give the mineral rights of their lands to the people. Thats also why a private company from Florida was hired to try and capture Maduro, because he wants his people to be free, but shell and exxon cant have that because if the World sees it be successful everyone will want that model.
You should really apply some critical thought and do your research better. It seems as though you may only be watching fox.
Lets talk more if you still have doubts about your programming.
Thanks for posting the timeline!
This is what I have been wanting to see leaders like Jocko get into. We MUST have leadership at this very moment. Leaders who can make sense of all the current events and who pulls the strings. Thank you for having this tough discussion Jocko and Co.
Agree ! Like you, I’m saying “Finally ! “ 🙏🏽
@The Sports Dispatch 100% America is doomed. The majority of people are brainwashed . I have stacks of science publications with articles on the importance of facial expressions. This mind slavery and intentional division of the people is a surprise to me. I had no idea how dumb most people are. Drywall masks prevent viral transmission now.
Appreciate the open-minded discussion. We can't assume that every extreme sounding view is inaccurate. Some things have gotten out of hand, and bringing attention to a problem (and possible solutions) is a good thing. Keep up the good work.
@@paulbarclay4114 I wouldn't say they were dumber but the amount of information we intake that's a whole another subject but my point is this guy was way ahead of his time
@@paulbarclay4114 how long is it going to be until it's I Infinity dog dare you plus one
A Lie Can Travel Halfway Around the World While the Truth Is Putting On Its Shoes.
@@paulbarclay4114 that’s intentional. End game is unfolding now.
@@paulbarclay4114 that’s intentional. End game is unfolding now.
To be clear, war is absolutely a racket.
This Zog bot can’t admit that or his whole life’s work will be called into question.
Invest in Lockheed martin, R4, mantech, General dynamics ect
I’m going to come at this from a perspective most maneuver guys don’t have. I’m a 20 year veteran of the Ordnance Corps, been a mechanic the whole time one of my broadening assignments was know as “training with industry” it was here I started to realize that GEN Butler was right. It was confirmed when I left active duty and worked for a year with a major defense contractor. When I was told bluntly. “We don’t support the troops we make money.” I quit and have been a military technician and reservist ever since.
Thank you Jocko for finally covering this book. I have been with this podcast from the beginning and this episode comes as I just got back from going through my cousins possessions. She served bravely, had a huge heart and gave everything she had till the end. R.I.P Pfc Sheryl Koch. You will be missed.
Smedley Butler was the man. So happy to see him covered on here . Thank you!
Smedley Butler is a true American hero. His book is pure gold.
Do you always speak in extremes or just when mining for Likes?
@@jessee7334 Nah bro it's really a good book. The edition I have has illustrations that are absolutely chilling. Rarely do people speak so candidly as General Butler.
Agreed. But we have this now, Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@@bluecrossmovement5324 Your idea has so many flaws it would break my fingers replying to all of them. That last part about the hemp revolution though, that revealed who I am talking to. With that in mind, good luck, I wish you all the patchouli and hemp you can stomach. When someone comes to steal your stuff, but you aren't home, remember it isn't a violent crime, so don't bother with insurance or whatever, your personal property rights do not matter. Also, when the government seizes your home via eminent domain, same thing, it isn't violent, so don't worry about it. Meter all internet devices? Are you out of your mind? I can tell you're high with ideas like that.
@@karlchilders5420 Ive been waiting all day for a pessimist, and here you are. If you were alive when the first combustion engine vehicle was made you would have been the guy riding a donkey, shaking his like saying,"naw, itll never happen." Then that car would have cranked up and dripped oil as it sputtered off down the road as if it were about to fall apart, but look at us now.
You can be as limited as you want, and as afraid as you want, but that doesnt mean we all have to. Enjoy your evening, if youre able. Cherrio, mate
It was very interesting to see Jocko and Dave attempt to maneuver on Smeadley's position early on. Hard lessons that we have seen echoed by some of the greatest Americans i.e Eisenhower.
Smedley Butler - WAR IS A RACKET
Great read, explains it all
Props for covering it
This book is crazy/informative. It has stood the test of time. Also seams like the foundation of any way/conflict.
Jocko's moral-based defense of war works up until the country two doors down has the same moral problem as the one we're fighting but lacks the same strategic or resource advantage, so we do nothing about it. That turns the moral defense into just a "good excuse" that will get abandoned as soon as its expedient to do so, leaving only the real reasons bare for all to see.
Then there's the Afghanistan departure, after which I watched talk show hosts, politicians, and news anchors do flips trying to justify that pull out while reassuring themselves that we were all still good people that cared about women's rights and our allies that we "sadly couldn't do anything to help now", despite being the world's greatest superpower. That indicates that it was never really about human rights; that was just a convenient bonus.
Former marine here, I just listened to the audiobook from smedley then this podcast came on. I gotta say, I'm 100% w smedley
I remember in boot camp learning about him and other Marine legends. The Corp teaches history better than any other service. Semper Fi
Ya they never tell you about his book or the alleged “business plot”…..but, I don’t think the army or navy would even bring a guy like him up as part of the boot camp curriculum
The Corps glosses over history and cherry picks the best parts to instill warrior ethos
Oddly enough they named a base after him on Okinawa - Camp Butler is below Kadena AFB & the Naval Hospital and above MCAS Futenma.
real question. did they touch on his change of view after retirement?
@@jeffrunge6427 since there’s been no reply I’d be willing to say that no they did not, the Marine Corps have always been Americas shock troops and by extension the shock troops for Wall Street, that’s a huge reason corporations always have former Marine and other Armed Forces officers at the top of their hiring
We should all aspire to be like Smedley…he was common sense and no nonsense at the same time!
Thanks a lot for this one. I remember asking about Smedley Butler on your forum a few years ago. I think I even sent you this book as a present, along with the Larken Rose book. You really respect the author and give his ideas a fair consideration - a rare occurence in all the histrionic echo chamber opinion screaming these days. And your discussion also changed my mind about the racket aspect of war. Yes, there are aspects of that in the organizing of modern wars - and there are other aspects as well.
Nothing better than a jocko podcast waiting for you at 4:30am, heck yeah!
Roger that. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
Before I enlisted my father and pastor had me read this book.
A good read, and provides another perspective on war. My views very much align with Jockos
War has always been about resources/loot. No nation/tribe has ever fought a war without the allure of the spoils.
I never minded serving and fighting for USA and spoils but to see the spoils go to globalism and our enemies, and using pysops on our own people is a jump that many Americans are starting to wake up to and question...especially when our current coward in chief sells out to our enemies like China so they can have the lithium mines in Afghanistan...
Sometimes, wars are fought for ideals and values.
We use the term "Muslim extremists" now, but it is their religion that says to kill infidels, and always has been. That is not to say they don't expect their efforts to be profitable.
Some native Americans tribes would kill other tribes members. Simply because they thought the others interior and not worthy to let live.
Or look at the Rowanda genocide. I call that a war, and there wasn't any profit motivating them that I know of.
But you're wrong Charles. The very fact that we as a country fought against the Taliban in Afghanistan, for 20ish years, and LOST over 1 trillion dollars, (not including lives and most recently equipment and stability) shows that. We DIDN'T take ownership of their oil or industry, we gave them control of their wealth. We wanted to stabilize the region by destroying heinous people and regimes, to bring a better life to the population. If our goal was spoils as you put it, what were we after?
@@jessetheunending9357 read war is a racket. The war on terror is definitely about money. The goal was never to enrich the nation it was always to enrich the elite and the deep state. Open your eyes
Charles, my eyes are open, but all I see from you is cynicism. And you still didn't answer my question; what "spoils" specifically were we after, our did we get? More than just "war is profitable" or "businesses profit from war".
Don't rush, do your homework, tell me what we/the USA took from them. No broad generalities, no "well they won't tell you what they took, bs" if you can't prove it, it doesn't count.
@@jessetheunending9357 look up lithium deposits in Afghanistan, and then there’s all the heroin used to fund illegal on and off the books black ops, and we get to test all the new toys that the military industrial complex comes up with in another country before we bring them back home (ever heard of a drone or biometric identification?) there’s a million benefits (for the people in power) to the war on terror which is actually a war OF terror, and then there’s always the never ending “justification” for increased defense budgets, multi billion no-bid contracts to every senators friend, relative, or donor, and the continued federalization of everything (because only they can “keep us safe”) and the psychological operations that are run against our own people and the entire world (Covid-19!) never ending wars provide continuous lessons learned for the people who run the world since hindsight is 20/20 it’s ALL about money AND power, ever heard of a “temporary government program” it’s funny because the “small government republicans” are always growing the government and once they start doing one thing they never stop thus the cancer that is “the system” keeps spreading, you gotta keep paying your taxes to pay for the food stamps of hundreds of thousands of people who we let into the country (many of whom are only coming here because they’re country was destroyed by the wars) and at the same time you better not leave your house or your going to spread COVID and then you realize the irony that anyone can cross the border without the “vaccine” yet you! Better get yours or be outcast from a society that eats up whatever propaganda their media outlets of choice shove down their throats
It’s not a theory, it’s fact
Anyone see a similarity in Lt Col Stuart Scheller’s message for accountability and his perspective on what’s happening now with military industrial complex seemingly echoing what Maj Gen Smedley Butler has wrote about in this book. Seems like these cycles of problems persist through time. The question is, what is the solution?
Yes
The biggest difference is MGen Butler had the brains to keep his suck shut til he was out, THEN write a book and conduct lectures. LtCol Scheller isn't wrong in his idea, only in his approach. HE damn well knows he should have kept his mouth shut and got out, THEN blow stuff up. He can't accomplish a damn thing while in uniform. It will NEVER happen.
@@karlchilders5420 If his trial gains media attention then maybe. I am not sure how court martials work really so maybe the press won't have as much access though.
@@georgea.567 They won't allow press access to the trial. They shouldn't either. This guy is going to get crucified because he didn't use common sense. Is he right? Damn straight he is. Was he smart? Nope, dumb as a box of rocks. He could've and should've gone about this in a completely different manner which would (a) have been more effective and (b) caused less material and emotional harm to himself and his family and his Marines.
@Duncan Macleod Don't misunderstand, I wish him the best and want him to remain fiscally and physically unharmed. I wouldn't wish what he's going to go through on my worst enemy. As they say though, do the crime, do the time...
Wow, never in a million years would have thought Jocko would cover this content, even though he sand bagged it a bit at the end, good one on you my friend. 💪
He does everything he can to try and do mental gymnastics around Butlers claims
Jocko, thanks for being a true intellectual, and exploring all sides.
Thank you for doing this podcast Jocko. Huge respect for you as a military man and a human being. So many lives lost to enrich so few
Major General Butler was absolutely right.
Ground pounding 300 strong.
Thank you for all the leadership mentorship gentlemen.
Priceless podcast from A# 1 !
Cheers
Hello gentlemen. I frequent the podcast from time to time. I like the variety of topics covered. Today this episode shows up on the algorithm, i am appreciative that this this book is covered. I believe it takes strong people to discuss this topic. I know many sweep this type of topic under the rug. I am appreciative that this was chosen to be discussed.
Jocko is always grinding and making these podcasts happen. A lot of positive change a result. Much love from a Chicano in Sur Califas (909)
Your race is inconsequential so is your location ya simp and I'm Mexican too so STFU
Positive Change. The symbol of my movement is a plus sign with an equal sign, for Positive Equality.
Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@@jessee7334 thats not very nice, now is it.
Alex Jones turned me on to this book years ago, and it's a fairly easy read. Hope this podcast helps its popularity.
..Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
I'm checking u out BCM... Utopia sounds good,and that's what you just sold me. Subbing and looking forward to researching what sounds like the world needs now badly!
@@bluecrossmovement5324
New sub from me too
@@kevinporter5146 thank you both, Im working on a new post now. Its delicate process since this is a movement for unity I not only have to find open minded people, but also try to open the ones who are closed off. Thank you both, again. Please comment with any questions, concerns or objections and we can hash it out. Lol. No pun intended.
@@bluecrossmovement5324 no objections Bro... It's good to see and sorely needed
War is a racket, true legit book about the real cost of War in every aspect comes with Warfare
Proud that you brought attention to this part of American history.
Jocko,
To say you and your men who served under you, were courageous is an understatement, but speaking the hard truth of reality is more courageous.
Ask Socrates.
I've been listening and waiting for years to hear this specific episode. Thank you🙏
Not surprised to see fence sitter Jocko say that a much superior veteran in Butlers views are "extreme". Jocko has made his entire reputation as being this "tough Navy SEAL" despite barely seeing combat meanwhile Butler was apart of 5 separate engagements and won top marks and is telling you the system is broken. Yet Fence sitting Jocko acts like this somehow an "extreme" position.
He gives respect to his unique insight and where it comes from. What did you make a career on? Let's see if we can find a critque. Your comment sounds arrogant.
Also put your own face and name. Jesus is King.
@@NewsChannel-y4g Get off your knees Jocko already has a wife.
Anyone who refers to themselves as Jesus Christ is crazy, as you are. You go teach Jocko about toughness lol! The book is over 100 years old, times and situations change.
Congratulations on your 300th episode Jocko! I'm still catching up on all the previous one's. Keep up the important work. And as always, forever endeavor my friend.
Hi Jocko, I’m a big fan. Thank you for all you do.
At approximately 34:35 into Jocko Podcast 300 you indicate a “kinda of a negative on this one” regarding Major General Butler’s book passage as it relates to territory gains as spoils of war.
You counter by indicating the US’ geographical territory as established and that since Butler’s assertion there have not been territory gains.
In the game of domination, I assert that geographical gains are the least sophisticated. And while perhaps the US has not annexed more physical territory since Butler’s writing, I submit that his analysis-as it pertains to the US-and assertions should not be discounted or diminished regarding this point.
Instead we use corporations to "take the oil" and plunder what they will while the country "doesn't take territory".
"I fear the rise of the military industrial complex." Remember President Eisenhower's famous quote. It foreshadowed things like defense contractors being the biggest profiteers from Afghanistan. Defense contractors and Afghan elites pocketed a nice chunk of the 2 Trillion recklessly spent. I think it's safe to say the war in Afghanistan WAS A RACKET and THE WORST military blunder(not only in American history) but in all of human history.
Defense spending does need to be cut and wasteful military spending does need to be checked. Despite the loss in Afghanistan, the American military is not a pushover. We needn't worry about being overrun by a foreign power. China and Russia don't want those problems(U.S. military wrath) but I fear this country is crumbling from within. We're at war with and defeating ourselves.
Late reply, however it was clearly a racket. It was for opioids. Now that we can make it synthetically, we don't need afghan anymore.
@@happysappy7851 Ridiculous!...what, all of a sudden?:
“Hahaa!...our alchemists have discovered how to make synthetic opioids! Shut this war down, it’s no longer needed...we’ve got the answer to all our problems!”...
we’ve been able to make opioids synthetically for a long long time, fentanyl, which wasn’t even the first, has been around since 1970s.... at least those who claim the war was a conspiracy for oil (this too IS untrue) have a better argument: the planet’s economies depend on oil - at least exponentially more so than the global economy for opioids....My guess: you’re a little too ‘loyal to the foil’ yourself
The truth hurts, many will be in denial, others may wake. We may slowly, very, very slowly, I hope, fade. Prefer Biden to Trump, wish were a strong third party candidate. If Biden re-elected, he may not survive his term and Harris will be our first female POTUS, time will tell the tale.
Read the book in graduate school. Excellent read. As usual, great presentation.
Their is a reason why Maj Gen Butler is a legend in the Corps. People arent built like him anymore. We benefit as americans from so much of what he did as a Marine and after he retired from the corps. I wont apologize for the things Maj Gen Butler did or said. I know his heart and mind are in the right place. When it comes to the military industrial complex he knows more then most. He is no traitor like so many now.
Get some d-dog 🐶. You are not forgotten your life has been an inspiration for so many fellow devil dogs 🥲
One of the best podcasts I've ever heard. What an episode. Props man.
Serendipitous topic (particularly Butler's challenging the meaning of his service and Lt. Col Hackworth's frustration with his men being treated improperly, and the historical events of both men's time) seeing how Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller is now in solitary confinement at Camp Lejeune.
A good follow-up to Smedley Butler's book would be "We Shall Not Cease" by Archibald Baxter, another anti-war book, also written by a man profoundly disillusioned by WWI, which was also published in the 1930s. Baxter was a conscientious objector who was imprisoned and transported to France and, for refusing to fight in what history has come to see as a pointless war, was subjected to Field Punishment No.1. He was repeatedly tied up to a post in No Man's Land and left there in the hope that German shells or bullets would kill him. Other "conchies" (as the army called them), were either killed or broke under the pressure. Baxter didn't.
An amazing episode. I've been familiar with Smedley Butler and some of his story and #300 is absolutely incredible. Thank you.
I agree with every single word from Smedley Buyler's book and I don't think he was 'old' when he started speaking up!
I don’t believe his stance was all that extreme. Maybe for his time they were, but a large percentage of Americans have similar views.
Another great podcsst Jacko and Echo. Thankyou
Pleasantly surprised to see this as a subject for a Jocko episode and looking forward to digesting this whole thing.
I cannot recommend enough the Behind the Insurrections episode about Smedley Butler and the Business Plot. Interesting parallels to recent events...
First Colonel David Hackworth now Major General Smedley Butler..Jocko you are the man, a true warrior scholar..!!!
The argument isn't just about US manufacturers making supplies for our American service members. The problem is one the waste of, marking up the price value and selling it to both sides for profit. You three completely miss the mark when Butler said War is a Racket. Yes, the US soldier will be happy getting the needed ammunition to fight, but the soldier will be equally angry when he finds out the reason why his friends are dead is because that same ammunition manufacturer supplied the enemy and the bullets they pulled from his friends were American made. Additionally, just because the government commits fraud and waste and they have done it for a long time, it doesn't make it okay. This is a logical fallacy. We should be asking for a change and backing up the ideology to break up the military industrial complex. We shouldn't be excusing it and saying oh well it's always been like this.
Finally finished watching this entire podcast, very deep , well discussed kudos to you all and thank you.
love smedley what a hero , not for his wartime duties but for his open and honest appraisal of the military
Excellent topic Jocko, this will open a lot of eyes, many people don’t want to even think about this kinda stuff, it’s too ugly for them to stomach
Couldn’t agree more with the title of this video.
As always, this episode was filled with information and perspective. Thank you for the brain food. Get some. 🤘🤘🤘
I'm a 45yo retired vet. 7 combat deployments. I stay close with 2 of my military brothers. Most of my friends have never served, so they usually don't understand why I don't believe in world peace. It's not a cynical thing. World peace was achievable when there was vast space separating tribes, religion, nations...but we're a global society now. No more space! Throwing around the phrase 'world peace' is nothing more than a preparatory command to be ready for war. A justification. A passive aggressive marketing strategy for nations to gear up for war. The more we are ready to accept the impossibility of world peace, the closer we are to achieving it! Until then, every day is a training day! Just my opinion. Thanks Jocko and Echo. Love the work brother! Cheers
AWESOME EPISODE ❤️👊🏼🔥
What a great book, I read it not too long ago. Surprised to see Jocko reading such a book on the podcast
We need a jocko podcast with Dan Carlin ASAP!
That would be a great conversation.
Small correction. MJR GEN Butler was not the leader of The Business Plot. He was the whistle-blower on The Business Plot.
“when [the law] has exceeded its proper functions, it has not done so merely in some inconsequential and debatable matters. The law has gone further than this; it has acted in direct opposition to its own proper purpose. The law has been used to destroy its own objective: It has been applied to annihilating the justice that it was supposed to maintain; to limiting and destroying rights which its real appeal was to respect. The law has placed the collective force at the disposal of the unscrupulous who wish, without risk, to exploit the person, liberty, and property of others. It has converted plunder into a right, in order to protect plunder. And it has converted lawful defense into a crime, in order to punish lawful defense.”
- Frederic Bastiat
The Penumbra of Law.
Great book! God Bless Our Troops!
Milestone podcast
Jocko does top notch work
The book "Maverick Marine" about Smedley Butler is a great read.
I have said, for a long time now:
A company exists solely to make money, not to produce a product or service. Producing a product or service is HOW it makes its money, but the purpose of a company IS to make money. It is therefore the responsibly of those in charge to produce a product or service that will enrich/benefit the lives not only of those in charge, but of the customers and employees, and not put profits above the wellbeing of others.
Keep in mind, I have no problem with people making money, and tons if it, as long as it's not hurting people for the sake of profit. Money isn't evil, it's a tool. It's what we do with that tool that counts.
Further, if you don't like how some rich person is using their money, and you live in the USA. You have the same opportunity to make money and do with it what you want, congratulations! Now quit whining about how someone else makes more money than you do!
Jocko willink is an awesome navy seal.watching your podcast from south Africa you are awesome and inspiring sir.
It's a shame more people don't get his message.
Lt cl. Scheller.
Speaking truth to power.
Don't let his sacrifice be for nothing.
Great discussion. You guys do a great job of seeing things from different angles. And i appreciate the breakdown of the book. Yes, people make money off of war. Yes, its amazing that a ship can be built in a day. Both were paid for in blood. Your words are both soothing and eye-opening. Thank you for your work.
Fantastic episode folks. Hope you’re well.
I love Jocko because of episodes like this. Always facing the truth head on.
Was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to cover this book. Perfect timing though, considering what is going on right now with our top Generals and politicians.
"You have a government organization that's running things and it's not your money? You're gonna get fraud, waste and abuse in a big way, and that's why it's usually better to have a little bit less government control over things... keep things as decentralized as possible." - Jocko
This is the key insight to get down to the bottom of the problem and to start thinking about the problem's solution. War making and governance in general need to be funded in a different way. Citizens need the ability to withdraw funds and services if they are not happy with either. This is the only way to mitigate the waste, fraud, and abuse. Voting means nothing to stop government criminality. The ability we have to control corporations, at least those we pay directly, is vastly superior. The real problems occur when you have corporations who benefit by huge government contracts. This is the most unaccountable scenario imaginable. You have a government who forces you to pay, and then they give the money to a private corporation. Both checks on the abuse of power are nullified. This is why the military industrial complex has gotten out of control. This sort of corruption in America goes back to Lincoln and his preferred plan of "internal improvements" which in his time was just a system of government handouts to the wealthy to build railroads and become immensely wealthier.
As long as we have a system where the government spends money it takes from others by force either through direct taxation or deferred taxation through loans from the central bank, i.e. as long as those in power get to spend other people's money, we will have problems with corruption. And maybe fully private or market based governance is too radical of an idea, but Jocko mentioned a great solution which can happen in the here and now: decentralization. If the US broke up peacefully into a few or more sovereign states which still retained a defense compact with one another, we'd mitigate much of the militaristic excess we see now. Smaller states are more accountable to the public they serve. They are more likely to trade peacefully with others, and hence much less likely to wage unnecessary wars of aggression overseas. The more political options we have nearby the more we as citizens can peacefully vote with our feet and change our residence without too much trouble. It is a real solution that can happen tomorrow if enough of us wanted it. It is also a solution which allows for the cooperation of a wide variety of political ideologies and sets of principles.
Jocko, I’m curious to know if you have any thoughts on USMC Lt Col Stuart Scheller and his videos calling out senior military leadership. Thanks for all that you do!
Agreed
He was already asked about it weeks ago on Fox.
@@unitedstatesofamerica9948 Do you have a link by any chance? What did he say?
@@aurelius333 I think he tried not to be so direct about it but said people have more of an impact in the military when they're still a part of it even with bad leadership, rather than leaving and not having any possibility of influence in the chain of command at all.
War is old men talking, and young men dying.
That is the saying Jocko was trying to refer to about old men and war. It's from Homers Iliad, thus it has been a truism for some time now.
Kind of interesting how history repeats itself, isn't it? I'd be curious to know how much the numbers from 2001-2021 parallel the numbers from 1910-1918 ...
Given how slowly people learn lessons, we'll prolly have similar situations in 3000 with whatever countries still exist at that point, as they desperately fight over perceived differences, resources, and personal values
Maybe by 5021 war will will be gone tho
🤷🏼♂️
History doesnt repeat itself, but criminals do when they continue to get away with it. We do need a reset, but we can make it a soft one. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
@Thomas Reich said it best
The man was ahead of his time.
This was an amazing pod cast thank you
I’m really glad Jocko read the book and dissected it on air. But my only issue with Jocko’s take, as has been my issue with him since day one, is that I really think he ignores are doesn’t assume malicious intent enough among corporate interests and in some cases military leadership. I know from his perspective he sees people trying to do the right thing. But my military experience was much different. It was ineptitude and immoral decision making. Like he said, each military experience is unique. But mind left me very cynical about the whole picture of our military. Much like General Smedley Butler’s
Well, this is the same guy who when reading a history of the Boer Wars, said that the concentration camps there were built "to protect the women and children"...
I'm glad that Jocko is aware of the massive bubble he lives in/interacts with. Great podcast, I want to resurrect Smedley and install him as president.
Edit: About war profiteering. I don't think you'll find a reasonable person that doesn't want their countrys military to have the best gear. The issue, as you mention at one time, is the colossal waste/colossal profits.
Maybe we have better options. Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities and space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc, etc.
In any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel and share to help change the World forever.
You need the best gear for a war that is NECESSARY. You don't need ANY gear for a war that is UNNECESSARY.
If it's true that "A job worth doing, is worth doing well," then the logical converse MUST be ... You figure it out.
@@williamclayton9566 we're broadly corrupted. Thank you. Please Review this Independent campaign for POTUS, DEAN 2024. I want to assume you havent watched Pushing Forward or the Initiative Statement on the channel Im commenting from. This absolutely is an effort to minimize govt and give the power to the people. Of course we both know the govt doesnt control anything, the ultra wealthy/corporations do. The horse and pony show is just that.
The plan is to secure the mineral rights of our land for the prosperity of all people by first establishing user data rights, putting a metering system into all internet devices to tax data collection and offset income taxes and homestead property taxes, then use that as a model for all natural resources and fully enable UBI, free healthcare, everything.
End dogmatic reasoning and release all historical, e.t., scientific data, etc. Forgive all non violent crime due to it being held arbitrarily, and give ability to appeal all others.
Rewrite the law books to eliminate most laws and place the citizen at the top of the pyramid. Like what I say about biden being a fraud and supporting unions, if laws were written in favor of the citizen the corporations would have to barter for us, not the other way around.
Also, we implement a hemp revolution to clean the air and water and repair soil biomes, healing the environment and create a raw material and economic boom, pushing material sciences to 3-D printing using fibrous hemp resins to make lightweight building structures stronger than steel for the construction of green cities, subterranean cities, space shuttles and stations, fast forwarding us into a true Space Age which will allow the ultra wealthy to begin harvesting outer space much sooner to create the first quadrillionaires, etc. Earths resources are limited, they cant do it here. Etc. etc..
There is much more to this but in any event Im done watching this shit show and am risking my life to make it change. Wish us luck, subscribe to my channel for more info, supporting information, and please share to help change the World forever.
Thorne nails it. No better commentary on Gimlet than this one. Well done, Thorne!
300 did not disappoint. Great work Sir.
Much love to Jacko you’ve inspired me in my journey to become a champion
Bear in mind, when fact checking our (USA) Imperialism, we didn't give the Philippines back to the Philippinos until we made our arrangements for our purposes. There existed the question if we were going to just keep it, like Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico or Hawaii.
I love that you had the courage to delve into this.
I don’t see anyone calling this man a traitor, we all know everything discussed in this episode is 99.9% factual
There are a couple of "and's" and "the's" I take issue with, but other than that ....
his words were a model for TOKYO ROSE
It stands the test of time. Bc it was truer then and before the brits and the rest fought their hearts and and sacrificed so much truly needed us it was truer
@@bumpercoach If our government had heeded General Butler, there would never have been a Tokyo Rose.
Everyone is surprised by this material. War has been a commercial enterprise for much of history.
I think the saying Jocko is referring to at 2:12:51 is from Blood Meridian.
"All other trades are contained in that of war.
Is that why war endures?
No. It endures because young men love it and old men love it in them. Those that fought, those that did not."
Please for the love of God cover Blood Meridian on the Podcast!!
The way we left Afghanistan stabbed me in the heart. Left a brother in Iraq buried him personally in 2008. For what??????for fuking what???? 2004-2005 Iraq, 2010-2011 Afghanistan route Clearance. WTF were we doing there????? What good did we do???
I like how jocko still brought it down to the reasons for going to war, it's only natural that production companies will profit in wartime.
Scott Horton would be a good guest for these ones.
He would be.
The most profitable business in the history of the world.
F*ck yeah. Inspirational as ever. Thank you so much fellas!!
Jocko missed the mark on this one big time. I’d like to chalk it up to him not having done his homework, but until proven otherwise, I will assume he is putting the spin on General Butler’s work because he is being told to, or, because it undermines his own service record.
Or maybe he just sees it differently from your point of view
@@cdrtej That’s quite obvious. I’m attempting to understand how anyone could read War is a Racket and come away with his position. The sad part is, anyone can listen to the whole book in less time than it takes to listen this episode.
He’s a COMPANY MAN! His entire existence hinges on being a SEAL and thus; he has to throw shade on what he knows is 100% TRUTH!!!
That execution video that Jocko describes 1:11:47 is some old school Kazaa / Morpheus / Limewire shit. Crazy to consider I must of been about 13 or 14 when I watched that. Stays with you forever.
tell me about it, I still remember watching a video of nick berg getting beheaded.
Yep, I guess war is, indeed, a racket and this podcast and its creator is proof of that fact.
Good to see good deal Dave:) Jocko and Echo are classic $$$
56:40 Jocko hits on THE problem with the US federal govt (and not just with the military): when you are spending someone else's money, you don't care much about where it comes from or where it goes.
Frustrated with lack of accountability in our govt?? Politicians spending other people's money to make themselves look generous and virutous.
Frustrated with inflation? Politicians instructing the fed to print money non-stop; again, someone else's money.
Frustrated about a bloated bureaucracy? The bureaucracy exists because there's no fiscal discipline ANYWHERE in our federal govt.
Our founding fathers would be shocked at how badly we've allowed the feds to run our lives and regulate/control the economy.
[Edited] The Medal Of Honor was given out frequently; awards given out like candy. Even General Butler said that. Thank you for mentioning this.
That was one of his (Butler's) main points; that soldiers used to get actual for real payment for their services, but the big guys realized they could just hand out medals for a lot cheaper. Jocko and the other guys act like Butler was going around showing off his medals. He thought they were silly.