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Articles & Essays On Militarism
Militarism & U.S. Culture

http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/38/10533
The Normalization of War by Andrew J. Bacevich
This excerpt from his book discusses how our country has been militarized since the Vietnam War, a development to which the events of September 11 only added momentum.

http://www.anti-sheep.com/articles/030505-militarism-US-culture.php
“Lethal and Compassionate”: The Militarization of U.S. Culture by Jorge Mariscal
Mariscal discusses the militarization of our entire culture, largely in aspects of everyday life, gives many examples, and suggests a distinction between this militarization in the culture and militarism as an ideology.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2005/02/11/militarism_overwhelm.php
Militarism overwhelms American culture by Rob Rossmeissl
This article in the University of Wisconsin student newspaper argues that war is glorified and trivialized in American culture, including in kids’ play, in video games, and in the major media.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2005/02/24/militarism_part_of_a.php
Militarism part of American culture by Erica Moeller
This reply to the previous article in the same newspaper points to the caring of soldiers and the pride and dignity of the military, but does not really rebut or even address the main points of the original article.

War Toys

http://www.peacecouncil.net/pnl/02/715/715WarToys.htm
Karen Hall is troubled by the increasingly realistic war toys being sold and marketed.

lhttp://www.peacecoalition.org/facts/toys_are_for_fun.html
An overview of the appeal and effects of war toys, with suggestions for how families can deal with war toys and promote nonviolent activities.

http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/reverb/lorentz1.htm
This article begins with a trip to Toys R Us, as Lois Ann Lorentzen observes war-inspired toys. She goes on to discuss the militarization of U.S. society, including links between gender and militarism.

http://web.syr.edu/~kjhall/texts/pcapaper.htm
An interesting article mostly about GI Joe collectors, but Karen J. Hall also touches on related subjects like the socializing effect of war toys, militarism and consumer consumption.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=1134
Have yourself a Pentagon Christmas by Nick Turse
Seasonal satire: “From the Pentagon to you, via us, comes the A (for ‘Armed to the Teeth’) list of presents sure to make this a true military-industrial Christmas!”

http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=2063
Giving the Gift of War ... Merry Pentagon Christmas by Nick Turse
More satire – “the second annual TomDispatch list of gifts that will make this a jolly ‘military-corporate complex’ Xmas for you and yours!”

http://perc.ca/PEN/1995-12-01/s-hruska.html
Tots, Toys and Television: the Violent '90s by Hana Hruska – a short article about how popular culture and merchandise promote militarism to children.

Pop Culture

http://web.syr.edu/~kjhall/texts/scms.htm
The New War Story Begins at Home: Combat Missions and Constructions of the New War Warrior
A discussion of the television show “Combat Missions” and its desired effects on viewers.

http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/culture/articles/eav112100.shtml
Remembering Batken: Militarism and Pop Concerts
Nick Megoran contrasts the responses of Kyrgystan and of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, as seen in the media and pop music of the two countries.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Aug04/Kashani0807.htm
Tony Kashani discusses three generations and types of Hollywood war films, includes many examples, and argues that the Hollywood war film is “but another tool to use for… ‘manufacturing consent’.”

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/mar2002/war-m23.shtml
Hollywood’s ideological war — Two films: Collateral Damage and We Were Soldiers
Joseph Kay’s reviews and political analyses of these 2 films, with a brief discussion of war films as propaganda legitimizing or glorifying American militarism.

Cars And Clothes

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/v2n1p6.htm
Mike Felker sees camouflage clothing as a symbol of militarism, not as a fashion statement.

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/SPT/v5n2/garnar.html
Portable Civilizations and Urban Assault Vehicles
Andrew Garnar analyzes the SUV, its rise in popularity, and its dual images as "portable civilization" and "urban assault vehicle", based partly on the military origins of Jeeps and Hummers.

http://mason.gmu.edu/~sandrew3/archive/2004_05_01_arcindex
Sean Andrews’ “paper about the Hummer... that is definitely a cultural studies project” discusses how news coverage of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm raised demand for a civilian Hummer. (Scroll down to 'Wednesday' for this essay.)

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/viewtopic.php?topic=38189&forum=4
"What car better symbolizes warped national priorities than the Hummer? Hummers… perpetuate our dependence on oil and oil wars as they normalize militarism in our neighborhoods.”

Militarism, Racism & Sexism

http://www.activism.net/peace/nvcdh/discrimination.shtml
A short article about the connections between racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism and militarism.

http://www.womeninblack.org.uk/Feminist Antimilitarism.htm
Why Feminist Anti-militarism?
An essay on feminist challenges to militarism, racism, nationalism, and war, by Cynthia Cockburn.

http://www.awakenedwoman.com/marshall_militarism.htm
The Connection Between Militarism and Violence Against Women
Lucinda Marshall explains how militarism and violence against women are both driven by a desire for power over an ‘other’. She points out many effects of war and militarism on women, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and prostitution. She also suggests ways to bring about change.

http://www.wilpf.int.ch/publications/womenmilitarism.htm
Women and Militarism
Colleen Burke’s gender analysis of militarism illustrates the effects of militarism on women, discusses the socialization of people to accept both violence and imposed gender roles, reveals patriarchy at the roots of militarism, and suggests possibilities for systemic change through education.

http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/NewsAndEvents/upload/The Power of Culture Shift.pdf
The Power of Culture Shift: The Long Haul from Militarism to Non-Violence
In this essay about transforming culture from militarism and patriarchy to non-violence and partnership, Maureen Dolan places some emphasis on increased roles, influence and leadership of women.

Interview With A Marine

http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/forum/story/9316824p-10241546c.html
‘I Killed Innocent People for Our Government’ Paul Rockwell's interview with Jimmy Massey. "Staff Sgt. Jimmy Massey was a Marine for 12 years. Then he was sent to Iraq. What he saw there, and was ordered to do there, tunred him against the war. and he left the Marines so he wouldn't have to go back. The brutality, the sheer carnage of the U.S. invasion, touched his conscience and transformed him forever." (Registration required)

Related Links
Veterans’ Organizations

Veterans for Peace
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
Veterans working together for peace & justice through non-violence, drawing on experiences and perspectives gained as veterans to raise public awareness of the true costs and consequences of militarism and war - and to seek peaceful, effective alternatives.

Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.net/
Iraq veterans seeking to bring the troops home now, support Iraqi reconstruction in whatever way possible, and support our veterans and our troops now and upon their return home.

Veterans for Common Sense
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/
A group of veterans seeking to inject the element of Common Sense into debates over war and national security.

Veterans Against the Iraq War
http://www.vaiw.org/vet/index.php
Veterans Against the Iraq War is a coalition of American veterans who support our troops but oppose war with Iraq or any other nation that does not pose a clear and present danger to our people and nation.

Soldiers and Military Families

GI Rights Hotline 1-800-394-9544
http://girights.objector.org/
A network of nonprofit organizations who provide information to servicemembers about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights.

Operation Truth
www.optruth.org
An organization founded by veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, encouraging soldiers to tell their own stories in their own words and advocating for real support for veterans and soldiers’ families as well as accountability from those who planned the war.

A Soldier Speaks
http://www.alternet.org/asoldierspeaks/
This site features interviews with and profiles of soldiers.

Military Families Speak Out
http://www.mfso.org/
An organization of people who are opposed to war in Iraq and who have relatives or loved ones in the military.

Other Links Related to War and Militarism

Grandmothers for Peace
www.grandmothersforpeace.org

Proyecto Guerrero Azteca
www.guerreroazteca.org
Fernando Suarez del Solar’s organization created in memory of his son, a soldier who died in Iraq, “as a voice against wars, specifically the war in Iraq initiated in 2003.”

Committee Opposed to Militarism and the Draft
http://www.comdsd.org/
COMD is an anti-militarism organization that also challenges the institution of the military, its effect on society, its budget, its role abroad and at home, and the racism, sexism and homophobia that are inherent in the armed forces and Selective Service System. COMD activities include community education, direct action and youth outreach.

The War in Context
http://warincontext.org/
A daily record of America's post-9/11 impact on the world

Coalition for Peace Action
http://www.peacecoalition.org/facts/
Includes information on youth and the military, military recruiting, and militarism and nuclear disarmament.

Bring Them Home Now
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/
A campaign to bring the troops home from Iraq now.