In recent years, culture wars have significantly heated up across the United States. Whether it’s controversy on college campuses or debates over whether people should say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays,” these clashes are only turning up the temperature.
Amid the rise of culture wars, polling has begun showing that many Americans believe those with opposing politics are the enemy. Political opponents in this country have started being deemed as dangers to democracy and worse.
So far, there is zero indication that culture war clashes will be dialing down anytime soon. In fact, a recent decision by the US Pentagon now has everyone talking, according to Survive the News.
Taking Down Confederate Statues
Late last week, the Pentagon confirmed the Defense Department will be spending tens of millions to remove all statutes and more of Confederate military soldiers by the time 2024 arrives.
As it turns out, the Naming Commission for the Defense Department will play a role in calling out the various statutes and other monuments honoring the Confederacy that are to be removed this year.
A huge part of this will entail renaming various military bases and otherwise completing certain overhauls in factions of the military.
Pentagon today orders DOD orgs to start removing/replacing Confederate names from 9 Army posts & other infrastructure.
All new names "honor American heroes whose valor, courage & patriotism exemplify the very best of the U.S. military."
Deadline to finish = 1/1/24. pic.twitter.com/cE3n9SEiu8
— Andrew deGrandpré (@adegrandpre) January 5, 2023
Critics of these removals have warned that history, no matter how ugly it is, needs to be learned from, rather than erased. Others have criticized the over $60 million that will be used in order to carry out this project to its entirety.
Bigger Fish to Fry
As the Pentagon confirms these upcoming changes, there are very real issues plaguing America’s military and, by extension, its national security.
Right now, low military recruitment levels continue to be a problem. Much of the general public is not fit, willing, or able to serve or meet the standards necessary to join the military.
This poses problems for what the country’s future national defense will look like. Meanwhile, the military has not been doing itself any favors by putting in place a COVID vaccine mandate and sacking soldiers who refused to get this shot.
Removing the military's COVID vaccine mandate is a good start, but it 's not enough.
Every single soldier fired over this provision should be reinstated.
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) December 27, 2022
At the rate things are going, there is no telling what the country’s military will look like in ten, let alone 20, years. More recruits are going to be necessary. At this time, there is a long way to go before the military returns to its former glory.
With international affairs and relations becoming more hostile, the last thing the United States needs is a weakened, depleted national defense. Unfortunately, this is exactly what’s coming to pass.
Do you think it’s a good idea for the Pentagon to approve changes that scrub the US military of statues and other monuments honoring the Confederacy and its fighters? You can let us know in the comments section.
