The following is an e-mail from Ben Frank that I received back in 1999. This is just one of the things that set me on the path of discovering a long line of myths, erroneous legends, and just plain BS. The news on Ben jiggled a memory of this 1999 e-mail from him in my old mind-housing-group, and this time I actually found the e-mail that I had ratholed at the time.
BTW, have y'all changed yer clocks? What? That was last week? Too late now--well that's what they (gub-mint) want you to believe. They control everything including the time; the "time change" is just their check on things, to see that nobody balks at their orders (bitchin' doesn't count). God help the USA--and God help our enemies if we ever get a Leader!
Anyway, God bless you, Ben--and Semper Fidelis, Marine!
Dick Gaines
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From : Ben Frank Sent : Tuesday, November 9, 1999 8:52 PM
Subject : Re: NCO blood stripe
The statement that the red stripe on dress blue trousers was a "blood" stripe commemorating the Marines killed in the battle for Chapultepec in Mexico City in 1847 is a long-perpetuated myth passed on to generations of boots by their DIs.
It simply is not true.
To quote LtCol Charlie Cureton in "The Marines," the wearing of stripes on trousers began in 1834, following the Army's practice of having trouser stripes the color of the facings of uniform jackets. Colonel Commandant Archibald Henderson prescribed buff-white stripes for officers and sergeants. When, in 1839, the uniform changed to dark blue coats faced red, officers' trousers' stripes became dark blue edged in red.
Ten years later the stripes changed to red, and over the years, there were variations.
Finally, in 1904, the simple red stripe was adopted.
BMF
Benis M. Frank ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Benis Frank; Marine Corps Historian And Veteran
Thursday, March 15, 2007; B08
Benis M. Frank, 82, a Marine Corps chief historian who started the military branch's oral history program, died March 10 at Prince George's Hospital Center. He had congestive heart failure.
Mr. Frank, a Bowie resident, was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean War and rose to the rank of captain in the Marine Corps Reserve.
After a career in sales and teaching, he joined the Marine Corps as a civilian in 1961. He worked in the History and Museums Division at headquarters and started its oral history section in the early 1960s. He was chief historian from 1991 until retiring in 1997.
Among his books were "A Brief History of the 3d Marines" (1962), "Okinawa: Touchstone to Victory" (1970), "Halsey" (1973) and "U.S. Marines in Lebanon, 1982-1984" (1987).
Of the last book, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman wrote it was an "extremely enlightening and useful history of the corps' 18-month experience in Lebanon -- as the marines themselves saw it. . . . It is not only a valuable short history, but also a gold mine of raw material for anyone who might want to write about this misadventure."
Mr. Frank was general editor of the History and Museums Division's World War II 50th anniversary series of commemorative monographs. He also contributed to the Simon and Schuster Encyclopedia of World War II, the Dictionary of American Biography, the Oxford Companion to American Military History and other reference works.
He was a recipient of the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.
Benis Morton Frank was born in Amsterdam, N.Y., and grew up in Stamford, Conn. He was a 1949 history graduate of the University of Connecticut and did graduate work in international relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.
He participated in the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa during World War II and returned to active duty in the Korean War, serving as a battalion intelligence officer.
He was a fellow and former governor of the Company of Military Historians and former managing editor of its quarterly publication, the Military Collector & Historian.
He was a member of the Military Order of the Carabao and a founding member and president of the Virginia Scottish Games Association.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Marylouise Swatowicz Frank of Bowie; three children, Karen Beck of Annapolis, Jennifer Raymond of Bowie and Victor Frank of Silver Spring; a brother; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
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At the risk of sounding like a flim-flam dealer in "opportunities of a lifetime," I will begin with a question. Are you willing to devote ten to fifteen minutes a day to furthering your knowledge of liberty—how it has been taken away and how we can get it back? If so, you are at the right place and will enjoy this series. If not, you might as well hit the delete button without reading further.
My general purpose with The Essence of Liberty Series is to provide an introduction and sound basic foundation in the fundamentals of a discipline that integrates principles of economics with a natural law based ethic into a single whole—a truly universal philosophy of political economy applicable to all men at all times and in all places.
I attempt to accomplish this by "capturing the essence" of some of the classical works in the "science" of liberty in as few words as possible and in a language understandable by the reasonably intelligent person without formal education in political science or economics. In the process I hope to whet the appetite for the original and more.
My ultimate objective is to make these logically based, common sense ideas available to a wider audience and, thereby, make a small contribution to the struggle for liberty. If I succeeded, that will have been my only small claim to originality because the ideas are from the minds and the pens of the authors. The errors are mine.
I will begin with a detailed, chapter by chapter, review and summary of Our Enemy, the State: A Study of Social Power vs. State Power and of The State in Colonial America by Albert Jay Nock. My reason for beginning here is its focus on the colonial period. After reading this, you will never see the constitution the same again.
Next, will be a summary of No Treason by Lysander Spooner, the Yankee radical abolitionist who wrote concerning the war of Yankee aggression (and in defense of secession, I might add). The logic of choosing this for second place is based on his treatment of the constitution. If you see the constitution different after reading Nock, you will view it even more so after Spooner.
Part 3 will come from one of Thomas DiLorenzo's works, Lincoln Unmasked. Since Spooner brought us up to Lincoln's time, it is perhaps logical to explore just exactly how much liberty was lost at the hands of a much venerated, but arguably the most evil, president these united States has ever had.
The People's Pottage by Garet Garett will follow. Garett primarily deals with liberty lost during the WWI—WWII—New Deal era. If you are not angry by now, you will be absolutely shocked by the shenanigans and usurpations that went on virtually un-noticed.
Subsequent parts will come from more modern-recent authors like, for example, Murray Rothbard, Hans Hermann-Hoppe and others.
So, enjoy and learn as we begin with the Introduction to Our Enemy: the State.
Yours for freedom in our lifetimes.
Jimmy T. (Gunny) LaBaume
The Essence of Liberty: Part 1
Compiled and Summarized by
Dr. Jimmy T. (Gunny) LaBaume
Our Enemy, The State: A Study of Social Power vs. State Power and of The State in Colonial America by Albert Jay Nock. Available from the Mises Institute at www.mises.org
Foreword by Edmund A. Opiz (Pages 1-9)
Having been educated in the "grand old fortifying classical curriculum," Albert Jay Nock was a man of letters. He did graduate work in theology and served as an Episcopal minister for a decade before becoming a journalist.
He inspires his audience to do the best for themselves because that is the only way for anyone to do any real service for anyone else. In his own words, "There's only one way to improve society…present it with one improved unit – yourself."
The prevailing belief today is that political means can cure economic and social woes. The idea is that man has been victimized by his institutions but democracy has given him the power to improve his condition by enlarging the State for the good of all.
All Statists agree on one thing—the desirability of a centralized State with virtually unlimited authority to interfere with every aspect of life. Their problem is that they do not examine the State itself. As a result, good intentions lead to contrary results. We must come to a better understanding of the nature of the State.
There are two political institutions—Government and State. Government secures the individual's rights and maximizes his opportunity to pursue his goals. The State disadvantage some for the benefit of others. Consequently, as Mencken put it, the State is "the common enemy of all…decent men."
Government's essential function is the application of lawful force so that peaceful citizens may go freely about their business. By contrast, the State uses legal violence against peaceful citizens. Clearly oppression (the State) is the antithesis of the Rule of Law (Government).
The State's legal apparatus is perverted by its seeking of support from interest groups. Since it has economic advantages to dispense, groups are organized to take the give-aways. Thus they are able to use public power for private advantage. The losers are society's productive members.
To illustrate, a manufacturer enjoys a legal advantage from tariff protection. But a businessman on the free market has no such leverage. He cannot force any private citizen to do anything, unless the law grants him a license. Then, in that case he becomes a component of the State.
Furthermore, unions are a component of the State. National legislation grants them a monopoly on the power to exact an above market wage in certain industries. Consequently, unions devote enormous amounts of money and labor to get their favored politicians elected.
It boils down to power concerning which there are three fundamental questions:
1) Who shall posses the power? The answers to that on have ranged from Monarchy backed by divine right to Democracy based on "majority rule."
2) For whose benefit shall the economic advantage accrue? The royal family lived well strictly because of their privileged position. They got something for nothing. Their wealth was not obtained from anything they produced and offered in voluntary exchanges. They lived off of the fruits of others' labor.
3) At whose expense? A society structured along State lines must have victims—people whose interests are deliberately sacrificed.
Nock's anti-Statist philosophy emphasizes social power vs. State based power. Social power requires liberty.
According to Franz Oppenheimer, States, throughout all of history, have originated in war and conquest. Some lean and hungry nomadic group moves in on a soft, sedentary group and sets itself up as a ruling class. They quell discontent, maintain order and, of course, extract tribute. Robbery is the primary labor saving device. The State is a second (and safer) way.
Nock adopts Oppenheimer's terminology for explaining the two ways to satisfy human needs. The first is to produce by applying energy to raw materials in nature. He calls this the "economic means." This, of course, involves work. Since man will do just about anything to avoid work, he has a natural tendency toward the "political means"—e.g. the State.
After one reads this book, his political perceptions will never be the same because he will understand the true nature of the State as "an institution distinct from society and not the same as Government." He will realize that "the State is the institutionalization of the sinful desire to live off others…(It) exists because a significant number of people want a respectable arrangement which enables them to get what they want without offering anything commensurate in exchange." Furthermore, the State seduces its victims with the idea that it is possible for them to someday operate their own racket and, thereby, converts victims into accomplices.
Many (most, actually) want something for nothing so the State is created in our own image. That image can only be changed by a moral transformation. Nothing short of this will bring the State down. A larcenous people will eventually write theft into their statutes. People who covet their neighbor's property are certain to find legal ways to steal it. This is how "The Welfare State" was invented.
When life, liberty and property are secure, people acquire their economic needs through production and voluntary exchange in response to consumer demands and within the Rule of Law. There is only one way to help "the poor." Unleash the incredible power of the market by getting off their backs. "The poor" are not the reason for the Welfare State. They are the excuse.
In reality the Welfare Stat hurts the poor by reducing productivity and, therefore, prosperity. It actually handicaps and erects obstacles to those on the bottom rung of the economic ladder. The State has no other function but as an instrument for siphoning goods from those who produce to ruling elite.
Today social power is intermingled with State power. The manufacturer is subsidized by the State (but) is forced to pay above market wages by the State protected union which, in turn, has its advantage taxed away to bail out industry. The doctor is enriched by Medicare but forced to subsidize price support programs for farmers who, in turn, underwrite "urban renewal." The welfare recipient pays taxes to support the welfare bureaucracy while the bureaucrat pays ever higher process due to State generated inflation.
Jimmy T. LaBaume, PhD, ChFC is a full professor teaching economics and statistics in the School of Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX. He does not speak for Sul Ross State University. Sul Ross State University does not think for him.
Dr. LaBaume has lived in Mexico and spent extended periods of time in South and Central America as a researcher, consultant and educator.
"Gunny" LaBaume is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. His Marine Corps career spanned some 35 years intermittently from 1962 until 1997 when he refused to re-enlist with less than 2 years to go to a good retirement. In his own words, he "simply got tired of being guilty of treason."
He is also currently the publisher and managing editor of FlyoverPress.com, a daily e-source of news not seen or heard anywhere on the mainstream media. He can be reached at jlabaume@sulross.edu .
Permission is granted to forward as you wish, circulate among individuals or groups, post on all Internet sites and publish in the print media as long as the article is published in full, including the author's name and contact information and the URL www.flyoverpress.com .
FlyoverPress.com can be contacted at editor@flyoverpress.com
*Note: We hold no special government issued licenses or permits. We don't accept government subsidies, bailouts, low-cost loans, insurance, or other privileges. We don't lobby for laws that hurt our competitors. We actively oppose protectionism and invite all foreign competitors to try to under price us. We do not lobby for tariffs, quotas, or anti-dumping laws. We do not support the government's budget deficits: we hold no government or agency securities.
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PC At Its Best - The Chesty Puller Dedication Stone Brouhaha...by Dick Gaines
This one involves brouhaha, back during 2003, by individual Marines--mostly former Marines, retired Marines, etc. over a dedication stone in Puller Park in Virginia. This regarding the late LtGen Lewis B. Puller USMC, probably the most beloved general officer of the Marine Corps. Briefly, the supposed problem was over the words engraved on the stone, and the use of the word "soldier" thereon. Obviously, many Marines are ignorant of our own Marine Corps history, and our traditions, at least regarding the historical use of the word Soldier for Marines.
As I said at the time..." Despite the greatness of the Corps, individual Marines are indeed among the foremost liars, braggarts, and vain ignoramuses of the world. Again, I'm on the other side of this argument, as usual." Well, my words then may have been stronger than appropriate, but I see no basis for apology and/or even to "express regret"--unlike some others today who do so when they shouldn't, no names mentioned.
The plaque in question very clearly indicated LtGen Puller to be a Marine; in addition, there were words to indicate that he was a Patriot, Soldier, etc. Nothing wrong w/that in the context it was used..."
There is no dishonor--quite the contrary-- in the use of the name "Soldier" for a Marine. In the Old Corps many knowledgeable Marines referred to both themselves and other Marines as Soldiers, and took pride in doing so.
In any case, so much hell was raised about "Soldier" appearing on the stone that someone apparently assumed they knew what they were talking about, and the stone was changed to their satisfaction. SOP for the loudmouth numnutz and such of the world.
See my own Gunny G website on this subject..."Are Marines Soldiers?"
" Later that day I complained to the MC CO about the base commander referring to me as a "Soldier." My CO got a real chuckle out of my complaint, and told me that instead of the Captain demeaning me, he had instead paid me the highest compliment possible. My CO was LtCol Louis Nathaniel King, and had been a white hat in 1936 when he passed the exam for the Naval Academy, graduated from there, and chose to enter the MC. Of course, he, unlike myself, was steeped in Naval traditions and knew all about the use of the term "Soldier." On occasion I've referred to other Marines as "Soldiers," always explaining that was the highest compliment that I could call them with our "Soldiers of the sea" origins."
(and, also from above...)
" Please note that I always capitalize "Soldiers," "Sailors," and "Airmen." In my book they deserve the same respect that I pay to my beloved Marines.
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