American militarism: “The best defense against militarism is peace; the next best thing is the vigorous practice of democracy.”

Because the best antidote to irrationality is rationality, not compounded irrationality.

The Riptide of American Militarism: Lessons from the natural world on Washington’s unnatural wars, by William Astore (Common Dreams)

... The Pentagon and the rest of the national security state never fledge. They never leave the nest. They’re always crying for more money.

Here’s the truth of it, as I see it these days: if Americans are ever to gain control over that national security state, they will first have to recognize its parasitic nature, and the way it continues to stuff its greedy mouth with our cash, which is killing the best hopes for the future of our country ...