Was General Smedley Butler right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_But...

"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate

John L - that is preposterous

Yes, making the world safe for capitalism!

Not much has changed!

Iraq for 'Standard' oil & the 'defence' contractors....

Not Military here, retired Law Enforcement, and much interest in Military, have to really think about the General.
As well as many who speak of things that have happened and they have lived, he was critisized. No one on the outside has a right to give an opinion of something they are not involved in. Only the Soldiers know how it was and is...Just my opinion

In a general sense, but what Butler failed to realize is that this isn't a bad thing... it is a byproduct of civilian oversight of the military.. of course there will be non-military motivations in sending troops here and there, but the alternative is a military junta that serves no one.

Yes. He left the Army in the 1930's. 80 years ago that was true.

The Army was also used to drive the Indians of the Plains.

It does not mean it is happening now though.