In the Army, even if it means being a child rapist. Why the media blackout in the United States on the reports of U.S. soldiers and contractors raping teenage girls in Colombia?
No, I am not accusing all U.S. soldiers of being rapists. Please read the story before charging me with hating the military, condemning all soldiers, etc.
A recovering veteran writes:
Your blog today reminded me of a term used by US military personnel who were having their way with women in Panama and the Philippines during the era of large US forces being based there: LBFMs. Unlike GLCM (Ground Launched Cruise Missile), this didn’t refer to a weapons system but rather to a form of recreation for military people: “Little Brown F___ing Machines.” Ask any veteran who served in either location (Panama or the Philippines) if he remembers the term LBFM and you’ll probably see a broad smile spread across his face. Even if he didn’t personally engage in such activities, he’ll surely be aware of them from friends in his unit. I have no doubt the term is in use today when GIs talk about their “sexcapades” with young girls in Colombia. Many GIs see themselves as part of a powerful and conquering army with the right to do as they wish with the occupied locals, and “to the victors go the spoils.” This applies not only to countries the US has invaded and occupied but also to allied countries. Since the US has forces in their countries but not vice versa, clearly the US is in the dominant position and many of its soldiers feel free to do whatever they can get away with.
And this just in, “Sexual Violence Is a Trademark of Imperialism.”
9:41 am on April 6, 2015
