These are not 'war zones'. These are massacre sites, with a huge professional army with massive backup of resources and the latest technology, terrorising citizens and tribals trying to defend their lands from foreign interference.

I can understand (despite the great example of Muhammed Ali who did rise beyond the propaganda of the time, to resist conscription to Vietnam) youth getting seduced to go into the military as it provides an income, a structure, skills and camaraderie, BUT for you to say even now, with all the evidence about the deceit upon which the invasion of Iraq hinged upon, for example, just leaves me feeling appalled.

There is a connection between the degrading, life-threatening racism of White America at home, and its military abroad: disrespect for all people of colour and entitlement to their lands, resources and labour. This article is two years old, and I hope you have developed a consciousness that sees those connections. When whites such as Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning have recognised the injustice of the American military, art beggars belief that you can come out with such a statement.

To join in with the imperialist efforts to steal other's resources is no less a crime than the enslavement and exploitation of black people at home.