Polymarket Poetry

War is a racket indeed

This is the current polymarket bet on the Russia vs. Ukraine Ceasefire. There are over 18 millions dollars in trading volume in the March 31, 2026 bet alone.

Let’s look at some of the comments:

I introduce my new book, available now (wastedblood.com) with an essay that quotes Major General Smedley Butler:

Major General Smedley Butler tells us that “war is a racket.” Butler continues, “the profit is measured in dollars and the losses in lives.”

I wrote this blackout poem, which also appears in Wasted Blood. The source is a physical copy of the WSJ. The quotes of which are from a Ukrainian, speaking on why he didn’t volunteer for the war.

Of course, it isn't put that crudely in war time. It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country, and "we must all put our shoulder to the wheel," but the profits jump and leap and skyrocket—and are safely pocketed.

— Butler

Now when we cheer our soldiers into battle we can say, “fight on boys, I’ve got money riding on you this time!”