Supporting the Troops End the War Options

[Kontroll]

It baffles me when I see these bumper stickers that say 'Support the Troops End the War.' Is that really supporting the troops? Also, we are not in a war right now. We are in a conflict. Congress never declared war on Iraq, Afganistan, or any other countries since 9.11.

The mentality of the men and women in the service is so extreme, especially in the army and marines, that anyone whose never experienced it, really has no say that has any value. It's like a gym teacher trying to teach philosophy. You have to understand that most of the soldiers in Iraq or any other neighboring countries wanted to be there. That's why they signed up. They are taught to be prepared at all times to go to war. It's a soldiers profession to kill. It's their mission.

Saying that, if we don't support their mission, how can we support the people that are carrying it out? It doesn't make any sense. If you've got people back home saying that the war is stupid and wrong, then that is affecting the soldiers because now they have their leaders telling them what they need to do, and others telling them it's wrong. If anything, we should support the conflict.

That's the great thing about a voluntary military. No one forces you to join. And if some body does force you, then it's your fault that you went forth and gave the oath. They ask you right then and there if anyone is forcing you to join, speak now.

In conclusion, those opposed to the current conflict are only creating more damage to society and other societies. If we have any chance of getting out of the Middle East any faster the best thing to do is support our President and his choices. That's how our country made it through WWII. People decided to participate by building weapons and giving food to the troops. They donated money. Until Pearl Harbor we shouldn't have had any involvement, but the American citizens decided that it would be in the best interest to do something instead of talking about it negatively.

Please give me your comments.

[*Steven*]

i definately don't agree with the "conflict", i don't think we should still be over there, but i have nothing but love and respect for our troops over there... my brother is a marine, one of my best friends just got back from camp taji a couple days ago... i think that you can disagree with the "conflict" but still support the troops... you don't have to be pro-war to show some brave people love and support!

Well, what I said is that you can support the troops if you don't support the mission.

But then the troops get the sense that they're fighting for something that their country doesn't want, and if they get demoralized, that's the worst possible thing that can happen to them.

[*superstitious*]

But then the troops get the sense that they're fighting for something that their country doesn't want, and if they get demoralized, that's the worst possible thing that can happen to them.

Understood. But just to play devil's advocate for sec here, if you are against the war, but do not wish to dampen the spirits of the troops, should you lie to keep their spirits up? Should you give false hope (if you truly believe that it is a lost cause?)

I understand the sentimentality of condemning the war, not the men fighting the war. I just don't know how one would find a balanced way of doing both.

[*Steven*]

Understood. But just to play devil's advocate for sec here, if you are against the war, but do not wish to dampen the spirits of the troops, should you lie to keep their spirits up? Should you give false hope (if you truly believe that it is a lost cause?)

I understand the sentimentality of condemning the war, not the men fighting the war. I just don't know how one would find a balanced way of doing both.

Hmmmm.
I don't think you should lie, because when the troops find out (and they will) they won't be very happy with that. It's situational, as to what to do. I think in the current situation, we need to get people back home to stop expressing all the negativities making the troops feel like they're fighting a war that they don't want to be in for a country that doesn't think they're supposed to be there in the first place.

I know times have changed, but 70 years back, if the country went to war, everyone pitched in, be it taking up jobs to help produce machinery, fighting on the front line, being a nurse, whatever. The country supported itself, and didn't have all the inner conflict that causes such wishy washy decisions and lack of confidence or unanimity.

It's late, and I'm rambling, so I'm not sure if what I just said made sense, or if I even completed the thought that I was thinking. If I didn't, oops :( I'll finish it tomorrow in between classes.

[*karmakiller*]

I know times have changed, but 70 years back, if the country went to war, everyone pitched in, be it taking up jobs to help produce machinery, fighting on the front line, being a nurse, whatever. The country supported itself, and didn't have all the inner conflict that causes such wishy washy decisions and lack of confidence or unanimity.

Yes, but, back then we declared war

I suppose you could go deeper and see what everyone's idea of "supporting" the troops is. I don't think I've seen anyone actually supporting them, besides giving them moral support and sending them goods and such. I mean, hanging a flag in your front yard doesn't count as supporting the troops; that's just patriotism.

I deffinately wouldn't lie to them and act like I supported it. My brother's on his second tour and he knows that I'm not for the "conflict", but he also knows that I support and care about him. He has to do what he's told and I'm always here to try to keep his spirits as high as I can. That would fall under the moral support.