Why should I support 'the troops'?

[Stile]

Most enlistees are not from rich upper class families, you know.

Only because most families are not rich 'upper class' families. I can't find any evidence that a person from a poor background is more likely to enlist than someone from a rich background. This is a myth or false perception often used to denigrate our soldiers as economically forced into the military. The truth is they want to serve.

The modern military requires an education that people from poor families or neighborhoods sometimes have a hard time acheiving.

 

[pboily]

If you hate the sin, you must hate the sinners.

Good. I like that. It shoves hypocrites out the window.

 

[nonconformist]

"My brother earned his medals at My Lai in Vietnam".

 

[Azash]

I just did and in my opinion you cant support the troops and support the war. That is me speaking as a soldier.

I support the soldiers because they were sent into an illegitimate war. I do not support the war because it is illegitimate. Basically, I support the soldiers, as in, I wish they would soon be able to return home, as intact as possible. AFAIK that does not require supporting the war, it only requires supporting the end of the war, no matter how it is achieved - no matter how likely it is it will continue unabashed 'til '09.

 

[superisis]

If you dont support the war, you cannot be supportive of the troops in that war.

I completey agree... Wow that's the first time I've agreed with any main point of yours.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I find it extremely insulting that you insinuate that such behavior is somehow normal among our troops. Its not, and those found perpetrating it at Abu Graib were identified, arrested, convicted, sentenced and are now in prison. Pleas stop taking the actions of an incredibly small, small fraction of our servicemen/women and painting it as if we are all guilty of it. That sickens me.

I have done nothing of the sort. I have refused to support 'the troops' as a whole, and you cannot deny that those serviceneuters (death to political correctness) were part of 'the troops'. For the third time,

From now on, I will support individual soldiers with faces, names and decent records.

 

[MobBoss]

Only because most families are not rich 'upper class' families. I can't find any evidence that a person from a poor background is more likely to enlist than someone from a rich background. This is a myth or false perception often used to denigrate our soldiers as economically forced into the military. The truth is they want to serve.

The modern military requires an education that people from poor families or neighborhoods sometimes have a hard time acheiving.

Proven fact is that most enlistees are first or second year college students. They enlist for a variety of reasons....experience, money, college wasnt what they thought it would be...etc...

 

[nonconformist]

And I seem to remember Vietnam Vets coming home,a nd living on the streets-the fault of a government whitewashing over a defeat?

 

[MobBoss]

If you hate the sin, you must hate the sinners.

Good. I like that. It shoves hypocrites out the window.

Extremely bad analogy. Sin is supposed to be separate from the sinner via redemption and forgiveness.

Soldiers and wars go hand in hand.

 

[Bugfatty300]

"My brother earned his medals at My Lai in Vietnam".

Who ever that quote came from he should be proud of his brother. The only guys who got medals at My Lai were in fact heros.

 

[ComradeDavo]

All this 'support the troops' mantra is basically aimed at trying to make out anti-war people as anti-American.

Plus it's kina hard to support troops who sexually humiliate Iraqi prisoners.


I don't like soliders being made out as 'gods'. As far as I am concerend they are no better than the rest of us. Just because someone was in the army doens't mean they should automatically earn respect from the rest of us.

I understand that many kids who go into the army do so because they see it as their best option due to economic hardship. For them I feel sorry. For soliders who sign up to fight terror or fight for their country or whatever, I think they are misguided.

 

[nonconformist]

Who ever that quote came from he should be proud of his brother. The only guys who got medals at My Lai were in fact heros.

Getting off scot-free for rape and murder's a pretty good medal, in my opinion.

 

[pboily]

@MB: Why doesn't that surprise me?

No one will ever be able to accuse you of being unable to adapt your "reasoning/logic" in order to "prove" the point you're trying to make.

 

[MobBoss]

I support the soldiers because they were sent into an illegitimate war. I do not support the war because it is illegitimate.

Then you dont support the troops if you think this war is illegitimate.

Basically, I support the soldiers, as in, I wish they would soon be able to return home, as intact as possible.

The troops want to win this war so that they dont have to go back in another five years. Simply pulling them out now is not supporting the goals or mission of the troops. Telling them you think the war is illegitimate is your right, but dont try to convince me it is supporting the troops....thats hogwash.

AFAIK that does not require supporting the war, it only requires supporting the end of the war, no matter how it is achieved - no matter how likely it is it will continue unabashed 'til '09.

If you want to support the end of the war and support the troops then be in favor of how the troops are going to end the war. Be supportive of their mission.

The bottom line is argument over they correctess or rightness of the war is moot. We are there now. Its win or lose time now. Either you want to succeed or you want us to lose. Thats the way a soldier sees it. If you tell a soldier you dont support his illegal war all you are doing is cutting him off at the knees. That is not support.

Thats just how I, an old soldier, see it. If you are against the war, at least have the balls to say you dont support the troops either.

 

[nonconformist]

Out of interest, would you support America's intervention in WWI?

 

[Bugfatty300]

Getting off scot-free for rape and murder's a pretty good medal, in my opinion.

FYI, this is one of the three guys I was refering to who got medals for their actions at My Lai.

I'd be proud of my brother if he did the same.

 

[Azash]

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

Hermann Göring, Nürnberg trials

 

[nonconformist]

FYI, this is one of the three guys I was refering to who got medals for their actions at My Lai.

I know.
And this is the only guy convicted, who was pardoned the dday after
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley

 

[Azash]

Then you dont support the troops if you think this war is illegitimate.



The troops want to win this war so that they dont have to go back in another five years. Simply pulling them out now is not supporting the goals or mission of the troops. Telling them you think the war is illegitimate is your right, but dont try to convince me it is supporting the troops....thats hogwash.



If you want to support the end of the war and support the troops then be in favor of how the troops are going to end the war. Be supportive of their mission.

The bottom line is argument over they correctess or rightness of the war is moot. We are there now. Its win or lose time now. Either you want to succeed or you want us to lose. Thats the way a soldier sees it. If you tell a soldier you dont support his illegal war all you are doing is cutting him off at the knees. That is not support.

Thats just how I, an old soldier, see it. If you are against the war, at least have the balls to say you dont support the troops either.

Fine. I won't say I support them. I can say "I want the US to stop this foolishness now. I don't support the troops." Although, as you probably know, to me this train of thought is being supportive of the troops. I may be cutting them at the knees, but I would rather see them return home now than see them return home without legs or in a casket.

 

[Bugfatty300]

I know.
And this is the only guy convicted, who was pardoned the dday after
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley

Which is a dirty shame. Stupid Nixon.