Can we be pro-troops and anti-war?

[Accountable]

For the past 6 or 7 years we've heard people say that it is impossible to support the troops and be against the Iraq war - that the two are inseparable.

If you feel that way, I have a question:

If Obama decided to send troops to Honduras to reinstate their president, would you suddenly be on the side of Hugo Chavez, or would the troops become evil killers? Or would you support the troops yet be against how the administration decided to use them?

 

[teh_fuzz]

For the past 6 or 7 years we've heard people say that it is impossible to support the troops and be against the Iraq war - that the two are inseparable.

If you feel that way, I have a question:

If Obama decided to send troops to Honduras to reinstate their president, would you suddenly be on the side of Hugo Chavez, or would the troops become evil killers? Or would you support the troops yet be against how the administration decided to use them?

Yes, you can.

I for one believe that we have very much extended our stay in Iraq. I say let them go to shit on their own no reason to drag an assload of young americans into it, wether they signed up willingly or not.

(IBsomeonebitches"but what about gas prices?"0

 

[Accountable]

Yes, you can.

I for one believe that we have very much extended our stay in Iraq. I say let them go to shit on their own no reason to drag an assload of young americans into it, wether they signed up willingly or not.

(IBsomeonebitches"but what about gas prices?"0

So you used to be "support both or neither"? So what changed your mind?

 

[Peter Parka]

I'm against the war in Iraq but I support our troops there, they dont make the decision as to where they fight and if they refused to fight the'd end up in the glasshouse.

 

[Springsteen]

You can be, I am supportive of the troops over there fighting yet I disagree with why they are over there. I mean it was initally to find WMD's, which never existed and it was admitted that it was never the case that they existed.

 

[MoonOwl]

I support our Troops yet do not support this war. I do not blame our Troops for doing things they are ordered to do. I blame those men and women sitting in their ivory tower making those decisions w/little personal sacrifice to them.

When I hear people say our government supports our Troops I ask them why it is that we have thousands of homeless Veterans? Past & present wars. Why is it that so many of our Troops are being given the shaft when it comes to health care and benefits. Can you say Agent Orange? Decades of bs. Decades of unaccountability. Do we even want to discuss the effects of Depleted Uranium on our Troops? It's a ZeroTopic on TheHill and even quieter in the corporate media.

Tho, I realize neither of the above-problems are anything new. But certainly no one has put it as a priority to actually fix what is wrong. No, instead our government treats them as expendable. They use the cover of a 'volunteer force' to continue to ignore the problems. Well, they signed up. Yeah, they signed up! Take care of them instead of acting like they should have just died on the battlefield.

Perhaps one day this will change, but like all things that need real change, I ain't holding my breath.

Support Our Troops! End this War! Support Our Troops! Take care of them when they get home.

MO

 

[Alien Allen]

I think it depends upon what one does to argue against the policy. IMO back in the day Viet Nam was not helped by the protesters here. A lot of those protesters felt the soldiers were evil. When you protest like that then it gives the other side reason to question our will. If we had people protesting like that back when things did not go well back in WWII one could question how long we would have stuck it out and would we have won.

 

[teh_fuzz]

So you used to be "support both or neither"? So what changed your mind?

Quite honestly, Ive never been a supporter of the US getting involved in other countries issues. Especially when you see how fucked up or in lesser words how much work we need internally.

money used in war budgets could better be used in helping the vets of the REAL wars, the wars that defined us a nation, not the wars that basically become pissing contests.

I mean here we are as a nation in a economic crisis and yet we are sending our young to die in an effort that has largely lost its purpose... oh wait was it ever really defined?

vets go hungry
Families go hungry
Education needs a bit of improvement, especially when compared to less-technologically advanced countries
The rich are getting richer, the poor keep getting the knee to the balls

but here we are sending the future of our country to learn nothing more than why as a nation are though of asshats.

just my opinion

 

[dt3]

I think the majority of people are able to separate the troops and the wars they fight. Unfortunately it's the few idiots who can't that get most of the attention.

 

[Minor Axis]

For the past 6 or 7 years we've heard people say that it is impossible to support the troops and be against the Iraq war - that the two are inseparable.

It is fact that you can support the troops but be against a war. I know from first hand experience. Most of those people you refer to are using the troops to support a war they support.

 

[BlackCherry]

I think the majority of people are able to separate the troops and the wars they fight. Unfortunately it's the few idiots who can't that get most of the attention.

:homo:


I do not support the war in Iraq. But I have a great deal of respect and pride for anyone who will sign on the dotted line and lay their life on the line to defend our country. Further, it infuriates me when government will bastardize and take advantage of our troops' choice and patriotism. Yes, a person knows to a degree there is a chance they may see conflict when they enlist. However, it's our government's job to ensure that it is absolutely our last resort and not put those brave men and women in harm's way unless it is absolutely necessary. As much as it may sound an oxymoron, one of the main reasons I have been against this war in particular is because I am very pro-troop and this was not our last resort in my opinion.

 

[Tyler Durden]

In our countries the politicians dictate if we go to war and the troops carry out the instructions.

So there have been times when I've not agreed with the wars cause but still wanted our troops home and safe.

I think Edwin Starr said it best when he said '25 miles to go...and ma feet are hurtin...'

Oh wait....no, his other song 'war....what is it good for'

 

[JanieDough]

I feel bad for the people who are in the armed forces so I support them in the way I wish they had better equipment and that the government would put more money in funding their post war benefits.

 

[Accountable]

Why do you feel bad for them? They weren't drafted; they enlisted.