Can I support the troops but not the war?

Question

You see,I think the troops are very brave for risking their lives to protect us,but I also think this war just can't be justified and that the should get out of there.Can I possibly have two conflicting thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes... Speaking as some one that served both in Iraq and Afghanastan, you can support the troops and still disagree with the war. Just keep this in mind. Every one who serves in the military has to follow the orders of the President. We don't have the ability to say I'm not going to do this because I don't agree with it. If we ( the military ) were able to do that, our country would be in a weaker positon because no President would order us to fight fearing a walkout. If that happened, I think that would open the door to more countries becoming extremists. The up side is we under stand what your feeling. A lot of us feel the same way. And as for the indivudel that said were a bunch of drunks that bomb any thing that moves... could you plz stand up and jump around... when were in the Desert, we fall under general order #1. it covers a lot of stuff in it but the biggest thing is the no drinking (yes, there are some places where we can leagly drink, but none of them are in a combat zone).

Please keep this in mind, this only reflects my oppinon, but it's up to you to decide for your self. Most of us joined to have a better life through college, tech schools or just traval but we all want to keep America and our familes back home safe... If that means i have to spend another Christmas getting bombed ( and just so the guy that thinks were all drunks knows, they do shoot at us and try to mortor us everyday ) then thats what I'm going to do

Answer 2

No, you can't. Here's why:

It's not so hard to understand. The military is here to protect the country and her freedoms. Usually, that protection includes war of some sort, even if it's not on the battlefield. If you can't support war, you can't support the troops. War is what they do in some form or the other. You think you can have it both ways, but really you can't. And no, the people against the war don't bring the troops home. They endanger the troops. Protesting and fighting over war brings morale down. What brings the troops home is support for them and the cause so that they can complete their mission....safely....without worry of who's spreading lies, rumors and so on about them. Never forget, there's a military person protecting your right to complain, protest or what ever you do.

They deserve your total unconditional support, not conditional based on what you think is right or not. Just remember, those troops believe in what they're doing. Shouldn't you too??

And for those of you who made this a political statement, that's not what it's about. This is about the troops and war, not if you like the President or not. We join knowing the risks so you can sit here and bash anything you don't agree with, usually because you don't have full knowledge of.

Answer 3

Yes, you can support the troops without supporting the war. Thank them when you can and always give that extra measure of respect to a veteran.

The public reasons for getting into the Iraq war have been proved false and the real reason Bush, Sr., did not finish it in the 1990s has been shown to be justified. He stopped because it would have caused the same power vacuum that exists there now. Saddam Hussein, believe it or not, was the only thing keeping Iraq out of civil war.

We can't stop this civil war from happening. The only possible solution is subdividing Iraq into three countries. Even then the Shiites and Sunnis will probably kill each other off.

Answer 4

No. The two are intertwined. When a troop hears someone say, "I support the troops, but not the war," the troop feels as through they are not supported.

In the 60's-70's, people tried to get away with saying that, and all it did was demoralize the military. We ended up in second place, too, if I recall.

Now, be honest with yourself. How can you support those who make the war possible? It requires boundless leaps of illogic to be able to agree that the two are reconcilable.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Although you may not support the war, supporting the troops should be a duty in my opinion. They are out there risking their lives for their country. When people diss the war and say that there is no point for their troops to be out there, that can be downgrading for soldiers. Just supporting the troops and saying that they're doing a great job is enough. Go ahead and not support the war. I don't.

Answer 6

NO!
Why not???

For example read this carefully:

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances .....


Now how could you possibly feel like someone who is sworn to that oath would in any way NOT fight a war hes ordered to fight?????

Supporting the troops means supporting the war, NO way around it!

Answer 7

Those in the military have chosen a career/occupation that REQUIRES that they follow orders. THe person who is the ultimate authority over them (the President), has the authority to command his troops, and the troops have the obligation to follow those orders (with virtually no exceptions -- illegal orders, etc.)

The military could not function if each soldier/sailer, marine got to decide which orders they would follow, and which they would not. Further, from a more practical view, it would get people killed. Those members of a particular unit NEED to be able to rely on other units to follow orders, so that they will be protected when they go into harms way.

So, while I personally am very strongly against the policies of the current administration, my remedies are in the election box and in the right to assembly and protest -- rights protected by the military with their lives -- even though they might disagree with MY views.

How could I possibly NOT support the troops who protect MY rights (even though they disagree with me)?

Answer 8

Yes you can.
You can support the troops by sending books, magazines, hard candy, cards, music Cd's or movie DVDs.
You can send notes of encouragement.
You can make homemade pillowcases and send them so the troops can sleep "on a little bit of home".
There is plenty you can do as one human being to another.

You can also continue to write to your state rep's and let them know your position on the war and which way you will be voting come election time.

As we have seen with the Vietnam veterans, the men and women that are serving over there deserve to be treated respect no matter what are position on the war is.

best line from a t.v. show
I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight with my life for your right to say it.

Answer 9

I disagree..

If you don't support what people like myself go over there to do, regardless of who asks us to do it, then what do you really support? We all appreciate the fact that you want us home safe, and we would rather be home safe with our families, but when there is a job to do, having American support for our mission is just as important, if not more, than supporting who we are.

This war against terrorist thugs is a test of wills. It is extremely important that we have the stamina it takes to fight and finish a war. If we do not learn from our lessons from Vietnam, our national security and this nation of ours is greatly at risk. Our enemies are watching.

If you dislike President Bush, and you do not like the way he has handled going to war, fine.. but remember who's getting the job done in Iraq and Afghanistan and have faith so that we can all come home safe.

Answer 10

Yes, absolutely you can. Although I disagree with you, I respect your right to feel this way. Lots of people do. As a former Marine who saw combat I also think that anyone who doesn't support the war SHOULD STILL SUPPORT THE TROOPS. To feel otherwise would be shameful and un-American.