Why do military folks believe...?

Question

Why do military folks believe that people who are anti-violence and anti-war unpatriotic? Furthermore, why do they believe that if you don't love "Dubya" that you are unpatriotic? Why do military people profess their intelligence when they say things like "you are a tard"? Which was sent to me from a fellow who has been in the military for 7 years. I understand that military people often come from the lower socio-economic parts of our populace, but why do they try to pretend they are the best and the brightest when really they are trained to not think for themselves, and are fed slop information and propoganda from a maddeningly conservative administration? If you are unable to respond with an honest, thought out explaination, please, atleast keep your drivel to a minimum.

If any of my assumptions were unfounded then I apologize. I also apologize for making generalizations. I was speaking from my perspective only. However, I posed genuine questions and what I received was name calling; to me that is not a good way to defend your point or help people understand you better.

I also consider it unfair to assume that because I type a message on Yahoo, some of you think I do nothing for my country. Aren’t I a patriot for trying to make positive change in my world and for loving my country? I am an honorable person, and I wouldn’t call YOU an IDIOT (even if I thought it true) because we disagree on something. This dialogue is a great way to close gaps and learn to understand differences better.

Kudos to those who responded with thought and respect despite obvious differences in opinions: jbtascam, Mr. PhD, Brendon, Artistic Prof.

No, I will dye my beard in November before the Seahawks game. And yes I have tried some of the veggie chicken, but it's not as good as the real thing. Thanks for asking.

Answer 1

As a former Military Folk myself and a Veteran I can assure you that this Veteran looks at those who are anti-violence/anti-war as true Americans. If we believe that anyone who speaks their mind, who is only practicing the freedoms that American guarantees is UnPatriotic, then what is it that we are fighting for.

Answer 2

First of all you are making a lot of Generalizations here.

1.Don’t say all Military Folks (People). That is like saying all stupid Anti-War Anti-Military people.
2.You are saying Anti-Violence and Anti-War, they are two different things. Not the same.
3.It is not that many of us think Anti-War are unpatriotic, what we do think is that people who protest against the military are unpatriotic, and some of those people are waving Anti-War flags. The reason we think they are unpatriotic is cause they are protesting and bashing the brave men and women of this country that provide there freedom for them, and that is not Anti-War that is Anti-Military, which is different. And if they were smart they would know that the Government not the Military starts wars. We simply serve the current Government in an attempt to protect the country.
4.Not all military people like “Dubya” (Bush). But part of our job in the Military is to stand behind the Office of the President.
5.As the “you are a tard” remark, it is a thing some military people say, but do not confuse slag for a lack of intelligence. For your information military people come from all over the world and are made up of people with many different back grounds and educations. We not only have class room education, but real world experience, that comes from war and peace. Many people in the Military not only have a college degree, but some of us have Master’s and PhD’s.
6.Before you go around bashing military people you need to remember something. These people that you are calling mindless are the very people that give their lives and souls for the freedoms you enjoy. Freedoms like the First Amendment that gives you the right to free speech, and without them you would not have such rights. So before you go bashing them, remember were real war comes from and attack the right people, not the innocent man or woman looking to make your life better. And the next time you see a soldier I hope that instead of looking at him in disgust you walk and thank them for the providing you with the good life you live.

Answer 3

Q: "Why do military folks believe that people who are anti-violence and anti-war unpatriotic?"

Because the saddest thing in this world are those people who have nothing for which they would risk their livelihood to protect. the day I view my world as one in which there is nothing worth dying for is the day i would want to die.

Q: "Furthermore, why do they believe that if you don't love "Dubya" that you are unpatriotic?"

no military person professes this. We do not, however, appreciate those who say stupid things like "i'm moving to canada," and whatnot. It's okay to vote the other half, it's not okay to be anti american because you're a sore loser (and no, i'm not a republican or a democrat... or any political party for that matter)

Q: "Why do military people profess their intelligence when they say things like "you are a tard"? Which was sent to me from a fellow who has been in the military for 7 years."

maybe because at the collegiate level ROTC students generally acheive an average GPA of 0.5 higher than their civilian counterparts while maintaining a much higher level of technical rather than soft degrees. On the enlisted side, nearly all career enlisted have their degree (can you say that about the general american populace?). Many also have a masters if not a doctorates. One of the cheifs in my Sq has two doctorates. Insofar as militaries go, the US military is the most educated force the world has ever seen.

Q: "I understand that military people often come from the lower socio-economic parts of our populace"

you understand incorrectly. the overwhelming majority of the military comes directly from the working middle class.

Q: "but why do they try to pretend they are the best and the brightest when really they are trained to not think for themselves, and are fed slop information and propoganda from a maddeningly conservative administration?"

why do people continually insult us with the thought that we're not trained to think for ourselves, or that we're some mad propaganda driven machine. i read the same newspaper and watch the same news television YOU do. I was trained to think critically, to solve problems, to address moral and philosophical issues as well as tactical problems. You'll never meet a drone in the actual military.

Q: "If you are unable to respond with an honest, thought out explaination, please, atleast keep your drivel to a minimum"

if you're unable to ASK with an honest, thought out explanation, please keep YOUR drivel to a minimum

Answer 4

"I understand that military people often come from the lower socio-economic parts of our populace"

Wrong. Recruiting demographics show that recruits tend to come from the middle-class more than anywhere else. The "poor" being the bulk of the millitary is an elitist myth.

"why do they believe that if you don't love 'Dubya' that you are unpatriotic?"

Because, for all the talk from Democrats about believing in "free speach," and 40 years they had in power, they never removed the criminal penalty that active-duty millitary personnel receive for criticizing the "Commander In Chief." As a matter of fact, some were prosecuted while Clinton was in office for actually voicing their total disgust with him.

"when really they are trained to not think for themselves"

Another myth. If you want to talk about armies that were trained to "only follow orders," look to the Wermacht. The Germans, had they been allowed to think for themselves and take risks, would have kicked our butts on D-Day. The American Army is so successful because risk-taking and creative thinking are recognized and rewarded.

"Why do military folks believe that people who are anti-violence and anti-war unpatriotic?"

They don't. They think that people who give aid and comfort to the enemy are unpatriotic. And people who monday-morning quarterback all the time, without ever having lifted a finger to do otherwise, are doing just that - aiding and comforting the enemy.

"maddeningly conservative administration?"

What has the administrations conservativeness got to do with anything? We have the President the American People elected - claims by the left to the contrary notwithstanding. And if you honestly ask conservatives how they feel about Bush, you will find they believe him to be "maddeningly AWOL on most conservative issues."

Answer 5

I'm only going to reply to your additional details since so many have already stated GREAT replies to your main question. Yes, you did generalize and that's about as unfair as it gets. I also, don't think you would have done it unless you wanted this kind of reaction and attention. I think what you didn't count on was so many well educated military personel to reply. I think you wanted more civilians like you to chime in and toot your horn. However, you got the opposite from some very educated, mindful, smart military people. If you truly didn't mean to generalize and you want to bridge some sort of gap, I suggest you take the info you got from posting this question and repeat it. We're not brainwashed nor ignorant nor poor. People like you can make changes for the better.

As for being called a "tard", I don't know what provoked it. It is a word used often on Y! Answers. Perhaps, the military person that did it was just fed up. We're bad mouthed on here on a daily basis. It doesn't make it right to do it, but maybe he simply was tired of seeing crap. It's so easy for people to remember that the military ensures the freedoms and rights of America remain here. In fact, look closely, that question is asked at least once a day....why do the military think they ensure our freedom.

I'm proud of my husband for serving. It's an honor to be the wife of a soldier. I feel he's earned some respect, but that's often forgotten by many. Just remember, if you want respect, it has to be earned. Your actions and words are how you earn that respect. So, if you've learned anything today from this question, earn some of that respect and next time you see someone insulting the military on here, post what you've learned.

Answer 6

OK--Lets say all I believe all civilian folk are ignorant and Wal-Mart breeding idiots. That's not true is it? Don't categorize all "military folk"--on anyone for that matter. I don't think "Dubya" is very smart. I don't think it make a person unpatriotic if they anti-violence and anti-war. I am anti-violence and anti-war. As for pretending to be the best and brightest--I can agree, some military personnel aren’t the best or brightest. What you failed to mention is that most personnel most people don't claim to be. They aren't trained to become yuppies for the government--but they are trained to do their jobs. They are trained just like the guy who works at Blockbuster. You wouldn't fail to do your job just because you didn't like the movie "Titanic" or porn, would you?

Here's the dictionary's definition of patriotic for you (in case you don't understand the word):

Patriot--somebody who proudly supports or defends his or her country and its way of life

Does that in anyway say you have to support the administration? No. Does that in anyway mean you have to support the countries ideal of democracy? Yes. Do you have to support war? No. The definition speaks for it's self--hopefully you aren't ignorant--and can read at least a definition and understand it.

I support the troops and the idea of democracy for this country but do not support the war or president. Is that unpatriotic? No.

You need to stop generalizing all people and start looking at people as individuals.

What’s funny is my husband and father defend ingrates like you. What’s funny is you are too ignorant to see what is laid out for you--don’t you have it easy? Working a no end job--with possibly great pay. You don’t have to do anything for this country but sit at your desk and write about how horrible it is. How unpatriotic is that?

Answer 7

We Americans are anti-violent and anti-war. We cherish life and peace. We prefer to resolve conflicts with intelectual manuvers rather than physical force. It's always the preferred solution. It's the intelectual solution. Unfortunately, we're not dealing with intelectuals. This is a problem. They do not respond to sophistry or reason. They are religiously and fanatically opposed to the filthy free press they see coming from America and are not willing to compromise their commitment to destroy democracy anywhere and impose a radical moslem theocracy. They would rather kill than talk. They would rather murder innocents than compromise. They have been doing this for nearly a half century. We have been tolerant for too long allowing them to spread their propaganda and plan their attacks on democracy and on the innocent. The attack on 9-11 made it personal and it signalled the nature of the world today. We are no longer protected by the ocean. In this transportation and information age we cannot afford to sit idly by and wait for it to happen again. We must be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to destroy the enemy not out of hate, but only because we demand security and they will accept no other compromise.

Traditionally the grunts in the military didn't need a lot of education. However, this has changed dramatically in recent years. The military is a very sophisitcated department. It is very technical, very demanding, and more and more selective. It requires fewer soldiers to do a job because of such sophistication and thus they can turn away a lot more soldiers today than in years past. The "a soldier of one" recruiting campaign points out that one man can do what whole platoons did during WWII. So I'd say that the intelligence level of soldiering is much more demanding (there are other reasons too numerous to outline here). Men will die in this cause because, thankfully, they are willing to take the risk for you and I. They are volunteers that understand that liberty and freedom are precious values. We Americans have always been willing to die for them because our ancesters knew what it was like to be without them.

With regard to patriotism, don't be so hard on those that resent your lack of enthusiasm. Being unpatriotic is a lot like not having school spirit. If you aren't willing to get up and cheer, the players may become disheartened and lose the game. War is a far more serious matter, but so is your freedom of speech. Use it, but be informed. Leaving too soon can be just as consequential as leaving too late.

Answer 8

You want to talk about intelligence? You're implying that every person in the Military, based of your experience with a few, claim to have the beliefs you listed in your posting. You didn't say "Why do SOME Military folks", you said "Why do Military folks". That is extremely ignorant to assume that you can know the personality and belief's of every service member in the Armed Forces.
You can always tell people like you who know absolutely nothing about the Military. It's funny that you think these men and women are trained to not think for themselves, and that they join because they are undereducated, or come from poor families. You may want to do some research before to make comments on something you know nothing about. You're the one coming off ignorant and uneducated.

Answer 9

Hey Opie, read the responses I got from my 40,000 Military question. People are real touchy when it comes to these things. I've been called things I didn't even know I was. It's what makes the world go round . I don't think you should , however, lump all military people in a certain light. There are probably many who are doing what they have to do even if they don't agree with it because they have made that committment and those are the ones who will mentally suffer the greatest.

Answer 10

the protection stress isn't given propaganda. And certain, we've self belief in what we are doing. the mission with maximum individuals is they don't see the different aspect of the warfare that we do. the files would not opt for you to work out that. you do not see the Iraqi's embracing the warriors. you do not see the youngsters going to college that not in any respect did earlier. you do not see females freely strolling the streets. you do not see human beings being allowed to vote. you do not see so significantly better. certain, the shortcoming of yankee lives is difficult to take, in spite of the indisputable fact that it really is the pastime they signed as a lot as do. it really is not any longer only "taking orders". it is your pastime. you could't connect and have self belief you'll not in any respect bypass to warfare. you're incorrect about the final public no longer desiring us there. the final public DO opt for us there. The insurgents are the minority and are being supported by skill of Syria and Iran. we are doing an outstanding pastime at preserving them to a minimum volume. we are struggling with for a valid reason. possibly you and different individuals would like it got here about on American soil again, like WTC?? there have been WMD's. there became and is a reason. Saddam became a terrorist. Bush is not any warmonger, yet he has his beliefs. there is not any longer some thing incorrect with that. it really is better suited than previous presidents who've decrease the protection stress right down to no longer some thing and enable different international places take income human beings like the united statesCole and the WTC the first time. a minimum of Bush helps the troops and believes in them truly of slicing them down. If that did not answer your question, certain, we've self belief Bush because the right intentions in Iraq. supply up believing each and each of the biased information comments and propaganda that his warring parties are putting obtainable. there's a reason and maximum, yet no longer all i'm confident, have self belief in it or they does no longer connect. All this of direction is a my personal opinion. Others will supply theirs. in spite of the indisputable fact that, i'm no longer a brainwashed chum and do have my opinion.

Answer 11

It could be how we're raised, we just think that once the leadership says "go in" that we deserve the respect and support of the general populace when we go. But ultimately, loyalty is a two-way street. If administrations keep sending us out on half-baked missions, and keep playing fast and loose with the Constitution, one day the mission might be the administration itself. The military oath is to the Constitution, NOT to the administration.

The closest we've ever come to a US mititary coup was back in the 1930s, when Smedley Butler was asked to lead 500,000 veterans into DC to arrest Roosevelt and install a new government. His response was classic Marine: "If you do that, then I'll raise 500,000 more veterans, come down to DC and kick your a**."

A Congressional inquiry was started, but the contact guy turned up dead (big surprise!) so it never went anywhere.

So, I guess by way of answer - nations are formed and preserved
by the military, not by debate teams. Military people think differently, and care less about incidentals than results. But I can tell you that an awful lot of senior military people despise this current bunch of idiots in the Capitol. They are relying on you people to vote them out, but won't say so because, rightly or wrongly, they feel it would encourage our enemies to do so.