What is wrong with you people?

Question

Ok, that was very broad, and I did that on purpose to get you attention. :)
I'm curious to know how it's possable to not support the war or our government, but to support the troops. As a veteran of the Iraq war and a newly re-enlisted soldier in the Army, I don't see the middle ground.

If this doesn't apply to you, you know who you are. So don't respond.

Answer 1

I wonder this and have tried to answer questions like this in the past. My first issue is the idiots who say we follow the Commander in Chief blindly or that we're brainwashed. It's funny how when they have no other explanation, they fall back on that. Personally, I think the American public are the ones brainwashed. They think because it's on the news or written about in some biased propaganda rag that it's true. They have NO idea what's really happening in Iraq. You see it on here all the time. You have soldiers in Iraq answer questions about what we're doing there or what we've accomplished and they'll literally call them liars. The people in the military know what they're fighting for. Yes, some have become disillusioned. It's no wonder with the way the general public has handled this war and with their reactions. But to call military persons liars because they see on a day to day basis what's happening is crazy.

I'm sorry, but I can't understand or see how you can support the troops but not the war. None of the reasons here make sense. Whether the American public likes it or not, war is what the military does in some form or the other. This war is being faught on foreign soil as opposed to our own. We haven't had another attack in America since we invaded Iraq. That alone says alot and doesn't take much thought. How can anyone NOT believe the military when they say the Iraqi's actually like us and want us there, yet believe a newspaper that says we're raping women and killing kids?? Does that make sense?? H*LL NO!! Now, Americans are comparing Iraq to Vietnam. They only reason they relate is because of the way they treat the military. You have no respect for the military if you can't support what they do and believe every lie that's printed about them.

The military is most often judged by people who have NO idea what a day in the life is like. They're judged by the people who's freedoms they protect.

Answer 2

Here is part of what I wrote several weeks ago in response to a very similar question.

I'll give it a go, even though I support the war in Iraq but not the way in which the campaign is being carried out. But I do know people who oppose the war in Iraq, think we shouldn't have gone, and still support the troops.

The troops are obeying legal orders. That is, the president has the authority to command that military troops go somewhere and take military action. And people in the military must obey orders which are not on their face to be illegal. (That is, if someone were ordered to shot an unarmed prisoner, that is against the code of conduct, and would be an illegal order). But, invading another country on the orders of the political leadership is not on it's face against military law.

Most people who oppose the war understand that the military is under the command of the president and that the members of the military must obey the commander-in-chief. So it is fairly simple to say that one thinks George Bush is a lying sack of poo poo but still have respect for the men and women in uniform.

There are ways in which to support the troops other than being a supporter of the war. Ensuring proper benefits for servicemen and their families, making sure good health care is available for those wounded in combat, and providing support for servicemen and their families in the local communities are all ways in which everyone can support the members of the military without actually supporting the war.

Answer 3

I find it mind-boggling that anyone can't see the distinction, but I'll give it a try.

Let's use an example. It would be no different than supporting those in law enforcement yet disagreeing with some of the laws. I don't agree with many local, state, and federal laws, yet I'm still going to support those that work in law enforcement because they have to enforce the law whether or not I agree with it, they agree with it, or anybody else agrees with it.

Another example: I may not support the No Child Left Behind program for public schools, yet I'm still going to support the teachers that are bound by its guidelines.

Geez, I could give so many applicable analogies here............

No different than the fact that I didn't support the current administrations' decision to invade Iraq. However, I do, and always will, support our troops. They don't have really have a choice in the matter, so therefore I'm going to support them. Doesn't mean I have to support our government and its' decisions on how they use our troops.

I've found that those that don't understand the difference are those that are hard-line supporters of the Bush administration and don't want to hear any dissent. Therefore, when they hear that somebody supports the military, yet doesn't support the decision to invade Iraq, they simply decide not to believe it, because they see it as an attack on Bush and his administration. It seems as if our schools are doing a terrible job at teaching people how this country was founded. The founding fathers *expect* the people to disagree and dissent, it's what prevents a democracy from becoming a totalitarian/authoritarian regime. Blindly supporting one's government without question means that you're part of the problem.

There have been so many perfectly good, logical, reasonable answers so far I hope you don't ignore them.

No offense, but If I have to explain the difference between the two (and it is a clear, unambiguous distinction), then somebody probably isn't intelligent enough to grasp it.

Answer 4

I'd first like to say I am for the war, and for our troops. That said... It is rather easy to be FOR the troops, but against the Gov. You see, it was the government's decision to send the troops there. The troops are simply doing their duty. They do as their leaders order them to do, and that is one of the reasons a military works well. If the troops were left to decide whether or not to follow orders, then all you have is an armed mob.

There is a very clear line drawn between our troops and the government. While I served, I and many of my comrades, were very upset with the government (Clinton). Actually, we hated him. But we still did as we were ordered. We did not support him and we despised his tactics. But hey, that's life in the military... as I'm sure you know. Sometimes you HAVE to do things that you don't WANT to do.

Answer 5

The war in Iraq is a very complicated issue, and since at this time the Bush administration can't even agree on what is the proper course of action, it is ridiculous to think that the general population would all agree. You see all the various opinions simply because WE DON'T KNOW what is the proper thing to do.

But to answer your question, I served in the Military in Vietnam, my daughter flies medical evacuation and will be back in Iraq (3 rd time) after the first of the year, and my grandson is stationed in Korea,,,,,, so just how much damn support do you want!!!!!!
BUT,,, I disagreed with the decision to go to Iraq in the first place,, and I still think it was wrong to have gone. But now we have the problem that since we broke it, it is our responsibility to fix it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I agree! None of it makes sense when people say that they support our troops but not the war. It's like they are giving our soldiers a slap in the face!

Answer 8

It is a fine line.

I am a Soldier and i disagree with the way we are handling the conflict in Iraq. I support the cause, just not the method. This does not take anything away from my support for my brothers and sisters in Iraq.

Some people that spew forth drivel about supporting the troops and not the war, have another answer somewhere damning the troops. They just jump the bandwagon and try to look supportive when they really hate everything we stand for.


The previous answers here are a good example of ignorance and left wing propaganda. They have them saying "innocent" civilians and a conflict for nothing. They don't know. They will never know, and truthfully, they don't want to know. Most have not even been there. Drivel...all of it.

Answer 9

I do not support the war and think that the West has created an hell for the people of Iraq.

However, I am sympathetic to the troops who are fighting this misguided conflict. I have been a member of the army reserve and my brother is presently in the army.

That I think the governments involved are in Iraq for the wrong reasons and are making a mass at the cost of many lives does not mean I wish any soldier any harm or ill will. That the lives of brave and honourable men and women are being carelessly and pointlessly risked is one reason I am so annoyed about the conflict.

Answer 10

It is a basic concept, people don't support the governments policies. As a soldier you cannot question the governments decisions, as a democratic society citizens can.
The majority of the general public will support the TROOPS as it is their sons, daughters, brother and sisters who make up their numbers. This does not mean they agree with the reasons you were sent there!