If you're 18 to 25, and support the war in Iraq, why aren't you there?

Question

I'm really not trying to be sarcastic. Isn't it a real test of how much you really believe in a cause to consider whether other people are doing your fighting for you?

Doesn't it feel just a *little* bit wrong when you are berating "liberals" with phrases like "support our troops!" or "stay the course!" while sitting in your living room with a beer and a laptop?

Don't you feel a little bit like ... well ... just a cheerleader?

Brad M ... yes, I understand your point of the volunteer army. My point is more about the "rah, rah" attitude that "supporting our troops" means supporting the war, while people who oppose the war do not "support our troops."

To me, as a civilian, supporting our troops means ensuring that their missions are both necessary, and short.

I should not, in good conscience, ask other people to do things on my behalf that I would not do myself.

There has to be a standing volunteer army of ready for a quick deployment. That's what they signed up for. But when these guys, after a year-long tour, are being required to stay longer because nobody wants to take their place (recruitment is down), then it is a rotten deal that they did *not* sign up for. At that point, I find the "stay the course" attitude by people who don't have to deal with what that really means for a soldier on his third tour dodging sniper fire in Fallujah, just a bit too cozy.

I'm talking about an attitude. Yes, I understand that you may be disabled, or have some reason you cannot be there.

What I am trying to say is that a responsible American should still act, behave, vote, speak as if YOU were the one who had to be there. Or your son ... or spouse, or brother, or sister. I'm quite sure that if you really did think that way, that most people would be far less willing to denigrate people who want to bring the troops home, as advocating "cut and run." If you don't act like it is YOUR life, or someone you care about, on the line, then you can't really say that you are "supporting our troops."

Answer 1

This question is such nonsense.
We have a volunteer army whose choice it is to have a career in the military and are now finding out that that career means actually fighting, and that it's not just a free college education.
We should be supporting them.

Your question would have validity if our military were made up of conscripts and there were people trying to weasel out of that conscription, whilst at the same time cheering the war effort.

*additional*

This sh*t in Iraq as dragged on for as long as it has because of the USA's boy-scout approach to the whole thing.
Want to end it quickly and minimise US casualties? Do the logical thing and institute a scorched Earth policy in the Middle East and kill as many Arabs as possible. They're animals, anyway, so the civilized world won't miss them.

Answer 2

It is because they are there that you have freedom here. I believe in airline travel but would not fly myself. I am afraid of great heights. That does not make me any better or worse than those who choose to fly. However, those brave enough to get on a plain after 911 have my respect. Some are just braver than others. They knew that to acquire the benefits from the military that there was the risk of b going into battle. Nobody made them sign up for the military. I chose to drive a car though I could be in an unforeseen accident. It did occur which resulted in my permanent disability. With reward comes risk. Do I regret my decision to drive that night? No! The fact that the other driver took the action that caused the accident is what I regret.

Answer 3

I am the mother of a 21 year old Marine currently stationed in Fallujah. He has been blown up twice. Do I support the war?...no, Do I support the troops...yes. I support my son's decision to do what he feels is right even though I may not agree. I raised him to stand for what he believes in. I can't complain now because he is following his own conscience.

Answer 4

Your proper to invite your query used to be granted underneath the directions of the US Constitution. And the rationale you have been ready to is ,easily the Army you have got selected to assault. Defends your rights to take action day-to-day. Now Do I accept as true with what you have got published NO, But I need to grin and undergo it. For that's what a Professional Solider does. We bear in mind the supply and transfer ahead. At No time in my excursions in Afghanistan or Iraq did I ever see anyone together with your ideals main the cost. to leap into the core of the frey with the intention to talk and Champion the purpose of the ones you present to hold forth for. I do nevertheless see your taking at the purpose, sitting in the back of a laptop monitor 1000s of miles clear of bee stings whizzing round your head. Keep your attempt alive and we will be able to maintain to come up with the money for you the proper to ruin our morale. and embolden the enemy and we will be able to simply maintain to smile and undergo it,.

Answer 5

Good question. I think because they are rich and doesn't need to go to war. Maybe being a cheerleader is what they really want to be in this kind of situation. I don't blame them, I don't want to go to war either. Oh by the way, I don't support the war.

Answer 6

Probably for much the same reasons nobody in congress has a child in Iraq. (Unless Webb - the Democrat, by the way - gets elected in Virginia. He'll be the only one.)

Answer 7

Those are the liberal doofus.

Answer 8

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