Isn't it a contradiction to say you "support the troops," but then beat up on someone who served?

Question

I'm tired of the misrepresentation of Kerry. We judge him harshly because he is smart and "should know better" and never misspeak.

But he is still a veteran, and that makes Kerry bashing hypocritical.

If anything good came of this, it brought us back to discussing the Iraq war. Good for Democrats, Bad for Republicans.

Tami oh - remarks like that make you a poster child for the Republicans. Us Libs love it when you talk trash!

Answer 1

You make an excellent point. Unfortunately, I know that my answer will be followed by several others justifying their issues with Kerry because they have a problem with something he did while in the service.
Sad really. The reality is, you are right. Support your troops, means just that, support them. If you don't agree with their politics, than don't agree, but to bash someone that went to a very ugly war, and proudly represented this country is just wrong. I am sure that there are a number of current service members that have a different political view than I do, but that doesn't mean that I am going to do anything other than support them.
I find it continually ridiculous that if Kerry "misspeaks" it is a national tragedy, but when Bush "misspeaks" on a daily basis, it is the "liberal media's" fault for exploiting his words. whatever.

Answer 2

Good point, but I think when people say we should support the troops, it's referred to the war effort in general. Specific veterans -- perhaps even those in public office -- are still taken to task, for individual comments. And in this case, a comment directed at current personnel serving in Iraq. I think Kerry should just go home and keep quiet until December.

The GOP is riding Kerry's remarks like a fly riding a poop down a sewer.....they are desperate to embellish any remark into a campaign against the Democrats, given this administration's poor ratings and flagging support for Republicans.

Answer 3

Republicans are grabbing at straws.

The truth is those who have served have the greatest right to speak out. Oftentimes they are seen as traitors by the families of the dead soldiers and other veterans because no one likes to hear that a war is unnecessary or being run the wrong way when they've shed blood over it. When a veteran DOES speak out, we should listen. They know the price of their speech and how they'll be hated by other veterans. They still choose to do it because the war is wrong.

Cindy Sheehan is a grieving mother. She's found an audience because she is saying what so many people believe--we should not be in Iraq. Our kids shouldn't be there.

Answer 4

And it's a shame John Kerry was the only Swift Boat vet to ONLY SERVE 4 MONTHS . He gave himself a self-inflicted BANDAID wound then took a leave to attend meetings with communists-and lie like hell about his fellow troops. He's made a career on using soldiers for political gain. Then and now . He commits treason on national TV . Bashing is too good for that traitor. He needs to be held accountable in a court of law . Kerry is the only US senator who is now being honored on a North Vietnamese War Museum for helping them win the Vietnam War AGAINST AMERICANS . What part of that do you not understand ? Kerry teamed with Michael Moore during his bid for Pres. , to personally contact parents of dead soldiers -to put them on the payroll-days after their loved ones died-to help him win an election . Now, once again , he slanders our troops in harms way , right before an election he isn't even running in .For "the party" .Kerry beats up on those who serve . He personally caused fellow troops to suffer extra years -some as long as 6 + years , and unbelievable torture because of his slander to his fellow troops. Those men took out a lawsuit last mo. in PA. to make Kerry come clean . He has been using big guns to silence those real , decorated war heroes . Kerry is beneath contempt .

Answer 5

I agree, I'm not a big fan of Kerry but he did serve and it was dangerous duty on those gunboats. It's also true what you say that his remarks have brought attention to the war in Iraq.

Answer 6

Sorry just because he served, it does not excuse his horrible actions and words, After returning home from the war, his actions against our military were not excusable.

No it makes Kerry a hypocrite wanting to be respected for serving and then being disrespectful for our military.

And no, Kerrys remark will most likely cost the control of at least one house and most likely both of them

Answer 7

It was unfortunate for Kerry. He is not a comedian and should not try acting like one. Of course the Repug's who will not support the troops with the needed items and personnel to do the job make fun of Kerry but this is what chicken hawks do best.

Answer 8

I don't think we know what it means to "support the troops". We think putting a $3.00 yellow ribbon on the back of a car constitutes support for the troops. We think a first grade class sending pictures to Iraq is support for the troops. Some think Bush supported the troops when he sent body armor to them months and months after he sent them to war. Some think he supports our troops by not allowing their flag draped caskets being photographed when their bodies are returned home.

Bush has not asked the American public to make a single sacrifice for the American troops. We are not even paying for the war. Bush has borrowed the money to pay for it thereby obligating our children to support the troops. Our troops and their families been left to support themselves.

Answer 9

IS IT A CONTRADICTION TO SAY WE SUPPORT THE TROOPS BUT NOT TAKE CARE OF RECENT VETERANS
SUCH AS SPENDING 4 YEARS IN WORKING WITH EXPLOSIVES OLD STYLES ONES BUT YET GIVING NO APPRENTICESHIP TO THEM BECAUSE THIER JOB DOES NOT CARRY OVER TO THE CIVILIAN WORLD EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE WORK EXPIRENCE THE WAY I SEE IT A LITTLE BASHING IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH IRAQ WAR GOOD FOR DEMOCRATES. BAD FOR REPUBLICANS WORSE FOR TROOPS

Answer 10

That bumper sticker needst to be changed to say "Support our OOPS!"

I like how they support our troops by caring for mothers of dead American soldiers like Cindy Sheehan by doing character assassinations in the press.