Can you hate the war yet love the warrior?

Question

There's a lot of debate as to whether people who oppose the war in Iraq, in fact, can truly support the troops. I believe you can but am obviously interested in other people's takes on the matter, from all sides of the political aisle.

Answer 1

Speaking as a Soldier, I sure hope you can. I know that there are many folks out there who feel that all Soldiers are warmongers who only want to go and kill and fight. But for many of us, that isn't the case. Soldiers (and this likely goes for all branches, not just the Army) join so that they can be a part of something that is historically honorable, noble, and disciplined. Not everyone can be a servicemember. It takes a definite commitment to a particular way of life. Unfortunately, part-and-parcel to that way of life is the fact that when our government calls us to duty, we have to go whether we like the reasoning behind it or not. That is not to say that Soldiers don't have choices. We do. Some Soldiers have disgraced our ranks and performed heinous acts against enemy POW's like at the Ahgraib prison. But, part of our oath is that we will follow the "lawful orders of those appointed over" us. A lawful order means that it abides by all of the rules of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the rules set forth by the Geneva Convention.

Whether our government lied to get us into this war or it was simply as really dumb judgement call by the leadership is a subject that will likely be debated well into the future. But, in the here and now our servicemen and women are far from home and in dangerous territory. Please support them. They support you.

Answer 2

I've been wrestling with this question myself lately. I cannot truthfully say I 'support' the troops in Iraq, because I do not support their current mission. But at the same time, I am well aware that they enlisted based on the ideal of 'defending' us and have been trained to follow orders, no matter how unreasonable the orders are. But what people seem to forget is that if you use that rationale, you have to support the enemy troops too... after all, they're also just following orders and doing what they have been told is right.

So, no, I can't personally 'support the troops' in a war I consider unjust, but that does NOT mean I hate them or wish they'd die or think they're evil or any of that silly nonsense either. In fact, I would like to see them go home to their families and engage in peaceful pursuits until such time as they are actually needed for defense of our homeland.

Even more, I want to see the human race evolve to a point where physical warfare is not necessary. (Idealistic, I know.)

Answer 3

Hating the war while loving the warrior shows an inconsistency and ignorance of reality.

That's like saying you like all the players on a football team, but you don't want them to win or even play any football games. By hating the war, you are degrading the warriors who believe in fighting for freedom.

I seriously doubt anyone really likes war. Many see it as a necessary evil that must exist in order to preserve freedom. Obviously we can't let evil socialist dictators take over and enslave innocent law-abiding citizens, so there are times when we have to fight the enemy. And that's war.

So I could never hate war, yet I don't like it one bit.

As for the warriors; if they are honorable then it's easy to love them. They stand for what keeps us free to pursue happiness. Both recruitment and reenlistment are up at incredible rates and it's not just middle and lower class who go into the military. These are extremely intelligent people who see a real purpose in military service and I greatly admire every one of them for both their dedication as well as their sacrifices that keep the rest of us here at home safe and free.

And by the way, wishing to bring the troops home may sound nice, but most of the troops like what they're doing and wish to stay. And supporting enemy troops is nonsense, since they want innocent people to die.

Answer 4

Those heroic men and women are simply doing the job they were sent to do.
To love the warrior is the precise reason for opposing the war in Iraq.

Answer 5

straightforward clarification for the unfairness. Jews have been builders of society for one thousand years. They understand they earn extra money and stay extra effective in a solid society. Being unfavourable places them in threat. do you realize how many circumstances Jews have been blamed for riots, unexplained ailments and undesirable luck? they do no longer could do any of those issues. in actuality, they bypass out of their thank you to help cities build civic works like hospitals and swimming pools because of the fact a wealthy city is extra effective for them. people who include the Muslim faith are militant at their middle. They see no longer something incorrect in destroying stuff and human beings to get their message for the period of. The radicals do it. The extra knowledgeable Muslims attempt to no longer harm their reason by doing it. Any faith committed to supporting civilization and order is powerful in the eyes of world leaders. those religions that condone killing civilians and tearing down civilization are undesirable. it particularly is all they care approximately. Order v. chaos.

Answer 6

Of course you can. I hate the war, but have a deep sense of gratitude for the ones who joined our military and pledge to do whatever they had to to protect our country. How can you not love our troops? God Bless each and everyone of the them!

Answer 7

oh yeah its possible. many of the troops over in iraq don't agree with the war but they feel it's their job and their duty to go and fight. and there's nothing more honorable than seeing a man in uniform. ;)

Answer 8

Of course!!! I support every man and woman in our Military, whether they are in Iraq or not.... just because I don't necessarily agree with the war doesn't mean I don't care about or respect all of our soldiers

Answer 9

Of course! The poor troops are out there risking their lives to try to fix the screw-ups of the Bush Administration. I feel so bad for them to be honest.

Answer 10

i think it depends on the person...there were many people who were against the Vietnam war...but it was mostly liberals who spit at them when they came back...other didn't talk about it...