Someone I know is for the war in Iraq,but doesn't want their enlisted son-in-law soldier to GO to Iraq?

Question

Your thoughts on this-if you have any.

Answer 1

I think people are being to harsh. First, I am for a lot of things, but that doesn't mean I would want to do them (or have a loved one do them). For example, I am all for police departments have bomb squads, but I wouldn't want my daughter to be a member of it.

I am for the war on terror, but as a parent, I would be anxious as hell if one of my kids joined the military to go to Iraq. I don't think this a hypocritical position, both are consistent with my personal values. I think it is important to defeat terrorism and Islamic extremist in Iraq or the problem is likely to get worse. Consider that every time the US has pulled out of a war before it was successfully completed, Somalia, Viet Nam, Korea it has turned into a disaster for us and for those countries. Consider every time we win a war, the country that we beat becomes a thriving democracy, Germany, Japan, Italy, Grenada.

On the other hand I would not be happy if one of my children got in harms way. I would be proud if one of my children chose to serve, but I am not sure it would make me happy.

Answer 2

War is like any government program, people love to talk about it in theory, just don't bother them with the details.

It is not their son-in-law's head being shot off; it is the head of some kid from South Central Los Angeles whose name they will never know. It is not their son-in-law's dead body being dragged through the streets of some Third World stink hole they had never heard of when they enlisted; it is the dead body of some coal miner’s son from West Virginia whose name they will never know.

Once they start to realize that it could be their son-in-law, they may change their opinion.

Most of the pundits, politicians and policymakers who promote and vote for America’s troop presence in 130 countries, as well as the Iraq war have never served one day in the military. Dick Cheney is a classic example. While those less fortunate and well-connected than he were doing the “getting-shot-at thing” in Vietnam, the young Mr. Cheney “had other priorities.” There is a black wall in Washington, DC, with 58,000 names on it. Most of these folks “had other priorities”, too.

addendum:
I don't recall the asker saying that the son-in-law was conservative, just a soldier. This "cowardly liberal" is a vet. There are a lot of us. Michael Moore is a fat Canadian. I wouldn't want him fighting for our freedom.

Supporting the military is not a liberal/conservative thing, it is an American thing. Support for the war, however, can usually be drawn along party lines.

Answer 3

Well, It's one of the contradictions this war engenders.

I do agree with some Dems and Michael Moore types that if the Bush twins or sons and daughters of Congressmen would have to go, there would be a lot more thought put into invading other people's countries!

Answer 4

Its called a double standard. I know someone that wants the military there too but not her son. It exemplifies people that lack the convictions of their statements and are probably morally bankrupt.

Whether you're for or opposed to the war, the troops deserve the support of the American people. Afterall, troops have to follow legal orders. If you disagree with the basis of the conflict, let you elected leaders know.

Answer 5

That's normal. My husband is US Army, and even though I'm not "against" the war, I still wouldn't want him to have to go. I didn't want our friends to have to go, either. Who would want their own family members and friends to be put in danger?
A friend of my husband's and mine just got back from Iraq, actually, and the whole time he was gone, I used to tease his wife (who was and is very much for the war) that she was only against the war while her husband was there.
It's sort of like when there's a car accident, and someone you don't know at all is involved. Does it really affect you? Sure, it might be sad, but it doesn't really affect a person directly.
It's the same with war. However, even having friends there didn't change my opinion (or lack of it, lol, I'm not really "for" or "against" the war.). I just didn't want them there.
I hope this answers your question.

Answer 6

I wouldn't want my son-in-law to go, either, but I'd send him packing since he chose to be a soldier. I don't support the war in Iraq, but I do support the folks my country sends there. People don't join armies to go to war, they join to represent and defend their country. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, but few of them "want" to go to war.

Answer 7

Well I see some people saying "hypocritical conservatives".

That may be the case, but at least they're brave enough to join the military, unlike "cowardly liberals" who want their freedom, but don't want to fight for it. (See Michael Moore)

By the way, for the question...the son-in-law should sit down with his mother-in-law and explain to her that eh joined the military of his own free will and understood that there's a chance that he might have to fight and die for his country. Emphasis on "his choice to join".

Answer 8

Unfortunately, they have absolutely no say in the matter whether their son-in-law goes to Iraq.

But it is hypocracy, that they are for the war, just don't send anyone I know.

Answer 9

Then I guess they really aren't in favor of the war, if you can call it that. If they aren't willing for their own to die there, then the cause must not be that important to them. They want everyone else's son and daughter to go and die for whatever reason is given for our presence there this week. It's real easy to be in favor of something until you have to be personally involved.

Answer 10

Then that person is NOT for the war. Talk is very cheap... until the opportunity arises to back that cheap talk up.