This question is for liberals. Do you support the troops?

Question

This not a question of whether we were right or wrong regarding invading Iraq, as I already know what the majority liberal opinion is on that question. This is a question about how many people will make statements like we don't support the war, but we support the troops. How can you support the troops if you do not support their mission? And especially for those who say we have already lost the war. How can you reasonably say you support the troops if you believe they are incapable of accomplishing their mission under any circumstances? My intention is not to bash you, I honestly see these statements as being contradictions of each other and would like to know how you justify your position.

Cherry_Blossom: I support the troops with absolute conviction. I have served my country and understand the dangers and challenges they face. Asking a question about contradictions on the part of liberals is not a disservice to the troops whatsoever. You see I believe without question that they can accomplish their mission.

yeah_but_we_all_are: You are a typical lost cause. Can't answer the question properly, just attack the asker. Apparently you cannot respect the fact that other people are allowed to have opinions which don't agree with yours unless their intelligence level is low. There are some great answers here from professed liberals, yours is just sad at best.

Cherry_Blossom: Kindlyy stop with the generalizations. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I an Independent Conservative and have voted for people in both parties. My question is not a denigration of other opinions. As stated I am curious about their opinions given criteria gleaned from answers from people calling themselves Liberal. It amazes that people say we never discuss issues, well I hate to tell this is an issue and it a legitimate question that many people are asking.

Further, I have not stated that anyone does not support the troops. I asked for an explanation regarding justification of their beliefs.

goddess: If you perceived offense I will be happy to apologize as it was not intended. Even if you said you did not support the troops at all I would not attack your patriotism. What I consider Patriot might be completely different than you, but neither us could be right or wrong as it is a matter of mindset based on worldview.

savageson7: What an interesting tirade. You know you probably have the potential to make some valid points, but since you choose instead the ignorant route of attacking rather than educating your points are not even worth considering. Try being civilized in your responses rather offensive and rude. Frankly your post just left me shaking my head thinking how sad it must be to be you.

Cherry_Blossom: Trust me I read evey word you posted and commented based on that content. You are still generalizing by bringing every other question on Yahoo Answers to bear to try and defend your position. Each question on Answers is a world onto itself.

Chørpchn: You are entitled to your opinion of course. However the question was not about my opinions. I was honestly looking for people to explain their opinions within the context of the question so I might better understand the way they are thinking on the matter. Several people did this, but several just chose to attack. Honest debate is about give and take. Sit in judgement if it makes you feel better, but your opinions regarding my understanding are neither correct, nor or they honest. It's just another attempt to discredit by dismissing that which you don't agree with. The sad part is that I thought you gave a good answer up to that point.

Answer 1

I support the troops but I do not support their presence in Iraq. I say this because I do not feel that they are properly equipped to be successful--- not in terms of numbers, budget, weaponry, and defensive items like proper body armor. This is not their fault. It is the fault of the higher-up military decision-makers and I do not support the decisions those folks have made. For the average soldier on the ground, I applaud their efforts and I support them, especially since they are doing a job that I myself would not want to do. The mission itself and the planning of that mission are seriously flawed but the folks engaged in day-to-day combat did not make those flawed plans and bad decisions.

That's how I can support the troops and not support the war itself.

Answer 2

Yes, I do support the troops. I support them by supporting efforts that will keep them ALIVE. Troops lives are not to be lost for a unclear undefined war agianst a horrible "idea" like terrorism. Terrorism is not even a country, it's an idea usually rooted from religious extreamism. Terrorism exsits in many countries even the USA. Look at OK City bombing. Additionally, I would only support wars baised on good intelligence.

When I was a military spouse (2000-2004), I was heartbroken that people voted Bush back in office. It was a slap in the face to me and the troops and the familise I loved. We would have to sacrafice even more for this stupid idea that somehow occuping Iraq was an effort to atack terrorism. From what my husband saw it made th Iraqi people resent Americans MORE! Holy crap, what are we doing out ther!?


*We can support the troops but question the policy.* It would be illogical to support any policy just because the president says it is so.
Our troops deserve real debate and understanding of credible intel. It is not supporting them to send them into a war without the right equiptment, without exahusing diplomacy etc..

My husband was in Iraq for a year. He was a head technology officer (he and 3 guys planned all the communications for the war) He met with some of the highest ranking in the military. This war was planned well before most of you are aware. There was NO intention to use diplomacy. We were going to war no matter how insane it was. Our family saw the REAL cost of this war. (My husband particulary) Most the troops want to come home. Most in confidence tell us they think is an unessary war.

Answer 3

I believe this war was ill-conceived, poorly planned(actually, don't see there was a plan), the reasons we were given were incorrect by any standard. I fully believe in and support the soldiers but they are not the ones able to make choices about strategy or whether we can "win" or "lose". I don't trust the administration(who made bad decisions, at a minimum) or intelligence(who gave us bad intelligence-why would we believe it's good now?) the generals to make the right decisions(so far, a plethora of bad decisons there, too). Our troops, yes-they follow orders and decisions completely out of their control.

1. I Support the troops.
2. I have completely lost trust for the administration, top brass in the military and our intelligence agencies

Answer 4

How can you not support someone who is thrown into danger and does not even ask why...but just does their duty, blindly and faithfully. Your mere question regardless of political affiliation is an insult to all past present and future soldiers.

I am non American, but as an outsider looking in it is a disgrace how one political party follower tells the other well you don't support or like the troops. That is a disservice to your fellow countrymen and women in and out of uniform. Because long before you were a Democrat or a Republican you were an American plain and simple. A thought that seems to be lost in the name calling mud slinging politics of today.

The name calling and bashing is a long standing tradition at YA, not specific to your question, but for the other 6 dozen times it has been asked, and why only single out Liberals. I mentioned both parties as both significant political parties are to blame, so there was no finger pointing, but then again maybe you should read a whole post not just skim!!!

Answer 5

I most certianly support the troops I believe the best thing you can do for them is get them home. To do this we should fire the president and get them out of a no win civil war. No soldier wants to be the last guy who gets killed for this lost cause. So if you really support the troops you will bring them home NOW!!!! Or if your a sadistic bastard you'll keep em there dying year after year for nothing except for the wishful thinking of the few true believers in this mess. So who really supports the troops you or the liberals and conservatives who want to cut our losses and come home.

Answer 6

This is a great question and very well written, and I think you are right.

How can you support the troops if you don't support what they are doing? It's like supporting your friend when they are robbing a bank. Now, I am NOT saying that the troops are equal to bank robbers, because I do believe they are doing some good. However, even though you like your friend, can you honestly support what they are doing?

Personally, I respect the troops. I find them to be very brave and I think everyone should respect them. After all, they do much more than just 'fight the enemy'. However, I can't say whether or not I support them or not.

Answer 7

I support the troops!!!!! and can also do that, as an American citizen, at the same time I do not support our current administration or the conflict in Iraq.

I hear people discount me all the time saying that the troops are fighting for my freedom - then they tell me I cannot hold an opinion different from theirs. That makes no sense to me.

SO though I feel no intentional disrespect from you with this question and your comments, the assumption that I am less patriotic then you is deeply insulting.

Answer 8

We have no choice..none .DUH ! RU on drugs? What exactly is a LIBERAL?

That is right.....reach for the dictionary...Liberal is a word not a stereotype.. it has a definition. but watch out..you might learn something. It is possible even if you are an american.

I do not consider myself a liberal....but I know a LOSER situation when I see one. We will not win in IRAQ period ,any support for our troops is CUTE & CUDDLY but wasted.

The loser politicians that started this war should be hung on the White House lawn by Americans...BUT these War criminals will walk away uncharged for their crimes against the Iraqi and american people

" Americans are tecnologically advanced but politically retarded"

That quote is from General Giap...remember him..he beat the crap out of BOTH the French and Americans in Vietnam. He did it because we were there, to begin with...he could not have accomplished this without ***OUR****TOTAL arrogance and IGNORANCE of the situation. Every american that was killed in that war was killed by our REAL enemy...in Washington DC...

AS FAR as your QUESTION.... I have no choice but to support the TROOPS...no one has, I am forced by LAW to support them through TAXATION.

The facts are clear the USA is a WAR MONGER nation...we will tell any lie to get involved in a war, I have little sympathy for our troops...they are a sad lot..caught in a terrible situation...They actually think they are fighting for their country...that is the SADDEST Part.

Answer 9

Ok, I understand where you're coming from and thank you for not turning this into a "bashing" question. That's very nice of you. I'll try to explain my stand on this.

I do not support the war in Iraq. I think it was a mistake to ever happen. I do not like this war at all. THOUGH, the people who even though this war is happening and whether or not they all agree with it still volunteer to go defend this country and therefore are heroes, right?

If one can go to war, without supporting the war, can't one think highly of the troops but lowly of the war and not be in the military? I've been, for many months, considering a military position and I know for a fact that I would get sent to Iraq. That's ok because the military itself is the experience I need.

Wow this is harder to explain than I thought. I guess it just comes down to the fact that I want us to win. I want our troops to stay alive and I want them to kick so much *** and I pray for their safety and donate money to organizations that help the troops. Therefore: I SUPPORT THE TROOPS. But I disagree with the war. I wish it never happened. But whether or not Iraq had happened I'd still support the brave men and women that join the armed forces. Its a huge change and something to be proud of. Just because I don't support the war doesn't mean I want them to loose, though. I want them to win! I just think that we shouldn't have gone in in the first place.

Does that help at all?

{edit}

You're right "I Hate Liberals" I do support the Muslims in our Armed Forces. Is that bad? To support Muslim Americans? What's a bigger display of patriotism than fighting your own religious brothers for your country? Oh but if you meant Muslim Extremists/Terrorists OF COURSE NOT. I hate terrorists.

Answer 10

As a proud liberal, I always support the men and women who dedicate our lives to protect us. But how is not supporting the mission bashing the troops. The president gives them the mission, which was invade Iraq. I do not at all support that, but the troops themselves, of course I do! I not only support them but feel bad for them, esp. around the holidays.