Question for people in or related to someone in the Military?

Question

Do you think that america is over in Iraq in vain? How do you feel about the war?
My cousin is in the Army and he believes that there is a need to be there.
How do you feel about it?

No nasty answers, I might just report such ignorance.

Answer 1

Military service is a highly personal issue that civilians rarely understand fully.
Contrary to popular belief military members are not war mongers or blood thirsty killers. Most are mildly anti-war, but since they have taken an oath to follow the orders of the Commander and Chief to defend this country against aggression as perceived by the Government, they go into battle knowing that they have a job to do. When you join the military you know that you may be going into harm's way, and that you may lose your life in the pursuit of this occupation.
I am a veteran of two wars, one unpopular and one very popular. When I returned from the first (Viet Nam), I was jeered and made fun of. When I returned from the second (Desert Storm), I was called a hero. If I had a chance to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan, I would. I still feel that the world will be a better place if we instill a sense of justice and freedom in these parts of the world.

Answer 2

I have lost several friends and had several more wounded in this mess. I lived in the gulf for two years before the war and know how the local tribes think on some issues. In this case it has turned into a blood feud between the tribes and there is no answer for it but to get out of the way. The longer we slow it down the longer the pain and suffering will be. I would let them get this civil war pout of there systems these things rarely last more than a year. Then they will all make peace in their own way. I am not saying this is going to be pretty but it is how these things are usually settled in the past. then we can help them rebuild into a new Iraq or maybe into several new countries thus undoing a mistake made by Britain and France when they created Iraq in WW1.

Answer 3

I feel that the ten-year shootout in Iraq had to come to an end. One option would have been to simply withdraw and let Saddam declare victory. As Clinton said, that would have been catastrophic. It would have emboldened Saddam and other world bad-guys to ramp up and become more aggressive.

That is why Clinton made the decision to eliminate Saddam's regime by force with the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act. That is why Clinton bombed Iraq for days in a 'shock and awe' campaign that failed miserably to accomplish the stated goal.

If Democrats had any integrity at all, they would be praising Bush for doing what they insisted MUST BE DONE for our national and global security. They instead choose to aid the enemy by demoralizing Americans, just to try to get back in power. Saddam was our foreign enemy, Democrats have become our domestic enemy.

Yes, we needed to finish that war in our favor, not Saddam's.

Answer 4

Your cousin has the right attitude. Afterall he knows he is doing right despite all the media brainwashing. He is there and seeing what is being accomplished. Be proud of him!!
It's amazing powerful the media has become it says something is bad and 80% of the country will just nod their heads in agreement. Same with politicians.. the media says that politician is good and that one is bad and people just agree with nothing to go on but their say so and lots of times its lies.. it's very sad that people will just agree and never take the time to check it out for themselves.
(wife of a former Marine)

Answer 5

my best friend's cousin is over there. he had been stationed in Japan but when it came time for him to go somewhere else, he volunteered to go to Iraq.

i have a couple of cousins in the Navy, but i've lost track of where they're at right now.

i don't know how i feel about it. i'd be sad if they got killed, obviously. i'm grateful they're in the military, and keeping us safe. i don't know. sometimes i think it's great, but there are times i just want to bomb the heck outta some of them over there. i remind myself that that kind of bloodbath is part of what they're trying to prevent by being there.

i remember seeing a comment on here a couple days ago, a girl said, (paraphrased) "how can we turn our backs on all those purple-fingered Iraqi's?" and that makes me smile, to think about their election day and they were all over the news, waving their fingers so happily.

but no matter what my opinion is personally, in public i always try to show total support. i feel like, they're the ones going through it, and their families, wives, husbands and kids, and i have no right to make them feel bad about anything they're doing. i would try to never do anything to make anyone's morale low. it's a tough job.

Answer 6

Reporting ignorance is petty. Reporting personal attacks is petty. So if you want to be petty, report away.

My son recently returned. He seems to think Bush is full of it. I think Bush is full of it. Draw your own conclusions.

Answer 7

i believe that we really are making a difference. your cousin is right... he does need to be there. my mum works for the government and helps ensure people who are trying to make weapons and security devices to make sure that our men are as safe as possible. i obviously cant tell you about the things theyre making but i assure you.... these weapons will help over there... ive seen pics of them being used. and im proud of the men who are over there... including your cousin... he must be a brave man and you should be proud of him.

Answer 8

We gotta be over there-because if we leave there will be a bloodbath-godbless your cousin-hopefully they will have a competant commander in cheif in a couple of years,

Answer 9

My brother is in the Air force and he said that he might have to go so he can work on the convoys but I hope he doesn't have to go. He says if he has to go then he will go. Me and my mom hopes that he doesnt have to go. I would be so miserable if my little brother died.

Answer 10

I don't believe it is in vain.
What gets me almost to the man each one says about the same thing.
Our media is getting it wrong.