Do you agree.."These soldiers should be grateful that the American public."?

Question

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2007/01/the_troops_also_need_to_suppor.html#more

William M. Arkin on National and Homeland Security
The Troops Also Need to Support the American People
I've been mulling over an NBC Nightly News report from Iraq last Friday in which a number of soldiers expressed frustration with opposition to war in the United States.

I'm sure the soldiers were expressing a majority opinion common amongst the ranks - that's why it is news - and I'm also sure no one in the military leadership or the administration put the soldiers up to expressing their views, nor steered NBC reporter Richard Engel to the story.

I'm all for everyone expressing their opinion, even those who wear the uniform of the United States Army. But I also hope that military commanders took the soldiers aside after the story and explained to them why it wasn't for them to disapprove of the American people.

Friday's NBC Nightly News included a story from my colleague and friend Richard Engel, who was embedded with an active duty Army infantry battalion from Fort Lewis, Washington.

Engel relayed how "troops here say they are increasingly frustrated by American criticism of the war. Many take it personally, believing it is also criticism of what they've been fighting for."

First up was 21 year old junior enlisted man Tyler Johnson, whom Engel said was frustrated about war skepticism and thinks that critics "should come over and see what it's like firsthand before criticizing."

"You may support or say we support the troops, but, so you're not supporting what they do, what they're here sweating for, what we bleed for, what we die for. It just don't make sense to me," Johnson said.

Next up was Staff Sergeant Manuel Sahagun, who is on his second tour in Iraq. He complained that "one thing I don't like is when people back home say they support the troops, but they don't support the war. If they're going to support us, support us all the way."

Next was Specialist Peter Manna: "If they don't think we're doing a good job, everything that we've done here is all in vain," he said.

These soldiers should be grateful that the American public, which by all polls overwhelmingly disapproves of the Iraq war and the President's handling of it, do still offer their support to them, and their respect.

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order.

Sure it is the junior enlisted men who go to jail, but even at anti-war protests, the focus is firmly on the White House and the policy. We just don't see very man "baby killer" epithets being thrown around these days, no one in uniform is being spit upon.

So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society?

I can imagine some post-9/11 moment, when the American people say enough already with the wars against terrorism and those in the national security establishment feel these same frustrations. In my little parable, those in leadership positions shake their heads that the people don't get it, that they don't understand that the threat from terrorism, while difficult to defeat, demands commitment and sacrifice and is very real because it is so shadowy, that the very survival of the United States is at stake. Those Hoover's and Nixon's will use these kids in uniform as their soldiers. If I weren't the United States, I'd say the story end with a military coup where those in the know, and those with fire in their bellies, save the nation from the people.

But it is the United States and instead this NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary - oops sorry, volunteer - force that thinks it is doing the dirty work.

The notion of dirty work is that, like laundry, it is something that has to be done but no one else wants to do it. But Iraq is not dirty work: it is not some necessary endeavor; the people just don't believe that anymore.

I'll accept that the soldiers, in order to soldier on, have to believe that they are manning the parapet, and that's where their frustrations come in. I'll accept as well that they are young and naïve and are frustrated with their own lack of progress and the never changing situation in Iraq. Cut off from society and constantly told that everyone supports them, no wonder the debate back home confuses them.

America needs to ponder what it is we really owe those in uniform. I don't believe America needs a draft though I imagine we'd be having a different discussion if we had one.

By William M. Arkin | January 30, 2007; 8:51 AM ET

I was so angry at this "man", I almost woke my brother in S. Korea up at 1:30am, his time, to tell him that he has no right to an opinion!

This is such a potent dose of liberalism, sickening in its disrespect and lack of understanding.

NOTE... I DON'T and WOULDN'T in a MILLION YEARS....AGREE WITH THIS NUT!!!!

I added the above note because some answers don't seem to reflect an understanding of my anger toward mr. arkin for his outrageous comments.

Answer 1

This is a typical example of the kind of tripe we're seeing from liberals on a daily basis and as far as I'm concerned, William M. Arkin is breathing perfectly good air that other people could be breathing so he's a waste.

Soldiers should not be entitled to an opinion? Someone needs to remind this buttplug that he wants to take the very same rights these people are fighting to defend, away from them. I'm sure that had any of them stated that they were against the war, his attitude would have been different because, just like any other lib, he's only for free speech when it agrees with him.

This guy is over the top and should not be taken seriously. He's obviously an idiot. I HAVE A SIGN FOR HIM!!!

Answer 2

My boyfriend sent me a link to the blog from Kosovo. As an Army vet who served two tours in Iraq, I'd like to gather Arkin from his posh, liberal office in DC, load him on a plane to Iraq, and make him serve a year in the desert while listening to the liberal media bash us and feel sorry for us when they have no clue what we really do for a living and why it's important to our nation. I'd like to see how he lives on 25 grand a year with 3 kids and tries to hold his head up high when he buys milk with food stamps. I'd like to see how he'd handle the idiots in the front office of the privatized base housing who don't know how to answer a phone or call a plumber to fix a leaky roof.

Then, and only then, will I read his dribbly blog. People like him should be deported.

Answer 3

I'm curious as to when I started earning a decent wage. All told, I make about 3 dollars an hour, factoring in my special pays for being in a warsone. I firmly believe that we shouldn't have a draft. I don't want any non-volunteers in my army. If there was a draft, all the protestors suddenly have a case. And no, you cannot support me, and somehow not support my chosen profession. We're a package deal. Would you support a doctor, but not medicine?

We volunteered for war. It's what we're here for, and it happened. People can support me or not, but please don't pretend to support me.

Answer 4

Ramble on as long as you want. Your arguement goes nowhere. Regardless of what you think, these guys are doing what you, as a coward, wouldn't do. They are keeping even more 9-11's from happening. This world is not peaceful. Never has been and never will be. You should go to France to live since you have that cowardly French blood in you. You would be much happier.

Answer 5

Obivously William M. Arkin has never been in Iraq, fullfilling his mission, believing in your mission, believing in your leaders, yet knowing all along majority America is against what you are doing. If I support my wife, it means I support everything she does. I can't support her but be against her ideas and morals. This whole I support the troops but not the war thing gets kind of old after awhile. The majority of the troops believe in our mission there, so if they get frustrated knowing most of America doesn't mabey he should understand their comments and let it go.

Answer 6

an example of typical liberal media bias. william arkin should step into the path of a train.why can't these f#cking idiots who "report the news",refrain from interjecting their own personal beliefs into it? I,for one,am sick of this type of "reporting" the "news"!!! the actual news takes a back seat to some would-be Walter Cronkite,spewing his own opinion to take away from the actual story!GOD BLESS AMERICAN & GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

Answer 7

We have equal trouble understanding Indians. We like fast food. Do not understand the value relationships less part, or the unhappy or unfruitful. I fight for freedom and big corporations now control our government so I fight against them.

Answer 8

And yet, liberals insist there is no correlation between supporting the troops and supporting the war, when there obviously is.

PS. When you put a link to an article, you don't need to copy the article.

Answer 9

Mr. Arkin needs his face punched in.

Answer 10

If he's not sure what, as an American, he owes the military then he should move to another county

He would be happier and he would be sparing us from listening to him anymore.