Why do some Americans like the freedom of speech so much that they condemn the military that fight to keep it?

Question

I understand that our rights as Americans may allow us to say what we want so please do not reply with “freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.” I want to know why you feel the way you do, what influenced you to feel that way and what, if anything, would/could change your view. Please support your answer with relevancy to the topic and not with bashing comments. Thank you.

Answer 1

Wow thats an excellent question. I ask the question myself. I am a soldier, a Non commisioned officer with the US Army, and sometime I think our work is in vain because our civilians don't even support us and its frustrating because my brothers are dying out here for them. Some people say they support the troops but not the war, thats understandable, but some are so ignorant and say killing doesn;t achieve peace and they dont care for the troops. Its sad but killing our enemies is how we can keep our land safe and peaceful. It was a shame when we dropped the Atom bomb on Japan, but if we didn't the war would have lasted and millions of more would have perished.

Answer 2

Most of the people you see on here that condemn our military are people who are not from the United States. They don't agree with is going on in the Middle East so they're getting out attention by condemning the one thing that everyone in this country can get behind (Figuratively): Our soldiers. We hold a special respect for our men and women in uniform. They are just trying to get our attention.

As far as those from our own country, they can claim "freedom of expression" all they want but their wake up call is coming. One day, some natural disaster is going to hit in their area or they are going to be in the area when another 9-11 happens. Then they will realize how important our men and women in uniform are. They protect us at home and abroad. One day these people will realize it.

You reserve the right to say what you want. And I reserve the right to say what I want if I don't agree. :-P

Answer 3

Freedom of speech, and specifically freedom to dissent, is fundamental to every freedom we have. I don't see too many people bashing the military specifically, but freedom of speech allows the people to hold government officials (which includes the military) accountable.

Political power is cyclical: people are ruled by elected officials who are given power by the people. So we can imagine a situation where if something went haywire and the military came in to control BFE, Alabama, we would want to protest.

Fortunately, the freedom of speech (even without being exercised) keeps most officials in line. And with our current situation, anyone who exercises freedom of speech to condemn soldiers (i.e. Fred Phelps for those who wanted an example) only makes themselves out to look like fools.

Answer 4

Because these peace at any cost folks don't like any type of fighting. They think that everything can be resolved by just talking to people. These folks don't and won't understand that there are some people who won't listen to reason and that's were the threat of force CAN be a use full weapon. You have to remember that our nation was forged on such a principle, we talked until we were blue in the face and ole King George didn't do squat. When we said in one voice "no more" he sent troops and all hell broke loose.

In WWII, a despot despite talking with ambassadores from many nations, attacked Poland and later the the rest of Europe. Lots of folks placated this despot and he turned a deaf ear and did what he wanted to do. Only war stopped his rule. Our current left leaning friends would have wanted to continue to talk while his forces marched all across Europe. It took an attack by another nation to get us off our butts and kick some rear ends.

Remember where this nation came from, never forget it. Because when we do, life as we know it is forever gone.

Those "Freedoms" we have were bought and paid by the blood of our for fathers and others that came after them.


EDIT: In the 1960's when servicemen returned from Vietnam, they were spat upon and called babykillers. Some folks are doing the same to our troops today.

Answer 5

I don't know anyone who is condemning the military. As a matter of fact, everyone is tip-toeing around each other to NOT criticize the military. People are criticizing the Pentagon and the defense department though, the political arms of the military. Since all politics are fair game then why should not those institutions be criticized too?

The only times the soldiers are criticized is when a small number has committed war crimes. Even then, I have not seen anyone personally attack those soldiers.

Even the military commanders in the field are not criticized. We have not seen any military operations criticized. We have criticized our commander-in-chief for changes (or lack of changes) for the war... even former generals that served in the Iraqi theater has criticized him for this.

No, I have to disagree with the premise of your question. Thanks.

Answer 6

let me just start off by saying this, i am a soldier, i am in iraq, and i am also in the infantry. and then ill say this. the group that i belong to, the U.S. army infantry, are about the most die-hard bunch of conservative repulicans you will ever find, short of the RNC. and dont think we dont know for a minute what people in the states say about us every day and what they acuse us of. Those that do, do so uninformed. No one that has ever been "imbedded" with a unit, or written books on this war, or covered some aspect of it will ever know the whole story of what goes on over here. But, when we hear someone bash us, bash our president, it actually motivates us. at least it does me, personally. i dont see myself as this "Glorious Proctector of American rights, freedoms, and namely the first amendment" i joined the army because i had nothing better to do with my life at the time, because it sounded cool, my best freind was going with or without me, and i knew i would never get another chance in my life to kill people legally. you dont hurt our feelings when you talk badly about us. For the most part, we dont give a rats *** what some hippie leftist thinks in the first place, since we know they didnt have the minerals to sign on the dotted line and raise thier right hand. all we care about is those guys left and right of us, coming home in one peice to our families, and maybe gettin to kill/destroy somethin while we're here. But let this be known, it does get a little old hearing it, and frankly, the president was elected by the american people. so dont blame the soldiers or the president for whats goin on, blame those who voted for him. you can start with me, if it makes you feel any better. i voted for him twice. if he was really as bad a guy as everyone thinks, he wouldnt have gotten re-elected. (thats right, not just elected, but RE-elected) i think its just gotten to damn trendy to bash everyone. quit being so f***ing negative people. oh and if you dont like anything i said here, or i've offended some tie-dyed and birkenstock wearing, long haired, VW bus driving, granola eating, protest having, leftist hippy *****. too bad... i just took advantage of my first amendment right. Doesnt feel too good does it? support your troops or not, support the president or not, we're still gonna be here till the job's done. and by undermining our efforts, you only give strength to the enemy, which will keep us here longer.

Answer 7

Great question by the way
I personally respect and admire all of our servicemen and women who fight for our freedoms. In my opinion, I think the reason that people speak unfavorably against the military is because right now, it is the in thing to do, just like in the 60's when so many people followed the hippie movement with peace rallies and such. Nothing could really change my views on the military, if it wasn't for them, we would all be speaking German right now. We all owe a debt of gratitude for all those that are brave enough to serve this great country.

Answer 8

Who is condemning the military?

All I see is people condemning this administration which has no concern for the protection of freedom of speech, and certainly isn't using the military to fight for it (and who don't give a f**k about the military personnel who volunteered to defend this country, and who have ended up being bullet catchers for halliburton).

Time to lay off the crack pipe sparky!!

Answer 9

because they are not fighting for our freedom they are fight for someone else. people don't see that if we don't stop them in other country on day they will come here the think we are save the only problem is the forget about 9/11 and it get worries everyday with time until it happens again then people complain why didn't you stop them. In other words you dammed if you do and your dammed if you don't

Answer 10

Please be so kind as to show me a quote of somebody condemning the military.

We do not condemn the military; we condemn the administration that sends the troops to fight a meaningless war.

This administration only supports the troops while they are on the battlefield--not before (troops are sent to war without adequate training and equipment) nor after (the recent revelations of the ongoing poor treatment of returning soldiers).