Do you really support the troops?

Question

Why do many Americans boast that they "support the troops" by displaying the magnets on their cars or have signs hanging from windows, but when in it comes time to actually supporting the troops when they need support the most, they are nowhere to be found?

to add to doolin's post, i myself am military and for her to say that my accusations are false is a "bush league" move on her part. i happen to know countless individuals who have experienced no support at all while serving. while going for training people come up to us and tell us "don't die". how encouraging is that? yes you support your family because they are serving, but would you go out of your way if they weren't your family? there are countless programs that enable you to send care packages and letters to troops to let them know that someone back home is thinking about them. many members of this military did sign up to defend this country and dont agree with what is going on over there. they do it because they signed on the dotted line and made that choice. for you not to support the military members because you dont agree with the administration is a downright coward move on your behalf. you should feel ashamed. i do support my fellow soldiers every chance i get.

Answer 1

The people who claim to 'support the troops but oppose the war' are using the 'support the troops' claim as a smokescreen. In reality they only support their political opinions.

Answer 2

If you know "countless individuals" who are receiving no support at all while serving, then shame on their units' Family Readiness Groups/Key Volunteers/Ombudsmen for not doing their jobs. Yes, they shouldn't have to do it all, but the general public usually has no control over which specific individuals benefit from what they do or send.

I've supported the troops for years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Donating regularly to the USO is only part of what I continue to do. I've had at least one family member or friend serving in Iraq most of the past four years. Usually more than one.

The only magnets I've bought have been fundraisers for military groups and the USO.

Answer 3

It's because it's POLITICALLY CORRECT to support the troops. Many think it's now un-American & traitorous to not support the troops. Anybody who comes out saying "I don't support the troops" has a LOT of explaining to do.

Like me. I don't support the troops.

I only support the troops who are against the war. They have my highest respect - much more so than the anti-war civilians.

If there were terrorists in America, THEN I'd be full-heartedly supporting the troops. In fact, I'd probably pick up a gun myself & become a guerrilla fighter against the terrorists.

But I'm sorry, I can't see how fighting 12,000 miles away in a desert is protecting American security & freedom. Anybody who thinks that is selling or buying into a lot of propaganda. Stability & Democracy in Iraq??? That's the choice & responsibility of the Iraqis (or at least the UN's), not ours.

The more I learn, the more I'm against the US military. Serving the country????? I fail to see how Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, or Iraq now was "serving the country". What a load of mental crap. It's a dangerous job with some fairly good benefits, all subsidized by OUR taxpayer dollars.

The military serves itself, as well as the military-industrial complex & corporate/political interests. Just like any other typical corporation or leader, the military and its leaders just want to get bigger & more powerful. That's why billions will be spent on unnecessary, new Space-based weapons, F-22 raptors & US Virginia class nuclear submarines, but Walter Reed is falling apart (the second to last stop for non-reuseable troops) and 25-33% of all homeless are Vets. Man, if you think the military or the government actually supports the troops after they've outlived their use, you think too highly of your service. NOBODY supports anybody who has outlived their usefulness, unless it's a loved one, a bleeding heart liberal, or a humanitarian.

6,000 domestic military bases, 737+ overseas bases, 2.5 million personnel, 7,000 active nukes in the arsenal (China has 20), 11 carrier groups (that's 10 more than Russia), $400+ billion/year from the federal budget + $200+ billion more in related defense spending, which is MORE THAN ALL OTHER COUNTRIES' COMBINED, and 65% global market share in the arms industry. This is not to mention that the US military has been responsible for the most military interventions & casualties since WW2. Wake up & smell the blood. Truly, something to be proud of.

With 150,000 troops & the best military in the world backed up by satellites, smart bombs, M1s, night vision, etc., we are having trouble with 20,000 or less "insurgents" armed with IEDs & AK-47s.

Any fool would be questioning that after 4 years, something is wrong with this picture.

If you think you're actually serving America, you're quite entitled to your opinion. And I know I'm quite entitled to mine for thinking that serving in the US military in its current incarnation is unwittingly aiding in the moral & financial bankruptcy of America. The business of America is WAR.

Answer 4

It may depend on how someone defines "support the troops." Yeah, buying a magnet or bumper sticker doesnt do all that much but the avg American, including myself, isnt really aware of any concrete way to support the troops. We can do our best by honoring them when they return home and when they come to our businesses and stuff.

As far as being opposed to the leadership that sends them into harms way - that should not be seen as not supporting the troops. We all want to see them safe. Many just disagree with the premise upon which they were placed into harms way, and then the govt tries to avoid criticisim by saying "if you dont agree with us you dont support our troops."

I guess its just not that black & white.

Answer 5

i am a proud combat veteran & i do support the troops,& i do support the ideals on what this country was founded on BUT i do not support bush i think that his admin has twisted & spun the meanings of "support our troops" to have the same meaning as "support my agenda" there is a difference, our military is a precision tool that is being misused & i am afraid that this govt. is setting them up for failure & will have our taxpayers back home saying that we ran w/ our tail between our legs, bush of course will walk away clean but our military record will have another stain & ppl in most parts of the world will hate us even more

Answer 6

I'm a navy wife, and there's no doubt I support the troops...I'm very encouraging and supportive of my husband's career, and when he's been gone, I've done all I could do to let him know that I had been thinking of him all the time...So , yes, I support the troops (one in particular) , and I always will.

Answer 7

People don't want to actually have to do something. They just figure the lipservice is enough.

Personally, I write letters to the troops and I have visited our local VA hospital a handful of times.

And my next door neighbors are down a "dad" cause he's serving in Iraq, so I help out wherever I can. (I'm a sorry excuse for a handyman, but I try...)

Answer 8

Let me see you follow around everybody that has a magnet on their car and track there activities to see if they are knitting sweaters for the troops?
Sounds like you have answered your own question and you are looking for people to reaffirm your prejudice.

The ones I have seen also have a decal that says "Vietnam Vet" US Marines, etc. They did THEIR time!

Answer 9

I support my troop. I have a boyfriend in the army right now. I email him on a regular basis. I call, I send him packages. He is my main focus right now.

Answer 10

id like to ask YOU! IF YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS?
AND SINCE I'M A MOTHER AND A WIFE OF SERVING MEMBERS ( already deployed)..yes! i support them 100%
AND EVERYDAY I HAVE TO COMFORT A WIFE OR SON OR DAUGHTER,LETTING THEM KNOW WE ARE DOING THE BEST JOB WE CAN ,AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL ALL COME HOME SAFE,YOU SAY THE SUPPORT IS NOT THERE WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST.....WELL I BELIEVE YOUR STATEMENT TO BE FAULTS....AND I'M NOT SURE WERE YOUR GETTING YOUR INFO FROM BUT THE SUPPORT IS THERE IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK............SO LOOK HARDER!!!!!!!