Some people keep saying about Iraq: "I don't support the war, I don't like the way the war is being is conducted, but I support our troops." What the heck does that mean? The war is why those soldiers are there, right? So you don't support why they're there, but you support them being there? Hell, I think Iraq is Vietnam all over again, and I don't support it, but do people agree the reasoning of supporting one but not the other is bizarre? I mean, if you don't support what they're fighting for, aren't they pretty demoralised when they hear that, so you aren't really supporting them?
2007-05-11 11:08:10 · 16 answers · asked by Sam S 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
personally when i hear people saying that they dont support the war, i generally tell them that they dont support or men and women either. it usually ticks them off. but it ticks me off when they say things like that. im prior service, and i would do anything to be in iraq right now. so again, to me, if they say they dont support the war, then they dont support us.
2007-05-11 14:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by armygrl24 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think it's because some people don't agree with the reasons for the war, but they support the troops for doing their jobs. They respect the soldiers for sacrificing time with their loved ones and their possibly lives. And I can tell you from my friends and family that are in Iraq right now, someone saying they support the troops, but not the war doesn't demoralize them as much as the bad press they get. You don't ever hear about the good that our men and women are doing over there. You don't hear about the schools being built, the people they're trying to protect. THAT is what is the hardest on them.
2007-05-11 11:45:39 · answer #2 · answered by Violet Andromeda 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I support the war and the troops.
I think what people mean when they say that they DON'T support the war but they support the troops is that they might send care packages....or, they just talk about how sorry they feel for the soldiers.
I have a ribbon on my car that says Support our Troops. They had another one there that said 'Support Our Troops- Bring Them Home'
Now, in my personal opinion- it is BS to say you don't support the war but support the troops. If you truly support the troops, then you should realize that they are doing good things for this country and that each and everyone of them deserves to feel the support of the nation.
And for me, that is why I am organizing care packages. I can't reach them all....but maybe I can reach a few hundred or thousand so at least they know that they are thought of and there are still those of us back home who support them and are proud of them!
If I were in the military, I think I WOULD feel demoralized or at least slapped in the face to hear someone say that they supported me but not the war.....it is just plain stupid.
2007-05-11 11:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by hollyshaney 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's SIMPLY a new phrase created by the Democratic Party in 1990 to avoid the BACKLASH they suffered following the Vietnam War.
Post 9/11 they can't be seen as anti-security / military... so they still hug their trees and pretend to hug the troops.
"Supporting the Troops" SHOULD be sending them packages, making sure Congress gives them the weapons and armor they need, driving as LITTLE as practicable, buying goods from the USA rather than CHINA (China supports Iran who supplies IED's), etc.
Coming home from the 1990-91 Gulf War was an incredible show of support... we had folks on almost every INCH of San Diego Bay when our ships came home. The parade a few months later was a tear-jerker !! We proudly pulled the Vietnam Vets in to march with us.
Then Clinton screwed up Somalia... which has led to Darfur in the Sudan... which is the one place the Dem's WANT us to go to !! At least until we GET there and someone dies !!
Boo f@cking hoo !!
2007-05-11 11:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by mariner31 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You're merely playing the semantics game. One can absolutely support the troops and not support the war. The basic premise associated with supporting the troops is the desire to see them return home safely, unharmed. The best way for this to happen is by getting them home ASAP. They are caught in the crossfire of a civil war and are faced with an impossible task. Our mission when we invaded Iraq was to find WMD and to topple Saddam, both of which have been accomplished. It's time to get the hell out and spare our troops any more bloodshed.
2007-05-11 11:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by Hemingway 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
During Vietnam, some people blamed (and even reviled) the soldiers. I think there is a general feeling of shame for that behavior, and "I support the troops but not the war" is shorthand for "I don't hold the individuals serving in the military responsible for the policies or actions of our government."
It's not at all contradictory to believe that the government's policies and actions in Iraq are wrong, yet not blame the soldiers who must implement them.
2007-05-11 11:23:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Have you been there? I have & lost many Friends due to bull Shat 1 must be mentally insane to support War. Sounds to me all the Chairborne Rangers need to enlist better hurry & get to FT Benning before you miss it you can be done with Basic & AIT before the end of the Summer be in Iraq by Sept Hurry man Hope to see you there.
2007-05-11 11:56:57 · answer #7 · answered by Grunt 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can support the troops and not support the war. Supporting the troops is things like: supporting medical treatment of all kinds for soldiers, making resources available to help soldiers and their families cope with being at war, increasing combat pay, decreasing deployment time, etc, etc.
Not supporting the war is things like: supporting a timetable, supporting withdrawal, wanting accountability for the errors involved with handling the war at a federal government level, etc, etc.
They are separate things.
2007-05-11 11:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
It's the Liberal PC answer.
"I don't support the war, but I support our troops."
Translation:
"I hate the Republican president because he doesn't think like I do, but I can't say what I really feel about the troops because it will make me look bad."
2007-05-11 11:25:44 · answer #9 · answered by Dana B 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think the message is that they care about the people who are fighting, even though they oppose the fight. In other words, don't blame the fighters. In spite of what many would have you believe, I'd say the majority of folks in the military did NOT "volunteer to go to Iraq". They volunteered to serve the country, and were then forced into a war that was ill-advised at best. I know many military folks and families who think we should get out. But they don't want a desertion on their military record.
2007-05-11 11:14:07 · answer #10 · answered by Kat 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋