as an american how is the military defending me?

Question

i always see people post that part of the reason to join the military is to defend your country. is it a bad thing that i am not at all grateful for anyone in the military?
iraq has nothing to do with me or the u.s. and dont try to pull the 9/11 thing since iraq has nothing to do with that either.
also, 9/11 was a tragedy, but our government did a good job of building up foreign aggression and hostility towards the u.s.
our government even funded and armed most of our current enemies. this doesnt sound like im being defended at all.

trying to make me feel guilty because people are dying in iraq isnt going to work. why are we there? im not happy people are getting killed, but im just as unhappy that the iraqi people are losing their lives as i am that americans are losing theirs.

Answer 1

yes you can defend leave iraq

Answer 2

The fact of the matter being that many young Men and Women have paid the "Ultimate Sacrifice" in two World Wars etc....So you can enjoy a relative amount of Peace and Freedom! But I can understand that you...like alot of people are a bit disillusioned in the Iraq matter. But that of course,is not the fault of the Servicemen over there. They are first and foremost Soldier's,they do whatever task is required of them-without question! They do put America 1st. even in the most unpopular events! Sadly it is true that the U.S. is somewhat responsible for installing some of the Despot's. But again,at the time they were agreeable to U.S. Policy-when it worked in their favour! But when a policy didn't work entirely in their favour...they rebelled,and took on the usual Anti-American Rhetoric! Castro,Pinochet,Noriega,Chavez,Hussein etc. I could go on and on! It really matters not that the U.S.A. has more or less enemies,the Bias is obvious! If the U.S.A. unilaterally backs Israel-being it is the only Middle Eastern Democracy...it is perceived as Anti-Arabic or Anti-Muslim. When a disaster takes place like the recent Tsunami in South East Asia. Some knucklehead at the United Nations???...will make the assertion that the U.S. didn't do enough? But yet they contributed more to the relief effort,both Militarily,Monetarily and Materially-than any other Country in the World! Little mention of that though? And how many of these overly-critical Countrie's,ever assist the U.S. in its time of need? Virtually NONE! Didn't see alot of Foreign offers for Aid or Help during the Katrina disaster,or even Hugo? The U.S. is if anything quite "generous" but unfortunately being the Big Kid on the Block...puts it under more scrutiny! If a little "punk" punches the Big Kid in the face,and the Big Kid strikes back in defence? He gets automatically perceived as a Bully,and gets told to pick on someone their own size! But on the other hand...if the Big Kid practices restraint and doesn't retalliate? He gets labelled a "Wimp" and then they'll pick on him even more! That is the tough predicament the U.S. is in,and I feel it is really unfair. But of course the Media would much rather dwell on all the "Negatives" and too often fails to mention any of the "Positives" that occur in any situation! Why do you suppose that is so? In the meantime...do enjoy your "Freedom" to pursue the things in life that make you Happy and Carefree! It was paid by a "Horrible Price" so many years ago! And if necessary...Your serving members of the "Armed Forces" will do it again too!!!!!!

Answer 3

* the attack on 9/11 is what sparked the war on terror
* the war in Iraq was sparked because we believed Saddam Hussein was a major threat towards us, and then it gets into that whole weapons of Mass Destruction thing, but we thought he had them. Either way we had to be sure.
* When we were forming the new Iraqi government terrorist/militant attacks became more of a daily thing, so we decided to stick around til' the Iraqi government could be strong and organized, so far it has yet to come though time will tell. It's like when a kid gets bullied and a friend of his who may not be bigger but stronger defends the bully off. The stronger friend sticks around to make sure his friend is okay and that the bully surely leaves.
* Now that we are fighting the terrorists/militant groups in Iraq it has now formed as part of our conflict against terror or The War on Terrorism.
* oh, and the military is doing it's best for your safety, even if it doesn't seem like it. Terrorism is a hard thing to fight. To me it's an idea, and idea's are difficult to destroy. We can be struck with a terrorist attack at any moment. I believe thats why we are over there to keep them focused in that region and not ours, and to try and isolate it. Though I think we should try ways in manipulating terrorism and only use force when necessary not excessively.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, its not so black and white. Not all our soldiers are in Iraq; therefore YES! Some of our soldiers ARE defending us and we should be grateful for all the lives lost no matter where they are lost. Soldiers in Iraq are defending us how??? On the whole Iraq thing, I'm not all that grateful, I feel sorry for the people who signed up prior to war and expected to be able to fight a reasonable fight - which Iraq is not... I have a good friend that has been on two tours there and he said we screwed it up so bad, that we really don't have reason to be there as it pertains to our safety. Why else would an Oil family try to take over an oil rich country??? Think about it.

Answer 5

The military is there to protect American freedom and independence, and the soldiers that join do so with that noble vision in mind. However, the military can be used for the wrong purpose at times, as it is being misused in Iraq. That is the fault of our Government, and especially, our President and Congress. We should condemn the government for wrongfully sending our soldiers in to harms way, but we MUST support and applaud those Americans who volunteer to risk their lives in order that this nation maintains its liberties against any aggressor! They have no choice but to do what is commanded of them, which is why the American people have an obligation to speak-out against ever using them for purposes other than defending American lives and the borders of this nation!

Answer 6

Remember, the military takes its marching orders from civilians. We have a representative form of government. This means our citizens elect those who they think will do the best job ruling. Blaming the military, saying that the military doesn't defend you unfortunately show the holes in your incomplete education. It is through the American people voting that this war was created. The country voted for this President and the Republican congress of 2002 that led us to this war. You have no one to blame but yourself. Did you volunteer for a campaign of a candidate? Did you run for office? Did you do everything in your power to get the candidates that best represented you elected? If not, shut the F*** up. This war is as much your fault as it is mine. But not the soldiers fault.

Answer 7

This has to be the dumbest question I've ever seen.

Without a military, don't you think someone would come and attack us? Not just some random plane flying into a building, I mean a full scale military attack that would make 9/11 look like someone stepping on an ant.

You're about an idiot.

Answer 8

The military stands between you and those who would do all of America harm.

It may not seem like it today, but in a time not so long ago there were countries who didn't like us or our way of life that had large armies and the wherewithal to get them over here to us. That is why a strong military is needed.

A very wise American leader once said, "We can all sleep soundly in our beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf." You should recognize the quote from your US history lessons.

Answer 9

You're right, today it's a shame our military is in harms way, and many are being killed, but make no mistake, they are not dying to protect our country or our citizens.
Iraq did nothing to us, so why are we spending our hard earned tax dollars in a foreign country to kill their citizens and destroy their infastructure.
We are not being defended by being in Iraq, and this crap about defeating the terrorist in Iraq, there were none before we invaded.
If the Iraqi people desires to have a democracy, then they should by all means fight for that end, but it is not our affair to sacrifice our men and women for their pleasure. I know I didn't raise my children to be cannon fodder for some politicians whim.

Answer 10

I am a marine who fought over there. Its a shame that my friends died for people like you. You need to go look around and learn something about the threats out there. Then you will know why you should say thanks. Look how they treat POWs. Plus how do you know if Iraq had anything to do with it or not or are you part of the terrorist?

Answer 11

The soldiers are following orders. Thats their job! Its our job as citizens to elect people who give good and reasonable orders for them to follow! Youre right on one thing, we need to turn things around and head in a different direction.

You want to change things? Support Mike Gravel for President!

www.Gravel2008.us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMlHv2lDqA (Highlights of Sen. Gravel at the 1st Democratic debate)