Is it possible to support our troops without supporting the war?

Question

I support our troops, but I don't support the war and never have. Is that possible? It seems that some people feel that it isn't possible, and so I'm wondering why not?

Answer 1

Yes. It's very possible.
You can send gifts, etc.
But that doesn't mean you're supporting the war.
Most people forget they're over their defending us,
so they deserve the support.

Believing you can't is arrogant and stupid.

My dad's was marine and is against the war, but he still supports the troops. They're totally different things.

Answer 2

The history of "supporting the troops" without "supporting the war" is not just an "Anti-American" concept. It's been around for a while.

P.M. Gladstone, a British "liberal", really developed the idea.
Check into-
www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khartoum

You'll see how well this tactic works to the enemy's advantage during time of war.

I would have been a Churchill or Disraeli on this. Not a Gladstone.

Dictators who break the conditions of an armistice have been known to start massive world wars. Or at least Mahdi uprisings.

There's an interesting biography of General Gordon out there.. You'd find it an interesting read.

The best friend of the troops are armorers. The biggest enemies are lawyers and politicians.

Answer 3

But the question is what do people ever do to 'support' the troops. Just saying it out loud counts? Or just hanging those yellow thingies?

To be honest I don't feel comfortable saying anything like that 'I support the troops' when i drive SUV and haven't made any real sacrifice in my life style.

I don't hate our troops of course. I'll probably tell people I support the troops, but not war. But what the hell does that mean?

Yea we all say it. But actually most of us really don't do anything to 'support' troops.

If someone yells 'I support the troops' and ask you if you support the troops ASK them, 'what are you doing to support the troop besides yelling it?'

Ask law makers to take care of troops, get them health care they need. Ask them to quit abusing troops too. What they're doing is abusing our troops. They're using these volunteer army like they're some kind of supermen. They're going on 3rd, 4th tours with inadequate break, no vacation, no family time. The war is wrecking the military and their family. I personally don't see how you can support the war and troops same time. I think you would have to oppose the war that is hurting our troops big time. And very unfairly.

I just saw a video clip on McLaughlin Group TV show last night. This soldier in Iraq ranting about his 15 months extended tour. He says he'll go on another 15 months for FREE if Bush come out in the heat and do it with him. He wasn't happy they keep extending their tour duties. He isn't alone. The gov keep telling them 'no you can't go home, you have to stay.' You can only push people so hard before they just lose it.

It is just impossible to support the war if you support the troops. The war is wrecking US troops' lives.

It makes perfect sense that you support the troops, but not the war.

Answer 4

Yes you can support our troops and not support the war. The people that think you have to be one way or the other are the ones that are 100% behind the war or 100% against the war and think everyone should think like them. I'm pro war, but at the same time I don't think you have to be pro war to support the brave men out there fighting very hard to keep us safe.

Answer 5

Support for the war or support for the troops always comes down to a nasty nexus.
One of these is that war also requires support from government and tax-payers for big business interests.
Businessmen make the weapons and the arms used in the war. There must be support for the big companies (haliburton, exxon) in the form of tax breaks, no bid contracts, ect.
Henry Wriston, father of future Citicorp Chairman Walter Wriston realized that money was not required to motivate Americans to fight. They were proud to do it. Capitalist businessmen could therefore keep the pay rates for men in the military low, by using their patriotism to go and fight.
Meanwhile, chants of "Support the Troops, Support the Troops" grows into a howling cacophony that only serves to nurture both sides.
Big business sells more supplies to support the troops, they are supported in turn by the government.
People fight out of patriotism, Praise is heaped upon them, They are willing to give up their life for an ideal.

Answer 6

This is not an easy question to answer. My gut feeling is to say yes. But I'm not going to.
The problem is, you see, a soldier's greatest weapon is his morale.
How can we make our troops feel supported by removing their ability to win? The concept of "supporting" our troops by decreasing, or completely removing, funds required for them to fight, on the premise that the administration will then be forced to bring them home, makes the soldiers feel that we do not support them. And it tells our enemies they are winning.
When they see protests against the war on TV, the Internet, and in the newspapers, how can they feel proud and appreciated? The protests here, where we are "safe," have a profound impact on the soldiers fighting overseas. If we continually tell them that they are fighting an immoral war (where have we heard that term before?), they will soon begin to believe that we think they are immoral. It has happened; less than 35 years ago. And sadly, we're starting to see it happen again.
"A lie told often enough becomes truth," (Vladimir Lenin) works both ways.
If you can find a way to support our men and women fighting for us, and still condemn their actions, please let me know how you managed it.

Answer 7

You can't support the troops without supporting what they are fighting for.
You support the war, support them getting reinforcements so they get back up, get their supplies. Not underfunded, lack of back up or Congress taking their sweet as# time getting money to them.
You have to support both + just talk to some military people who have been over their and ask how they feel. My husband, brother in law and my hubby's friends spent a lot of time over their. After seeing it, the people and how America has helped them they support it. What I do not like is how we went in. We should have gone in full force and finished faster.
I know lot of people will not agree with me but I have seen 1st hand the good that has been done. Just ask those Iraqis that were tortured before America came. They may tell you different.

Answer 8

Sure you can. This war sucks and we have no business being there. Wanting the troops to come home and protect the American homeland and finish the job in Afghanistan is supporting the troops to me.

Answer 9

Yes, I feel the same. I support the troops but not the war. They can't help that they have to be there but government can help that fact that we are there. Bring our men and women home!

Answer 10

It's posiible i support the troops because my friend is in iraq as well as his unit he's been there since last June. I don't support the war though i believe we have no reason to be there.