How can liberals possibly think that this is some kind of argument?

Question

The whole "Why don't you enlist and go to Iraq if yo support it" thing? Is that the thinking of a teenager or an adult? Maybe a tween.

Should we expect them to work in an abortion clinic? Maybe have a gay marraige themselves?

Ridiculous

andy f, lol. "squeek, squeeeek, kachunk, kachunk, kachunk, squeeeeek, kachunk, NEOCON!"

pip, care to expand on exactly HOW my attack on that argument is childish?

Probably not.

Answer 1

i think Ive seen both say it.
and i have seen others say if you support gay marriage why don't you marry some one who is gay.

lets face it not all of the best and brightest, post here

Answer 2

The examples you give are totally different.

It's not an argument I've ever tried to make but the point of the "why don't you enlist" argument is that there are so many chickenhawks who find it so easy to send other people to die for a bad decision but wouldn't be willing to go there themselves. Perhaps that cry was first inspired by George Bush and his disappearing National Guard records or Dick "I had other priorities" Cheney.

Where is the equivalence to working in an abortion clinic. I support a woman's right to chose what to do with her body. Does that mean I'm a hypocrite if I don't perform abortions? I support Gays so I should marry a gay? That makes no sense at all. There is no equivalence.

Think a bit before you come up with such weak analogies.

Answer 3

True---there are some young and healthy enough to enlist in the military but find it too comfortable to sit in front of the computer and downcast our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I can't think of a nice word to describe such a person. Since I'm part of a military family, I take it as a personal attack when I hear or read inflammatory remarks regarding our troops. I would like to suggest to those people who complain but will not serve in the military, get involve and educate yourself in issues of interest instead of blatantly quick to accuse.

Answer 4

Whenever I hear that stupid quote, and yes it originated from moveon several years ago. I completely ignore the moron that said it. Along with "chickenhawk", "con-coward" etc.
These are nothing but ad homonym attacks. Done to attempt to steer people away from their own faulty thinking.
I do support the actions in Iraq. I do it by emailing troops, sending care packages and personal supplies.
But more importantly I support the troops by fighting all that the left say like calling our troops murderers and terrorists. The left would love nothing better than for all of us cons to go over there. That way they wouldn't have anybody here keeping them in line and not allowing them to destroy our militarys morale or sense of purpose.

ADD-
Upon further thought, one thing I meant to add was that I truly believe that the reason libs use this so called argument, is that IF there ever is a draft re-instituted, this denial or non-support gives them the reason to run to Canada just like the cowards they are.

Answer 5

This is in response to Coranth1... There are many ways you can supoprt something. Who ever said enlisting is the only way? If you are the wife of an enlisted soldier, do you need also enlist to support the war or your husband? If you support your childs soccer team, do you need to be on the field to say you really support or believe in your kids team?

The premise is rediculous. It is a childish statement akin to the whole "If you love it so much, why don't you marry it" statement.

Yes... I do support the troops. I support them here at home by standing up for what they are doing and what they are fighting for. I don't spit in their faces or denegrate their Generals or call them murderers of innocent civilians. I don't tell them they can't win because they aren't smart enough or good enough. I proudly support them and our country. I give to their charities and I thank them when ever I see them. I battle the morons that would otherwise throw them under the bus for political gain. AND when and IF we see something that is not right, we write to our Congressmen and Senators to tactfully and with CLASS appeal for change. We don't burn our flag and call our troops baby killers in the streets for the world to see and form negative opinions of us. We don't actively try to portray our country and those who serve in it as warmongars and uncontrollable animals who only wish to shed blood for political or monetary gain. Yes... I support the troops HERE AT HOME because God knows they don't need to battle two enemies, one being from their OWN country.

Answer 6

A very basic leadership principle is, "Do Not Ask Someone Else to Do Something You Are Not Willing to Do Yourself".

I am an Army veteran. When I hear Republicans, Neocons, whatever the fashionable indentifier this week is, who not only refuse to serve, thinking, (as our VP Dick Cheney said), "I have better (meaning, more important) things to do", but who THEN attack ACTUAL VETERANS and suggest they are NOT patriots, yeah, I suggest they try military service before sending people they've never met to die in a foreign country so Gulf and Chevron can make another $60 Trillion off our hard earned tax dollars.

Maybe, JUST maybe, they would be less eager to go to war if they were the ones who actually had to fight it.

Answer 7

I really do not understand what you are saying. Regarding the whole "why dont you enlist" comment, that is probably the thinking of a teenager. Its so silly when people say, why dont you go do it. I support my country and the soldiers, I do not support the war. But the war is happenidng and I support the people that are fighting in it.

Answer 8

Okay, I have read most of the answers you got, so far...looking for the right answer. The most perfect answer was given by Bert T. Read his answer, and maybe, just maybe you will understand completely, the reason we say this. There is actually nothing ridiculous about it. You just apparently did not understand. But, the fact is that he is completely right when he says that you should never ask anybody to do something or make any sacrifice that you are not willing to do or make yourself. I hope that now you do understand! *sm*

Answer 9

Twenty years from now you'll be whining about all of the things that we could have done to win The Iraq war, just like all the fortunate sons who now whine about how we could have won the Vietnam War.

Answer 10

I am a combat veteran of Viet Nam and I think the same way. Convservatives are so eager to send young americans off to war but don't want to put their lives on the line. I believe they are all a bunch of yellow-belly, chicken-sh*t cowards just like their leaders such as "I'm not going into combat" George W. Bush, "I've got better things to do" Dick Cheney and the rest of that bunch. It is so easy to talk the talk like most conservatives but they don't like to walk the walk. I disagree with you totally that that is the thinking of a teenager. If your not willing to go to war while thinking it is so tough and patriotic to send anothers child, husband, wife, brother or sister then In my opinon you are a p*ssy. A cowardly one at that and if you believe that makes me thinking like a kid, so be it. You know what I think of people like you.

Answer 11

The core of argument is that if you claim to support something, you should do more than just say you support it -- you should actively get involved. The "go and enlist" is a metaphor, or at worst just one example -- the statement is meant to ask....

If you believe that something should be done, what are you personally doing to ensure that it succeeds? Or are you just saying that it should happen, but letting other do all the work?

And most who say that are actively involved -- in whatever capacity suits their abilities -- in the causes the believe in. Whether it is lobbying for changes in laws, volunteering at clinics, or whatever.

So, why do you think that it is irrational for them to ask what you are doing in support of the goals you claim to support?