Is there any room for dissenters of the Iraq War?

Question

Is it possible to object to the war– the Iraq War– without being told I, “Hate the troops”, “aid the enemy”, “am a hippy” ???? etc etc etc.

For the Supporters of the War, is there anyway, in your mind, an intelligent, thoughtful and responsible citizen could object to the war since its inception? If so, how?

Mel - you were called Obtuse, not Obese. there is a BIG difference. And you kind of proved that you're obtuse in your answer.

Steelgrave- Interesting that by your rationale, the framers of our constitution can't be considered "patriots" since they questioned the authority of their nation, England. Very strange to suggest everyone should simply abide by their nation's "authority" to be considered a "patriot". Can't say I agree with you at all.

Steelegrave- I never once compared myself to the founding fathers. You simply made a RIDICULOUS statement that everyone should just agree with their nation's authority. You truly frighten me.

Steelegrave- here's the actual deffinition of patriot, from an actual dictionary:
1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.
3. (initial capital letter) Military. a U.S. Army antiaircraft missile with a range of 37 mi. (60 km) and a 200-lb. (90 kg) warhead, launched from a tracked vehicle with radar and computer guidance and fire control.
As you can see, there is no precondition to respect or adhere to said government's authority.

steelegrave- before this gets too out of control, we'll just have to agree to completely disagree on this one.

Answer 1

Wow, this question turned out wrong...
Steelgrave, this time I can't agree with you. While dissenting against unelected rulers, they still penned to DOI to them and it's still included as one of our founding documents...

"....That to secure these Rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, **deriving
their just Powers from the Consent of the
Governed**, that whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its Foundation
on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in
such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed,
will dictate that Governments long established
should not be changed for light and
transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience
hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to
suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right
themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they
are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses
and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same
Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under
absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their
Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide
new Guards for their future Security.

Answer 2

i think most of the answers so far are one sided and judgemental.

Yes it is possible to object to the war. the way to do it is simple. state i object to it and her are my reaasons why. I would accept that it as an answer. I have family in the military who are serving and fighting this war and I am undecided if i am for or against it. So iwould understand and respect it. Just like I respect the opinion of the person who is pro- war and gungho for it. too many people take their position on this war and cannot accept anothers opinion. the funniest part about that is that the majority of these people (both pro and anti) have no direct insight or experience with anyone who has anything to do with the war and base their opinions solely on one sided news reporting. which is sad. make an informed decision and stand by it but respect anothers informed opinion.

Answer 3

I will cite an example, the war in Vietnam is perfect. In the Documentary "The 10'000 day war" about the war in Vietnam, the General of the North Vietnamese Army was interviewed. He said, basically, can't quote it word for word, that the NVA was totally defeated in the Tet offensive of 1968.
The North Vietnamese government was about to sue for peace, meaning, a victory for the Republic of Vietnam and the United States over the North Vietnamese communists and the Soviet Union. The war was won!
Then General Vo Nguyen Giap noticed the peace demonstrations, riots and the final straw, Walter Cronkite were all against the war. Giap convinced the political leadership of North Vietnam to continue the fight, costing more lives and resulted in a victory for the North Vietnamese Communists and the Soviet Union.
The same thing is happening today. Like spoiled brats, you dissent because you can for the purpose of dissenting and you do support terrorists and those who would attack the United States with your dissent.
My only hope is, if you are successful, you live in densely packed urban areas where terrorists like to attack.

Answer 4

I object to the war 100%. It was a war of choice, a bad choice. It did not have to happen. There were many other options available.

I do not hate the troops. They are just doing there job. Many don't want to be there and agree with what I have said. I do not support the enemy. Of course, no one knows for sure who the enemy is in Iraq. There are terrorist there now, but they weren't there before we invaded. I am also not a hippy.

But , it really doesn't matter to most Conservatives. Since I hate the war, they will consider me a Liberal, and since they hate Liberals, they will hate me and come up will all sorts of lies.

Answer 5

It depends if you are having an honest conversation, or are dealing with someone who would rather spew rhetoric and invectives rather than closely examine the validity of their arguments.

To the author of the question, in your follow up: the responder called those who are "obtuse" "obese and fat-headed" so the person was correct in characterizing that as calling him/her obese.

Answer 6

I don't worry about what people say about me. I don't believe in the war. My daughter is in Iraq and will be coming home next month. Bush doesn't have a clue on winning the war, and he doesn't have a clue on how to end it. I support the troops, but not the war.

Answer 7

I can give you an example. Can you be against Abortion and still support the Doctor?
Can you be a non believer and still look up in the heavens asking God why?
If you do not support the war why are you far giving the troupes instrument to kill?

To Nebtet....Why do you call me obese,is that
judging me.? Your opinions of people who you do not even know will come back to haunt you.

use common sense and not calling names,unless you are perfect looking and a genius.

Answer 8

There's lots of people who feel the same way. I support the troops, but do not agree with our policy in Iraq. I also support the troops by holding our leaders accountable.

Answer 9

Probably not on here, but it is possible and happens in discussions across America every single day.

The swiftness that discussion descends into name call and generalization on TV and on forums is appalling. It seems that many people are only able to parrot talk radio or TV.

Answer 10

well, since 70% of the American citizenry now objects to the war on Iraq i would suppose there's plenty of room.

unless GW's obtuse 29 Percenters are so obese and fatheaded theres just no room for anyone else.