How often do you think about the wars?

Question

I am doing a research project at school about if

1) Americans feel apathetic about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you're an American, does it interest you?
2) For people who don't think about it that much, why?
3) Do you have any close friends or relatives serving in either war?

Please focus only on the above rather than if you are opposed to the war or not. Also please do not rant about disliking Americans or our president, there are other forums for that. I chose this topic SIMPLY because it seems to me that rarely does anyone ever seem to talk about the wars in day to day conversation, even though it's all over the news.

I am at a boarding school with no internet access and have been able to stay with a friend on the last 2 Friday nights. Let's thank her and her family for this rather EXTREME generosity as I would have trouble researching my project without it.

Thank you and good day.

Answer 1

1) Americans feel apathetic about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you're an American, does it interest you?

The war does interest me, primarily because I am an active duty soldier and have been to both areas and am about to return. It is very true that Americans are apathetic about the conflicts and I believe that has a great deal to do with their own lack of government service and the constant misrepresentation from the media and politicians. That is not to say we are winning/not winning, or one side of the asile has it right, but is to say the media tends to focus on the wrong issues and over looks the dynamics in that part of the world. I guess ultimately though, if you've been there then you think about what's going on there.



2) For people who don't think about it that much, why?
N/A

3) Do you have any close friends or relatives serving in either war?

Yes

Answer 2

It interests me. I used to think about it more when I thought I could follow it and understand it but, it's gotten so complicated and it's been going on for so long now, I don't spend as much time thinking about it. I don't have any close friends or relatives serving though. If I did, I would be obsessed with it.

I think about it once or twice a day when I hear about it or see something about it in the news. I don't try too hard to follow it now because, if I had an opinion about the way something should be done and, the opposite happened, I'd get too mad. Also, I am usually busy working and dealing with my and my family's problems.

People probably don't talk about it because they don't have the "answers". My mother says when people do talk about it they become very agitated. I guess nobody wants that.

Interesting topic for a paper. Hope you get something here you can use:)

Answer 3

Hi! I am the wife of an airman who is currently deployed to Afghanistan (but he should be home very soon!) I think about the wars and it troubles me that the media coverage on it is so sketchy. My husband will call and tell me something that happened where he is and it sounds like news to me, but I search the internet and find no news stories on it whatsoever. A friend of mine from high school is discharged from the Navy yet living in Iraq and starting a school in a peaceful city. I didn't know that until I searched and found him on Myspace the other day. But do I talk about the wars? Rarely. I don't mention it to my friends or family and they don't mention it to me. I think that we feel that whatever is going to happen, will happen and the politicians don't listen to people anyway, they just twist what they want to get votes. So, yea, I think about he wars, but I don't talk about them at all. Good luck on your project!

Answer 4

I can't stop thinking about my war or any other war for that matter. I am a Vietnam era veteran, who surfers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD is the number one largest casualty in any war. It has been called battle fatigue, and shell shock. What is for me is sleeplessness, nightmares, day-mares, oversleeping, agoraphobia, being afraid of being alone, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, bipolar disorder, being just plain scare of living and at the same time being afraid of dieing. There is no cure, there are fixes; medications and therapy.

The young men and women over in Iraq and in Afghanistan are suffering PTSD as well. No statistics here but I believe that more veterans die from PTSD then bullets or bombs. The experience of PTSD can can be most depressing which can lead to suicide in some cases if not treated correctly.

I have a brother in law who served two tours in Iraq. I had 2 cousins who served in Vietnam, I had 4 uncles and a father who fought in World War 2. I guess this allows me to have some insight to the memories of a soldier.

USAF Retired

Answer 5

1) Americans feel apathetic about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you're an American, does it interest you?
Oh, I think about it quite frequently. But I'm sick of hearing that the "future of the nation is in ruins." That just bugs me like crazy. But it is commonly on my mind.

2) Do you have any close friends or relatives serving in either war?
No.

Hope I am of some help Lor!

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Answer 6

Hello!! I've missed your questions and answers.

I hope you aren't suffering too much at boarding school. Are you coming home for Christmas? That's lucky that your friend is allowing you to use to computer. Emily and I still talk lots lol. People in the Adolescent category have been quite mean and been asking hurtful questions, but I've been sticking up for her and so has Gussie and a few others.

I don't think about the war much because I don't believe in violence to solve problems and I feel that the money could be spent on feeding homeless children in developing countries.

Have a nice day

Answer 7

Who said that 'all' Americans feel apathetic? Your comment is a statement and not all Americans are lacking in the concern for their Soldiers. I for one think about the War and how it affects our Soldiers, during and AFTER the effect, and how little they get paid to do what they do, and how little they get recognized for what they do and have done in the past.
So Thank You to all the Soldiers now, and from before for what you are doing and have done! :-)

Question number 3: YES

Answer 8

1. I dont feel apathetic,I agree why were there and everytime a democrat representative opens his mouth it infuriates me.It does interest me,because I can understand what and why we are there,and what the hopeful outcomes will be.
2.Think about it daily.
3.No,my father and brother both served in the military.Korea for my Dad and the 80's for my brother(10 years)

Answer 9

I don't think about the war. Why ?as I type this many,many people in this world are living a life of hell Do I care yes ,but what can my talking about it do? I see many "free Tipet" stickers I know they think it shows how much they care But what good are they doing? Sometimes I hear or read "ho i feel so bad young girl raped" well of cause you feel bad Why do you feel the need to tell us! Sorry but I thought it was under one per cent in the military

Answer 10

I think about it daily. Both Iraq and Afganistan, but I'm one of the .3% of the population that is in the military. I think you will find a lot of us on this forum of YA so you will have a very skewed sample of people asking that here. The reason we are here on the Military questions is because we have that connection somehow.