Many military people on this site feel we should support Bush, but for people that don't?

Question

...Bush says "we must support the troops", many troops, NOT ALL, say we must support the President. Again, isn't this just a tragic loop? Does anyone remember Vietnam?

ex-military

scorpion...very well said, but unconvincing

Answer 1

Supporting the troops does NOT mean blindly supporting presidential policy. It means support the freaking troops.

My endorsement, apathy, or open disagreement with the President's policies does not affect ANY troop (favorably or unfavorably), deployed or otherwise.

It is the right of every American to express his or her viewpoint on the President's policies -- for or against.

It is the worst sort of "hide behind a human shield" political cowardice for an administration or its supporters to quell dissent by equating that dissent with nonsupport of the troops...who are NOT political.

MSgt, USAF (Retired)

Answer 2

Ya I remember Vietnam... Just kidding, I'm a youngin. Well since the troops are there I think we should support them at least. Even if they are there because a crazy man sent them, they are still honorable men. The president better support them sense he sent them there. Also the troops should support there President. It would be dangerous for a standing army do ignore its nations president. That's what happens just before a revolution. I think that would be pretty bad. The country stands so divided already, it would result in a horrible outcome. Also there is strength in unity. In good times and hard times, it isn't so much how we got to this point,but what we will do from here. We can be strong even now. A time for making new decisions and breaking down old ones will come at elections. But we are all still Americans. Are opinions should always be available and produced in an appropriate manor. As for now I think we should all support each other to provide strength in this time. When elections come we can change things up a bit.

I wouldn't compare this to Vietnam though. As far as I can tell our army has delt some major blows to terrorists. Our actions in the middle east, while there are casualties, have been a success in that there have been no more successful attacks on our home turff. Which is what the terrorists want and have been trying. I would compare it to Vietnam in one way. The media has attacked the wars so much that they have successfully divided the country. Everything they say about the war is negative. They leave out the many successess and heroic acts of the soldiers, and show only their shot bodies lying on the ground. I believe the good and bad should both be represented so people can form their own opinions rather then the one sided, already decided, opinion of the current media. Cause if that is all there is then what else are people going to think?

Answer 3

I support the best interests of the country regardless if that is defined as supporting the troops. I appreciate what they do, and all of that, but I can't support this war. It has been far too costly and ineffective. The Iraqi government has done little to nothing to build confidence either. Why should we spend more than we already have for them to just waste our efforts and the lives of our young men and women? It seems to be that Bush is basically trying to guilt everyone into allowing his war to continue. I don't think congress should care what insults the Whitehouse lobs at them and just support the will of the American people. What is so important about supporting the troops at a detriment to the country. Obviously politicians are just looking out for their own image come reelection time, and that has to stop. We elect leaders to do as we want not just so they can back down to the words of a proven liar. Honestly go ahead and say I don't support the troops I don't really care, because I support something more important than the troops. I support the United States of America.

Answer 4

OK! let me make this clear I am a veteran who served in the Army & Navy n my son served in the Marines,and Bush,does not tell me what I should n shouldn't do I do support my fellow veterans 200% but I do not support this war that we were lied to about getting into n so many of my fellow veterans have paid the ultimate price for i do not see any of Bush's daughters over there do u and for someone who avoided going to Vietnam,because his old man had connections I have no respect for him or what he has to say what so ever does than answer ur question about what I think about what Bush,has to say.

Answer 5

Wow, I guess I'm aiming too low since I do not want to 'win' a Medal of Honor (smartr-n-u)! I did not vote for Bush either time that he stole the presidency, and I'm in the Army. I have never believed in or supported Bush, yet I deployed in 2003, hoping to make a difference there. I know quite a few soldiers who do not support Bush, yet they still deployed.
"I am a soldier, I go where I am told and I win where I fight"

Answer 6

I don't care whether troops support the current President or not. What I do care about is some military personnel letting politics affecting his/her job negatively. This is not about the President, this is about helping your fellow troops by doing your job and duty.

Answer 7

This is bushes war not americas,,, we support out troops because they are our soldiers, The commander in cheif works for the united states citizens, They are in the wrong country,, this had nothing to do with 911 but it was a good smokescreen

Answer 8

Military personnel are forbidden by law to tell you to support or not support a sitting president. Anyone claiming to be a soldier who does this is probably lying.

If you disagree with our president's policies, by all means express yourself. All I ask is that you show a little sensitivity for our troops who dying over there for us.

To take a ridiculous black-and-white stance that all war is wrong and the military shouldn't actually fight anyone is hurtful to soldiers. It belittles them and their contribution to our country.

To denigrate the president, call him a liar or a terrorist by extension denigrates the troops that follow his orders.

To take photos of our fallen comrades and then use them in a shameless propaganda attack on our president is also hurtful to our military.

To devote countless hours of lugubrious reporting on Abu Graib and not even mention the stories of our Medal of Honor winners is insulting and hateful.

Also, unlike Vietnam, nobody is forcing you to go over there, so I really don't see what your gripe is.

Answer 9

I don't blame the military for what they feel and for them to ask us to support this war, so it will end soon is an expected response from some of them. What they don't yet realize is that it is Bush and company that is getting them killed!

Answer 10

i surely do remember viet nam. ford, faced with the tragedy of the nixon resignation was forced to giveup funding to the eternal whining of the liberals who were doing the exact same thing in congress as now, grandstanding and stunting. the result was we had our allies dangling from the rooftops and relationships in that part of the world were damaged for years to come. at least bush had the sense and decency not to knuckle under to the pelosi/reid regime. there is no loop here, just bush learning from the past how to effectively deal with liberal whining.