Why do some people claim that soldiers are "defending our right to Free Speech" in Iraq?

Question

I've had freedom of speech for a very long time... in fact, my whole life.

Some soldiers certainly made that possible a long time ago.

But today's war isn't really about that, is it?

And why are protesters always considered the "enemy of free speech" with this particular type of person?

Can't protesters lay just as much claim to earning their freedom these days?

Now, if you're going to berate me and claim that I'm anti-military, then do what you must but it's only going to be a matter of time before your ideology is the least popular one.

Answer 1

Your freedom of speech is guranteed by guys like myself and all the others who have served or serve now standing up against an enemy who would like to see us destroyed. The goal of the terrorist is to overthrow a government and cause a society to self destruct becuase of a fear that is developed in that country by heinous acts. The truth is that they fear us because of our prosperity. We dont follow their beliefs and yet we are prosperous and that goes against what they believe in.

By defending you and every other American we are giving you the right to live your life without fear of persecution or oppression. You're right, we are not directly defending your right to speak out, but we are defending your right to live the life you do. I personally see anyone who bashes us military guys as a coward and not worth the sacrifice. They call us babey killers, hired guns (or mirks), murderers, yet they are unwilling to stand up and volunteer to go fight. They prefer to sit here in America on their cushy chair and sip starbucks and bash the sacrifices we have made just because they dont agree with war. Perhaps they are right! Perhaps all of us military guys should stop shooting at the enemy, stop patrolling the boarders, stop gathering intelligence, and let's see what happens. Ah, but then when the proverbial poop hits the fan, they will be crying for someone to do something.

Long story short, War is a necessary evil sometimes. It's not pleasant, it's quite often difficult and costly, but it usually has a long term result that most will forget anyway.

Answer 2

So, just because our right to free speech was threatened and defended "a long time ago" means it's forever safe and untouchable?!
Wrong.
The people we are fighting in Iraq HATE the idea that us in this country have that right.
Put down your signs and open your ears.
Talk to people who've been there, who actually KNOW what's going on instead of relying on CNN or some other biased crap that only feeds you what you want to hear.
We have enemies, and yes we did create them........ not by trying to liberate their country, but by exercising the very right you claim isn't at stake.

Answer 3

This is more than one question. Go to Iran and start talking and see how long before you get your head cut off.
You will then see the lack of free speech.
I never heard any one say protesters were an enemy of free speech and I am very well read. So I don't know who your talking about.
Protesters give strength to the enemy because it makes them believe that they will win the war here in public opinion.
How does protesting earn something? Unless your being paid to do it?

Answer 4

War.
1 a (1): a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations (2): a period of such armed conflict (3): state of war b: the art or science of warfare c (1)obsolete : weapons and equipment for war (2)archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war2 a: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism b: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end c: variance, odds 3

Iraq is not a war. I have the nothing but respect for our troops. I have had 12 loved ones go over there. But Iraq is an occupation and has nothing nothing to do with Terror or our freedoms!

This is not about Freedom...

This is not about Keeping them over there so they don't come here

This has nothing to do with 911.

This about oil and the lack of vision that the Administration had about the middle east.

Am I going to get thumbs down for looking up War in Websters dictionary?

Answer 5

What part of getting blown up in the Mall don't you understand?This war has nothing to do with freedom of speech,,,It has to do with Radical Muslims wanting to blow your head off.OK,,,I understand that you think this will never happen to you ,but the truth is if you don't get behind our effort to stop terrorism it will be right here in your front yard.That's right,,, your kids will no longer be safe anywhere they go.Is that what you really want?
As far as I am concerned,you and anyone like you should have two choices.One,,,understand that this war is about protecting our way of life,,,Two,Take yourself and anyone else that believes the way you do and leave.We will never be able to conserve our way of life as long as people like you continue to protest our Government on every move they make to protect us.
One other thing,,,Its only a matter of time before you are singled out as traitors and cowards.That's not Ideology,that's your fate.......

Answer 6

I think that the biggest misconception that comes with protesting is that by protesting you are against the military. This is not true. What most people are protesting are the politics and people running the show. NEVER, berat the soldiers who lay down their lives for their country. It is the policy makers that we must criticize. We support our troops, just not necessarily the policy makers who put them overseas. I don't have to love our president to love our country.

Answer 7

U.S. soldiers are defending our right to be free in ALL aspects of our lives, including speech. As you say, you've had freedom of speech your whole life, fighting the enemy in foreign countries allows you to keep it.

Answer 8

It's called cognitive dissonance. If you serve in Iraq or know someone who does, it's beyond your imagination to believe the truth: the "war" has nothing to do with keeping us safe, and the soldiers dying in Iraq are dying for no reason. So instead you invent reasons for them to be there, even though there's nothing to back those justifications up.

The military defends our rights only so far as they protect the country from invasion. When the military engages in aggressive warfare against a country that poses no threat to us, then it's not defending our rights.

Answer 9

Because by defending us from those who would have us stoning women in the street, cutting off the genitals of female babies, and cutting people's heads off with hack saws just for being Jewish, they are defending our way of life, and thus ALL of our rights.

Answer 10

because my husband gives you the very right to be sitting on your computer asking stupid questions like this.

if our country were invaded...would you defend yourself against all of those men that came to kill you? I would love to have our military take a few days off in iraq..

see what happens.

and i would love to be able to send you there instead of my husband to see what they are fighting for. freedom of speech is something that is earned..and that freedom is brought to you by the men and woman protecting it.

good luck with your life. i know my soldier is still defending you..even though he shouldnt be. but thats what soldiers do. defend those even when they dont give them the same support back.