SoulPancake / Conversations / Is it possible to support the troops but not the war?

Hayley

- 2 years ago

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Is it possible to support the troops but not the war?

Here's a timely question for memorial day. I was raised very conservatively, to value patriotism and to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. After leaving home, my political views changed drastically, I now identify as a liberal and a pacifist. I disagree with America's involvement in the War in Iraq. American soldiers are overseas, fighting in my name as an American for things I don't believe in. Yet, I still want to be proud of soldiers, their bravery and their sacrifice. Rationally, can I do both?

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unreasonable*

It's definitely a complicated issue. At some level, I think that you can support troops without supporting the war. Ultimately, though, I think it comes down to supporting ideals. What ideals do you support? It is possible, even likely, that many troops are in the war now because they thought they were supporting those ideals. I'm sure some have joined the armed forces for completely different ideals.

So for me it comes down to this. What ideals do I support? They may have absolutely nothing to do with the war or the troops, so for me that is a moot point. I support helping people in need. I'm sure many of the troops are doing this. I support treating people with kindness and respect. I'm sure some of the troops are doing this. I support protecting those who can't protect themselves. I know many troops joined for this reason and I support that strongly.

Do I think the war is accomplishing many of the ideals I support? Overall, no, not really. Do I think that stopping the war right now will bring us in closer alignment to my ideals? In many areas, I don't know, in some, I don't think so.

Do I really think this is a war? No, not really. I do see it as a minimally effective attempt at control. I mean, who exactly are we at war with? We're not at war with Iraq. We're not at war with the Iraqi people. We are at war with "Terrorism", but who leads that? How do we know when we won? That's like being at war with "lying". It's an action and one that will likely continue in various different ways. Destroying one terrorist group will only allow another to take its place. When will the "terrorists" surrender. It doesn't make sense, and in my opinion it's only a political term used to confuse the issue.

I think getting caught up in whether we support the war or the troops is more or less pointless. Just be considerate that many of the troops are putting their lives on the line to do what they think is right. I think that they should at least be respected for that, even if I don't agree with their reasons.

I guess I am the only one who thinks that supporting the troops is supporting the war.

Enlisting into the Army should be discouraged - and I suppose if that means you should shun them for their actions, then so be it.

They need to understand that people don't like what they are doing, and there is no honor or glory in "fighting for your country", because your country's people deplore what you voluntarily enlisted yourself to do.

I feel no pity for a war soldier, because they chose to do what they did. You can call me insensitive, but I think if your idea of justice is enlisting to become a killer - then you want to be just that, and you should be treated like a killer and in light of the obvious lies, a murder.

Can you support a terrorist, but not his suicide bombings?

If you say no, then you are two-faced.

I have never understood the need to reconcile the two. Of course we all support the troops. But I don't support the war one bit. I support the troops in that I want them to come home from this bullshit war.

There's a possible link there to supporting/loving a person but not necessarily what they are doing at the moment. It's something that I think most parents of older/adult children can relate to.

Some soldiers might accept and appreciate this kind of support. But I wonder if most, when they think of "support", think of the process of not only supporting them but what they are doing and why they are doing it.

I think for "patriotism" to work, one needs to support every aspect of the maneuver.

British troops - same problem.

but like the history of the Quaker ambulance service - I actively take a pacifist stance - but will rescue wounded soldiers and try to care for them as best is humanly possible...

in the great war ambulance service Quakers were mocked as cowardly conscientious objectors - but they got killed rescuing wounded soldiers from no mans land and risked as much as anybody...

I tried to do my bit by supporting ex soldiers with PTSD - in a group I set up in South Wales (most were traumatised from Northern Ireland and the Falklands).

so the answer is a clear yes -
campaign to halt the war makers, but support those who merely serve....

Sure you can! It's not the soldiers' decision to wage or declare war on someone, that authority is left to the suits in Washington who'll never see the battlefield or shed a single drop of blood.........The troops fight for the RIGHT reasons: to protect our homeland, to bring freedom and liberty to places and people where such things are denied, to combat the tyranny of evil men and to make the world a safer place in the long-run....The fat-cats who get to decide where and when to go to war often choose to do so for reasons that have nothing to do with noble aspirations and patriotism. Governments wage war for reasons like: Greed, Politics, Power, Religious Differences, as a means of diverting national attention away from themselves and onto a common enemy, to maintain or promote an image, public posturing, or just because they can do it with little or no risk to themselves. The politicians who declare war, and the corporate interests who profit from it don't hafta bleed or pay the ultimate price, but you can bet that EVERY soldier bleeds and some give all they've got to give. So while it's understandable, reasonable and even NECESSARY to question the basis for war and the decision to declare war, failure to support the common folks who are caught in the middle and those who shed their own blood to protect our homes and uphold our ideals is an unconscionable act, a slap in the face by one who is a truly ungrateful b*****d.......Memorial Day is for the troops, and the troops alone. Not for war...NEVER for war

Absolutely. The fact that you are able to write this question is because someone fought in a war so you could. But assuming we are talking of modern warfare:

People that join the military in doing so give up their right to free will in servitude of the interests of our country. The people that command them may not always have the best intentions, but that does not detract from the fact that people are giving their lives because they feel we are doing things to help make the world better or defending peace as we socially understand it. You've got to think.. what are you willing to give your life for? These people are willing to give their life for you, or them, or us, and that in itself should be appreciated and remembered.

Supporting the troops is supporting a human being ....
I don't think it's ever ok to not support someone who will potentially die for you .

I think this is a very complicated question, I think that one can support the troops without supporting the war. That said I do not feel like you can protest the war and at the same time fully support the troops. Our service men and women see the news from back home and I think that it would be very hard to see protesting the very thing they are putting their lives on line for every day. I have a cousin who is serving in the Gulf right now and I will continue to support her and the rest of our troops until they all come home.

SoulPancake

Hayley

Is it possible to support the troops but not the war?

LetsTryVenusProject

unreasonable*

CStroliaDavis

LetsTryVenusProject

ferk

I have never understood the need to reconcile the two. Of course we all support the troops. But I don't support the war one bit. I support the troops in that I want them to come home from this bullshit war.

Griz

flashbanding

nothingman

Portals

Rossh4739

Supporting the troops is supporting a human being ....
I don't think it's ever ok to not support someone who will potentially die for you .

SinCityMac

Is it possible to support the troops but not the war?

unreasonable*

I have never understood the need to reconcile the two. Of course we all support the troops. But I don't support the war one bit. I support the troops in that I want them to come home from this bullshit war.

Supporting the troops is supporting a human being ....I don't think it's ever ok to not support someone who will potentially die for you .

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Supporting the troops is supporting a human being ....
I don't think it's ever ok to not support someone who will potentially die for you .