This is a kind of spin off from coach's post.
I never quite understood how supporting the troops had to necesarrily equate to agreeing with policy. So, say if i oppose the way the war is being handled or question the presumptions in going to war...i can (and probably will) be accused of not supporting the troops. What in the blue hell does one thing have to do with the other?
I wholeheartedly support the United States soldiers in any mission that they are sent on. I want them to perform their job to the absolute best of their ability and that they come home safe. I want the United States government to give the troops every possible resource so that they can do their jobs quickly, efficiently, and safely, one the decision is made to actually send troops.
But how does that mean that i have to agree with the policy that sent the soldiers into combat?
Yeesh.
This isn't directed towards anyone here and only relates to coach's post in that it gave me the idea, but it is just something that bugs me.
I never quite understood how supporting the troops had to necesarrily equate to agreeing with policy. So, say if i oppose the way the war is being handled or question the presumptions in going to war...i can (and probably will) be accused of not supporting the troops. What in the blue hell does one thing have to do with the other?
I wholeheartedly support the United States soldiers in any mission that they are sent on. I want them to perform their job to the absolute best of their ability and that they come home safe. I want the United States government to give the troops every possible resource so that they can do their jobs quickly, efficiently, and safely, one the decision is made to actually send troops.
But how does that mean that i have to agree with the policy that sent the soldiers into combat?
Yeesh.
This isn't directed towards anyone here and only relates to coach's post in that it gave me the idea, but it is just something that bugs me.
I don't think that one necessarily means the other, and seems to me any rational person wouldn't either... I support our troops. They're doing what they are called to do, and for that I am most appreciative. Not sure what my view is anymore on the war... I just hope they all come home, and are safe in the meantime.
It's a no-win situation. Once the troops are sent somewhere, your supporting them is tacit approval of supporting the government policy that sent them, and is keeping them, there. If you want them home asap you are likely to be seen as against the government policy of "we've got a job to do there, and we aren't leaving until we're done." You really cannot separate supporting the troops and supporting the policy that has them there, nice as it would be able to do so.
Well put G-dawg.
Soldiers are smart enough to know the difference. As a soldier myself, I don't always support government policy. However I do my job, no matter who is in charge. that's part of my agreement with the US government.
It's my opinion that only the most rabid right winger who wouldn't understand the seemingly (to him) duplicity of your thought process.
It's my opinion that only the most rabid right winger who wouldn't understand the seemingly (to him) duplicity of your thought process.
I think you make an excellent point Pug, and I appreciate the diplomatic way you stated it. What riles me is when people on either side of the argument start attacking the policy makers, people who oppose their opinion etc...
I think you can do both obviously, but I think it's hard.
I think you can do both obviously, but I think it's hard.