Do You Think Publicly Expressing Doubt About The War Hurts In Anyway Our Troops Serving or Their Families?
82226
Two personal points: 1. the military serves to uphold our constitutional rights - among the most important is our right to free speech. Even if a soldier were to find public opinion running against the war, in a sense, it's the responsibility to protect the right to hold and express that contrary opinion that lies at the root of duty; and 2. if a military action is unjust, a soldier has the responsibility not to follow illegal orders. This is a contentious point, but think of the prosecution of East German soldiers who shot people trying to escape over the Berlin Wall during the period in which Germany was divided. The soldiers got serious prison time for following orders that were later adjudged to have been illegal.\n\nThere is a narrow line between personal responsibility and insubordination, but in the case of Iraq, there are situations in which I think that that line needs to be pointed out, if we're doing that on the homefront, well, it may be because our civilian leaders have lost track of the ethical basis on which just wars should be waged.
663106
To all those who "Support the troops, but not the war":\n\nI do not want your support so please be quiet and stop undermining public policy.\n\nThank You
1006059
It is a shame that people are dying.  But the soldiers are in Iraq to try to better the lives of the Iraqi people as a whole.  I don't agree with war, but I also don't agree with oppression or dictatorships.  So it has me upset in more ways than one.  I do not want anymore people to get hurt, but what about all those that died under Hussein's regime?  One of those soldiers were from close to where I live...he was from Springfield, MA.  It does feel like it is never going to end.  I support the soldiers, for I know that they are doing their job, and it must be hell for them.  So I am a torn soul when it comes to this war.  I hope that the people involved are safe and no more harm comes to them...I can HOPE.
571884
I don't think there is anything wrong with putting your family at the top of your list of priorities.  Quite right.  As for the war, it seems it doesn't really matter what anyone says about it - it's going on whether we like it or not.
607148
As a veteran and recent retiree, I always thought it was funny that the people that always had the most negative things to say were the one that never had the balls to serve themselves, yet they criticized and ostracized our fine young men and woman fighting in the service of our country. I joined immediately after the Vietnam conflict and we were really hated, But we went on and did our jobs to make our country free and help others throughout the world. The lack of appreciation that Americans show for their military personel is mind boggling. My son just got out of the army and was fortunate to not have gone to Iraq (he went to Korea instead) yet he still gets flak all the time. Unfortunately with all the negative remarks in the media lately some people think that all military personnel are assholes and don't realize there is such a small percentage of soldiers that have ever caused any type of problems. I feel for you. as for the abuse, report it throught the site moderator and see if that helps. Good luck to you and thankyou for your service to our fine Nation.
1075024
Unfortunately you are hurting the military, or should I say the people in the military, but not how you think you are.\n\nYou are not lowering their will to get the job done, and you personaly are not making them disheartened, but by spreading your propaganda you are giving hopr to the enemy and also inciting hatred of your own countrymen by constant references to murders and attrocities which are unproven.\n\nThis will lead to more agression towards yours (and my) troops and potentially deaths. I hope you can sleep at night.
602485
I have 2 big signs in my yard.  They both say"We support the Troops"  In between, is a huge sign that says "2400(or the new current nbr) of Brave Americans have died because Bush and Cheney lied"\nI grew up in a military family.  my great-great grandfather(beyond that, but I am lazy) fought in the revolutionary war.  I have his Sabre.  My Grandfather fought in WW1, and was blown two hundred yds in the great Halifax explosion(look it up, I'm lazy), and then served with distinction.  My father Got the Silver Star, the Silver Star with Oak-Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and a ton of other medals.  I joined during Vietnam.  \nMy point is, that as positive as we can be about supporting the Military, it only takes a couple of jerks to Mis-use the military. These brave young women, and men, deserve better, and so do we, as a Nation.  I could go on, but why?  Those of you who agree, agree.  Those who do not, do not.  This is a personal judgement, inarguable, unlike facts, or statements -of fact which would be.  \nLive with yourself.  GW seems to.
1005904
I know that because of the Viet Nam war. After the Viet Nam war.  We treated the individuals that served in that war pretty badly when they got home. Many people suffered as a result of that negetivity in our society.  People couldn't get jobs. They were outcasts in there hometowns.  I think you were feeling some of that left over crap people felt. Misguided anger because they didnt know who else to be pissed at.  Now that everyone is scared because of terrorism, they have found that we need military. I am sorry you had to suffer that way. My family always supported the military. I know that Your family did us a real service. I think its the media that has hyped it up so that we all look like a bunch of people with a newfound religion. but I think its just that we stopped being such a silent majority. Sadly those anti war and anti military people have always been loud and unapologetic about who they spit on. But now after 9/11 its chic to be patriotic.  But most of us I think have always felt that way but didnt think we should say it outloud. Its sad isnt it. that we have been ashamed to be patriotic. We should never feel ashamed to praise and stand up for those who protect and serve our country so well. And we shouldnt do it just because its the "IN" thing to do.
147279
Sending US back out for war?  Are you in the military?  Are you fighting over in the desert?  Have you made huge sacrifices for the good of this country?  I'm guessing not.  As a veteran I can safely say that the majority of military personnel would be insulted by you saying "us".  They are trained professionals who believe in what they do and take pride in fighting evil.  Next time I suggest saying our military.  Or our troops, soldiers, sailors or airmen.  \n\nIf you are currently in the military, I apologize.
430334
I feel that in a given situation what started as good intent has turned bad.  Our soldiers went to Iraq on a mission for our leaders, a mission disguised as Democracy.  You cannot blame the soldiers.  When this mission did not turn in favor of our leaders bad things began to happen, soldiers in confusion, some of them young and very ignorant or unknowledgable of the Iraqi culture, or any respect of other cultures, some just the a-holes that we interact with on any given day back here in the USA, those who are high strung or have a superior than you attitude. Some, terrified young men and woman just out of high school who have yet to experience  anything of the world. Some very honorable and moral human beings-our soldiers are as diverse in humanity as any civilian on our streets-good and bad people. They are thrown into a seemingly hopeless and confusing situation.  Yes, it has turned bad, horrifically bad.  My cousin returned from his tour just 6 months ago and the heinous crimes he witnessed by his fellow soldiers against Iraqis was mentally trying and heartwrenching for him (I wish I could say more of his proof that he has, it is visual and graphically distburing)..but he feared for his own safety and feared to report some the callous acts of these soldiers as threats were made against him when he confronted them. One went as far as to make a comment of "Friendly Fire" and how dishonorable that it is to go home in a coffin from an "accident" instead of courageous battle.  There are bad people and yes some are our own, the best thing for us to do is leave Iraq.  I have said it before its not losing a war but admitting an error.  I have heard of the atrocities our soldiers are doing to civilians, and the lack of hesitation towards anyone as if they are all enemies from a soldier, an honorable person, my cousin. A man who beloves strongly in God and Faith and is terrified to speak out on what he has seen ...I hope he finds the courage to speak out and our government to admit the mistakes that they have made.\nHope this gives you insight to how some of us feel about what you mentioned.  I love and respect all cultures and all religions even if I do not understand them or agree with them, that is why the world is the world we live in the joy of diversity , the abiltiy to learn something new from someone, from ones culture.
441324
I served four tours in Iraq...as a United States Special Forces Commander...and it has affected my life...my family...I came back with a moderate - severe Traumatic Brain Injury...and ever since...I have not spoken a word in about four months...I can't tell my daughter that I love her...Or that I'm proud of her. I lost my best friend over there...and not able to do anything. I know families...and wives and children who have lost their father and husband and brother to this war. But we all fought together as one...into something that we believed in. And something...that is our duty to protect and serve this nation. I know that I am proud of my guys...and every single guy over there and every single woman and man who is training up to go over there. It's not as easy as it looks...and at times... Its' not as bad as you see it from the news...but sometimes its not that great either. I know I've learned personally...to never take anything for granted ... because you never know when it will end. I know that I am forever grateful that God gave me a second chance...and its not easy...to get second chances in life. God bless.
490736
to start with my heart goes out to all that have lost love ones in Iraq.\nmy husband is in the Australian navy and has gone to Iraq,\nthe sleepless night that i had while he was away was not worth it at all.\ni want the truth at why we are there also,\ni feel that this is a war for power from the USA government\n(GET OVER IT) none of your children, grandchildren are sent to fight so why should we send ours to fight your war of madness,\n\nwhat will you really have if you win????, \nwill it ever be over ??????\nhow many more of our husband, fathers, children, grandchildren must die for your power trip??????
156679
Yes.   I've seen that video lots of times, and the Marines are yelling at people to not move.    They also had an interpreter telling people to remain still.   When your ass is on the line, you should NOT continue to give people the benefit of a doubt because you'll end up dead.\n\nOur military is ALL VOLUNTEER.   Members know the risk when they sign up.   I know this because I have several family members who served in different branches of the military.\n\nWhether or not you agree with how/why our troops ended up in harm's way, you should consider it your civic duty to publicly support our troops.   To do anything less would be an act of ungratefulness.
990258
Well first off let me say thank you for all that you do and that your sacrifices and hard work is very much appreciated . I view our military as being true heros. Secondly,  I have to say that after responses that I recieved on my questions that I posted as to why we are so quick to get defensive when someone gives a personal opinion on this war, when in fact we live in a counrty that says we are entitled to freedom of speech and our own beliefs , it almost makes me think twice about answering this but you asked a fair question and Im going to give you my OPINION, in which by no means do I feel says that anyone else opinion is wrong but rather just different than mine. I am on the AKO and speak to a lot of soldiers on a daily basis. Some believe in what we're doing and a few don't. What I have found is that no matter what they believe they are proud to be called a United states soldier. I personally feel that this war is right. We have dealt with terrorists and know enough to know that if you don't send a strong , firm message that terrorism will not be tolerated than they will just keep coming back. I think that this should've been resolved while George Sr. was in office but hey better late than never. I am saddened by all of the deaths but I know that in war there is always sacrifices and as sad as it is it is also a reality. My heart goes out to every family who has had loss through this. It is a terrible thing to ever lose someone that you love, I know this by experience , not just because it sounds like the right thing to say. I am proud of our troops and what they have accomplished over there. Most people tend to focus on the bad that the media is so quick to put out there but noone seems to see the good things. That would be too easy and really would'nt make much of a story for the 11 o'clock news. You troops have gave these people a start to a life that we as american enjoy on a daily basis and so often take for granted. I being a female and knowing the how women there were treated take this very seriously. If I were in a country that was ran that way I for one would hope that someone would help me to become free. I guess that my view on this war comes from a lot of reasons. What I am absolutely certain of though is that no matter what anyones personal view on this war is they should support our soldiers because they did not ask to be there, they are just doing a job that they swore to do.
378743
When someone says "because our american soilders are worth 100 iraqis and we get freaked out when one dies" we look like a bunch of idiots. It is too bad that some open their mouths before they use their heads....\n\nBecause people live in a vacuum and really "don't" care (as a majority). It is sad. I think that if the Media brought home the Human picture of the Invasion of Iraq (it is more of an invasion than war), then maybe people would be more shocked. Little kids walking to school are killed often, people just going home from work (if they have the Bal*s to work), someone going to buy food.....it is so sad. They are more important than a soldier, I mean no disrespect for this either, the soldier took the job, wants to be wars and to be part of a military, which a civilian person does not. Most people in Iraq are normal people like you and me, they can't go to the store without putting their lives on the line. It is all because we want their Oil. Bush is in Iraq because his family and friends are into the Oil business. They want to be sure they have full access to the oil. It was never about Saddam. Saddam for many years was a paid ally of the US. Unfortunately we have made such a mess out of Iraq that if we pull out it would turn the country into even a bigger mess, so now, morally, we have to stay there to clean it up and hopefully make it better and at the same time assuring our access to the Oil.....how Sad. It is no wonder people hate us. Bush's agenda is his own. He is not thinking of what is best for us (the US) or for Iraq.
512563
I will say it again, to those of you who support the troops but not the war, I do not want your support so please be quiet and stop undermining public policy.\n\nevery time you say that you are fueling the enemy who knows that eventually we will give up and go home because our public makes us weak!  so in essence you are killing our soldiers with your Dissent.
399600
I personally have never had that happen before but i know that when it happens to people who are officers rather in the military or civilian, they dont like to talk about the losses. They try to see the good in every situation. Being an MP in the military, we have to learn to trust each other and since we work with each other everyday we all tend to become like a big family, and when you loose a family member no matter how close you are to them, it hurts. It's like if you were a kid and you had a puppy that your parents gave to you and you loved it to death. Well, one day it got ran over and how would you feel? You would probably feel let down, and depressed and not want to think about it again after you barried it because it hurt so bad. That's how it is. It's just like asking a solider how many people he killed in a war? Its something you dont do because a true solider doesnt want to admit it. It's not something to keep track of a boast about.