Posted on 06/14/2004 8:49:31 AM PDT by oompa-loompa
This weekend I was at a friends party and found myself in a calm debate over the war and PResident Bush. I was speaking with a person who called herself "a screaming left-wing moderate" (as if). She was talking about having been to anti-war demonstrations in Washington DC. I told her that I thought debate and opposition was fine and patriotic up until the first shot is fired but once the war is on- debate is ineffective and can only serve to weaken morale and strengthen the resolve of the enemy.
She went on to ask me a very odd question and as prepared as I was to handle "WMD, no al Queada connection and war for oil" arguments- I must admit I had to stammer when she asked me this-"If Kerry wins in November, and we are still at war in the middle east, will conservatives keep quiet and blindly support him unitl the troops come home?" She smuggly added, "...The way you are asking the left to support Bush just because we are at war." I have to admit it is the first time I have had to think about the possiblity.
My question- "If Kerry wins and we are still at war, are we obliged to give him quiet support until our troops are out of danger?"
Nicely put!
FMCDH(BITS)
I think the answer must be yes, for there is no way one can support the troops while undermining their Commander in Chief. Partisan bickering only strengthens the hand of the enemy.
Still, I strongly suspect your friend's question is an academic one; for I simply can't imagine the American people electing Kerry to the presidency. He is completely unprincipled, lacks vision, has no integrity, no charm, zero affability, is an elitist, looks like Lurch, and is a boring stiff and, frankly, a bit of a gigolo. JMHO. (I feel entitled to criticize my senator, for whom I have never voted.)
This post in combination with some of his other posts, for example:
"They used to tell us that Saddam and bin Laden were sworn enemies. We know that Reagan aided Saddam Hussein throughout the 80's. How could Reagan have supported Saddam and Osama at the same time?"
"This is the sort of thing that is being trumpetted to get ready for the US debut of Moore's film Farenheit 911. The premise of the entire film is that the Bush family have been arm-in-arm buddies with the Saudi royal family since before WWII. This news piece is intended to demonstrate that the friendship between Bush and the Saudis is so strong that he made sure that they were taken care of when Americans had to go without air service and other conveniences. "
"Rummy will probably leave after November so Cheney should go back to Defense and the VP will not be Guliani but Zell Miller. Bush will clean up with a "born-again" former Democrat (Who's a damned sight more conservative then Guliani). Bush will be able to reclaim the "uniter not divider" role by naming Zell (the only Dem I would consider). "
Are you sure this was a Democrat? That was a rather clever riposte. Makes me suspicious. Perhaps she was a GOPer playing devil's advocate.
You shouldn't blindly support anyone. You should however think very hard about separating your animosity for the man from his policies. If Kerry wins (shudder), I'll support the war effort, and I'll pray like never before that God will give wisdom and guidance to President Kerry, especially where the WOT is concerned.
If he makes decisions regarding the WOT that I don't agree with, rather than scream on a message board or gripe to others about it, I'll try to write my represenatives in congress and try to remember that the people in charge have access to intelligence information that I don't.
I'll continue to express my distrust of him, but I will support the war effort.
I will fight any effort on his part to abandon the Iraq battle or to turn any part of the WOT over to the UN, but as long as he tries to defend our country and wage the WOT, I'll support his efforts.
Speaking of bannings, is that what happened to the longtime anti-war FR stalwart Burkeman1? He stepped so far over the line so long ago that I thought he'd be here forever. And I was looking forward to him banning HIMSELF (which he said he'd do) when the Red Sox didn't win the World Series this year.....which they won't.
Ah--well. I was duped, too. Did think that it was an interesting question. It's scary to contemplate Kerry in charge of a war.
The answer is not because Kerry would pull the troops out and surrender to the UN. Surrender is not an option, we are not aiming for a tie, we are aiming for victory and that is the attitude that is in full support of our troops.
I think if Kerry wins he will - despite all his bluster - see the Iraq thing through till the end. Then the Dems will give him credit for everything; suddenly it will be recast as a war of liberation, with Kerry and the Dems the heroes.
You could point her to Vietnam, Korea, WWII, and even Kosovo. How many Republicans were in the streets protesting those conflicts?
Honestly Steve, I don't know what choice he would really have, all that bluster notwithstanding. I'm sure hoping your "credible" scenario will not come true.
Probably not. That is why I want George Bush to be re-elected so he can finish the job. I still do not know how you can win a war on terror without destroying the Muslim faith. My prediction is we will clean up Iraq over the next few years and then saction everyone else if terroism continues. After all we would not want to go into Saudi Arabia, Libya, North Korea, Syria or Iran would we ?
I will ALWAYS support our troops...period. I will work hard to vote out those who misuse them and disrespect them. IF Kerry wins in November I will be lobbying my congressmen and senators to provide as much money as the MILITARY asks for to support our troops. Will I like Kerry? No way in hell. Will I respect the Presidency? Always. WIll I respect the President? We'll have to wait and see
That being said, if the unthinkable happens, am I gonna keep my mouth shut? Hell no!
Because if Ketchup Boy starts yanking troops out of the Region, he's leaving us wide open to yet another massive attack. And every damn death will be on his head.
First off, there is NO WAY Kerry can win.
But if he did, I would protest every MISTAKE he made, which would most likely be everything he did.
Welcome to Free Republic, I think.
DC, I'm not sure what you are talking about or why you Directed your comments to me...
I am not a liberal plant, and been an active member since :
Since Feb 10, 1999.
I was only citing my suspicions since the person had already been zotted by the Moderator.
The Left doesn't support the war, the troops or Bush now. After a Kerry victory, The Left STILL won't support the war or the troops.
The Right is fighting this World War by itself.
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