Can You Back the Troops and Oppose War?

The Weekly Standard ^ | 04/02/2003 6:20:00 AM | Terry Eastland

[Balto_Boy]

Can You Back the Troops and Oppose War?

Yes. If you consider a war unjust, then you would be right in not wanting your troops sent into harms way to fight that war. Demanding they be brought home is consistant with this.

One thing that is overlooked is that when all is said and done, one side is going to find itself on the wrong side of history. Even though there is much disagreement on the issue, we can at least respect those we disagree with for taking that risk. For this reason and many others, I hope some form of civility can be maintained in this debate.

[paul51]

Most troops oppose war

And this you know how?

[sausageseller]

Your brother is profiting off of something he opposes!

Hypocrite to the max!

[sausageseller]

Just cause for a lawsuit?

[Zavien Doombringer]

True, True. I always dispised the adim (702's) while I was lugging a 75lbs toolbox on the hot/cold/wet/humid/windy flight line (Clark AB - 86-89, Eglin 85-56, Dover 82-85)

[ohioman]

I could care less what others thought in other wars. I sincerely hope that all those against this war will rot in hell with Saddam.

[mr.pink]

Your brother is profiting off of something he opposes!

He's also putting himself at risk.

I would consider those who are against the war but buying Haliburton or Raytheon stock hypocritical profiteers. I would consider Richard Perle selling out to the Chinese as profiteering. I do not consider my brother to be profiteering, or a hypocrit.

Are college age men who are in favor of the war, but do not enlist hypocrits in your opinion. If not, why not?

[stuartcr]

The Navy is different. Unless you're a pilot or SEAL, all rates, admin or not are on the ship....it's just that since WW2, there hasn't been many ships shot at, the job really isn't much different whether you're off the vacapes, or in the Indian Ocean.

[Egregious Philbin]

Call the congresscritters and protest that way, but by parading the Bush is a Nazi horsecrap and stuff, they aren't supporting the troops, but are hurting the mission, which means a longer war and more casualties.

Speaking of a "longer war and more casualties"... By pushing this war so strongly despite the opposition of most of the world, we are now forced to fight while trying to ensure as few Iraqi civilian deaths as possible, in order to avoid fueling the ire of our detractors. This has led to troops with their hands tied, and I think THAT may cause more American casualties. If we had a greater coaliton, biding our time until we had UN approval or some consensus, we wouldn't have to be as ridiculously careful now about our military actions.

[eyespysomething]

Before I knew about the crimes Milosovich was committing (sp?) I will bet, I don't remember specifically, that I did question the need. But after I learned more, I believe I did support the effort to remove him - Milosovich - from power. He was an evil man. Once again, I don't remember specifics about that, but even if I was criticizing Clinton, it would have been in my living room with my husband. I don't think I would have ever marched around yelling that the president was like Hitler, he should be impeached (at least not for that ;-) ) etc etc ad nasuem, and ESPECIALLY not during the "action"

[BlueLancer]

"Shows you how Old Corps I am..."

When I first went into legal (court reporting) from infantry, I thought that the worst I would be seeing was some AWOLs, disrespects, some minor drug-usage/sale offenses, the normal type of (what I later found out to be) non-judicial/Captain's Mast type of stuff. My first three cases were an aggravated murder/rape/mutilation case; a child molestation/child endangerment/murder case; and a murder-for-hire case.

Shows you how naive I was ...

Anyway, now, the max penalty for a BCD Special case has increased to one year confinement and two-thirds forfeiture per month for one year (up from six months for both). And we NEVER see regular Special courts-martial (the ones that didn't authorize a kick) anymore.

[Protagoras]

And this you know how?

Unscientific survey spanning many decades. It was an opinion, and it is assumed to be one by it's form.

[Deb]

The protesters/Democrats don't support the troops, they're just being careful not to make the same mistake they made during the Cold War and Vietnam when the anti-war movement guaranteed Republican presidents till the Arkansas Goober showed up. And as everyone knows, Clinton only won because Perot convinced enough conservative male voters that he was a super-patriot.

This "we support the troops" lie needs to be exposed.

[KantianBurke]

You're sidestepping the question. Its irrelevent whether a President we trust or not calls our military out to action. Or whether its a "war" or a "police action." Once again, what did conservatives have to say about our troops themselves while they were in Kosovo or the Sudan attack? Did you support the troops then but not the mission? If so why is it impossible for one to make the leap for Democrats? Not trying to defend the left but its a legitimate query.

[Dan from Michigan]

By pushing this war so strongly despite the opposition of most of the world,

I'm a reluctant backer of this, but I don't care one bit about most of the world, especially Western Europe(most hate us anyway - it's cultural). Personally I also think we should get out of the damn UN(which is the biggest problem and a cause of a lot of the opposition).

That said, while the Iraqi people have my sympathies, I do not think we should be there to liberate Iraq. That's a PR game used. I want Saddam and his sons and party leaders out, and I want to see the evidence tying them to Al Quieda(Sp) that is supposed to be there afterward. That's the only reason I back this. If liberating Iraq is the main goal, send them guns, stinger missiles, and gas masks and let them liberate themselves.

Lastly, this war must be fought to win. No halfway measures.

[AbsoluteJustice]

Sorry Mr. Pink I did my time in the USMC

[AbsoluteJustice]

Was a War resolution ever brought to any house in congress?

[Protagoras]

I sincerely hope that all those against this war will rot in hell with Saddam.

Hard to comment on that type of rhetoric. Carry on.

[paul51]

It was an opinion

In that case, I think you are wrong. That is also just opinion but it seems to me if you were correct, the troops wouldn't be troops or we would have a lot more CO's.