[TracyPA]

I don't think most troops oppose war. We have a volunteer military. In the back of their minds the troops knew they would eventually have to fight sometime. If a person is a true pacifist (opposed to the use of force under any circumstance) why on earth would they join the military!!! If we still had the draft you might have a point.

[stuartcr]

Many join the military for the education/benefits, but never want to go to war.

[Protagoras]

Many people know that being prepared to fight, and fighting if you must, does not mean you prefer war. There are many kinds of war, some just, some not.

Opposing war and at the same time knowing that reality sometimes requires it are not inconsistent positions.

I oppose killing people in general, but would kill an intruder in my home without a moments regret to save my family.

The other question (which the question of this thread begs) is, can you support our troops but oppose a specific war?

I support our troops, I support this war. I supported our troops in Yugoslavia but opposed that war. If you can't, oh well.

[discostu]

But opposing war is not the same as pacifism. Pacifism is opposition to war taken to an absolute level that even denies self defense, one can oppose war and not oppose self defense. You can think it's bad for people to wander around killing random individuals but think it's good to hunt down and kill those that kill randomly. It's like the difference between not being fond of meat and being a true vegan, probably from the same root but taken to vastly different conclusions.