Posted on 04/06/2003 6:37:00 PM PDT by Eala
Who need a very PHYSICAL ass whipping...Every lash that their Dr Spock practicing Mommy & Daddy never gave them growing up!
Which policies, specifically.
Because we are not there for economic reasons, we are there for "humanitarian" reasons. That's the official line.
See, it's a matter of precedent. A war for "humanitarian" reasons opens an awfully huge can of worms; if we were to use "humanitarian" reasons as a justification for war, we would be fighting through eternity.
Economic reasons, however, have an endpoint, a goal, and limits. We wouldn't invade France because, as satisfying as it may be, there is no money in it. More to the point, we wouldn't invade Ethiopia for economic reasons, but we might for humanitarian reasons.
It's the precedent I'm concerned with.
I voted for Pat Buchanan. So what?
Proof of this can be found in the fact that none of these "protestors" "protested" Clinton's war in Kosovo.
If Weird Algore was President and he ordered troops into Baghdad (HA!), their panties would all still be dry and powdery.
Forget it; you answered my question (that I posed in post #22) with that remark.
Of course, my reply is 1) we do not fashion our foreign policy to please stateless extremists, nor should we, and 2) if you think it would have been okay for Saddam to become a world power to replace the USSR and rival us-- and there is plenty of evidence that he dreamt of a pan-Arab socialist juggernaut that would be a superpower-- then our world views are too different to support an extended conversation as we'll have no mutually agreeable starting point.
Primarily, the enduring US foreign policy that causes us to meddle in other nations' affairs.
Other justifications for this war include spreading "democracy" (as if the miserable inhabitants of that God-forsaken rathole can handle anything like democracy); humanitarian aid, a horrible precendent; a pre-emptive strike, another horrible precedent.
It's been well-documented that the organizations funding these "protests" are all staunch left-wing wacko groups. I don't have the list handy but I'm sure you've seen it.
I can. They don't give a rat's ass about the anti-war protesters. Troop morale is much more affected by (a) lack of showers, (b) running out of toilet paper, (c) getting sand in their underwear, (d) sleeping in a loud, vibrating metal can while (e) getting a layer of diesel smoke over their entire bodies, and (f) running out of cigarettes while (g) not getting hot coffee.
THAT impacts morale. But they put up with it. Its part of the job and it lets them play with all the cool toys they have trained with.
Carlson is only slightly wrong. These protestors aren't "anti-war" or "anti-American"....they are anti-President Bush (or anti-Whichever-Republican-is-President).
Proof of this can be found in the fact that none of these "protestors" "protested" Clinton's war in Kosovo.
If Weird Algore was President and he ordered troops into Baghdad (HA!), their panties would all still be dry and powdery.
The hypocrisy on the part of the hippie freaks in the streets is a good point, and they are more anti-Bush than anything else.
And it's good to know that all those that support the war in Iraq were able to set aside their partisan preferences and support President Clinton in his actions.
For the record, I opposed everything Clinton did, including his military actions. I felt that they were for the wrong reasons, and I feared we would have American troops in the Balkans forever. Looks like I was right.
I can. They don't give a rat's ass about the anti-war protesters. Troop morale is much more affected by (a) lack of showers, (b) running out of toilet paper, (c) getting sand in their underwear, (d) sleeping in a loud, vibrating metal can while (e) getting a layer of diesel smoke over their entire bodies, and (f) running out of cigarettes while (g) not getting hot coffee.
THAT impacts morale. But they put up with it. Its part of the job and it lets them play with all the cool toys they have trained with.
Well, you are both right. The troops in the field are more concerned (naturally) with the conditions they are in. The morale on the homefront, and the long-term morale of the country in general, are seriously affected by the anti-military America haters. We saw it in Vietnam.
Not only do military personnel highly respect President Bush but I've heard recently that recruiting offices are being inundated with young people wanting to join the military.
I dare anybody who uses that "I support the troops but not the war" bilge to go to Baghdad and tell the troops in the 3rd Infantry Division or the 101st Airborne and tell them that.
I'll pay the airfare and all accomodations for anybody who has the guts.
Well said.
The so-called "Peace Protestors" also are making it obvious in Oakland, CA, yesterday, that it's all about the diversion of government resources (tax dollars) away from social programs. So for them, it's a "two-fer!"
Saying one "supports the troops," while "opposing the war," is like some Republican/conservatives I know who say "I'm a fiscal conservative and a social moderate." It's pure sophistry!!!
I, eternally curious of such things, posed this very question to the 50 or so Sailors I work closely with. These are men and women of ages 20-45, of ranks from E-3 to E-8, of all possible races. I asked them, simply, "what do you think when someone tells you they Support The Troops, but oppose the war?".
Interestingly, the response was universal, and consistent.
"I think that they're bull$hitting me".
This was the usual start of the response...the rest would be equally colorful. Full disclosure: I share the same views.
Philosophically, I suppose it IS possible to be for one and not the other in this case, but I can tell you that "The Troops", in NO uncertain terms, regard those who so claim as liars and cowards at best, and as insulting to THEM at worst. As one CPO put it, "If you say that, you're essentially patting me on the head and calling me a sucker under your breath. Don't do me any favors." Kind of says it all.
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