How many pro-war citizens have actually served time in the military?

Actually, Germany only declared war on us after years of American monetary and weapons support to Britain and after Japan attacked us and we declared war on Japan, then, since we went to war with Germany's ally, Japan, Germany declared war on us.

 

Maybe you were being sarcastic, but I was taking you for your word.

This weekend really set me off. Before this, I have had little to say about all of this, but I spent time talking to some one and it made all that is going on really hit home.

As I stated before, a close family member will be flying over there if action begins and I know how proud he is to be doing this for his country. I have heard from him in a letter, and he knows that there are polls that support action, and I am pretty sure he is also aware of the anti-war protests.

Over the weekend, I was speaking with my uncle (his father) who flew UH-1A (Huey) in Vietnam, and he told me what it was like to return and hear of all the hatred and protest that went on while he was doing what he felt was the right thing. To experience something as terrible as some of the things he witnessed, you would think that would be the thing that stood out most in his mind, but it wasn't. To this day the thing that troubles him most is to have people in his own country act as they did when he felt he was doing the right thing.

Not to get away from my point of view, I feel what is happening will help to make it safer for our country. I can only imagine what it must be like to feel you are defending your country and hopefully helping to make the world safer while others try to build opposition to what you are doing.

The point is many if not most of those who are protesting are anti-war unless a country, or group takes action against us first, and in some cases they are anti-war at all costs.

Should we have to lose thousands of lives before we declare or go to war?

If the threat of the Japanese bombing us was there should we have just waited until it was done before taking action? If there was knowledge that Osama's people were going to carry out an act against us, should we have waited until he acted before we react?

To me this is a case where we have the opportunity to prevent something worse from happening. Saddam will provide the support (such as the chemicals, or other agents) to groups who will carry out acts on Americans, or even act on us himself if he gets the chance. In light of what has taken place (Sept 11th), we can't take that stance it's a gamble that will , it will likely be much worse than what happened on Sept 11th.

I am not too pleased at the way we have seemingly eased up in finding bin Ladin, and I think that looking for him and controlling al Qaeda is extremely important. But at this point, (right or not) we have become involved in Iraq and I think its equally as important to take care of this problem.

Should we have waited before getting this involved Iraq? Maybe. The bottom line is we didn't. Osama is a work in progress. As it stands, Osama is still a threat, and we still need to address that. But if we do not continue to put the pressure on Iraq and finish this, I am quite confident we will suffer mass casualties in our own country at the hands of or in relation to Saddam, and I do not wish to risk my son or my family being effected by another person who is more capable than Osama.

Not saying the wars are alike, but as I stated, many people who are protesting are anti-war are anti-war at all costs.

Ask those who are protesting what would have to happen before they would support any action against Iraq.

 

I did, I just wasn't convinced. Those photos could've been of some high school team for all I know.

 

ROTFL TheFreak.

ps TheHorns, I don't understand what you mean when you write that you took BBob's post seriously.

Incidentally, I understand the notion that we should support our troops... but there's certainly a difference in yelling (I should stop trying to write when my music is flooding out the words, arghgh) at Karpov for a mistake and taking it out on the piece.

Honestly, is there anyone alive that criticizes the people in uniform? Of course not... that's a red herring. The military doesn't start wars...

 

1) Years? Lend-Lease was passed in 1941....Pearl Harbour was in 1941...and said 'support' was, due to popular American antipathy with getting involved, part of a trade whereby America gained naval bases in previously British held zones.

2) Aside from that, I agree...and thank you for making my point. We didn't initiate any action, we responded. As I said, the examples weren't relevant.

P.S...Thanks to Deck for keeping me correct...

 

I'm sure you didn't intend to make the error, MacBeth, but it was 1941.
Time to hit the edit button.

 

LOL! Good save...

 

Will read whole thread later. In a hurry.

I AM NOT PRO WAR!!! If there is a war then I fully support the troops and the war effort. I think the war protesters are pathetic. I do support my president wholeheartedly. He is not pro war.

CPL
US ARMY
1994-1997

 

Hey, thanks for sharing that, TH. I'm glad I asked. I really get your angle, and I've often thought of what returning soldiers go through. I had two uncles see combat in WWII and had a chance to speak with them about it before they passed on.

For what it's worth, I can definitely be persuaded of the need for conflict, and I definitely want Saddam removed from power. I don't point this out because I think my opinion is so great, but rather because I think a lot of protestors are in a similar spot.

If I had a rally that chanted "quit treating your former allies like they're your younger, r****ded siblings, and quit treating the rest of the world like they don't matter!" instead of "no blood for oil!" then that would be the rally for me.

 

I am at times guilty of the same thing I accuse others of doing and that is not listening and understanding the other side, but thanks for listening, and taking the time to comprehend.

There is some one who posted something on another website that really hit me about WWII. I do not want to post it here, but I contacted this guy via email. Its a great story if you or anyone would like it, send me a private message w/ your email and I will forward it.

If that does not work I will post my email address.

 

Your email button is not enabled. But that's no big deal, because mine is. Just send the info to me if you get a chance. Thanks.