Is it possible to support the troops but oppose the war?

I feel like I will always support our troops however possible, even though I may vigorously oppose the decisions of the administration. An army has to follow its orders, and the bottom line for me is that these young people are putting their asses on the line for us, even if we'd prefer they do it in a different way.

If Cheney and Rumsfeld could put themselves on the front line, I'd prefer that, but until that happens, I will fully support these people putting their lives on the line.

It's an awkward situation for sure, but I don't think you can blame the pawns for the decisions of the chess player.

 

Yes, and I do.

 

Of course.

 

I think so

 

From 92-2000 a lot of folks in this country "supported the Presidency but hated the President."

I agree with you rockhead... one can hope that if there is war it comes to a quick and uneventful end so that our troops (and others) receive minimal casualties. One can also be vehemently against the policies and politics that drive the war.

 

Yes. The men and women of the armed forces have a job to do and even though I may not agree with the goverments stance, I fully support the men and women who are fighting and defending our country.

 

Originally after Powell's presentation to the UN with evidence, I felt that a war was the only way. However, I still do believe that as long as the UN wants to try new things to avert a war...then they should be allowed to do this. I don't think we should rush to war just because our troops have been positioned. Iraq is not going to be able to do squat right now other than continue a "hide and seek" game. If other countries of the UN want to increase inspectors and do more to "seek", then they should be allowed to. However, this probably doesn't fit into Bush's war plans because our troops cannot be positioned over there for very long without exceedingly high costs, etc. . We should allow more time for inspections and what not. Maybe this will give inspectors the time they need to find a "smoking gun" and convince other countries. Or, better yet, maybe they will expose Iraq and they will have no choice but to disarm and come clean.

I think if 9/11 didn't happen, then we wouldn't even be talking about a war with Iraq. I believe that to be 100% true. I think Osama's plan was to put us in the position of attacking Iraq so he could turn all Muslims against us and create a terrorist world with an endless supply of new recruits. He had to foreseen it would come to this. He wanted us to retaliate and fit this into a war against Muslims.

As long as Iraq is still under sanctions and the UN is working to disarm Iraq, a war should not occur. Iraq cannot do much currently in the position they are in. We shouldn't be in a rush for war as the side and after effects will haunt us for decades to come. We can always resort to war later on if these other UN things continue to not work. I would still like to have a UN resolution for war. We should be spending our time working on our own internal US security. We want to live in a free world so why are we in such a hurry to kill our freedom? Are we going to be free to travel out of North America without fear of retribution if we do attack Iraq? We will be nothing more than targets then.

War should still be a last resort and I don't think the UN has done everything they can yet...based on what these other countries like Germany, France, and Russia are proposing.

As far as supporting our troops, I support them no matter what as all Americans should. They don't make the decisions that endanger their lives. They must do what their told. I think this war is going to cloud the future of the US in so many ways....rather than preserve it. I think we may have to redefine the word "freedom". The game is not over. Turn the game into our favor by doing whatever the UN can come up with. Only then...if all possible solutions have been executed...should we launch a war.

Just my opinion...war sucks no matter how you look at it. I don't want to see dead anyone. If war is the only way, then it should be. I'm not convinced yet it is the only option we have left. I think paranoia is a big part of starting this war. How much of that paranoia is honestly justified? Who knows? I sure as hell don't.

Surf

 

Absolutely, rockHEAD. Many people did during Vietnam (and I'm NOT trying to make a comparison!). I certainly did.

Those folks are doing a magnificent job. Regardless of the politics.

 

Don't forget that often times the best way to support the troops is to keep the old chickenhawks from sending them in the first place! That being said I for instance don't tell the young kids in my extended family who are in the military and who are eager to go that they are mistaken, though I certainly think they are.

I certainly think that we should support the troops, especially afterwards, when many of them will need support both physical and psychologically due to the damage done to them. It was a disgrace last Gulf War how the VA and the Feds fought them tooth and nail till they've finally had to admit that many of them were probably poisoned by toxic biochemical weapons, oil fires, depleted uranium from our weapons and other hazards..

 

Troops deserve everybody's support regardless of what your view of the war is.

 

Yes, it is possible to do so, but actually protesting the war is not a good way to show your support for the troops. It really turns us off.

Incidentally, you will be hard pressed to find anyone in the services today who is actually against going to war in Iraq. No one really wants to go (only a psycho would actually want to go to war), but virtually everyone understands the need to do it and supports the president's decision. I have personally never seen suchy a diverse body of Americans all agree on the same thing such as this.

I have yet to encounter anyone in the military who is against it. Although I am sure there are a handful... But the military is overwhelmingly unified on this issue.

 

yes and i do

 

Eh? Does anybody really wish harm to our soldiers? I hope there aren't many people like that.

My real question would be: Is it possible to not support our troops and be a decent human being?