January 25, 2006
Troop Support?
from - Buck
This article seems to be taking a beating on some of the blogs today.
I had read it earlier and had not thought much of it. To me it was just an article written to be humorous and in places it was. Other than that, I don’t see it as being particularly blasphemous.
That is probably because I am not sure what is meant when someone asks, “Do you support the troops?”
Well, when you consider the bite the military takes out of the tax revenue along with the fact that I pay taxes then I guess it is true that I help support the troops.
If it means do I support what is being done militarily in the Middle East then hell no, I don’t support the troops. I see it as not supporting the mission but if you want to call it not supporting the troops then have at it.
I also don’t get all starry eyed when a private first class comes into a restaurant that I happen to be eating in and feel like I need to buy him or her a cup of coffee. I consider soldiers to be state employees. No more and no less. That is not meant as an insult.
All I'm asking is that we give our returning soldiers what they need: hospitals, pensions, mental health and a safe, immediate return. But, please, no parades.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Posted by Buck at January 25, 2006 12:12 PM
State employees, yes... but bearing in mind that - at least in theory - the state serves me, and these fellows are going out with the purpose in mind (whether or not their mission is compatible with this purpose) of risking their lives on behalf of me and my family... I can't help but feel a little more gratitude and admiration toward them than, for instance, the state employee who writes parking tickets.
So, yeah... I "support the troops" in that sense, even though I feel their political leaders are screwing them. I don't wear it on my sleeve - don't put yellow magnets on my car - don't make it a political talking point... but I feel like they're due some respect from home. They do sacrifice a lot, for a meager income, and they are doing it with dedication for the well-being of us civilians taking it easy back home.
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Posted by smijer on January 25, 2006 01:07 PM Link to comment |
well put smijer. I am very pro military. My wish is that people, especially those against the war in Iraq, would see the differene between the mission, and the soldier.
The soldier signed up to defend his/her country, they gave up many of their freedoms and yes there are benefits as well like help with college money.
Simply put, soldiers are people and come from all specturms of the political and personal ideas and faiths, just like anywhere else in American society.
To me they deserve respect due to what they choose to be part of, and they deserve to have that line between the policy makers and those expected to carry said policies out.
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Posted by Jamie Goodwin on January 25, 2006 02:04 PM Link to comment |
Smijer if lovely Rita, the metermaid, writes me a ticket I pay it. There is no real harm done and maybe I will pay closer attention to where I park in the future.
But if G.I. Joe destroys my home and kills my family then that is another thing altogether. The damage is permanent and restitution is impossible.
As an American I guess it stands to reason that most Americans would be pro American military but how pro military would we be if a foreign army occupied Chattanooga? I guess being pro military depends on whose military you are talking about.
Not every country’s citizens are as enamored with our military as we are because they are looking down the barrel of a gun from the opposite end.
Now I am sure there are many countries that love having our guys as guests because they keep business at the local bars and brothels booming. It is a kind of foreign aid. I have no problem with that relationship.
I do not live under the illusion that most in the military are sacrificial lambs who decided to pour their lives out like a drink offering for God and country. Hell, I have known too many of them. Most joined because they were too young to know better or because a career at the Burger King was not very appealing to them. After they get in they realize that if they stay they can retire when they are 38 years old and then start another career with a military contractor where they will make oodles of money while maintaining their retirement benefits.
The military does not exist to protect the freedoms of Americans. If that were their mission they would currently have Washington, D.C. encircled and a guy with a bullhorn would be calling for Bush and Cheney to come out with their hands up.
I do not loathe the military but I certainly do not worship them either.
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Posted by Buck on January 26, 2006 09:58 AM Link to comment |
Well, I have to say one thing about the current support of this "war's" troops - they're getting a helluva lot more support than the Vietnam troops did 30-40 years ago.
I do not like the idea of perpetuating this whole "war" (which it's not even a war, it's a damn conflict since no declaration has been made to this day). To me, we're only sticking around for 2 reasons: 1) to "spread democracy", which, to me is ironic as we seem to be losing our democratic sense of self every 4 years or so, and 2) to protect our "interests", i.e., oil. You can argue either, but I stand pat on those convictions, especially the latter.
I never wish anything but for a safe return home for every enlisted person whose life is in danger in that foreign sandbox. Regardless of the fact that they chose to sign up doesn't diminish the respect I have for them. Their superiors, well, that's a whole other story. Their "human chess game" is pissing me off, and this whole convoluted "war on terror" is ridiculous.
If you want to fight terrorism, fight the propaganda from the assholes in Washington. They're the real terrorists in this whole ordeal. They've got the majority of the people snowed into thinking that what they're doing "is best". Hmph, hardly.
Creating the boogeyman and then fighting that same spector is a brilliant way to control your citizens. Dictators have been using that ploy to their benefit for many, many moons.
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Posted by Mongo on January 26, 2006 10:57 AM Link to comment |
