Can we be pro-troops and anti-war?

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Bryn Mawr

They always have been two totally separate questions - you can believe that the troops are the best and they are doing a fantastic job in terrible circumstances showing tremendous courage whilst still believing that the bastards that sent them there should be tried as war criminals.

If Obama sent troops to invade Honduras then I would hold him responsible for war crimes - just as I do Bush and Blair.

I agree Bryn but i don't hold with the bastards who sent them there being totally responsible. Anyone joining the forces in this day and age knows that defending their homeland fron foriegn invasion is highly unlikely. They are under no illusions when they join that they will be invading foriegn soil. It's easy to say after the event 'Ah but i didn't really want to go, it was that nasty Bush/Blair who made me. They join up knowing exactly what their obligations are likely to be.
They join knowing full well that they are likely in the future to kill some-one, insurgent or innocent but 'hey, i'm in the forces, so it's allowed.'
Anyone in this day and age joining the British and American forces with their track record of illegally invading countries does it for their self gratification.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by oscar

I support our troops but i am totally against them being in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Originally Posted by oscar

Anyone in this day and age joining the British and American forces with their track record of illegally invading countries does it for their self gratification.

[spot]

Originally Posted by Accountable

I'd happily expand on that but the terms of the opening post exclude me from contributing.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Accountable

I support our troops in as much as i don't want them getting blown up and killed and i object to muslim fanatics screaming abuse at our home coming troops. However, if they were not in an illegal war, they would not have that risk. I am all for the forces acting as peace keepers in trouble spots around the globe but any one joing the forces in this day and age knows exactly what they are likely to be doing.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by oscar

I support our troops in as much as i don't want them getting blown up and killed and i object to muslim fanatics screaming abuse at our home coming troops. However, if they were not in an illegal war, they would not have that risk. I am all for the forces acting as peace keepers in trouble spots around the globe but any one joing the forces in this day and age knows exactly what they are likely to be doing.

I don't understand your definition of "support" if in the same breath you condemn them for even being troops in the first place.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Accountable

I don't understand your definition of "support" if in the same breath you condemn them for even being troops in the first place.

Yes, that's correct.

[Nomad]

I dont understand the sentiment.
I do understand how people could hate the war and the troops because the troops are the war machine and using their own free will they opted to become a part of that machine.
Thats not my feeling, I hate the war but I dont hate the people fighting the war. That includes the people fighting on the other side.

Hating them would be the same as hating our troops.
I feel empathy for them. They all have their own reasons for joining. I imagine many American soldiers are patriotic while others merely want an opportunity they might not otherwise have to gain an education and buy a house so they can raise a family.

At any rate its all a big brainwash. I think people that drive car bombs into groups of innocents are insane. I also think the Iraqi war is insane. The fact is those soldiers signed on the dotted line for whatever the reason and they knew what they were getting into.
Im saddened when people die in war and I feel terrible for the families but that was the deal they got themselves into. I dont know that I consider them heroes since Iraq wasnt invading our shores.

I have to question the heroism in invading a country that was no threat to us. The whole thing is one big cluster **** and we all fell for it hook line and sinker.
In our town we have a large Somali population. In the last year 20 young Somali men have disappeared and not made contact with their families until arriving in Mogadishu. They had been recruited and shipped out overnight. Several of them were high school students.
One according to the Mpls. Star Tribune was executed because hed called his mother and said he wanted to come home.
Apparently the reality smacked him square in the face.
Governments, religions, people in general are always trying to persuade us theres only one truth and it so happens to be their truth.
They cajole, manipulate, brainwash and threaten to serve their purpose and we buy into it.
Its a sickness called the human condition.

[Accountable]

Your empathy's your greatest strength, bro.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Accountable

Your empathy's your greatest strength, bro.

I think so. Thank you.

[farmer giles]

[quote=Nomad;1216352]I dont understand the sentiment.
I do understand how people could hate the war and the troops because the troops are the war machine and using their own free will they opted to become a part of that machine.
Thats not my feeling, I hate the war but I dont hate the people fighting the war. That includes the people fighting on the other side.


that is exactly my thoughts

empathy ... you wouldn't say that if you were in their shoes