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Ron C
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Two personal points: 1. the military serves to uphold our constitutional rights - among the most important is our right to free speech. Even if a soldier were to find public opinion running against the war, in a sense, it's the responsibility to protect the right to hold and express that contrary opinion that lies at the root of duty; and 2. if a military action is unjust, a soldier has the responsibility not to follow illegal orders. This is a contentious point, but think of the prosecution of East German soldiers who shot people trying to escape over the Berlin Wall during the period in which Germany was divided. The soldiers got serious prison time for following orders that were later adjudged to have been illegal.
There is a narrow line between personal responsibility and insubordination, but in the case of Iraq, there are situations in which I think that that line needs to be pointed out, if we're doing that on the homefront, well, it may be because our civilian leaders have lost track of the ethical basis on which just wars should be waged. |
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Cat In The Sink
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I'm sure that the reason most of them joined was to defend democracy at home and protect our freedom of speech. You know the saying "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it"? Well that's one of the reasons a lot of people joined. People who have that much honor aren't bothered by people expressing what they signed up to defend. |
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Jujeaux
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no it doesnt my son spent 19 mos, there and i support all the troops there but i still think we are nolonger needed there, and i also think we never should have gone to iraq, afganistan yes, iraq no, you need to know the premise of there participation is to fight for freedom, and those freedoms include the freedom of expression on either side of any issue. there not there for liberals or the rightwing, democrats or republicans, they are there for an
idea of what freedom is all about.. |
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Dr. Awesome
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My good friend Amanda's husband Carl is still deployed serving as a tank commander.
My friend Dennis is about to be shipped off again really soon.
And my co-worker's brother is still over in Iraq.
I wish only the best for them and wish for them to return alive and well as soon as possible.
But a phrase that comes to mind is: Don't confuse the war with the warrior.
I was opposed to this war before it started and I still oppose it now. But that in no way means I don't respect my friends (and all the soldiers overseas) and wish for their safe return. |
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duh_lovely
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it might be discouraging, but whatever truth hurts I guess :( I just sympathize for them |
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cmercer8
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Yes, I gives them a feeling of no support if our media and liberal politicains under cut them and use there failures for Antiwar propaganda |
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JustAsking
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Dr. Awesome, you put it well.
I am sorry for the troops and their families--as Vietnam soldiers discovered, it is horrible to be fighting a war that does not have the support of the majority at home.
If I were one of the "warriors," I would hate the current situation. But as a citizen, it is even more abhorrent to stifle rational debate about our policy. After all, if the administration had listened to the wisdom of experts, we would not be in the current situation.
So, yes, I think that expressing doubts about the war has to hurt those in the military, but in this situation it simply cannot be helped. We must not blindly support a policy that is, in many people's view, not only wrong but hazardous to the well-being of our entire nation.
We should never be placed in the position of trying to install democracy in another country while diminishing democracy in our own. |
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pinkstealth
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Yes, war is c*ap/ however, we must support our men and now our women that keep us safe. It is not Godly to trash our President. We are to fall under that authority.
We must always support our armed services for what THEY do REGARDLESS of what we think of the administration. |
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THEFOX
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A defective mission is as bad as a defective rifle should they not know? |
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jennifer_elaine83
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It does hurt both the troops and their families.... I know..because I have been both. I spent my time in Iraq and it really upset me when I came back to the US on leave and saw people out protesting...I don't particularly care whether or not someone supports the war...support the TROOPS! I agree with us being there, but even those who don't do what they are told. I am now a military wife up in Alaska with my 1 year old son...and my husband just left again for his 2nd tour in Iraq. Luckily I am in a small community, where everyone supports us. Unfortunately, I will be going back to Indiana for a visit, and I will have to deal with the protesters again. I will say though, that it takes all my will power to not speak back. I have more respect for our troops than that. |
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diehard0603
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No, we have the right to express our feelings about this war. It doesn't hurt them because they are doing what they are told to do, it's their job, they cannot express what maybe they, deep down feel themselves. They are doing a job, and in no way make decisions about what countries to invade. That is our President's and Congress' job. |
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billtucker67
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Despite what some people think and say...constant questioning of our government is essential for us to continue being free....
People who blindly follow the President...regardless of what he does..and do not take the time to question..to think..to disagree if need be...are doing this country more harm than good...
Remember the old adage..
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance... |
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EmilyRose
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I think it is probably quite painful for the families of our troops to hear people say their sons and daughters are dying for an unjust cause, and even more painful for the men and women who are fighting on the front lines. But that doesn't mean it should be said. I support our troops. I want them to come home safely, and I wish them all the best of luck. However, I think it the war is unjust, and it was wrong to send them in the first place. As one of the previous answers states, don't confuse the warrior and the war. |
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Justus
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I think that no matter how you may feel about the war anytime you are in a public forum you should show 100% support for our troops. You do not have to say you support the war, simply show support for out troops! |
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MumboVonJumbo
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I think a lot of people are beginning to doubt Bush's war. He's the worst excuse for a president since Nixon. We can know this war is a mistake, but we can still support our troops and their families. The dishonor is on Bush, not the troops. |
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Nita and Michael
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Thank you for this...im glad to know people are thinking of them..my hubby is over there now...he left last month and will be there till january of next year...i don't think any of them should be over there...i don't see the point and neither does he...he says they don't even do anything over there all they are is targets...the doubts about the war make me sad and brings me down...and im glad to know there are americans thinking about them cause they are there for us fighting for our countrie so a day shouldn't go by we don't pray for them cause so many have died already...i just stopped and said a prayer...i do every day...thank you soo much for showing me theres people out there thinking of them...god bless you..and god bless america... |
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vb_course_ar
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could you mean your prayers for both sides? at least so that they stop shooting at each other? |
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La-te-da
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I know for a fact it does hurt not physically but mentally it drains us. My dad made the statement once that he wished that my husband and I didn't have to see the same c**p that he saw when he came back from Vietnam. But that is just what we saw when my husband came back there were prostests at the gates. How do you really think that makes us feel??????????? |
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planksheer
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No. Remember our troops have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution. That means your freedom of speech and right to dissent are sacred rights. Would you have censorship of all but the approved, sanctioned doctrines. This war was a huge and criminal mistake. We betrayed our selves just like we did in Vietnam. Navy Vietnam era vet. |
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Cactus Flower
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Not as much as I think the war is hurting our military families.
We have a son in the military. He's in the language school learning Arabic. You think that doesn't cause us a great deal of concern? |
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jacartamonkey
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I think I would be glad to know that debate is going on.
It is hard to support action with moral relevance if you do not believe in the morality behind it.
A soldier should do what is asked.
a citizen should think and express her/his views.
a citizen-soldier is in both positions. |
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dhc_hiker
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Questioning the value of War shows that you really care for the troops and the families. The warmongers are the ones that should be criticized. They are the ones who truly hurt Americans and everyone else. |
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lionessbronx
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Yes, I believe in this day and age; (as far as we USA) have come. There is no excuse for ignorance. I love these AMAZING PEOPLE who consistantly put their lives on the line for us, to be REVERED!!!! I feel that Americans, although having the right of the 1st Ammendent,still make us the (USA) look foolish and UNPATRIOTIC in the eyes of our enemies. Everyone Renouncing the WAR, is also DENOUNCING the Love and Dedication of their fellow Man's honor and Integerity for serving this GREAT NATION!!!! |
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jAzzman27
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No i think the troops and thier family's our concerned and have dought's to parden my spelling |
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scrap_goodies
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One line from one movie can and does explain this. And it is the furthest thing from a war movie. Good ol' Jack Nickleson (did i spell that right?) in the movie "As good as it gets" while being chastised for being who he was says "I'm drowning here! and you're describing the water!!" All the brave men and women fighting over there already know how bad it is we do not need to keep reminding them or saying negative things about their leadership. All they have over there is the hope that back home we are all rooting for them.and are behind them 100%. And to all you war critics out there let me ask a follow up question..would you rather the fighting be here? Chicago, Buffalo, LA? be honest... |
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