posted on June 26, 2005 10:24:34 PM new
maggie - I wouldn't have dreamed of diminishing their honor by voicing my objections to this war..
But many others are doing differently than you say you are, maggie.
And they won't even accept that it is demoralizing our troops.
They bury their heads in the sand...make the pronouncement it's just not true...and they could care less.
[i]What I would like you
to try and understand or at least give some thought to is how those of us who oppose this war and didn't vote for this President must feel[/i]..
I do understand....I lived through 8 years of the clinton administration...and didn't like most of what they did either. That's the way our system works. Win the election...you're side gets to set policy...lose and you have to wait until the next election cycle.
BUT in the case of many issues...it's up to our Congress to make these decisions....as it was with this war.
I'm not asking you to change your position
good....because I won't.
but to just imagine for a moment the rock and a hard place, we who oppose this war and by we, I'm including both Democrats and Republicans..while we have family, son's, daughters, niece or nephew, husband or wife etc..fighting and putting their lives on the line for a war we are not in favor of but at the same time have only love..and honor every one of our military...
That's not hard for me to imagine at all. What IS hard for me to understand is why in the world when our troops are being accused of murdering innocent children, treating captives in captivity so terribly....having their actions compared to Nazi's YOU TOO wouldn't be screaming in their defense...instead of agreeing with what they're being accused of doing...even before any proof of wrongdoing has been given. Where's your support for them?
I'm not seeing it at all.
So when you say that it is impossible for one to support the military if one doesn't support the war..I have to disagree.
I have no problem with you disagreeing....I just believe you're wrong. You can't support the troops, their decision to serve their country, their missions when you're in total opposition to it. It's just not possible. What I believe you're doing...is you're giving lip-service to supporting them because you love them. But when you aren't cheerleading FOR them, when you don't BELIEVE in their mission...and you don't appear to be more angry at their missions than at the enemy who's killing them....that's not support. [you - collectively]
Anyone can love someone....doesn't mean they approve or condon their behavior....support THEIR choices.
Let me ask you this.. do you believe the millions who oppose the war should shut their mouths and swallow their objection?
In a way....yes, AFTER they've been sent off to war. At least tone down objections and realize that it wasn't one man they hate but rather our Congress who made this decision. And understand that while you didn't agree with going into this war...those we've elected DID make that decision and we're already there...so let's do what needs to be done to finish up and then our boys/girls can come home.
I remember bunni said something like that after we went into Iraq. She was totally against the war....but felt once that decision was made...then it was our job to back those troops and let them know we want their mission to be successful. I really admired her for that.
I haven't seen that in anyone else here....who didn't support the war in the first place.
How would you handle this situation? Am I correct in surmising that you believe once a party is in power and decisions have been made, that there should never be protests or any form of disagreement?
No...and I don't care how much arguing any party does about any subject UNLESS it's about our soldiers...or this war....again to present a united from. Not have it appear that many of the dems are siding with our enemies.
But I do believe it's something that our Congress should be discussing in a private manner [low keyed] rather than using it as a political means to play the game of politics. During the time of war...is NO time to be playing these games - we should be showing strength and unity to our enemies and total support for our troops.
Or is this only in the case of a war? Most of the comments I've made have to do with while we're at war.
What the dem party has decided to do, imo, is to use any thing that goes wrong to point a finger at this President....rather than realizing the consequences of what's going to happen if we don't win this war. And that's where I really get upset with the dems.....they have NO SOLUTIONS....they offer none....only complain and blame....while criticizing what is being done. Not a thing wrong with complaining because you want improvement in some area....but offer your own suggestions or shut up....don't just complain and accuse. And that's what the dems are doing.
posted on June 26, 2005 10:47:26 PM new
During the time of war...is NO time to be playing these games - we should be showing strength and unity to our enemies and total support for our troops.
Exactly, Linda
If you can't persuade top Dems to stop making speaches that harm our troops, you will never be able to get any of them in the white house. They are already in a pretty deep hole...they seriously need to STOP DIGGING!
posted on June 27, 2005 08:06:35 AM new
Lindak..I can't speak for all those who oppose the war, but only for myself, although I hope that others feel the same way.
I am still and always will be proud of my country and honor our troops for their service. I also agree that by verbally bashing our troops for the service they are providing is wrong, and that both sides should stop beating a dead horse and work toward ending this war and getting out of there as soon as we possibly can.
I think you know how difficult this will be for those who feel that our present government is ignoring half of the country's voices, those who oppose him or our presence in Iraq..and yes, it is a natural reflex to lash out and direct the blame at the top of the heap..
Because the numbers opposing the war are so huge, the roar has become audible all over the world and some use it to show a "weakened America", an America fighting within itself..while others say the opposite.. that America is a strong Country, strong enough to allow it's citizens the right to voice objections, the strength to allow for differences of opinion without punishment..a government for the people and by the people..
Many say that by protesting against this government and our involvement in Iraq is their only way to help our troops.. they feel by showing their numbers in opposition of the war will serve to force our government to
end the war and bring our troops home...
I personally believe that if President Bush would acknowledge those who oppose him instead of ignoring the vast numbers of his countrymen and connect with all of America again rather than only his supporters it would help heal this gigantic rift that is splitting our country in half...and the half that feel ignored and insulted would be more flexible and willing to work as a unit once again.. Maggie
posted on June 27, 2005 12:44:17 PM new
From their own mouths...It's easier to accept casualties than lack of support from home!
Oliver North just returned from Irag where he did a story on Matador.
When he was asked, "How would you rate our troops' morale?" He said....
Oliver North: It's still very positive. What's disappointing to them is the kind of stuff coming from home, not what's over there.
It's hard to deal with casualties. We were there when six young Marines died [snaps] that fast. That's hard to deal with by anybody. The fact is what's really depressing is commentary like what we saw in Newsweek, the kind of thing we hear from politicians in Washington now. It's very disheartening for them to hear, "Let's get out now because we can't accomplish this mission."
posted on June 27, 2005 03:03:00 PM newHelen or Crowfarm or Maggie would not make that statement. Unlike Maggie, it doesn't surprise me that you made it, Bear.
Oh, PLEASE. No double standard here.....
--------
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
