Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark

[alphamale]

Originally Posted by Adam

I've never gotten the whole 'support the troops' meme. I'd like them all to come home alive...is that supporting them? I also think the current administration stabbed them in the back by sending them to fight a needless war without a workable plan to get them home again afterwards, so I don't quite see how one cannot see a contradiction between supporting the administration and supporting the troops unless one's brain had been rotted by all the 'pee see' troop supporting pressure out there. :confused"

Another dolt. The army is a volunteer army. When they sign up, they know they can't pick and choose which wars they'll fight in. If the troops had studied their american history (admittedly a huge "if" given the nature of government schools) they would know by example of the vietnam war that sometimes the troops are ordered to fight an unpopular, even irrational war. Therefore, it's silly to say they were "stabbed in the back". So you are contradicting yourself by "supporting" people who either did or should have known what they were doing when they signed up. That you can't see this is because your brain has been rotted by appeaser propaganda for the simple-minded.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by alphamale

Another dolt.

I love you too.

The army is a volunteer army. When they sign up, they know they can't pick and choose which wars they'll fight in. If the troops had studied their american history (admittedly a huge "if" given the nature of government schools) they would know by example of the vietnam war that sometimes the troops are ordered to fight an unpopular, even irrational war.Therefore, it's silly to say they were "stabbed in the back". So you are contradicting yourself by "supporting" people who either did or should have known what they were doing when they signed up. That you can't see this is because your brain has been rotted by appeaser propaganda for the simple-minded.

Let me make sure I understand your argument, here. Since (1)American governments in the past have made foolish decisions to go to war, (2)it's to be accepted and excused that American governments will make foolish decisions to go to war in the future. Since (2) and (3)enlisting in the military is completely voluntary, (4)enlisting in the military consitutes tacit endorsement of any and all foolish military adventures the American government may choose to embark on and, since (4), (5) "supporting the troops" implies endorsing any and all foolish military adventures the American government may choose to embark on? Am I with you so far?

Let's take a slightly different tack here: in your view, does our government owe any ethical obligation(s) to the individuals serving in our military?

[alphamale]

Since (1)American governments in the past have made foolish decisions to go to war, (2)it's to be accepted and excused that American governments will make foolish decisions to go to war in the future.

That they MAY make such decisions - true!

Since (2) and (3)enlisting in the military is completely voluntary, (4)enlisting in the military consitutes tacit endorsement of any and all foolish military adventures the American government may choose to embark on and,

Oh, damn - you were going along so well!

Enlisting constitutes that you may be required to fight a war you don't agree with - votes are not taken before the troops head out.

Am I with you so far?

No - you lost it.

Let's take a slightly different tack here: in your view, does our government owe any ethical obligation(s) to the individuals serving in our military?

Uh, switching the subject? Well, OK, at least you haven't gotten the thread around to sex organs like most of the libs do!

The government owes the traditional responsibilities to the troops - that it will live up to promises, that it will take care of him if he is wounded, that it will provide him with certain rights and privileges after his service, as has become customary.