Troop Rallies Held Across U.S.

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

(07-07) 17:39 PDT OKLAHOMA CITY, (AP) --

With a son-in-law in Iraq and a son who served in Afghanistan, Kathy Johnston says she wants to make sure her five grandchildren know that it's important to support U.S. troops, no matter how they feel about the war.

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Similar rallies — some numbering in the hundreds, others with a handful in attendance — took place in cities and towns across the United States, including Ford City, Pa.; Baton Rouge, La.; Bristol, Conn.; and Denver.

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"It's not anti-war. It's not pro-war," Schuffman said. "It has nothing to do with war."

In Bristol, several hundred people milled under tents, ate picnic food and listened to bands on a school lawn.

"We're here to support the troops; that's the bottom line," said Kevin Martin, Connecticut's Operation America Rising coordinator.





Read more: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/07/07/national/a173901D02.DTL

[babylonsister]

1. Novel idea, but how can anyone not have an opinion? Having said

that, I support the troops 100%, which is why they need to come home.

[Cha]

2. I want the Troops Home Now..Alive

and in ONE Piece! Peace Now~!

[Faygo Kid]

3. The troops should be supported - but you can no longer be neutral on the war.

Not good enough to say, "I support the troops, but take no position on the war." You have to take a position on the situation that puts them in harm's way, and that includes those of good will who truly support them in a vacuum. That vacuum is completely divorced from reality. I want them home. Now. Alive and well, and ready to rejoin their families.

[movonne]

4. If they want to support the troops, then we should bring them home..

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Meanwhile 2,000,000,000 gather around planet for change.

Sorry but I cannot support our oil imperialism and 'sport da troops' is just bullshit while our soldiers are being used to make old white men even richer than they already are.

[Middle finga]

7. Totally agree Warren Stupidity

This is just a hypothetical, What if two or three hundred thousand people had showed up to one of these support the troops rallies and the media was in attendance and televised the event around the world, at the same time millions around the world are coming together for changes for global warming, were having military rallies. In the eyes of the world we would have looked like a nation of warmongering, military worshiping, fascists.

[liberalsoldier5]

12. As a former serviceman

I really resent that. I too disagree with the war in Iraq, but there are much more constructive arguments against it. With all the legit facts out there that truly debunk the war's purpose, the "they're doing it for old, white, rich men" routine gets a little stale. I didn't sign up for "old, rich, white men" over a decade ago, and I doubt most of the troops signed up for that reason today. We did cuz we "sport" our country. I really don't mean to sound rude or arrogant, but I just needed to get this out.

[daleo]

22. I am sure you didn't sign up to support "rich old white men"

But the reasons people sign up, and the reasons they are sent to war aren't necessarily the same. Decent, well-intentioned people can be misused.

[Warren Stupidity]

23. Blind nationalism leads straight to Buchenwald.

My support for our soldiers is currently limited to demanding that they be removed from Iraq and that our nation end its imperialist endeavors that have put our soldiers, who should be here inside our borders, all over the planet messing with other people's lives at considerable risk to themselves, and considerably more risk to all those other people. Until we stand down from this madness I cannot go out waving stupid flags and pretending that this shit does not stink. It stinks.

So were you out at the 'sport da troops' rallies? Or do you just not want anyone to say the obvious: this was rightwing nationalist idiocy at its worst.

[demnan]

6. I think some veteran's families realize that

this government is not out there to "support the troops".

My family went through this after my brother returned from Vietnam. Fortunately, my brother's threshold for bullshit was really low, and he never bought into the bullshit that those against the war weren't "supporting the troops". He told my father to shut the fuck up about Jane Fonda", he thought Jane Fonda was a hero. Most of those "spitting on the troops" stories were bullshit too. A lot of the anti-war movement had brothers, sons, fathers and friends over there. And we (if I can include walking out of class during Middle School on Moritorium Day) loved the troops and supported them just as much as the flag waving idiots ever did, and more so.

[w8liftinglady]

8. and still do.WE DO SUPPORT THE TROOPS..."WE" are the troops,

not the neo-cons who lied us into this war.it is OUR kids,not theirs.Rotten bastards,making us hate each other so we don't focus on them.

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. I seriously don't even know what "Support the Troops" even means

The phrase is utterly devoid of meaning. It apparently requires no action. It can be used by people with completely different beliefs toward the war and the military. It is a meaningless expression.

[Harry Monroe]

10. I TRULY support the troops

Which is why I want to bring them home NOW.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Ay yay yay

OK. Whatever.

I don't support the troops. I really don't. I don't oppose them either. I am utterly indifferent with respect to the "troops," whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean.

[Harry Monroe]

13. OK, let me put it this way

Since from your inference, I can see that you don't support some "empty" slogan. Do you agree that they are getting fucked over by being in this war and are pawns sent there to do Bush bidding in his illegal and immoral war? That's what I mean when I say I "support" them; I support bringing them home to end this unjust, immoral illegal and monstrous travesty this war has become. They are getting screwed by the very government that is supposed to be "supporting" them. So, are you still saying you are indifferent to the "troops", even knowing that they are people and not abstractions?? Or are you simply commenting on the apparently vapid slogan, "support the troops?"

[Hulk]

14. I have to agree...as so many "bumper stickers" are simply bullshit....

I have to be honest, as I get upset everytime I see one of those dumb ass magnets on the back of somebody's Humvee stating "Support the Troops". What does that mean? I sure as hell DON'T support this illegal and immoral war in Iraq. I sure as hell don't support this corrupt and immoral administration that is plundering the world over with the might of our military forces, lives and treasure. What does it mean? Do I hate them for doing their "duty"? I'm not even sure I can say they are doing their "duty." Think about it. They have been exploited by this cabinet of war criminals and liars. Are they heroes? I'm not so sure about that either. They showed their unyielding courage in the face of danger. But for what?? They are simply pawns.

I'm a Vietnam Veteran. I'm a disabled Vietnam Veteran. A partner and I stepped on a land mine and came home on our backs. I faced that decision of whether or not to serve my country in another immoral war and was exploited by those administrations of the time. Was I a hero? I think not. I simply did what I was told....having seen enough immoral behavior and damage to innocents to make me feel ashamed every day for the rest of my life. These soldiers will have the same future to deal with. And, I might add, those who were lucky enough to be plugged into the Green Zone or not pounding the pavement don't even have that much respect from this Veteran. The ground pounders are the ones that have earned my respect for their courage.

Support the troops.....bullshit. Bring them home where they belong!!!!

[saigon68]

25. They are simply pawns.

And many of them will die for NOTHING

And will not be mourned by Gangster Cheney or his half wit side kick the chimpanzee.

[High Plains]

33. After we "support the troops," can we "secure the border"?

While we're bandying about meaningless phrases?

[ProudDad]

15. I have sympathy for the desperate economic

and social conditions that cause children with immature reasoning and judgment centers to join the military as the least of a lot of bad options.

I loath a society that raises and glorifies the military and imprisons and denigrates the peacemakers.

That's why we continue to have stupid useless wars...glorification of state sponsored murder.

I feel sorry for the ignorant "troops" but I hate the vocation they've chosen and would never support that choice.

[liberalsoldier5]

16. We're not (all) ignorant. n/t

[ProudDad]

18. I resigned from the Navy

'cause I realized I didn't want to kill Vietnamese civilians for Lyndon Johnson.

Most of the children who join the military are as ignorant of what they REALLY signed on for as I was at age 19 entering Annapolis. Thanks to a lot of analysis and introspection about what they were trying to turn me into, I was forced to look at what I was REALLY doing and determined that I couldn't kill for political reasons. It's an insane endeavor.

I know about the military. I know about the brainwashing process that goes on there. I know the deviant attitudes prevalent in the military, attitudes that perpetuate war by allowing it to be an acceptable option.

I know that normally sane folk don't do what the folks in the military are expected to do as a routine matter -- cold blooded murder.

I cannot for the life of me determine how that can further the human race.

The old saying goes "Killing for Peace is like Fucking for Chastity."

It has never worked and never will.

--------------

Maybe I should have used the word "uninformed" rather than the more inflammatory word; "ignorant". I apologize for that inaccuracy.

[llmart]

32. You've stated how I feel with 100% accuracy.

Thank you. "Support the Troops" is a meaningless slogan.

[Skittles]

17. I've sent almost 1000 postcards to the troops and email with many of them

I'm a vet myself - they aren't ignorant and neither am I.....I detest this war but I will always support the troops and with more than just meaningless slogans

[ProudDad]

19. I support anyone who becomes a real peacemaker (n/t)

[Skittles]

21. how smug

good for you

[ProudDad]

28. What's "smug"

about not supporting anyone who kills...?

[INDIA]

31. So you don't appreciate the sacrifice of WWII vets?

because they fall in the category of "anyone who kills"? That's kindof silly don't you think? They basically saved Europe and Asia, and arguably the world as we know it. What about a soldier who shoots a suicide bomber right before he detonates in a crowded market place? No worthy of your valuable support because he killed some murderous asshole?

I'm really curious.

[IndianaGreen]

20. The rightwing Clear Channel radio network organized "Support the Troops" rallies in 2003

on the runup to the war in Iraq. They said their rallies were to support the troops, not the mission. They lied! All these "Support the Troops" rallies were nothing more than warmongering orgies in support of Bush's war. We weren't fooled then, and we shouldn't allow ourselves to be fooled now.

If you really want to support the troops, you should be pressuring Congress to bring the troops home NOW!

Radio host (Glenn Beck) organizing pro-U.S. rallies

Thursday, March 27, 2003 Posted: 1:23 PM EST (1823 GMT)



PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Flag-draped "Rallies for America" across the country are drawing thousands of people to demonstrate support for U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf -- a less visible counterpoint to the large crowds who have flocked to antiwar protests.

Many of the pro-military gatherings were originated by syndicated radio host Glenn Beck, whose Philadelphia-based show is heard in more than 100 markets. There have been nearly 20 in recent weeks, with organizers estimating total attendance into the tens of thousands.

Beck, 39, is careful not to call the rallies pro-war, although participants tend to support military action against Iraq. The conservative commentator said the point of the rallies is to boost troop morale.

"I would find it obscene to be standing in a crowd saying, 'Let's kill Saddam,"' Beck said. "That's not what this is about. This is thoughtful, prayerful, decent human beings ... there to just say, 'Whatever happens, we support these people in uniform."'

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/03/27/rallies.foramerica.ap/index.html

[saigon68]

26. Beck = hateful drunken Right Wing Nut Case

In my time he would have been a draft dodger like Gangster Cheney and Joementum Liebermann

[saigon68]

30. K & R

[Doremus]

24. Having a picnic and listening to music = supporting troops?

Wanna trade places with them?

Something else actually meaningful ... like BRING THEM HOME?

Nahhh, didn't think so. :puke:

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. The best way to support the troops is to BRING THEM HOME!!

Good grief, if every person who attended a picnic had bothered to write a letter to Congress, just imagine the impact that would have had.

[Downtown Hound]

29. Support the Troops

Yeah, good. Um, just what the hell does that mean anyway? Go to a picnic and wave American flags around? If these people really supported the troops, they would be out protesting the war. I don't buy and have never bought the excuse that these support the troops rallies are apolitical. The people behind these are just too chickenshit to admit that they support what has become an unpopular and lost war. So they hide behind the troops. It's disgusting and it's cowardly. Another example of how the troops are exploited by the right wing.

And the military is a vast and large organization, filled with many diverse people. Many of them are fine human beings, caught up in something they have little or no control over. I have lots of respect and sympathy for them. Others are assholes that want to kill A-rabs for Jeebus, and they can go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned. They will never get any support, gratitude, or thanks from me. Support the troops? It's a blanket statement that doesn't reflect reality. The highest support we could give them would be to bring them home.