Debate Persists Over Criticizing Iraq War

[MsMagnificent]

(What's new for Fall? Fascism!)

http://home.frontiernet.net/newsdetail.asp?cat=3&id=58836965

Associated Press/AP Online

WASHINGTON - Americans who disagree with the handling of the war in Iraq should keep their opinions to themselves - that's the thinly veiled suggestion from Bush administration supporters who consider open criticism of Iraq policy an aid to the enemy.

"It's very demoralizing" for U.S. troops, says retired Maj. Gen. John Singlaub, who was an Army Special Forces unit commander in the Vietnam War.

"You're either on one side, or you're on the other," said Illinois Republican Rep. Henry Hyde.

Some former commanders, analysts and lawmakers agree that division at home can embolden the enemy and over an extended period might hurt troop morale.

Others contend that it does neither - and say that even it if did, that's the price of democracy.

"A lot of us are sick and tired of those ... who would question our patriotism when we exercise our rights and responsibilities as Americans and members of Congress," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., said at a recent hearing by the House International Relations Committee chaired by Hyde.

"I'm from Wisconsin, and I know McCarthyism when I see it," Democratic Rep. David Obey said at another hearing, referring to the red-baiting hearings of the early 1950s that eventually disgraced the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy, R-Wis. "So let's can the character attacks. ... Let's try to figure out how you can get out of this hash by leveling with each other."

President Bush suggested at the first debate that Democratic rival John Kerry would lose the Iraq campaign if elected because Kerry has said that it was the wrong war at the wrong time and a diversion from the real fight, which should target international terrorism


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[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

1. These idiots should consider

that if their war wasn't a criminal act then their criticism might hold some water.

[Beetwasher]

6. Their Criticism Would NEVER Hold Water

even if this was WWII, in a free society, criticism is allowed NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES! End of story.

[Mari333]

2. They can kiss my royal american ass

I have a kid over there and Ill criticize the war anytime, anywhere, anyplace I want to...
F8cking fascist pr*cks.

[still_one]

3. Nothing has changed

This is the same crap they said during Viet Nam

Tell me when is the right time to critisize a war that is wrong?

When we tried to protest it before we went into Iraq they said we were wrong

When we tried to protest it after we went into Iraq they said we were anti-American

Let me tell what anti_American is, when you see your country killing hundreds of innocent Iraqii civilians in your name everyday, and you ignore it.

When you see your soldiers dying for a war that was based on a lie, and you ignore it.

What a sad state of affiars our country has become

[young_at_heart]

5. Everything you said is absolutely right!

When we can't speak freely we are no longer Americans.

[Inland]

4. No shit--message has always been the only problem with war is critique

[bemildred]

7. There is no debate. The first amendment rules.

These lying pricks are trying to cover their own asses.
Singlaub in particular should STFU, he already has done enough damage.

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Gen. John K. Singlaub

He's been involved in RW politics since the late 1940s.

When he retired in 1980, he decided to drop a bomb on President Carter -- he gave a speech to the graduating class at West Point in which he savagely attacked Carter. Immediately, the wingers began howling that Carter was infringing on Singlaub's freedom of speech -- and Carter hadn't even asked for his resignation at that point.

If you look at the roll calls in the various right-wing groups, Singlaub's name comes up quite a bit. Even in connection with Rev. Moon (through the World Anti-Communist League).

--bkl

[Supersedeas]

9. a Democracy where dissent can not be tolerated, odd??

[yowzayowzayowza]

10. Any soldier who does not understand ...

that swearing to "protect and defend the Constitution" includes the First Amendment doesn't deserve to wear the uniform. I certainly do not want them to sacrifice for me.