Support Our Troops?

[Midwest_Doc]

As I was driving this morning I noticed a yellow-ribbon car-magnet that had inscribed upon it "Support Our Troops". And I asked myself: What, exactly, does "Support Our Troops" mean?
Specifically:

1. What actions indicate that one is "supporting our troops"?

2. Is a car-magnet required?

3. Is being against the war NOT supporting our troops?


Can someone help me to understand?


Thanks in advance!

[RethugAssKicker]

1. What they really mean is

Support Bush.

[OrlandoGator]

3. "I Support President Bush and the Troops" - Remember that sticker?

You have to support both, or else you hate freedom.

[livinginphotographs]

12. I saw that the other day.

They don't even try to hide their lukewarm fascist tendencies. Just like those creepy "W: The President" stickers.

[funkybutt]

2. I've often wondered myself

I believe that in most cases the magnet is all the "support" the troops get from these people. And, yes, I usually assume they support the war too unless there are other stickers that contradict that. However, I HAVE seen a few "Support Our Troops, Bring Them Home!" magnets as well as "support our troops" magnets with Kerry stickers, anti bush, and anti war stickers.

[deutsey]

4. These "ribbons" are really meant to be gags around the mounths

of dissenters.

"Support the troops" is an easy way to shut up dissent and cast those of us who oppose the invasion and occupation of Iraq as undermining the troops.

[mopaul]

6. they mean, 'let's not investigate 9-11, let's not question the president'

and they do mean 'shut up'

[unhappycamper]

5. Here's my ribbon.

[stellanoir]

7. every time I see one of them especially

when I see them splattered all over cars in heavy traffic, (I've seen up to six of them on one vehicle) I think of all the posts I've seen here suggesting that our troops are lacking basic stuff like first aid supplies, sunblock, bug repellant, flashlights, etc. . . .

I also think just imagine. . . if all the money spent on those stupid magnets just to display phony and hollow patriotism was instead spent on basic supplies, our troops would be far better off.

[coloradodem2005]

8. Empty ways of supporting the troops without actually supporting them.

[underpants]

9. Supporting the troops is why I opposed the war

I have three friends/family who have or will go to Iraq. Different circumstances for each of course.

[SiouxJ]

10. For $1.99 it makes them feel better about driving around carefree

while our soldiers die in Iraq. It's the only "sacrifice" most of them are willing to make. If they really wanted to support the troops, they'd be offering up more in taxes to pay for their war. Now if those little magnets cost like $1,000.00 and all of the proceeds went to the families of soldiers, that would be something. I wonder how many we'd see then? As it is, it's pretty meaningless.

[leftchick]

11. "support the troops" : From a Father who just lost a son in Iraq...

This child should have been home with his family and going to school.... :(

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=42135&ntpid=2

~snip~

"It is folly to say, 'We support our troops' when we're not giving them what they need for equipment. Our cars here have yellow ribbons of support for the troops, but there are not enough soldiers to fight this war. At this point it doesn't seem like a goal that can be accomplished," he said.

Mark's enlistment - three years spent in the States - was to have ended Oct. 31, 2004, after his brother was sent to Iraq. But due to the military's policy of allowing up to 90 days to order a recall, he was not discharged.

The policy is unfair, said Juliann, who has written to politicians to protest. The feeling was echoed by her parents, who said it is evidence the burden of the war is not being shared equally. (Ray said on Wednesday the family received a letter, dated May 18, from Mark, that included his own protests about the policy.)

Instead of returning to Madison, moving in with his girlfriend and enrolling at MATC to study electrical engineering, he was kept in the Army. He went to Iraq with his mechanized infantry unit in January.

[LynnTheDem]

13. #1. Support our troops by SPEAKING OUT against government lies

when government tries to lie our troops to war, to kill & be killed.

Support means NEVER allowing the government to lie our troops to war. EVER. It means taking the time to RESEARCH FACTS and DOUBLE-CHECK AGAINST what the US government says.

And you SPEAK OUT AGAINST the lies.

After #1 comes things like ensuring troops have more than $7.22 a day combat pay, which adjusted for inflation is LESS than they were paid in WW2.

And NOT trying to CUT their combat pay when they're at war.

And ensuring troops have enough RIFLES and AMMO and WATER and FOOD and BODY ARMOR when they're sent to war.

And ensuring they ALL have access to medical plans when they're being turned into wounded vets.

To support the troops means to protect them from EVER being lied into war. To support the troops means NOT BLINDLY BELIEVING whatever the government says. To support the troops means taking the time to LISTEN and to RESEARCH FACTS and VERIFY what the government is saying, before sending America's children to slaughter & be slaughtered.

THAT IS SUPPORTING THE TROOPS.

Too bad more Americans didn't bother supporting the troops; over 1600 troops would still be alive if they had.

[pocket]

14. I'll support the ones who refuse to go

not the ones who are over there brutalizing an entire country.