Loren Pechtel

Originally posted by paul30
I would like to see the military abolished, the way slavery was abolished.

Many will scream that that would leave us defenseless; but I think the opposite is more nearly true.

And what are you going to do when the Chinese show up and annex us?

It certainly is not a defense force now, either. Which nation is likely to attack us?

If we were so stupid as to get rid of our defenses, both China and North Korea.

Neither can it prevent terrorism.

To a limited degree it can by taking out terrorist states.

cjack

I think bringing up the issue of Vietnam certainly puts the idea of "support" for our troops in perspective.

Returning vets from Vietnam certainly didn't get support, either from their government or the citizens they were nominally fighting for. "Support" for these guys could have been as simple as not being spat upon when they returned home.

I'll echo the sentiments regarding moral support of the troops. Morale is an important factor in war, and the knowledge that most people support them/are worried about them/hope for their safe return must provide at least a bit of a morale boost.

As for tangible support, you could always volunteer to help out a military family. The families of both active and reserve soldiers face an uncertain situation when their loved one is sent into combat. Some of them are often stationed far away from their friends and relatives, and almost every military family is in a tight financial situation that is only made worse when one member of that family is sent overseas.

Support for these people could take many forms. Cook a nice dinner for a family whose father is deployed. Offer to babysit for a mom who is suddenly without her husband. Spend more time talking to parents whose sons and daughters are in harm's way.

Get the idea?

El_Hober

I say be like the swiss and enlist every adult. Require all households to be equipped with uniform and rifle, and require regular weapons training for everyone. This form of (key word)defense would be most effective in driving off an invasion, and would be purely defensive. Thus, we are left with an exceptionally strong defensive force, but all the economic benefits (almost, we still have to pay for training) of having no military at all.

The Cromwell Institute

Nice idea, except the Swiss are landlocked. They don't need a navy - America would still require a sizable naval force. Also, America would need a defensive airforce, if for nothing other than shooting down bombers and deploying troops quickly from one part of the country to the other.

PsycheDelia

i was listening to talk radio the other day - you know those stations with the conservative crazies. one of the hosts had organized the rallies for america that are supposedly for those who support the troops regardless of their stand on the war, but in reality seem to be more lets-go-get-em, pro-war than anything else. he was talking to callers and asking them what kind of banner they planned to bring to the rally. so one of the callers said that he would be there and his banner would read something like 'i support the troops but i do not support this war', which i thought was a sentiment in keeping with what the origanizers of the rally claimed it should be about. the talk show host told that guy bluntly that if he brought a banner that said that he would not be responsible for his safety!! go figure!

dogmA I

I read the article you posted and decided to read about the budget. I found the FY 2004 Budget Resolution Fact Sheet.

That appears to be solid support to me!

dogmA I

So, which is it, RED DAVE?

"F[---] the troops. I don't agree with what they're doing, so obviously I'm not going to "support" them." - RED DAVE

or

"Support our troops: bring them home, now." - RED DAVE

dogmA I

Good question, Godbert.

I am taking the opposite position of RED DAVE's lack of support for the troops based upon his disagreement with "what they are doing." Thus, I am repeating his usage of the word "support" in my statement of "support" for the troops regardless of my position concerning their actions. I should have kept the quotes to indicate that.

From RED DAVE's definition of how to support our troops ("bring them home, now") and his preceding vivid opposition to this support, I must take the oppostie position and say yes! I want to bring the troops home.

To explicate my support for the US military in contrast to RED DAVE's banal diatribe against patriotism:

I believe it is my patriotic duty to protect the freedoms afforded to all American citizens by the US Constitution. I served in the US military accordingly.

Yes, the word "support" is extremely vague, but I think it speaks of an unseen, unexplainable truth within the hearts of patriotic Americans. In an attempt to narrow its complexity: I don't want any military personnel to suffer harm, embarrassment or humiliation. I want our military personnel to succeed in all their actions, and I vigilantly attempt to stay informed of Congressional actions effecting the funding of the military which I believe directly effects the military's success. I regularly meet with fellow veterans to discuss national and international issues concerning US safety for civilians and military. I visually show allegiance to America, the American flag, and all things patriotic, and I recognize the historical and current importance of the US military to maintain the freedoms I value. Finally, I recognize that it is the individual citizen who chooses to become a member of the military that allows the US to have a voluntary service. It is to those volunteers who place ther lives in harm's way that I pledge my unwavering "support". That is why I can potentially diasagree with the commands and still agree with the personnel obeying them.

If I have a problem with what is being done, I don't disparage the soldier who was following orders unless the accountability is just. I go to the source of the decision and attempt to affect change. Primarily, I vote in Presidential elections. Accordingly, I also vote in all Congressional and Senate elections, and I vote as often as I can concerning State elections, resolutions, and bills.

I believe that anyone who shares similar concerns about the military or the country, in general, is a patriot, regardless of political, social or religious affilitaiton.

So, while I may disagree with RED DAVE's comments, if he believes they help the country or the military then I have to recognize that he is a PATRIOT too.

seanie

we love you Bill

Bookman

Well said.