I don't use "we" when speaking about this war.

Great Debates
1

Although I’m a veteran, US citizen, regular voter, etc. I find it hard to identify with the US forces in any way other than the fact that they seem to be making a deliberate effort to reduce civilian casualties. I can’t help but think that there are a lot of Iraqis that no matter how much they dislike Saddam Hussein take even more offence at having their country invaded by another western country and will fight to the end to defend their soil. The generals seemed surprised that there is resistance.

I feel this war is immoral and that Saddam is no worse than Robert Mugabe and I don’t see us invading Zimbabwe anytime soon. So the upshot is I see no victors in this war and a whole lot of losers and I find it hard to support our troops in the invasion of another sovereign nation unless we are in direct threat of being attacked i.e. Afghanistan.

I also see that this war has turned into a spectator sport us against them and that if you are not jumping on that bandwagon full speed ahead you are seen as un-american. So as far as this war goes I am am not part of us, these are not my/our troops, and at present I find myself unable to see a scenario where winning is actually going to be winning for anyone except Haliburton etc. Convince me why American troops should have my support.

2

I dont, either.

3

I’m anti-war, but I use the term “we” because I’m an American. You gotta take the good and the bad that comes from that name. And the truth of the matter is that when the enemy goes after us, they don’t differentiate among individuals.

The troops aren’t going to be affected one way or another if they don’t have your support, so I find it useless to convince you to change your mind. But I’ll tell you why I support them (as in appreciating their service): they aren’t responsible for the horrible foreign policy of our adminstration. They are simply people doing their jobs. This isn’t their war any more than it is yours or mine. It is much worse for them since many of them will suffer in ways that we civilians won’t. SoI feel for them. I think that’s what “support” is all about.