Seems like almost every vehicle in the U.S. now has one of those ribbon bumper stickers, especially since Wal-Mart started giving them out. Somehow along the way, the message changed from 'remember 911' to 'support our troops'. Here's some comic relief: http://www.supportourribbons.com/maker_show.php?id=15661 .
Why shouldn't people criticize the army? It's a horrible insittion that people are often forced to join because its a choice between it and starving.
Gilligan, i said it was a choice between starving and joining the army, i didn't say they were starving right now.
Ok so a choice between extreme povery and the army, same applies, they join the army to escape poverty, not beacuse they want to.
That requires pualifications etc. Army recruiters are now in schools in the US, i know people who have been harassed by them.
What does "Support Our Troops" mean ? Does it mean do not think ? Does it mean to not have, or express, our opinion ? Does it mean that once war is declared to not express your opinion in the appropriate forums ? Does it mean that if we do not agree with the policies of a particular administration that we do not support our Troops ? I have found great calm balance and great hositility in people relating to these issues. And even though the situation has urgency, I believe that, people should consciously try to employ balance in discussing these issues. Remember that our Troops (US Troops) are not the only ones being killed. Thousands of civilians are dying and not just in obvious ways, not just by bombs and buildings collapsing but by, for example, starvation; what if it were your child dying of starvation; where are our views of the Christ here ? And much of this is directly due to the crude, contradictory and hypocritical approaches utilized in solving some of the actual problems, and certainly not just on the part of the US although given our power and our actions we bear real responibilities here. From many points of viewing "this problem" it is very complex, there are, however, very simple general views that are accurate. One if these simple views is that the collective result of corruption is the cause. And this can be subtle to those not willing, or those not having vantage point, to understand that these issues are structured of a complex web. It might be wise to "get back to basics". An example might be forming a "Department of Peace" that would have behind it "a peace propogating complex" that includes industry and corporations. But for this to happen people need to act collectively and I believe that this mght be analogized to "putting up the stop sign after a big accident". To take it further, there are people who secretly like, enjoy, and profit from war as a lifestyle. But these folks also have good sense hidden somewhere.
So how did the 911 emblem get changed to 'Support our Troops'? Maybe they'll use the 911 emblem next for 'Support Colonel Sanders. Buy Kentucky Fried Chicken!' .
I believe that it is implicit that most people "Support Our Troops" just we put a lock on our door or help some cross the street. Supporting policy is another thing altogether. I was deeply impressed and greatly pleased to hear an American soldier in Iraq comment as follows when interviewed by a reporter(paraphrased): Reporter: How do you feel about all the anti-war protesting going on right now back home ? Soldier: Good. I am fighting so that we have a right to protest, to preserve this. The personal waving of Flags is clearly our right but not to my taste as this is something sacred to me that should not be used as an expression for agreement with the policy of any particular administration. I think alot folks using the flags are infact using them to express support for the polices of this administration, instead it might be better for the support of pluraltiy in our country to not imply that disagreeing with policy is not patriotic; to the contrary repressing opinions is anti-patriotic. We were largely formed by those fleeing persecution. My thoughts about the "Support Our Troops" stickers is similar: it implies that if one does not agree with the policies of this administration that one is not patriotic, and this is potentially very dangerous as it contains the seeds of repression. Peace, 23
Shaggie, Apologies for not directly enough addressing the question. This part is of a 'spin' that distorts the realities related to what is happening as far the war in Iraq and 911 is concerned. I like the bumper stickers that state that someone has helped to support the victims and/or their families; be it soldiers, 911 victims, Iraqi victims, etc. For those who support the policies of this administration, given some creative 'juice', there are any number of very effective bumper stickers that can be produced that display their beliefs to others in the world and that do not imply that people who disagree are not patriotic or do not support our troops. Yes expect to see that a sticker soon that says if one does not eat KFC, shop at Walmart and vote Republican then they are not patriotic and should be eyed very closely just in case they get "out of line".
Shaggie, Just a thought I will add is that this all hurts the Republican cause. I largely do not agree with Republicans on many issues but this is the nature of our country, the right to express opinions, all our rights, are very, very, very important. Many of the Republicans that I talk with, actually, do not agree with the economic policies, or the policies about how to deal with terrorism, that are being propogated by this administration. Most Republicans are traditionally financial conservatives. As a note I believe that there are good changes that can be made to our electorate process that will allow for better representation and improved healthful stability. I believe that what is happening right now in our country is very dangerous and may get much worse before it gets better. I, again, use the "stop sign analogy": Instead of healthy foresight, waiting until there is a "major accident" before the stop sign is installed. Peace and Good Foresight, 23
Squawkers7, I have read some of your posts and I am deeply impressed, especially at your balance in considering these issues. Yes war is dumb but we need to get smarter. Just like we cover food so the raccoons don't munch our harvest we need to protect ourselves, and I see this as waging peace in the world; being examples of this and until success comes we need a lock on the door. Now war mongering, supporting wars to protect from a transition to peace-related activity, is really, really dumb. But I hope, and pray, for healing for all including those who fancy, profit from or like war; that is I also pray for those involved in "less-than-good" activity. Peace, 23
the guy in the pic I posted in this thread is my 21 year old son in Iraq.. hard to believe that he was a vegetarian, who loved all animals & ran after his dad to stop him from killing a rabbit, a kid that loves the outdoors & work a few yrs in different job corp orginizations in AZ, VT, WA & ID to a soldier with a gun in his hand in the middle of war.
