(no subject)

[oakenguy]

Sars over in this week's Tomato Nation (www.tomatonation.com) said it better than I ever could--if I focussed on the enormity of what's going on and how helpless I am to do anything about it, I would self-combust. It's no good to fling myself, moth-like, against the War. Watch for the chance to make a difference, save up strength for that moment.

Fine.

Except...

If one more person uses "support the troops" as a catchphrase I'm going to go postal!!! What the FUCK, you mindless sheep! Are you really so overloaded on Fox 'News' that you think 'anti-war' and 'support the troops' are a dichotomy?

Here's a clue: the best way to support the troops is to NOT send them into situations where they'll get bullets in them!

Every time a smug conservative calls their rally, their protest, their stance a "support the troops" stance it's an insult to the troops, it's an insult to the people who oppose the war, it's an insult to their own intelligence. It's jingoism. And worst of all, it will lead to my loud mocking.
***


And now, back to things I can actually make a difference about.

Comments

Re:

[kajivar]

Oxygen breathing is a fact of life. It goes without saying.

Supporting the troops is not. It's something that gets taken for granted. You do have a point in that some people who protest the war do support our troops, but I think your ratios are skewed. A lot of those protesters don't give a damn about the troops. "Anti-war" and "support the troops" are not a dichotomy -- but to many people they are.

*shrug* We have different perceptions. Happens.

Re:

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Well, yes....except that your perception has the underlying principle that anti-war protesters are inherently jerks.

What could the protesters do to prove to you that they support the troops as much as people who are pro-war?

Re:

[kajivar]

I refuse to battle this out. I don't have the time or energy right now to correct your misconceptions about me.

Re:

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Look. It's not a battle, and I'm sorry if you perceive it that way. But when you have the time and/or energy, I'd love an answer to my question.

Re:

[kajivar]

I just didn't like being told "your perception has the underlying principle that anti-war protesters are inherently jerks" when that isn't the case. Disruptive/abusive protesters are inherently jerks is what I feel. Disaffected college students lying in the middle of a busy road does not a good war protest make.

As for the question, I honestly don't know. I have a military background, and I know first hand that the military feels that protesters are a slap in the face. A lot of it is residual backlash from the "babykiller" Vietnam protests. The sentiment now isn't the same, but the wounds remain. And it's hard to feel "supported" when people are screaming that you're wrong for being where you are.