Many people in the US say that you should "support our troops" so that they don't have to use a more controversial phrase like "support the war." This leads to a sort of emotional connection between a person and the war in Iraq, and we tend to think something along the lines of "well, I don't have anything against the troops, so I guess I should support the war effort." Somehow, this causes people to believe that the best way to "support the troops" is to send them on another tour of duty in Iraq.
Honestly, I can't remember the last time I heard somebody concern themselves with the well-being of the troops in Iraq. The suicide rates among these soldiers is abysmal, but people still somehow think that "supporting the troops" means that we should keep them there. Depression is rampant and repeated tours of duty (partially thanks to the Stop-Loss program, which keeps soldiers in Iraq past the date when they were promised that they could leave) are breaking up young families. And today, I saw a report that actually suprised me it hasn't been proven yet, but apparently, some of the soldiers are being fed improperly.
Apparently, some people believe that "support our troops" means "send our most patriotic young citizens to be depressed, lose their family, and possibly commit suicide while keeping them underfed".
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Shan-ul-Hai, the chief author of Globally Rational, is a self-described cosmopolitan scientist. His articles typically involve the application of evidence-based logic to some of the world's most interesting and thought-provoking affairs. His background as a Pakistani-American supplements his training as a scientist and his skill as a writer, leading to a myriad of of unique perspectives.
» left by Susan Thom(8,190) Susan Thom (115 days ago.)
hi Shan-ul-Hai,
i think you hit the nail on the head. these 18,19,20,21 and 22 year old "boys" are recruited with promises of great careers, and making lots of money, too bad they never told them that when they got back, which wouldn't be when promised, their heads would forever be filled with destruction and inhuman experiences that would torture ther conscious and subconcsious, and probably cause them nightmares forever. the schools send a flyer home to get your permission for your child to take part in a "recruiting" demonstration. let's just say, neither of my boys went. and when a recruiter called for my daughter, let's just say, he never called back.
thanks for sharing,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Shan-ul-Hai(157) Shan-ul-Hai (115 days ago.)
Sue, Thanks for all of your comments. FYI, you can read my work a little bit sooner on my blog, at globallyrational(dot)com . Hopefully, I'll be seeing more of you around here.
-Shan Respond to this comment
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Many people in the US say that you should "support our troops" so that they don't have to use a more controversial phrase like "support the war." This leads to a sort of emotional connection between a person and the war in Iraq, and we tend to think something along the lines of "well, I don't have anything against the troops, so I guess I should support the war effort." Somehow, this causes people to believe that the best way to "support the troops" is to send them on another tour of duty in Iraq. 
