“You Can’t Be Against The War AND Support Our Troops”
I’ll swear I’m gonna gag the next time some dickhead uses that stupid retarded phrase. Or any of its variations: “If you’re against the war then you don’t support our troops, it‘s that simple,” etc.
This is the most moronic, illogical excuse for “reasoning,” and yet it’s everywhere. It’s the result of a brilliant team effort:
1) A cutting edge combination of neurolinguistics, group dynamics and political science; and
2) Millions of gullible citizens who will swallow anything hook line and sinker. Aluminum siding, stuffing envelopes at home in your spare time for $500,000 a week, you name it. “OK. Where do I sign?!?”
And Presto! All over the Internet: “If you don’t support our mission in Iraq then you don’t support our soldiers.” “Our troops are dying over just there so you moonbats can keep having your treasonous anti-war demonstrations.” And of course the oldest cliché of all (still alive and well for over 40 years now): that any expression of discontent against the war is “aiding and abetting the enemy.”
Anyone with either a high school education and/or an IQ higher than room temperature can see through this drivel. Unfortunately, that still leaves millions of voters going “Duuuhhhh!!!!” and then swallowing and regurgitating this shit.
Now, some perspective: let’s say a new law gets passed saying that anyone wearing a blue shirt on Wednesday gets shot on sight by the police. No trial, no questions asked, no ifs ands or buts. BANG! End of story.
Now, do you agree with this new law? If you don’t, then you don’t support your police department. You hate your local police officers and you hate America.
Now see how retarded, how imbecilic the above paragraph is? That’s the same reasoning being used in “You Can’t Be Against The War AND Support Our Troops.” See, it really is possible to be against a certain government program and, simultaneously, have sympathy and support for the government employees who are forced to carry out this government stupidity.
For most people this is all too obvious. This government-sponsored my-country-right-or-wrong propaganda has no logic or intelligence whatsoever. Unfortunately, this Big Lie technique is very effective. It was developed by Joseph Goebbels (Hitler’s propaganda minister) during the 1930s and it’s been perfected by our current “leaders.”
Basically, the Big Lie technique just means taking a certain phrase or slogan and repeating it over and over, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Eventually, after it’s been seen and heard thousands of times, it’ll just seep into the public consciousness and become “common knowledge.”
Thanks to all the cuts in public education during the past 20 years, the Big Lie technique is more effective than ever. Hence the large number of columnists and bloggers who dutifully recite “You Can’t Be Against The War AND Support Our Troops.”
Very good, Comrades. You are toeing the line just as you were ordered. Job well done!
posted by Tom Harper @ 10:26 AM
25 Comments:
You are either with us or against us.
If you don't support the patriot act the terrorists will win.
Real Id is not a national id card we must have it to stop the terrorist.
If you drive SUV's the terrorist will win.
Remember the anti-drug ads after 9/11 if you take drugs you are funding terrorism.
The list goes on and on they will not stop until you have no rights.
On the flip side, all you have to do to support the troops is put some cheap magnetic sticker on your car or big-ass pick-up. It doesn't even screw up the paint, for chrissakes!
The people who say they're for this war are getting away without sacrificing anything at home (unless they have loved ones in Iraq). Few sacrifices, few complaints.
I like the people that put up more than one support the troops stickers on their vehicle to make it look like they are more patriotic than their neighbors.
Very well said! You're right, it's one of the most moronic things I've ever heard. BTW, Bush himself has said he has to repeat things a lot of time to make people understand. Nice, huh?
Jake: I guess we’re all funding terrorism no matter what we do. And of course the more magnetic yellow ribbons you have (and they’re made in China) the more patriotic you are. Hell, I’m just gonna get about fifty of them and plaster them all over the entire vehicle; maybe it’ll start a trend.
Brother Kenya: That’s pretty much all you have to do. And the bigger the SUV the more Chinese yellow ribbons it can hold.
Mulligan: That’s interesting -- Bush has to repeat things to make people understand. The Big Lie technique in action. Or maybe he just thinks anyone who agrees with him must be slow and needs everything repeated.
OK Democrat: Thanks. My main reason for being against the Iraqi war is the lies and deception behind the invasion. If Bush had been upfront from the get-go about exactly what threat Hussein posed, I might have been in favor of the war; I'm not sure. Right after 9/11 I was sure Hussein had a hand in the attacks, but nothing's ever been proven.
But mostly it's that "you're either with us or against us" belief that really turns people away.
I agree Jake, this is getting ridiculous.
I often ask people what those Yellow Ribbons actually mean. How does one accurately and appropriately support our troops? By keeping their mouth shut?
Superman: Is that a cry for help? Better call your doctor about refilling that prescription.
Bulldog Manifesto: Thanks. I just keep seeing that stupid phrase everywhere, and I finally had to vent about it.
Samantha: I guess the only real tangible way to support the troops is to be over there fighting alongside them (or to bring them home). And the people cheerleading over the Internet and displaying yellow ribbons on their vehicles clearly aren’t over in Iraq getting shot at.
Tom, your post is right on. I can't stand when people question my patriotism or "support of the troops" when I criticize the president and how he's making a huge mess of things. The people making these accusations are so blind to the fact that they've been lied to. They like to think they're headstrong and patriotic, when really they are blind little sheep following the rest of the flock.
I hate to be off topic but Superman why are you going on blogs attacking me, you even went on my blog telling me I sucked.
Your comment on my blog will be deleted and no more of them will be tollerated if you continue to attack me or anyone else. You are welcome to disagree and debate ideas on my blog but name calling gets no one anywhere. I would like you to comment on my blog and tell me what your problem is without any name calling.
Mags: Yup, that’s exactly it. They think they’re being strong-willed and taking a stand, and all they’re really doing is being manipulated, and they don’t even know it.
EagleMan: Uh oh, you went off your medication and look what happened :) (I know, that’s your line.) Your Chicago Cubs comparison might be valid if: 1) the ballplayers were getting shot, killed and maimed out on the field; 2) the players were tricked into thinking the game would only last nine innings, but in reality it’s gonna last for months, with no sleep or any breaks at all until the game is over.
Jake: If you want I’ll delete his comment; let me know. I’ll delete any future comments he makes here in any case. This blog isn’t a public bulletin board for people to diss each other.
Thanks Tom
The Flying Monkey Bridage is not interested in the truth. Whether or not the truth would have saved thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. Whether or not the truth would have made resources available to capture the leadership of the Al Qaeda network, including Osama.
The Flying Monkey Brigade is a modern-day fifth column. Not a very good one, but you have to work with the fifth column that you have, not the one you want to have.
There might be some guilt left over from the Vietnam era, when we blamed and shunned the drafted troops when we were really mad at the goverment
Erik
The only true test to whether or not those opposed to war, (and that is your right) can be supportive of the war, can only be answered by the troops themselves. I am going to repeat it, since some of you don't listen too good. I dare you to ask the average American warrior, if Senator Durbin is supportive of them. Do it damn it, don't pontificate. Go ask the soldiers. They will set you straight on this question, and your views are only from the outside looking in, ask those that need support,if they are getting it from the N.Y. Times, Ted Kennedy or Nancy pelosi? Case closed.
Tom, as you probably know, I'm one of those rare Libs like Joseph (OK Democrat) who also supports the war. Where the "you can't be against the war AND support our troops" holds truth is especially in funding. In other words; the more the People bash the war, the less money gets spent on the effort (a natural result).
The effect this has on the troops are the little things such as less armour, less uniforms, cheaper boots, MRE's instead of a warm meal, a recruiting crisis (so the existing troops have to work harder and more hours for longer in-country tours), less training for hostile situations, etc.
Of course, I agree with you that most of the "mindless robots" who echo the "you can't support the troops and not the war" slogan have no idea WHY it is actually a somewhat factual statement. Ask any of them to explain, in logical terms why this would be so and if any derivative of the word "patriot" enters into the conversation, you know you are talking with an IDIOT.
I will say THIS though; the people who say "this war sucks, but we've no choice but to win it now, then get our troops the hell outta there" have got it absolutely RIGHT.
Good post (as usual)
Jolly Roger: You’re right; they have their own agenda and the truth has nothing to do with it. Capture bin Laden? Why would they want to do that? He’s too useful.
Erik: Oh yeah, the Viet Nam syndrome lives on. But a lot of that shortchanging of the troops comes from those who yell the loudest about “support our troops.”
Web_Loafer: I doubt if “the soldiers” all think alike as one unit. Like any other group, they all have different opinions and outlooks. If I was a soldier in Iraq, I’d be especially pissed at the legislators who keep sending us there with insufficient or improper equipment, and who keep trying to reduce veterans’ health care and benefits. And I’d have the most fury and hatred for the senior Pentagon and Defense Dept. officials who planned for a 3-week cakewalk and had no idea we’d be in a 2-½ year quagmire (and no idea how to get us out).
I don’t know which lawmakers have voted to reduce veterans’ benefits and to cut costs by saving money on soldiers’ equipment, but I’m guessing that a lot of these lawmakers are the same ones who yell the loudest about “supporting our troops” and the same ones who have the most yellow ribbons plastered all over their vehicles.
Superman: You’re welcome to comment here as long as you don’t insult people.
Gun-Toting Liberal: I agree, it’s the merging of the word “patriot” (and all its variations) with blind support for the Iraqi war that’s the most offensive. I also think it’s criminal that Congress and the Defense Dept. keep shortchanging the troops with shoddy equipment and not enough of it, and they keep reducing (or trying to) veterans’ benefits. As I was saying in an earlier comment, I suspect the culprits are some of the conservative members of Congress and the Pentagon who yell the loudest about supporting the troops. (I don’t know this for a fact. I keep meaning to do a web search and see which lawmakers keep voting for shoddy equipment and reduced benefits.)
I do know that out of the top four members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee (2 Democrats, 2 Republicans), the 2 Republicans are all about cutting costs and balancing the budget on the backs of veterans. The 2 Democrats are pushing for increased funding for veterans’ health care.
I think I'm going to flip this one around.
You simply cannot be in support of the soldiers and support this war-it as been handled wrongly from day one, and the wrong decisions made at the Executive level have caused the unnecessary deaths of way too many troops.
If you are a "stay the course" type, then you are showing your disdain for the Armed Forces.
Flame away, but that's how this ex-GI sees it.
Jolly Roger: Very well put. And this ex-sailor totally agrees with you.
Dear Mr. Tom Harper,
I just wanted to thank you for putting up the good fight you do here.
And also, for all the times you have stopped by my blog and left a comment, it is much appreciated.
I wish you the best,
Polishifter
PoliShifter: Thanks. Pissed On Politics is one of my favorite sites. Keep up the fight.
Whoa, I leave town for a few days and when I check back here there is a post with 26 comments! Good job, Tom! I think it's a great post, too.
I may just be paranoid, but for a while I had a yellow ribbon magnet on my car. I also have had all kinds of left-wing bumper stickers on the car at the same time, as well as a Darwin/Jesus Fish satire (a saucer with the word "Alien" in it). I am willing myself to believe that is was probably just some bored teenager who stole the Alien symbol and the yellow ribbon from my car, and that it wasn't some local kookball who decided that because I am obviously a lefty there is no way I can be supportive of our troops in Iraq. Sigh...
I don't like the war in Iraq now, and I didn't like it when it started. I support the troops by thinking of them every day, making contributions of items that will help them feel more at home where they are, and hoping for their safety. They are doing what they can as best they can under the circumstances. I agree we need to support them with the best equipment we can.
The war may not have been necessary at all... but how can anyone blame the troops for the mess the USA is in in Iraq right now? It isn't their fault, they are just doing their job as members of the US military.
Snave: I guess only certain people are worthy of displaying a yellow ribbon on their vehicles -- the requisite rightwing bumper stickers, etc. I have nothing but sympathy and empathy for the troops. They enlisted with the highest of ideals, and they were told this war would be a cakewalk, not a 2-½ year quagmire. I just read today that the Army might raise their enlistment age up to 42, and they’re blaming the media for the fact that nobody’s enlisting any more.
The people who support the troops the least are the ones who voted to send them over there and then keep voting to cut corners every chance they get: inferior equipment (and not enough of it), reduced veterans’ benefits, etc.
I've been opposed to this war since day one. I'm not a pacifist. I strongly supported going into Afghanistan, for the purpose of taking out the people responsible for 9/11.
Unfortunately, it appears that Bush and company were more interested in Iraq than they were in terrorism or 9/11. The world is a more dangerous place and terrorism is on the rise, as a direct result of their.
Many people who supported it in the beginning, did so because their president had assured them of solid proof of a serious and immediate danger from Saddam.
No such threat ever existed. We find our selves engaged in an unwinnable war against a people determined to destroy their occupiers. We find we have created a breeding and training ground for international terrorism. I repeat, we created it.
The troops are under equipped, often under trained cannon fodder, in a war of attrition we can not possibly win. Thanks to a small, increasingly isolated cabal of like minded political conspirators. Wrapped in the flag, waving a politically abridged bible, stinking of greed and avarice.
How can you say you support the troops, our brothers, sisters, sons, fathers, neighbors, and still support this immoral, unwinnable war.
Thomas McCay: I also was in favor of the war in Afghanistan. I think most Americans were. But Bush had this Iraqi invasion planned before he even took office. Every time one of his lies didn’t pan out (WMD, connections between Saddam and al Qaeda) he’d just replace it with another lie. And now a 3-week cakewalk has turned into a 2½ year quagmire.
I think you’re right: if someone supports this immoral unwinnable war, it means they don’t support the troops.
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