How about this: I have sympathy for the troops.

[Selwynn]

That seems to be more accurate about how I feel than I "support" the troops, since no one can seem to clearly define what "support" means.

I don't support this occupation.

I didn't support the invasion.

I don't support tourture.

I don't believe it "hurts" the troops when we speak honestly and critically about the lies and deceit of our leaders that drug these guys to war in the first place.

I don't want any more soldiers to die over there.

I DO have sympathy for a 20 year old boy caught in the middle, trained to do a job and believe unquestioningly in leaders and told they are doing what's right.

I DO want our soldiers to come home safe and RIGHT NOW

[Bandit]

1. Just Remember they all "volunteered" for this

They were not forced into any of this. I also sympathize with their current situation and am damn glad we have such a group of healthy patriotic young people to aid and defend us in times of need but this is different. They are not behaving well. At least the ones behaving badly are getting all the press and it reflects very badly upon America as a whole.

[Selwynn]

5. That's not completely fair -

I'd say the number of people who "volunteered" right before the Iraqi invasion specifical because we were invading iraq is next to none. There are a large percentage of reservists and gaurd - most of which "volunteer" for very different reasons. And for the rest, most are poor, and most buy into the indoctrination that says following orders = serving your country = partiotism, i.e. your country is always right, more specifically, you do not question - ever. Period. Being a true patriot and a proud soldier means you follow orders and you kill. All room for higher level reasoning is practically conditioned out of soldiers.

Does that mean they bear no responsibility for their actions? Of course not. It just means I have sympathy for them and want all our people home now.

[EndElectoral]

2. Some didn't volunteer for this. I feel sorry for this poor bastard.

Some didn't volunteer to look the other way when orders are given to disobey the Geneva Convention. In fact those who follow their conscience are continually punished. I feel sorry for this poor bastard.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2027&ncid=2027&e=3&u=/chitribts/20040522/ts_chicagotrib/sergeantflaggedfortellingnewsmediaaboutprisonabuses

[rucky]

3. How about the ones who smeared a man in shit

were they victims of the Zimbardo effect?

were they just following orders?

a few bad apples?

or were they willful participants?

I'm torn. Honestly.

[petronius]

4. My definition of 'support the troops'

This is what I mean when I use the phrase:

1) I honor them for their willingness to serve our country, and to defend it in time of need (which this is not).

2) I want them to have the equipment, training, and leadership to complete their missions safely and effectively.

3) I want them to be compensated at a level where they can take care of their families; in particular I want families to be able to feed, clothe, house themselves, etc., without relying on shelters and food stamps (especially when the troops are deployed).

4) I want soldiers who have been wounded or killed to be cared for appropriately, and their families cared for.

5) I want veterans to receive the care and benefits they were promised.

6) I want our military to be used only when necessary, and kept out of or removed from situations where our interests are not really at stake.

Notice that none of these require me to agree with or support any particular administration...

[Selwynn]

6. That sounds about right to me :)