Support our troops" What does that mean?

[mitchtv]

I suppose I support fellow Americans and hope they don't get hurt. BUT,We don't belong there, and I believe there is very little honor in an illegal occupation. I can't bring myself to hate 'insurgents'(I call them Resistance". One thing that really gets me is when someone says that we are in Iraq to protect us. I never felt threatened by Iraq. I think we should get out ASAP,and pay the Iraqis war damages caused by us. That's the best we can do for these kids. And like it or not there have been lots of war crimes to indemnify.

[Zeke]

1. It Means...

Cutting the pay and benefits of military personnel
and increasing military personnel prices on prescription
drugs, eliminating their access to medical and physical
rehab post injury, cutting their housing, etc.

Yeah, that's how the GOP supports the troops.

[mitchtv]

5. I would support those benefits expanded

IF they alowed gays in the military.I don't support cutting beefits for enlisted families.

[candy]

2. It means not to treat them like shit when they come home--

as was done during the Vietnam era.

[mitchtv]

4. I would never and never did in those days either

even tho I was a wild eyed hippie.I showed up when I was drafted, but alas I came back with a 4F- Unsuitable.

[BuyingThyme]

3. It means NOTHING.

It's a mantra for the brain-dead.

God bless America.

[Swamp Rat]

6. It means: I shop at Wal-Mart and buy tacky shit to stick on my car. n/t

[heidler1]

11. Exactly and the wording was chosen to sell to both sides of the issue.

The issue being, when will we bring them home?

[not systems]

7. Hail victory...

shut-up and start shopping.

[earthside]

It REALLY Means -Support the War

Who is kidding who?

Liberals may want to think that they can "support the troops" and not the war ... maybe there is a way to rationalize that stand in your own mind. But a magnetic plastic ribbon on a car saying such --- is a message of support for the Bush regime's warmongering imperialism.

It really is that simple - the "support the troops" slogan is pro-war, pro-Bush propaganda.

[earthside]

8. It REALLY Means -Support the War

Who is kidding who?

Liberals may want to think that they can "support the troops" and not the war ... maybe there is a way to rationalize that stand in your own mind. But a magnetic plastic ribbon on a car saying such --- is a message of support for the Bush regime's warmongering imperialism.

It really is that simple - the "support the troops" slogan is pro-war, pro-Bush propaganda.

[Mari333]

9. Michael told me, when he got back from Iraq

That most of the guys over there KNOW the goddamned war is full of shit..the guys on the ground, not the officers, who are making points and monies from this illegal war.
Michael said he saw 9, 10, 11, 12 yr old kids incarcerated for months at a time, without their parents.
He said there is no honour over this war, and the guys on the ground know it.
He wont even tell people, now that hes back, that he was there. He wants to punch them out when they say "thanks for serving our country."
He says he tells them its all horseshit and the grunts know it.
I guess supporting them is being there for them when they come home and helping them to tell the truth.

[Coventina]

10. "support our troops" means nothing

It's a catch phrase that sounds nice and can't be argued with.

It's manufacturing consent to war crimes on a massive scale.

Don't buy into it.

[Pepperbelly]

12. It is a sound-good but utterly meaningless collection of words. nt

[Vickers]

13. It means, "I'm not patriotic enough to question my own government"

At least that's what it means to me.

It has SHIT to do with folks in the military.

[latteromden]

14. For US, it means that we want them to come home safely from a needless and

immoral war. For THEM (being the right), it means, "We're going to buy two dollar ribbons from the supermarket that were made in China and from which absolutely NO profits WHATSOEVER go to the troops."

[bpilgrim]

15. Shut the FUCK up!

that's what it USUALLY means ;->

peace

[recovering democrat]

16. Different perspectives

Just like the replies on this and many other similar topics on DU, it depends entirely on the perspective of the "supporter".

"Support the troops" is one of those amazing phrases that has become a catchy slogan for the right-wing Christian, Republican folks who also bring you many other phrases that they have made their own and you better agree with them, or else you are an (a) atheist, (b) traitor, (c) communist, (d) homosexual, (e) pick any other sin, or (f) all of the above. In that world, "support the troops" means:
I pray for them all the time.
I bought a magnetic ribbon for my car.
I clap when Toby Keith music is played.
I voted for George W. Bush.
I have no idea how the troops feel, what they need, what their families need, and I really don't give a damn, since it might cost me a few dollars in taxes to deal with it. Ditto for veterans.

On the other hand, to me, in my world "support the troops" means:
I pray for them all the time.
I bought a magnetic ribbon for my car.
I clap when Bob Dylan music is played.
I voted for John Kerry.
I respect the opinions of soldiers, ask them how they feel and what they need and listen to their answers. I get a pretty good idea by talking to my son who is one of them. I give a damn and it is okay if it costs me a few dollars in taxes to deal with it. Ditto for veterans.
And, most importantly, BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[diamond14]

17. it means you are THRILLED to have KILLING-by-proxy...and you

enjoy that KILL for the THRILL....'support our troops' means that you are particular fond of KILLING-by-proxy innocent civilians, babies, pregnant women and old people....'support our troops' means that you wallow in the torture of POWs.....'support our troops' means that you enjoy the carnage in Iraq and believe everything your leader propagandizes to you, and want more KILLING....U.S. Military General: KILLING IS FUN !

[Toots]

18. How is the GI Bill for supporting the Troops... What has the Right done?

:shrug: We see Liberal support for our troops every single day. I have never seen any Real support from the conservatives. They stand tall for Defense Industry where millions and Billions of dollars are spent and kicked back to them but actual support???????? Name some for me...

[KG]

19. it means put a yellow ribbon magnet on your car.