For the last time, if you DO NOT support the war in Afghanistan

[Robb]

...You are NOT a censored, stifled minority on DU. You are the majority voice here.

Why some feel the need to frame their argument from a position of being under the bootheel of tyranny, rather than simply making their point, is beyond me.

"Help, help, I'm being oppressed!!"

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. According to the poll, DU'ers are 2X as likely to be male and males are nearly 2X as likely to

Assuming a random adequete sample (obviously a strech considering the poll is self-selected)...

If you are on DU you are 2X as likely to be male versus female.
Also, if are a male on DU, you are 2X more likely than females to support the Afghan military strategy/effort.

Interesting.

[unhappycamper]

2. Unless of course, the male has seen combat.

After participating in Tet of 68 and the invasion of Cambodia in 1970 I'm definitely in the anti-war camp.

[Bigmack]

8. Yup! nt

[optimator]

3. minority in the Dem party tho

we anti-war people are scum to the national Democratic party.

[L0oniX]

5. +1

[Echo In Light]

6. +1

[L0oniX]

4. The cheer leading here for those that join the military doesn't help.

Supporting the troops is like supporting the 700+ billion a year for defense ...instead of it going for health care or civilian job growth incentives. There's lots of members here who have connections to troops or were in the military and may also have investments in the MIC and that can make it seem like DU is slanted that way IMO.

[bigtree]

7. It's dishonest to blame our nation's defenders for the mission they're tasked with

The problem is our inability to change their leadership to the degree that their priorities abroad are reduced, modified, or eliminated. To scorn the troops in general is just wrong. To associate all of their service with the MIC is just ridiculous. It's our civilian legislators who feed and perpetuate the worst of the MIC, not the troops we correctly support and praise for their service.

[Robb]

9. +1

[Echo In Light]

10. I agree w/L0oniX on that one, but understand it's a VERY volatile issue due to family members

... and friends of DUers who are enlisted, are vets, etc ... b/c for them, it's such a personal thing, there's a STRONG emotional impetus to downplay the horrors of militarization, coupled w/the reality that people obviously don't prefer to cast their family/friends in a negative light ...yet, truth is, if NO ONE enlisted - something I'm all for - than there'd be nobody to tend to the vile business of empire. I think that's what L0oniX is driving at.

[L0oniX]

12. +1

[L0oniX]

14. I really don't care what anyone thinks of my opinion. My opinion is my honest opinion.

Seems that many have never been surrounded by our own soldiers. I will never forget that they can be used against me and that they will kill me. I will always hate the military.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XYy470fpCVM/SwIybCCiGJI/AAAAAAAAAZw/ZGaYN4e9s74/s1600/Kent+State+shooting.jpg

Some of us remember and will never forget. Some will never forgive. Some are dishonest about history.

[Better Today]

11. I would say it depends on when they enlisted. IF they enlisted

before 2003-2004 timeframe, then my heart goes out to them for not realizing the lies they were being trapped by. But if after that, then I agree with you, the cheerleading for those that continue to support through enlistment is unsettling to say the least.

[WilliamPitt]

13. (big fat super duper extra crispy FACEPALM)

[apples and oranges]

15. I doubt anyone on DU wants either war to continue

I think it's the withdrawal strategies that differ.

[hfojvt]

16. that poll is not valid

it is missing an option, which is obligatory

see, for example

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7036829

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5672210