Those Who Say 'I Support the Troops' Really Don't

[DarrinS]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michae...b_2402749.html

I don't support the troops, America, and neither do you. I am tired of the ruse we are playing on these brave citizens in our armed forces. And guess what -- a lot of these soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines see right through the bull of those words, "I support the troops!," spoken by Americans with such false sincerity -- false because our actions don't match our words. These young men and women sign up to risk their very lives to protect us -- and this is what they get in return:

1. They get sent off to wars that have NOTHING to do with defending America or saving our lives. They are used as pawns so that the military-industrial complex can make billions of dollars and the rich here can expand their empire. By "supporting the troops," that means I'm supposed to shut up, don't ask questions, do nothing to stop the madness, and sit by and watch thousands of them die? Well, I've done an awful lot to try and end this. But the only way you can honestly say you support the troops is to work night and day to get them out of these holes they've been sent to. And what have I done this week to bring the troops home? Nothing. So if I say "I support the troops," don't believe me -- I clearly don't support the troops because I've got more important things to do today, like return an iPhone that doesn't work and take my car in for a tune up.

2. While the troops we claim to "support" are serving their country, bankers who say they too "support the troops," foreclose on the actual homes of these soldiers and evict their families while they are overseas! Have I gone and stood in front of the sheriff's deputy as he is throwing a military family out of their home? No. And there's your proof that I don't "support the troops," because if I did, I would organize mass sit-ins to block the doors of these homes. Instead, I'm having Chilean sea bass tonight.

3. How many of you who say you "support the troops" have visited a VA hospital to bring aid and comfort to the sick and wounded? I haven't. How many of you have any clue what it's like to deal with the VA? I don't. Therefore, you would be safe to say that I don't "support the troops," and neither do you.

4. Who amongst you big enthusiastic "supporters of the troops" can tell me the approximate number of service women who have been raped while in the military? Answer: 19,000 (mostly) female troops are raped or sexually assaulted every year by fellow American troops. What have you or I done to bring these criminals to justice? What's that, you say -- out of sight, out of mind? These women have suffered, and I've done nothing. So don't ever let me get away with telling you I "support the troops" because, sadly, I don't. And neither do you.

5. Help a homeless vet today? How 'bout yesterday? Last week? Last year? Ever? But I thought you "support the troops!"? The number of homeless veterans is staggering -- on any given night, at least 60,000 veterans are sleeping on the streets of the country that proudly "supports the troops." This is disgraceful and shameful, isn't it? And it exposes all those "troop supporters" who always vote against social programs that would help these veterans. Tonight there are at least 12,700 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans homeless and sleeping on the street. I've never lent a helping hand to one of the many vets I've seen sleeping on the street. I can't bear to look, and I walk past them very quickly. That's called not "supporting the troops," which, I guess, I don't -- and neither do you.

6. And you know, the beautiful thing about all this "support" you and I have been giving the troops -- they feel this love and support so much, a record number of them are killing themselves every single week. In fact, there are now more soldiers killing themselves than soldiers being killed in combat (323 suicides in 2012 through November vs. about 210 combat deaths). Yes, you are more likely to die by your own hand in the United States military than by al Qaeda or the Taliban. And an estimated eighteen veterans kill themselves each day, or one in five of all U.S. suicides -- though no one really knows because we don't bother to keep track. Now, that's what I call support! These troops are really feeling the love, people! Lemme hear you say it again: "I support the troops!" Louder! "I SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!" There, that's better. I'm sure they heard us. Don't forget to fly our flag, wear your flag lapel pin, and never, ever let a service member pass you by without saying, "Thank you for your service!" I'm sure that's all they need to keep from putting a bullet in their heads. Do your best to keep your "support" up for the troops because, God knows, I certainly can't any longer.

I don't "support the troops" or any of those other hollow and hypocritical pla udes uttered by Republicans and frightened Democrats. Here's what I do support: I support them coming home. I support them being treated well. I support peace, and I beg any young person reading this who's thinking of joining the armed forces to please reconsider. Our war department has done little to show you they won't recklessly put your young life in harm's way for a cause that has nothing to do with what you signed up for. They will not help you once they've used you and spit you back into society. If you're a woman, they will not protect you from rapists in their ranks. And because you have a conscience and you know right from wrong, you do not want yourself being used to kill civilians in other countries who never did anything to hurt us. We are currently involved in at least a half-dozen military actions around the world. Don't become the next statistic so that General Electric can post another record profit -- while paying no taxes -- taxes that otherwise would be paying for the artificial leg that they've kept you waiting for months to receive.

I support you, and will try to do more to be there for you. And the best way you can support me -- and the ideals our country says it believes in -- is to get out of the military as soon as you can and never look back.

And please, next time some "supporter of the troops" says to you with that concerned look on their face, "I thank you for your service," you have my permission to punch their lights out (figuratively speaking, of course).

(There is something I've done to support the troops -- other than help lead the effort to stop these senseless wars. At the movie theater I run in Michigan, I became the first person in town to ins ute an affirmative action plan for hiring returning Iraq/Afghanistan vets. I am working to get more businesses in town to join with me in this effort to find jobs for these returning soldiers. I also let all service members in to the movies for free, every day.)

[clambake]

and?

[johnsmith]

and?

, who knows! You see how long that is? I'm certainly not reading it.

[DarrinS]

, who knows! You see how long that is? I'm certainly not reading it.

Then you must be really intimidated by a magazine or a book.

[DarrinS]

I like Moore's logic that if HE doesn't do anything to actually support the troops, then YOU don't either.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

The fact DarrinS is so up-in-arms over this article is a guilty conscience if I've ever seen one.

[Th'Pusher]

Has anyone here seen The Invisible War? It's an investigative do entary about the rape epedimic in the US Military. Highly recommended.

[CuckingFunt]

The fact DarrinS is so up-in-arms over this article is a guilty conscience if I've ever seen one.

This.

The only people to whom Moore's article is an insult are those who have for years taken pride in their support.

[DMC]

As someone who's served, I can say for certain that most of the military doesn't give a about citizens. They don't sign up to protect anyone or anything but their financial futures. It's a job, it's advertised as such (toughest job you'll ever love) and it's a means to an education for the lower to middle class people who don't have a shot at college for financial reasons. Many of these people get rude awakenings on day one in boot camp when the light hits their faces and they are being screamed at non stop. I don't recall that in my other job. They come to realize they are no longer civilians, they are owned like slaves and told what to do else they will be imprisoned and/or have a reputation that scars them for life. Some relish it and go into other things and do pretty good for themselves, others just wait it out to try to get a pension and maybe some disability. These are the enlisted. The officers are often groomed, especially the high end ones like academy grads, to lead the ones who are just there for food and shelter.

It's bull to think the military is full of honorable men and women. It's full of a cross section of society, mostly the lower class, who might do honorable things in certain situations or they might just leave if given the chance. This is the regular military, special forces is different.

I laugh when I hear people like fatass Moore comment about the military. He has no idea.

[Th'Pusher]

People who join the military are 2x as like to have committed or attempted to commit rape than the civilian population.

[boutons_deux]

Has anyone here seen The Invisible War? It's an investigative do entary about the rape epedimic in the US Military. Highly recommended.

about 1/3 of women in the Army have been assaulted or raped.

happens at the military academies, too.

boys will be boys

[clambake]

is it legitimate?

[vy65]

about 1/3 of women in the Army have been assaulted or raped.

happens at the military academies, too.

boys will be boys

Assumption of risk

[Clipper Nation]

Michael Moore is actually right for once in his life, I'm impressed....

[Th'Pusher]

Assumption of risk

Wouldn't that require the specific risk (higher probability of being raped) be made known to the enlisted prior to joining the military?

[Halberto]

is it legitimate?

[LnGrrrR]

I like Moore's logic that if HE doesn't do anything to actually support the troops, then YOU don't either.

Do you think that the majority of people who want to support the troops actually do the things he's mentioned? For instance, I'm sure you support the troops DarrinS. Have you done a few of the above mentioned things?

Oh, and regarding the rape comment, it's a huge deal that they're cracking the whip on now. We've heard it from a 4 star all the way down to our commander. Of course, they also keep saying that our mission load will get lighter as we have less money and less people to do missions, and the tempo hasn't slowed any from where I sit.

Suicide was the other big topic they've brought up... I guess since the missions haven't slowed down, why gosh, it somewhat puts stress on soldiers and not all 100% respond positively. Big surprise! Call my cynical, but the only reason they'd slow down the tempo is because enough soldiers are killing themselves to make it non-cost-effective to keep it up.

I do think the idea that Moore proposes that if you're not constantly supporting the troops then you're not supporting them at all. That's a pretty stupid idea. Also, I won't be getting out of the military anytime soon. Not unless Moore wants to pay for my retirement, medical care, find me a job, etc etc. Plus, the US obviously has to have SOME military.

[LnGrrrR]

As someone who's served, I can say for certain that most of the military doesn't give a about citizens. They don't sign up to protect anyone or anything but their financial futures. It's a job, it's advertised as such (toughest job you'll ever love) and it's a means to an education for the lower to middle class people who don't have a shot at college for financial reasons. Many of these people get rude awakenings on day one in boot camp when the light hits their faces and they are being screamed at non stop. I don't recall that in my other job. They come to realize they are no longer civilians, they are owned like slaves and told what to do else they will be imprisoned and/or have a reputation that scars them for life. Some relish it and go into other things and do pretty good for themselves, others just wait it out to try to get a pension and maybe some disability. These are the enlisted. The officers are often groomed, especially the high end ones like academy grads, to lead the ones who are just there for food and shelter.

It's bull to think the military is full of honorable men and women. It's full of a cross section of society, mostly the lower class, who might do honorable things in certain situations or they might just leave if given the chance. This is the regular military, special forces is different.

I laugh when I hear people like fatass Moore comment about the military. He has no idea.

For the most part, true. While I do enjoy serving my country, if I couldn't feed my family, and I didn't have the perks I have, I would likely get out. I could make probably a good deal if I got out, but I enjoy the enlisted Air Force lifestyle. I feel like I get good training, both in a technical and managerial fashion.

[Spurminator]

Darrin's last two threads have been a video of celebrities and a Michael Moore column.

I think you need a new news source, bro.

[Jacob1983]

Other than saying thank you and telling them that you appreciate their service and sacrifice, what else can you say to them? I'm not trying to start or be rude or disrespectful to veterans but you can't just go up to them and be buddy buddy with them. A lot of them have mental issues and physical injuries. Yeah, you can volunteer and help them in a voluntary way but you can't fix their physical, mental, and emotional injuries that will probably be with them until they die. No matter what you say and do, some of these veterans will never be the same.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Other than saying thank you and telling them that you appreciate their service and sacrifice, what else can you say to them?

Don't say anything. Your tax dollars pay their salaries. That is sufficient enough.

[Borat Sagyidev]

I laugh when I hear people like fatass Moore comment about the military. He has no idea.

I think you´re taking it a bit far. You must have never taken on live fire. The tasks the military were given in Iraq particularly are not worth risking your life for.

[LnGrrrR]

Other than saying thank you and telling them that you appreciate their service and sacrifice, what else can you say to them? I'm not trying to start or be rude or disrespectful to veterans but you can't just go up to them and be buddy buddy with them. A lot of them have mental issues and physical injuries. Yeah, you can volunteer and help them in a voluntary way but you can't fix their physical, mental, and emotional injuries that will probably be with them until they die. No matter what you say and do, some of these veterans will never be the same.

I think Moore's point was that if you support the troops, you should actually volunteer either your time or money.

[spursncowboys]

As someone who's served, I can say for certain that most of the military doesn't give a about citizens. They don't sign up to protect anyone or anything but their financial futures. It's a job, it's advertised as such (toughest job you'll ever love) and it's a means to an education for the lower to middle class people who don't have a shot at college for financial reasons. Many of these people get rude awakenings on day one in boot camp when the light hits their faces and they are being screamed at non stop. I don't recall that in my other job. They come to realize they are no longer civilians, they are owned like slaves and told what to do else they will be imprisoned and/or have a reputation that scars them for life. Some relish it and go into other things and do pretty good for themselves, others just wait it out to try to get a pension and maybe some disability. These are the enlisted. The officers are often groomed, especially the high end ones like academy grads, to lead the ones who are just there for food and shelter.

It's bull to think the military is full of honorable men and women. It's full of a cross section of society, mostly the lower class, who might do honorable things in certain situations or they might just leave if given the chance. This is the regular military, special forces is different.

I laugh when I hear people like fatass Moore comment about the military. He has no idea.

The combat-arms side is a completely different beast than the others. I had my degree and had a better paying job before I joined.

But I agree with your point that most military couldn't give a less about what cowards like DOK think or acknowledge.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Calling me a coward doesn't bring your dead friends back

LMAO dying so Haliburton can get a no bid contract