In Crawford Texas there is a difference of opinion on how best to support our troops. At Camp Casey, the epicenter of the country's anti-war movement, we are told that the best support we could provide is to bring the troops home. A few yards away at the presidential ranch, we are told that the best way to support our troops is to support the job that they are doing, and to support the president. Of course, both of the above solutions of support are simplistic and make for great partisan soundbites but do little to offer actual solutions for a resolution to the war.
In these types of issues, soundbites often take the place of actual dialogue, and emotions replace reason.
At the heart of this national debate are two American mentalities that are as different as the Shia and Sunni. In red corner, we have the "good soldier" mentality, largely made up of conservative Republicans and conservative independents. The good soldier may question the rationale for war, and may even question the strategy of the war, but will never get out of step with the chain of command. "Support our troops" goes hand in hand with "Support our President", and any deviation from complete loyalty is unacceptable.
The good soldier mentality is perhaps best manifested in actual soldiers themselves, of course. Our soldiers are trained to respect the chain of command and follow orders. Our volunteer armed forces are deeply nationalisic with a belief in country that borders on the religious. These are not bad traits for a soldier as loyalty, discipline and nationalism make for a very effective weapon to have at the ready. Is it any wonder that most of our armed forces and their families voted for Bush in 2004?
The good soldier mentality is carried over to the public through veterans and families of veterans, and those who have family in the military. To the good soldier, Cindi Sheehan is disgracing her sons memory and what he stood and died for, as she is being disloyal to the chain of command. The good soldier sees the anti-war protests as a threat to America itself, as any disruption in morale is a threat to the soldiers effectiveness.
With this in mind, the argument can be understood that says we must support our President and his policy and thusly support our troops. Understanding doesn't imply agreement, but it can be understood. While the mindset of a soldier requires unflinching loyalty to the chain of command, discipline to follow the orders of a superior officer, and a strong nationalistic belief, Should it be required of a nations citizens?
Which brings us to the blue corner and the "Professor" mentality. Here we have liberal Democrats and independents who are largely passifist in nature, though not entirely, and who feel the need to question everything. Completely opposite from the good soldier, they do not trust those in charge and feel it is in the best nature of the nation to question authority. They feel that Cindi Sheehan is honoring her son in the best way possible by questioning the reasons why the war was started. They feel that the best way to support the troops is to get them out of harms way and away from a war that they feel was started unjustly.
Again, the argument can be understood, if not agreed with.
So how should we support our troops? In my view, the protesting and insults flung back and forth between the "good soldiers" and "professors" is meaningless and neither honors the sacrifices of the men and women who serve. Soldiers will serve, for the most part unwaveringly, and will die in the service of their country if that is what they are called to do. This is a tremendous asset and should not be messed with. "Support Out Troops" becomes an offensive catch phrase when we see how our troops our served themselves when they come back home. Veteran benefits have been cut, and tours in Iraq continue to stretch on.
If you really want to support our troops, give them the same respect we give our professional politicians, along with the same health care, education, and retirement benefits. Support our troops by making sure they are getting the assistance they need when they get back, both financially and mentally. In the end, I see a lot of partisan bickering about how to support the troops, but this does nothing to support them in the way that means the most.
