Random Thoughts From Marybeth

How To Support the Troops

Two looks at the Iraq War, one from a soldier that has been there, the other from "more than two dozen interviews and casual conversations".

In the op-ed by the soldier, he says, "I know that the war my men and I fought is a totally different war than the one I see being reported by almost the entire media." The troops aren't there just to fight the bad guys. They are working to improve living conditions in the country and try to protect the innocent civilians from terrorist attacks.

He ends with, "Don't pretend to support troops by trying to undercut their efforts at the same time. Just go to bed at night and pray for their safety and thank God that they are there to protect you and your family, no matter your beliefs."

The second piece is an article in the NYT asking "why is so little sacrifice asked of the nation at large?"

There is no serious talk of a draft to share the burden of fighting across the broad citizenry, and neither Republicans nor Democrats are pressing for a tax increase to force Americans to cover the $5 billion a month in costs from Iraq, Afghanistan and new counterterrorism missions.

There are not even concerted efforts like the savings-bond drives or gasoline rationing that helped to unite the country behind its fighting forces in wars past.

The idea of the NYT telling us that we aren't patriotic enough it is a bit odd and that some of the article's content came from "casual conversations" makes me wonder how wide spread this feeling is among the troops. I would imagine that the troops that don't have these complaints might tend to avoid reporters. Or be ignored by them.

I'm not going to argue that most of us have had any changes in our personal lives due to the war. It's something I've thought about before. I would like, and would support, something that requires more involvement by U.S. citizens. War bonds might be a good start but beyond that, I don't know what to suggest other than listen to the first soldier. If you say you support the troops, leave it at that. No ifs, ands, or buts and no "bring them home".

I don't think that bringing back the draft or rationing gas would be a good way to support the war unless these were necessary. Neither is raising taxes as long as there are areas of wasteful spending that could be cut. Asking people to sacrifice something can bring them together in supporting a cause as long as the sacrifice is justified. Asking them to sacrifice something when the need isn't obvious is political suicide.

Am I being cynical to think that this may be the NYT's goal here?

If someone has a good idea of something we can do to show support of our troops and belief in what they are doing, there are many of us who will be eager to do it.