Agree or disagree with the war, but support the men and women who have to fight it

[Cloudbringer]

Originally posted by Masklinn: I pray for the less casualties possible. Noone deserve that.

Amen, Masklinn, Amen.

[Nachtrafe]

Originally posted by Masklinn: You still believe that France is supporting Saddam or what ? I will pray for both sides. Cause they're all men (and women) who think what they're doing is the right thing and will kill each other for that. I pray for the less casualties possible. Noone deserve that.

Actually Masklinn, I've *NEVER* believed that France was supporting Saddam, except in the sense that their blocking of the US coalition's efforts aids him by giving him more time. But no, I have never believed that France was directly aiding Saddam.

What I meant was, if you hadn't added the words 'as well', I would probably assumed you meant that you were *just* going to pray for the Iraqi soldiers, and I imagine that I would have been offended by that, since the implication would have been, that you weren't concerned about the British, US, and other troops involved. I was actually trying to make a bit of a joke, but it seems it fell flat. You have my most sincere apologies my friend.

I also am hoping for the least amount of casualties. If it were up to me, noone would have to die...well, ok, lets be honest, I wish a FEW, SELECT people would die...but, since the world isn't perfect, and I know that it's(very shortly) going to come down to shooting, I join you in hoping for the fewest casualties possible.

[Thoran]

I 100% support our soldiers, and I pray for ALL who will be in the line of fire on both sides of the line.

However, protest is the most effective means of communicating public opinion to our elected officials. IMO, democratic governments NEED to SEE what the people are thinking. Our troops should be getting overwhelming support from all, but that should not automatically translate into support for government policy and actions. If a person feels strongly enough against the war he should feel free to protest, and I would hope that the skin of our military is thick enough not to take it as a personal insult that he's exercising his right to do it.

[Masklinn]

Actually Masklinn, I've *NEVER* believed that France was supporting Saddam, except in the sense that their blocking of the US coalition's efforts aids him by giving him more time. But no, I have never believed that France was directly aiding Saddam. What I meant was, if you hadn't added the words 'as well', I would probably assumed you meant that you were *just* going to pray for the Iraqi soldiers, and I imagine that I would have been offended by that, since the implication would have been, that you weren't concerned about the British, US, and other troops involved. I was actually trying to make a bit of a joke, but it seems it fell flat. You have my most sincere apologies my friend.

Sorry Nacht. I was just a bit angry cause for me this "as well" was normal. I was shocked that you had to actually point at it maybe just because of my position about this war.
I am the one who owe you apologies.
Here they are : -->apologies<--

(And you didn't have to explain me all that, I'm clever enough to know why you'd be offended if I forgot this 'as well')

[Animal]

I don't support the war, but support for the troops goes without saying. Just as in this forum, their thoughts and beliefs on the war are as useless as ours when you get right down to it. They do what they are ordered to do.

I sincerely hope that this war ends quickly with a minimum loss of life on both sides. Unfortunately the decision makers are very rarely the ones in danger.

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Nachtrafe: What I meant was, if you hadn't added the words 'as well', I would probably assumed you meant that you were *just* going to pray for the Iraqi soldiers, and I imagine that I would have been offended by that, since the implication would have been, that you weren't concerned about the British, US, and other troops involved. I was actually trying to make a bit of a joke, but it seems it fell flat. You have my most sincere apologies my friend.

Just a general comment - people probably aren't going to be in much of a joking mood right now, especially if the joke is somewhat ambiguous. On the other hand jokes provide levity and ease the tension. I won't tell people to stop joking (because that would be silly ) but to a) think more carefully about how any jokes might be perceived; and b) before flying off the handle at what might be a joke, to clarify it by email or PM with that person. Amazing how that can smooth down any misunderstandings.

[Desdicado]

[quote]Originally posted by Nachtrafe:

Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: It's not a soldier's job to question orders or dictate policy, it's just their job to obey orders. Villifying the boys and girls in khaki(or whatever color your military wears) just isn't right, no matter your 'motivation'.

So what about the Nurnberg trials ofter WW2? "We were only obeying orders" didn't wash then did it?.

Interesting that the US is the only major nation not to sign up to the international war crimes tribunal isn't it?.

Every man, whether a soldier or not has a duty to listen to his concience and decide if something is good or evil.

I pray for both sides too, but I know the invading forces will take great care in attacking military targets. They have the technology to minimize civilian casualties and I have the faith in the troops to do what is right. My heart truly goes out to those that are caught in the crossfire. I hope that the Americans can continue to help out Iraq by helping to rebuild what they intend to destroy or otherwise we'd have another dictator take over and have to deal with the same effects in the future.
War is a very difficult thing to talk about and my hat goes off to this group that can talk about it in a civilized manner.

[Stratos]

Let´s just hope this war will be short and that there will be a minimum of casaulties on both sides.

Each individual soldier could, I suppose, refuse to go to war but it´s still not they who decide if there´s gonna be a war or not.

I would have liked that this war never came to be, or at least not yet, but as I mention before let´s hope it finishes quickly and that the recontruction of Iraq and into a democracy goes well.

[Nachtrafe]

Originally posted by Masklinn: Sorry Nacht. I was just a bit angry cause for me this "as well" was normal. I was shocked that you had to actually point at it maybe just because of my position about this war. I am the one who owe you apologies. Here they are : -->apologies<-- (And you didn't have to explain me all that, I'm clever enough to know why you'd be offended if I forgot this 'as well')

No worries my friend. [img]smile.gif[/img] I get angry too and sometimes need to either explain or apologize. You should have seen me post 9-11. :ugh:

Fortunately, Cloudy is a good influence on me. She usually tells me, at night when I get home from work, if I've been unnecessarily harsh, and we will talk about it. And, if I really feel that I have been, I try to make amends. [img]smile.gif[/img]

AFA your position on the war, I respect it 100%! You are very vocal and eloquent about your stance, you aren't afraid to stand up and take credit for your opinion, and I respect that too. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]