Military Power

Well, i remember watching something on CNN, but i forgot exactly which program it was. They were having a discussion about how much the public should be involved in the war effort. They brought up issues such as World War II where the population on a daily basis raised money for the troops and other materials. Then they pointed out how in Today's society, unless you are related to or are very close to an American serivemember, you hardly notice any change and effect at all from the war. Do you guys think the public should be more deeply involved with the current situation, maybe not so much as the extent of WWII but much more than the current involvement?

Not only should the public be involved and supportive, Politicians need to but the hell out It the military were allowed to do what was necessary without trying to fight a "politically correct" war it would probably be over by now. Look at Korea and Vietnam.

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.

- General Douglas MacArthur

As for MacArthur's quote, IF the US are to follow the popular opinion then the Pentagon needs to leave Iraq, this is my perception of the public opinion in your country.

SizarieldoR wrote:As for MacArthur's quote, IF the US are to follow the popular opinion then the Pentagon needs to leave Iraq, this is my perception of the public opinion in your country.

I actually saw a poll on the news last night where 80+% wanted the U.S. to stay till the job was done, 4% wanted timetables, and ~12% wanted an immediate withdrawal.

The media likes to cover the vocal minority and make it look like it is the majority.

SizarieldoR wrote:As for MacArthur's quote, IF the US are to follow the popular opinion then the Pentagon needs to leave Iraq, this is my perception of the public opinion in your country.

I'm guessing your perception is based on the "mainstream" media. Most American media outlets are liberal and therefore anti war. They tend to report negatively about the war, and never report on the progress that IS evident. The most balanced reporting comes from Fox News. If you can't watch it, then you may want to check out their website. If todays news media reported WWII they way the report the news now, I'd be speaking either German or Japanese.

Yea i think that the public should get more involved with are troops. I see people around me all the time don't even care about the war and what we are fighting for. I say we need to get this country (I can only speak for the U.S. here) back to how it was where everyone was involved somehow in supporting the troops not just physically but mentally to. I think if your not going to something physically helping them out then you should do something like praying for are troops or something to show that you at least care for this country. I see lack of patriotism these days and that needs to change.

Whats sad, which Ive noticed, is that it seems like the entire country believes we should all be hippies like back in the 60's. The media targets all the young people in high school who dont really have a clue how the government operates (but they like to think they do). Then it repercussions throughout the whole country when they say "War Is Evil". I know its stupid, but I think too many kids these days listen to hippy music, then it poisons their minds and then they dont like War. And this is coming from a Democrate I might add you.

As for WW2, the whole country got so involved because it was during a time when we were fighting to get out the Great Depression. F.D.R. got the entire country to contribute so that businesses would boom, and that happened for the main reason because we went to war.

All in all, if the government wants to get more support for the war effort, then they should ban hippy and folk music. Besides, war is so much more fun to sing about than peace

Personally, whenever I see a service member in uniform (I generally see some at lunch when I go out to eat as we have an armory down one road and 2 recruiting centers down another) I always thank them for their service.

Yesterday at lunch I saw a member of the Navy (most likely from the recruiting center as we are a little landlocked here in Nashville, TN) and thanked him for his service. His reply really struck a cord with me. He thanked me for my support and stated how good it was to have someone tell him that hey supported him. He went on to state that it seems that no one really seems to care about what the service men and women are doing any more.

Sure, you may put a "Support the Troops" ribbon on your car, and there is nothing wrong with that (I have 6), but I propose that it means much more to them when they hear it themselves, in person, from you. I ask that, if at all possible, you thank a service member this week.

KnightTemplar wrote:Personally, whenever I see a service member in uniform (I generally see some at lunch when I go out to eat as we have an armory down one road and 2 recruiting centers down another) I always thank them for their service.

Yesterday at lunch I saw a member of the Navy (most likely from the recruiting center as we are a little landlocked here in Nashville, TN) and thanked him for his service. His reply really struck a cord with me. He thanked me for my support and stated how good it was to have someone tell him that hey supported him. He went on to state that it seems that no one really seems to care about what the service men and women are doing any more.

Sure, you may put a "Support the Troops" ribbon on your car, and there is nothing wrong with that (I have 6), but I propose that it means much more to them when they hear it themselves, in person, from you. I ask that, if at all possible, you thank a service member this week.

I agree. During my 22 years in the Army (1972-1994 - Carter, Reagan, Clinton) no one ever thanked the military. It means a lot.

count1man wrote:

SizarieldoR wrote:As for MacArthur's quote, IF the US are to follow the popular opinion then the Pentagon needs to leave Iraq, this is my perception of the public opinion in your country.

I'm guessing your perception is based on the "mainstream" media. Most American media outlets are liberal and therefore anti war. They tend to report negatively about the war, and never report on the progress that IS evident. The most balanced reporting comes from Fox News.

I like BBC but I keep a closer eye on the human rights status down there and not the war. So Americans want the war... I'll consider it.

Forestry_manDCNR07 wrote:Whats sad, which Ive noticed, is that it seems like the entire country believes we should all be hippies like back in the 60's. The media targets all the young people in high school who dont really have a clue how the government operates (but they like to think they do). Then it repercussions throughout the whole country when they say "War Is Evil". I know its stupid, but I think too many kids these days listen to hippy music, then it poisons their minds and then they dont like War. And this is coming from a Democrate I might add you.

As for WW2, the whole country got so involved because it was during a time when we were fighting to get out the Great Depression. F.D.R. got the entire country to contribute so that businesses would boom, and that happened for the main reason because we went to war.

All in all, if the government wants to get more support for the war effort, then they should ban hippy and folk music. Besides, war is so much more fun to sing about than peace

Don't forget that back then Total war didnt include nukes and MAD, so it was safer to pour propaganda and militarize the masses. Nowadays it's not as important. It MUSTN'T be important.
I totally agree about the second - just look at this cool vid (and one of my favourite songs): http://youtube.com/watch?v=xDfWyGMcwPI

KnightTemplar wrote:Personally, whenever I see a service member in uniform (I generally see some at lunch when I go out to eat as we have an armory down one road and 2 recruiting centers down another) I always thank them for their service.

Yesterday at lunch I saw a member of the Navy (most likely from the recruiting center as we are a little landlocked here in Nashville, TN) and thanked him for his service. His reply really struck a cord with me. He thanked me for my support and stated how good it was to have someone tell him that hey supported him. He went on to state that it seems that no one really seems to care about what the service men and women are doing any more.

Sure, you may put a "Support the Troops" ribbon on your car, and there is nothing wrong with that (I have 6), but I propose that it means much more to them when they hear it themselves, in person, from you. I ask that, if at all possible, you thank a service member this week.

Good boy Too bad my country's military doesn't do anything serious. At least they save me the need to salute them.

SizarieldoR wrote:Too bad my country's military doesn't do anything serious. At least they save me the need to salute them.

Come on now. This is a military Support site. Even if your country's military doesn't "do" anything currently that you know of, they are still there to protect the country (and give their lives doing so) if need be.

KT is absolutely right. Your military will always be there to protect you in any time of need.

Not to get off topic, but in relation to SizarieldoR's post...if you want to see a cool video on youtube, look up the one that has nothing nuclear bombs going off to Strapping Young Lad's song "Love." Really really cool.