Comments | netninja1: Support our troops?

netninja1

Support our troops?

Feb 06, 2006 23:22

"The point of public relations slogans like "Support our troops" is that they don't mean anything... That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your ( Read more... )

Comments 9

captainshen February 7 2006, 17:38:59 UTC

amen. i hate those damn magnets. they dont even think about it! aaaaugh!!

netninja1 February 20 2006, 07:45:31 UTC

What are your views on the subject?

captainshen February 20 2006, 12:29:36 UTC

The magnets or the troops? I'm afraid i'm a bit of an ass when it comes to supporting current military operations. Its not even so much about "The War" as it is about my dislike for the entire armed forces, but that is a big thing to dislike :P. i could probably answer this question better at a later time and after my astronomy test..!

netninja1 February 21 2006, 08:47:47 UTC

I look forward to that occasion.

james_m_83 March 20 2006, 12:17:45 UTC

I completely aggree; BUT (and this is an important point) it is essential to support your troops when fighting. one of the biggest problems with Vietnam (apart from loosing) was that when the troops returned home having been shot at for their country they were pilloried for fighting in an unjust war. whilst this may have been (and is in the case of Iraq) completely true, its no way to treat veterans, doesnt solve anything, and undermines servicemen that follow orders in the name of their country.

in my experience americans have a good community/team spirit, and will back things and show support a lot more than the british, who are different in many many respects.

netninja1 March 20 2006, 22:39:01 UTC

You completely agree; BUT?

Besides that the whole "good community/team spirit." is the source of our greatest strength and our greatest weakness.

Take this quote:

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.”

--- Hermann Goering, Hitler’s Reich Marshall, at the Nuremberg
Trials after World War II.

james_m_83 March 20 2006, 22:48:42 UTC

I think there is a difference between supporting the troops and supporting the war. I'm sure the troops dont want to be there.

netninja1 March 20 2006, 23:19:11 UTC

Indeed, there is. And that is the point of the post. People have a hard time differentiating between the two.

netninja1 March 20 2006, 23:19:49 UTC

by the way, did i tell you i love the icon.

great film.