Support Our Whoops?

As a citizen of the United States, who enjoys innumerable benefits as a result of my country’s military policy and might, am I morally required to do as the bumper stickers say and “Support Our Troops?” And if so, does this mean I shouldn’t speak out against the war in Iraq and advocate the withdrawal of American forces as quickly as possible?

The standard liberal response is that true patriotism entails freely expressing one’s beliefs; that’s precisely the sort of freedom that this war is being waged to protect. The standard conservative response, on the other hand, is that voicing opposition to the war weakens American resolve and makes our enemies more determined in their effort to destroy our way of life.

So, I’m torn: is it better to exercise my constitutionally-protected right to free speech even if it undermines a vital effort on my country’s behalf or do I keep my mouth shut even if doing so represents an abridgement of the very freedom that is vital to our American way of life?

I feel bad for the servicepeople in uniform should they come to feel that their efforts are not endorsed by the citizens of their country. Conversely, if I were in the army, I would want to know if my fellow Americans thought my mission were a flawed one. In my own life, if I’m doing something I should stop, I want people to tell me—even if what I want most is not be doing something I should stop.

So, when I say that the war in Iraq is an unjust war waged under false pretenses and which should be halted as soon as possible by bringing home the vast majority of troops and material, I believe I’m supporting our troops in the best way I know: I’m saying that if our roles were switched, I’d want them to do what I’m doing—and tell me if I’m doing something that should stop.