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The only reason there is even any question as to the possibility of supporting the soldiers and not the war is because of the severely misguided objections of a relatively tiny minority during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s. The fact is that historically the citizens of all nations have supported their soldiers no matter how unpopular the war. Pseudo-patriotic nonsense says "If you do not support the administration, the President, and every action America takes, then you are anti-American". This is only rational or logical to those who have no clue as to what being an American constitutes.

This country was formed based on the democratic concept of "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people", and the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right to publicly disagree with the administration. Those who mindlessly follow the wishes of their leader support such worthy causes as the Third Reich and Stalin's version of Communism. Because there were severe consequences for speaking out (generally death) none did, and so millions of people died.

I have friends currently in Iraq and Afghanistan, and one of my best friends is currently in heavy therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered in three tours in Iraq. He also was discharged for misconduct, then after a military tribunal and several psychiatric experts analysis, he was allowed to stay a reservist so he would not lose his pension (Active duty Marine since 1991). This was a hard-charging, happy-go-lucky young man whose dream was to serve his country. Now he can barely function, lost his wife and child, and will almost certainly require psychiatric care for the remainder of his life.

Do I support our current administration's morally reprehensible and legally dubious action to send tens of thousands of our young people into harm's way for reasons that have proven to be completely false and serve absolutely no interest for Americans? No, in no way shape or form, not when people I know are coming back in body bags and their kids are going to grow up never knowing their parents. But do I love and support those same young people, serving their country boldly and bravely, doing what they know as well as we do is wrong, but doing it professionally and without hesitation. It's not only possible, but I'd wager the overwhelming majority of the American public agrees with me.

Learn more about this author, Benjamin Lomax.
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