I had a discussion with a co-worker .. and we were talking about Afghanistan/Iraq wars. He opposes the wars on moral grounds and believes they are illegal but he tells me he still supports the troops.
I have come across this sentiment so many times over the last few years, and personally it does not make sense to me.
lets take Iraq as an example. I oppose the war on moral grounds .. and I believe it is illegal and has cost roughly 1,000,000 Iraqi deaths and 4000 American deaths as of this post.
so logically my opposition would extend to the troops, and the administration that contributed to that death toll. I add the troops because I believe ” I was ordered to kill” is no justification, if you believe the command is unlawful .. but if you believe you are doing the right thing .. then you have taken a stance and being killed or injured does not absolve you of ‘what I believe is an illegal/immoral act’ that you were party to.
If you support the war then I understand your support of the troops, but if you are opposed to the war, do you support the troops and why ?, and how do you reconcile the two.
lets avoid turning this discussion into a anti/pro war, liberal vs conservative.
EDITED for sloppy spelling