If you support the Iraq War, are able to serve, and have not done so, why don't you volunteer?
828045
I agree.  I am unable to serve, but I am still considering it.\n\nOh, what purpose exactly to cheerleaders serve for the football teams, anyway?  Yes, they do provide a service, after all.   Don't they?
1097276
I did not vote for George W. Bush. \nI do not share the religious or political views of Bush. \nI most certainly would not fight for Bush!\n\n(It so happens I have some health conditions that would make me unable to serve in the military -- not serious, but enough that I couldn't pass boot camp. But even if I didn't have these conditions, I still would not go to war for a man and a cause that I do not believe in).\n\nThat being said, I *do* support the men and women in our military who are overseas. Let's be clear on that -- I respect them greatly and I'm always thinking good thoughts for them. :) They had no choice in where they got sent, and if the truth were known, I'm sure many of them would rather not be in the Middle East either! But they'd face dishonorable discharge or even worse, if they tried to abandon the military.
784585
No. Plenty of volunteers are available. Not to mention a draft outside of invasion or imminent danger would tear the country to shreds.
630265
I don't support the war and don't see how  that is relevant to them being brave or not. They're putting their lives on the line and that is a definite act of courage. Same with the civilian support that is also down there as they face many dangers as well. \n\nDo I know who are killed by them? I suppose Iraq's and I would hope that it would only be those who actually attack the American cames soldiers or those who prey on the weak. I would imagine some civilians do get killed or harmed and it is truly tragic and horrible but that is sometimes the price of war as unfortunate as it is.
813511
they aren't motivated to die for President Bush necessarily.  they're willing to die for YOU.  To protect the freedoms and democracy that you take for granted every day.  A soldier joins the military in order to serve and protect his or her country.  They're not doing it because they necessarily WANT to die, but it is a risk that they are more than willing to take.  They do it to keep you safe.  \nNext time you see a military member in uniform at the store, at McDonald's, or whatever, you should thank them, because even if they aren't in Iraq, haven't been to Iraq, or probably won't even go to Iraq, they are still making a huge difference in your life, and you don't even realize it.
331035
Hey i am not American but can i still volunteer.\nbrothers in arms and all that. \nI am from the UK. and 45.\nAnd still got my own teeth. \nIf that help's to get me in.
1144805
As simple as it sounds, this seems to be a loaded question because it could be interpreted in several different ways.   \n\nIf the question was, "Do you support our troops in Iraq?", my answer would be; absolutely, yes. If the question was "Would you have supported our war in Iraq before it was begun?", my answer would have to be no.  If the question was, "Do you support funding wars with taxpayer's money in which the primary mission is either to  A. oust a dictator  or  B. spread democracy?", I would feel pressed to say no.  There are homeland concerns that, I feel, need to be addressed first before we open ourselves to this type of international involvement.\n\nI support handing the situation in Iraq over to the newly formed government, so that we may consider there to be an END to our war in Iraq.
1090318
I don't support the war in Iraq... But if there were a draft tomorrow than I would support it more than I do now.. It would help people understand what it's like to have somebody they know or themselves over there. Maybe they would think twice next time before they blindly follow a president into it...
622482
Well, from a practical POV, encouraging people to volunteer is OK (think AmeriCorps) but forcing them is logistically tricky.\n\nIf you're arguing affirmative at all, then I would say the Armed Forces option or AmeriCorps/Learn and Serve America would be better bets. \n\nFrom a negative standpoint, there's the whole infringing freedom thing.\n\n(Personally, this answerer thinks that requiring service is a good thing, but maybe it should stay on a local level, seeing as how the govt. has enough going on right now.)
391917
Why don't we send those who SUPPORT the war.  PUT your life on the line if you believe so strongly in it.  Otherwise, don't expect others to do it for you.  But hey, isn't that just like a republican?  You start the wars and want the poor people and the minorities to fight it for you.  Can't be getting your hands dirty now, can you?
903054
If you are in the National Guard or reserves, you can volunteer or if your unit is mobilized, you can be sent. In the Active Forces, if tour unit is deployed, you go if you are part of that unit. But there have been more people that volunteer to go, in the Active, reserve and national guard, than the Korean War and the Viet Nam War.
204056
I realize that you miss your Dad, but the U.S. has an all volunteer military.  Your Dad knew what he was doing when he joined the military. He made the choice to serve his country and sometimes that means that he has to be separated from his family.\n\nPresident Bush has made some mistakes, but they are for the most part related to public relations rather than what he is actually doing in the War on Terror.  There are a lot of problems to be overcome in Iraq and it is important that we finish what we started.  In comparison to our rebuilding of Germany and Japan during WWII we are acting quickly.  It took five years before democratic elections were held in Japan and we had to occupy West Germany for over 30 years.\n\nNo one likes war but sometimes it is necessary.  The Brave men and women who protect our freedoms should be supported in their efforts.  Unfortunately, there are groups out there who are willing to cheapen their sacrafices in order to make the president look bad and make the work being done in Iraq look pointless.
1163961
No war imposed from outside can give people the freedom in my personal view.  It is like someone giving you your livelihood...  it becomes a hand out, if you do not earn it.  It is okay to assist those who are fighting for freedom. If anyone truly deserves freedom, it is the poor palestinians who have been abused and kicked around for more than fifty years and we have a lot of clout to give them freedom, as we are active participants in TAKING AWAY their freedom, as we provide a lot of aid to Israel, some of which is used to take their freedom.  \n\nAnyone with half a brain knows that freedom for Iraqis is just a political ploy, an excuse to do the dirty work of Israel.  Plus, if Iraq did not have oil, we would let them die and rot like we do most  in several conflicts in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.  \n\nThat is my opinion on this issue.
690746
I agree 100%. But we can do more. Remember, some of these brave men and women have been away from their families for over 18 months, while the US government cuts their pay and benefits. Most of the troops in Iraq are reservists, meaning they left better paying jobs here to go fight there.\n\nI support our brave and noble men and women in uniform not only with a handshake, but with donations to charities that help the family they are seperated from. The 2 I give to are listed below, but there are many more.
527516
I have to wonder how old you are and who put that idea in your head. All you have to do is pick up a major newspaper any day of the week or turn on the nightly national news to hear how many soldiers were killed or injured while traveling in convoys by roadside bombs or who were shot by snipers at locations away from the front lines. And in Iraq, there are no clearly defined front lines. If you are a member of the military, or any support division of the military who's role it is to defend and support the freedoms we enjoy in the United States, you are by all means courageous, honorable, and worthy of all the integrety that goes without saying for being  part of the defense of this country. Don't ever doubt  for a moment that you are unworthy or any less important than your fellow soldier who is assigned to what you see as more dangerous or more patriotic than whatever assignment you may be assigned to. You are part of a team, a link in a chain that is vital in the defense and support of every other link in that chain. Do you think for a minute that any of your friends  and/or team members at every other place of assignment haven't thought that very question. Listen to me as a veteran police officer who trains rookies fresh out of the academy. You matter. You were trained and if the time comes you will resort back to that training and you will peform as the soldier you were trained to be. You want be thinking about what lousy assignment you might think you have that week or month, you'll instinctively perform the survival functions you were trained to do. And although I don't know you, I can tell you that if you were placed in a situation where you could take action to save the life of an innocent Iraqi child knowing it would most likely cost you great injury or death, you and I both know you'd save the child without second thought. So don't clutter your mind with such nonsense anymore. You are a United States Soldier. You are honorable, respectable, brave and deserving of every good thought you've ever thought about great soldiers in your past. For you are one of them, no less. I don't know you, but you can be my partner any day. For I know you are a person of character, of courage,  and honor; and willing to lay down your life for that of your fellow man. What greater man on this earth is there?
768694
I volunteered to go to 'Nam, why would I (or anyone) try to avoid doing my (our) duty to my (our) country?\nI had a high enough number that I wouldn't have been drafted.\nBy joining, I eliminated the need to draft someone else.\nIt never ceases to amaze me that the ones who do try their hardest to avoid their duty to defend our freedom are the ones that insist on having it the most.
404538
so wrong you are midnightmist. I'm in Iraq right now. And no, I don't need encouragement, making it home alive is all the encouragement most of us need. It is nice to have supporters though. Although, I don't agree with everything that's going on myself.\n\nI don't see why people think you can't support the troops if you don't support the war. As long as you wish us luck and pray for us, that's all the support we need. Regardless of how you feel about the actual war.