[Peace-discuss] Our troops...

[Alfred Kagan]

Mort,

I think there is an in-between position.  I think it is appropriate 
to support the RETURNING troops who find themselves in physical or 
psychological trouble. I do see most of these people as victims of US 
foreign policy.  However, I do not want to support the troops that 
are over there fighting.  I don't want to support anything that 
furthers the war effort.  There is an important distinction here.  I 
think we made ourselves as clear as possible to the local Red Cross. 
I hope they will use the money in the way that I describe.


At 10:07 PM -0600 12/22/03, Morton K.Brussel wrote:
>Hi Carl,
>
>Just a comment about our "common soldier", and Bloomer. This 
>business about feeling sorry for our troops rubs me as ill 
>conceived. If one only considers them as pawns, without the ability 
>to think or observe, caught innocently in a nexus of evil, then 
>perhaps one can excuse their actions against the inhabitants of an 
>occupied land. But if they are to be considered normal human beings, 
>responsible for what they do, then they should be condemned for what 
>crimes they commit. Nuremberg talked about this responsibility with 
>regard to the Axis forces in WWII.
>
>This business of trying to placate the general populace and protect 
>our behinds to show we are really not against "our boys", by saying 
>that we must support the troops irrespective of what they do, to me 
>is anathema; that is why I would not, for example, support giving 
>funds to the Red Cross for solace to the troops at our recent 
>benefit. If, on the other hand, there were troops like those 
>Israelis recently refusing to oppress the Palestinians, then yes, 
>they should be supported as fully as possible. Also, for those 
>troops who do not support the invasion or occupation, but with less 
>courage to resist openly, I have some sympathy and would like to 
>help them. Veterans against the war, yes, but nothing for those 
>gung-ho others, who've committed war crimes without qualms.
>
>Mort
>
>
>I appended in further explanation to Carl:
>
>My objection is not with the Red Cross as a whole, though I've had 
>my doubts from time about it, but specifically to their helping the 
>troops. How much better if AWARE had said 'Contribute to the Red 
>Cross efforts to help various disadvantaged or oppressed peoples, 
>etc. '. I.e., my objection was specifically to Red Cross efforts to 
>aid the troops whatever the nature of those troops.
>
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-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu