It is my opinion that anyone that says politicians debating in Washington will hurt

[Toots]

Troop Morale, have never spent a day in uniform. What hurts troop morale is being led by incompetence and that has truly been demonstrated in Iraq over the last four plus years. They wrap themselves in the flag and talk for the troops as if they were right there with them in the heat of battle when the reality is they never were in the military and don't have a clue what goes on in the minds of those in "harm's way" The very worst thing for morale is having it demonstrated on a daily basis that what they are attempting is not rational and especially if they feel the leadership is incompetent. I just wish when these Republicans stand up and attempt to speak for the troops that someone would have the courage to call them on it. They do not know what they are talking about and it is so painfully obvious I wish someone would say so....

[Monkeyman]

1. Ten Hut Right On

[frogcycle]

2. just as they presume to speak for all of us on every subject

"they" know "what's good for us" because "they" know things we don't. The level of arrogance is mindboggling.

[itsmesgd]

3. They fight so that we can exercise our democracy.

How is it bad on morale for us to use and exercise the rights that too many have paid the ultimate price for? If we were trashing the troops that would be one thing, but most of us care for the troops and are demanding that they come home so that they wont be blown up or shot at. We love the troops and want them home. We oppose the shrub because he has sent the troops into harm's way.

[atreides1]

4. Exactly

Incompetent leadership by boot licking sychophants is what destroys morale, not politicians discussing the possibility of bringing you home!!!!

[Wetzelbill]

5. oh it's ridiculous

getting forced to go on additional tours in a war you aren't even sure should have been fought with no exit strategy, not enough body armor and getting shot at or in constant threat of IED attacks is what hurts troop morale. When you're in the heat of a battle you don't stop and think about politicians debating about something on the other side of the earth. Troops are troops, they're soldiers, not little babies, not every little thing hurts their feelings. I mean, honestly, if you are a soldier and you can't take a little debate among politicians and the American public, and it so effects how you do your job then you might as well hang up your combat boots. I know people over there, my cousin is in Baghdad right now, these people aren't wimps who hang on words like that. They go out and do the jobs they are trained to do and it takes a dire situation, like the one they are in over in Iraq right now, to hurt their morale. Not words. That line of thinking is bullshit and I'm sick of it. Better to debate and get the job done right then to let somebody get maimed or killed while we sit around and mindlessly tie yellow ribbons.

[magellan]

6. "What hurts troop morale is being led by incompetence"

Spot on, Toots. There is absolutely nothing worse for morale than being dropped into a lethal situation by leaders yelling "Take that hill!!" while they scramble around like chickens with their heads cut off.

[tk2kewl]

7. .

:kick:

[sarge43]

8. Sing it, Toots

As career military, I never had any problem with war protesters or honest debate about this war or any other. I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend the USC. Free speech is one of the guarantees of that constitution.

I do have a problem with anyone who will use me or my brothers and sisters to hide behind or use us up, then throw us away. "Citizens should not be treated like this."

[frogcycle]

10. roger that, sarge nt

[Strawman]

9. Being stuck in a hopeless situation is what hurts morale

We could all be waving the flag and cheering the war uncritically, but the bottom line is that our troops are being killed everyday in the middle of a civil war. That situation is intrinsically bad for morale because our troops are rational human beings and it inherently begs this question from any rational human being: "why in the hell are we here?"

It's our duty as civillian citizens to ask that question on behalf of our troops in the political forums they cannot participate in.

[sarge43]

11. One final thought

The next time you hear someone running his mouth about troop morale, ask him what he has done about the latest funding cutbacks in medical care for active duty troops and vets. That does kick us in the teeth.