Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mithridates]

Just out of curiosity, have there been articles on what US soldiers think about the constant 'I support our troops' and 'We appreciate what you guys are doing over there' you see on tv all the time? Even on a program like Jay Leno for example if an audience member gets up to ask a question, asks the guy where he comes from and he says he just got back from Iraq, there's always a 'oh, well I really appreciate what you've done and thanks for doing what we regular people could never do' before it gets back to the question.
On AFN you also see groups of celebrities getting together to make a commercial on supporting the troops and thanks for everything you guys, you do the hard work so we don't have to, etc.

I'm curious as to whether they on the whole appreciate that or whether it sometimes gets on their nerves. Any stats or articles on this?

[mateomiguel]

Being alive, and male, I would imagine that it really helps them sleep at night but they'd never, ever admit that publicly. They'll most likely TELL you its a little annoying and/or embarrassing, and then have every single one of them recorded on TiVo.

[canuckistan]

How all that translates down to ground level is that quite often when military personnel are out on the town, including my husband (and I), random strangers say thanks by picking up the tab for our meals, drinks and what have you--sometimes anonymously from across the room, sometimes they're people we're talking to. This has happened to us all over the country. Also, many organizations/restaurants have "Military Appreciation Day"--free baseball tickets, meals, beers etc, and many stores have military discounts.

From the perspective of a military wifee, it's really nice that people recognize the sacrifices service personnel and their families make--it's often not the easiest life to live.

[ddeubel]

This speaks to the very prevalent issue of "self censor" in America. It is all about the horrah and don't say anything unamerican or against "our boys" . To so many , it is like a football game, has nothing to do with right and wrong.

I've picked up the check for a few servicemen in the last year. Mostly because they let me talk to them about why they should get out and why they are doing a horrible disservice to America. Did they like it? No. Did they listen? The ones I paid the bill for did....and one guy even paid mine.....

If you look at the edges of American media, you can find lots of voices of dissent from GIs. Many...... But culture and the culture of the military and small mindedness is strong and tugs tight. Like a small town it is. And as mentioned, bloody well not FREE in any sense of the word. Constant Brain washing, Orwellian.

DD

[NAVFC]

[twg]

I wouldn't say it's lip service so much as a reaction through habit. Much like saying, "How are you today".

It's politically incorrect to not fetishise military personnel into walking saints these days. Like any occupation, some are good people, some are complete scum. But this "noble warrior" view just makes it easier to send them off to die for the petty political needs of evil men.

[mateomiguel]

Oh, get over yourselves.

[canuckistan]