100,000 in NYC rally as protests gather nationwide

First, off we did not win the war. The coalition did, which Canada is a part of?

Second, I stand by what I said. The two are interconnected, but apprently this is too difficult a concept for people here to understand.

As for all the rallies that you went to you already admitted your true motivations for why you went to those. I appluad you for standing up for what you believe in.

If the people over there do not support the war, then why hasn't there been a tremendous increase in the number of transfers requested? Morale may be low, but that has more to do with the time away from home than for fighting in an "unjust war."

CoolHand: "First, off we did not win the war. The coalition did, which Canada is a part of?

No, Canada wasn't part of the Coalition. We are in Afghanistan as a UN-led peacekeeping force, but not in Iraq. Our people demonstrated and told the government we wouldn't accept them sending our military, and they listened.

"The two are interconnected, but apprently this is too difficult a concept for people here to understand.

Yeah, it's everyone else who's an idiot. Not you, heavens no.

"If the people over there do not support the war, then why hasn't there been a tremendous increase in the number of transfers requested?"

Look at the suicide rates, and look at the amount of people who are not signing up for a second tour.


jako

No, Canada wasn't part of the Coalition. We are in Afghanistan as a UN-led peacekeeping force, but not in Iraq. Our people demonstrated and told the government we wouldn't accept them sending our military, and they listened.

Look at the suicide rates, and look at the amount of people who are not signing up for a second tour.



First, if you are not a part of the war, then why did one of your ships deploy with our battle group to the area during the war?

Second, I cannont say for certainty that participating in the war has caused the soldiers to commit suicide. Can you? Are you sure that there are no other reasons why they are committing suicide?

As far as not singing up for another tour, you do not have a choice. If your unit goes back there you go with them. I think you were referring to reenlisting. People choose not to reenlist for more reasons that need to be mentioned here. Can you prove that they have all chosen the war as their reason?

CoolHand: "Second, I cannont say for certainty that participating in the war has caused the soldiers to commit suicide. Can you? Are you sure that there are no other reasons why they are committing suicide? "

Fight Ignorance.

www.alertnet.org...

"25 Mar 2004 23:33:07 GMT
Report details low US Army morale, suicide in Iraq

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers in Iraq were plagued by low morale, experienced spikes in suicides last July and November and lacked access to some medications sought by military mental-health specialists to treat emotional problems, Army experts reported on Thursday.

A 12-person Army Mental Health Advisory Team issued a 38-page report on issues faced by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, including suicide, combat stress and the availability of help from the Army. The team traveled to Iraq from August to October 2003 and interviewed almost 760 soldiers...."

So, you do not think that there might have been other factors involved in why they committed suicide?

Family Death?
Broken relationship?

It is funny how none of those things were mentioned in the article as a possible reason.

coolHand: "So, you do not think that there might have been other factors involved in why they committed suicide?

Family Death?
Broken relationship?

It is funny how none of those things were mentioned in the article as a possible reason. "

No, I'd say that the singlemost contributing factor is the fact that they are getting shot at and killed every frickin day 5000 miles from home with no end in sight.

Reservists especially.

Weren't you in the military? Ever hear of combat fatigue?

Yeesh. Nice try though.

j

Thats not it.

Anyone that has been in the military knowns that there are always people who can't cope with certain aspects of the military and try to commit suicide.

There have been suicides, or attemps at suicide in bootcamp all over the world. Some soldiers can't cope with the stress that is normal to ahve in ships, submarines and places like Iraq.

I have frequent contact with a friend of mine that is still in the military and is in Iraq at this moment, he says most of the time they get bored out of their minds. Some soldiers can't cope with this, but its true that the longer they are over there the higher the possibility that they would succumb to these helpless feelings caused by stress.

what are these protests actually doing? DOes any change come about?

Originally posted by Scolecite
what are these protests actually doing? DOes any change come about?

Look in Spain or the fact that France, Germany and yes Canada did not participate in the first place. How about Turkey refusing us access through their country due to the outrage by their citizens.

I know it is popular to blame terrorist for the change in Spain but it would not have happened if there had not been so many protest and outrage by the citizens before the bombings. The attack was just the final nail in the coffin.

Protest work in some democracies, sadly in the US it has little effect since politicians got their butts handed to them during Vietnam, they tend to push forward regardless of public opinion.