Support the Troops!

Most rational people in the US would admit that having a debate over the war in Iraq does not constitute lack of support for our troops. Even the President admitted it recently. Many Republicans in Congress still seem to rally around this fallacy, though. There's an excellent Op-Ed piece along these lines in today's Times. The final paragraph summarizes the point quite well:

One final debate-stifling claim deserves mention: the argument that even to debate our troops’ mission in Iraq somehow undercuts and endangers them. Surely this has it backward. Four years have passed since the Iraq war resolution was passed, in very different circumstances for purposes no longer relevant. We certainly owe those who put their lives on the line every day a renewed determination of whether their continued sacrifice is necessary for the national interest.

The same sentiments, expressed by William Ellery Channing during the 19th century, have lived on my homepage for some time.

The cry has been that when war is declared, all opposition should therefore be hushed. A sentiment more unworthy of a free country could hardly be propagated. If the doctrine be admitted, rulers have only to declare war and they are screened at once from scrutiny ... In war, then, as in peace, assert the freedom of speech and of the press. Cling to this as the bulwark of all our rights and privileges.

Two thoughts jump to mind. First, our current problems are neither new nor unique in history. Second, we sure don't seem to learn from our mistakes.