Should the British troops in Iraq be given as much sympathy as they do?

Question

This is a controversial topic, they have more courage than i do, i know that, but the thing that drives me crazy is the way people forget that they have their freedom and they have the choice.. they choose to become a soldier and they choose to risk their life despite having a family at home, and they can leave the army if they wish. So why must we feel sad if they die? The reason that it makes me angry is because there's so many forgotten people from the World Wars, a hundred or so British Troops have died in Iraq but 70million families were devastated in The World Wars and they had no choice, men were rounded up and forced into it and we didn't have everybody named in a whole page of newspaper like we do now. Its like an insult to all the men that fought back then, here we are today all these people sent into Iraq risking their life not because they have to, but simply because it gives them a thrill. Do they deserve the empathy they get in the press from the british public?

Answer 1

If it's their own choice or not, it scars them for life. I have a few soldier friends, who even though they chose to go, never see things the same way again. Reasons for joining were sometimes being bullied at school, lack of money, social problems. Though others just want to serve their country, which i think deserves a lot of acknowledgement. If nobody would join the army by free will, people would be forced to join. Like in other EU countries.

Just because you join the army doesn't mean you WANT to go to war, many people have joined before it started, others see it as a service they'd like to do for their country and yes others may be blood thirsty and stupid.

But you can't just leave the army, you either have to buy yourself free or hand in a 1 yrs notice. Which is i think a very long time. Some people even get sent into worse areas after handing in their notice. They live in fear day and night, things that happen their aren't pleasant and not to wish upon anyone else. Yes, it is their choice to join and people can die in everyday jobs as well, but they are still doing it for a mislead, money hunting govenment/world.

Answer 2

No. I don't think so. It's a job, they chose to do it and they get paid for doing it.

Years ago, before the first Iraq war, a friend of mine was married to a soldier. They had free accommodation in Knightsbridge and went on 'maneouvres' [jollies] in Greece, Hong Kong and their wives accompanied them on cheap flights.

At long last, they have to do a day's work to earn their money. Welcome to the real world.

Answer 3

If your army is anything like ours (U.S.), the majority of the soldiers are enlisted due to an "economic draft."  They chose to become soldiers because there are no other opportunities for them.  They deserve MORE sympathy, not less.

Answer 4

no they dont...  i agree with you

Answer 5

I'm sorry about the deaths of the soldiers but I feel more empathy for the civilians because they had no choice. That is where my sympathy lies due to the fact that most of them were children.

Answer 6

To put it simply no.They willingly place themselves in a high risk situation.I am a trawler man who has to face tough life risking conditions daily which I do to ensure my family are fed and to a small extent for the danger rush.To equate today's soldiers with the selfless men of the first two wars is a no contest.The soldiers of today are career soldiers who have the choice to enlist as I do to go fishing.I have known many fishermen to lose their lives over the years but they knew the risks and won't be receiving any posthumous medals for bravery.

Answer 7

I personally don't think so. Again I don't mean to be disrespectful but as you said it is their choice. Our media seems to forget the civilians who have lost their lives in this horrendous war, they didn't want occupying foreign forces in their country.  

Answer 8

Finally some one with my kinda thinking!  People seem to forget that it's a lifestyle they chose, yes they're very very brave men and woman, h**l I hear a car backfire and I freak.  But reading the headlines of how families are angered by their loved ones being killed in action kinda gets to me.  Don't get me wrong, it's horrible for any mother, wife, brother, husband etc to burry any one they love.  But surely they understood the risks when they joined. They weren't forced into their job, they choose to be there. They risked their lives to try and make a better life for others.  I'd like to see more honoring of these brave people and less of papers/people bitching about the work that they dedicated their lives to and sacrificed themselves for.