Support our troops

What does it mean if somebody asks you, Do you support the people in Iowa? Can you say, Yes I support them, or No, I don't support them? It's not even a question. It doesn't mean anything. That's the point. The point of public relations slogans like "Support our troops" is that they don't mean anything. They mean as much as whether you support the people in Iowa. Of course, there was an issue. The issue was, Do you support our policy? But you don't want people to think about that issue. That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something: Do you support our policy? That's the one you're not allowed to talk about. So you have people arguing about support for the troops? "Of course I don't not support them." Then you've won.

- Noam Chomsky

Category:

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[jjones1987]

A very moving and touching video about the sacrifice of our military men and women in service to their country! I do however take issue with the fact that you seem to think that conservatives don't "support the troops," that instead they use it as a slogan to say "support our policy!" I'm a conservative, I have friends in Iraq, they believe in what they're doing, that they're doing good! I support our troops and I support my friends in Iraq!!!

[ct91rs]

With respect jjones, you don't seem to understand. Stating I 'support the troops' is vacuous: completely devoid of meaning.

The point is to make people believe there is meaning in that statement; once this is done, then there is no room for questioning the mission the troops are on for in doing so, you are not 'supporting the troops'.

The idea is to shift the discussion from something of substance to something that sounds meaningful, but is not.

[sierra84]

What about the 30,000 ++ Civilian`s killed in Iraq. Do you feel that a human being from America is worth more than other human beings?

[witzkeyman]

Noam Chomsky is a genius, and Cindy Sheehan is my inspiration!

[ct91rs]

United States

[MatthewLeee]

What is your notion of Our?

[watchfulneighbor]

Very good video description.

The same goes for the phrase of "serving one's country". If anyone can serve a "country" at all (!)... why on earth doesn't that mean becoming a teacher, a doctor, a counsellor? How can "serving" a country that claims liberty and freedom as its core values mean going to wound and kill other people, especially civilians?

[ct91rs]

Unfortunately you completely miss the point mnnole; yes these are our troops, but what are they fighting for? Who are they killing? Arabs don't hate our freedom, they hate our hypocrisy.

Learn about our history in the middle east and you will come to understand why we are hated by so many.

[hollywoodextra]

Right on! Keep the message movin'...

[hathigmonorow]

This is what you get for electing a swaggering spoiled cowboy as president. Most (democratic) countries elect accomplished business people and intellectuals to represent them.

[mnnole]

cowards both sheehan and naom. These are heroes, and you disgrace them in such a way. These are 'OUR'Fighting men and women, and you take bit and pices about what the realy do ..

[mustardrainlily]

This video was touching, but honestly I appreciated the fact that finally someone else noticed that 'Support the Troops' means NOTHING more than it! Thanks for vindicating me, I kind of thought I was the only one

PS: and as a liberal at a Catholic school I am frankly sick of getting '...but you do support the troops, right?' as a comment when I say I am opposed to the war.