Chickenhawk!
The battle cry of the anti-war left. The implication is, of course, that if you’re so gung-ho about Chimpy McHitlerburton’s Iraq Escapade then why don’t you sign up and go die like a fool?
The purpose of the retort is to remove any legitimacy from the point being made: specifically that the war in Iraq in the context of normalizing the Middle East must be fought. Their argument goes something along the lines of WHY DO THEY ALWAYS SEND THE POOR!? (as is bellowed in one popular modern song of nouveau-riche punk-metal rockers formerly from Eastern Europe).
I have many responses. The first of which is that I don’t buy the implication that lack of first-hand experience immediately disqualifies one from taking a position. I’ve never had an abortion. To the best of my knowledge, I lack the proper parts to even need one. Am I therefore precluded from having an opinion on the subject at hand?
Alternatively, if you on the anti-war left are so gung-ho against the military, then why don’t you ship your happy ass to Iraq, shove some dynamite up your ass, and self detonate?
Finally, even though I cannot serve in the military (age, condition and temperment all weigh heavily against me), I am supporting the war effort in a very real and direct way. I am a computer consultant by trade. My company’s purpose is to make sure that my customers remain productive. A good portion of my customers produce machinery that is used in the production, maintenance, or operation of military hardware. If my customers can’t make their stuff, then our military gets stuff late. A bit part, perhaps. But a supporting role nonetheless.
Call me chickenhawk if it makes you feel better. I have the comfort of knowing that we are at least attempting to drag the medieval Middle East kicking and screaming into modern times.