Support our ribbons
For those who haven’t been to the US for a while, there is now a trend of displaying a ribbon on your car bumper or in other conspicuous places, saying “Support our troops.”
You might think this was supposed to mean “get them the heck home” or “make sure they are only ever deployed for damned good reasons,” but somehow I don’t think that’s the intended message.
There are various ways in which the military suggests you should support your troops, but I suspect there is another message here. I suspect what they really mean is “support our president” but that just has less emotional impact. Or even “support our war” and now that really isn’t going to win anyone over. (I’d give it points for forthrightness though.)
So instead the message is phrased as “support our troops.” The idea is, then, that opposing that war or bad-mouthing your president is the same as letting the troops themselves down — the very same ones who are sacrificing their all for your continued freedom and safety. You lousy ingrate. “Whoops,” goes your subconscious, “better not oppose that war then.”
Posting “support our troops” on your bumper must also be an expression of pride: it implicitly says “well, I sure do.”
So naturally, this ribbon trend sparked a sarcastic counter-trend. That is where this picture is from. I wonder if these are common. Maybe only in New England and California. Anyone ever spot these in the wild?
July 8th, 2005 at 8:34 pm
Actually I saw two of these new ribbons yesterday; quite amusing.
Also don’t forget that if you object to the reasoning behind the invasion of Iraq, then you are a non-patriot.
July 14th, 2005 at 3:11 pm
As a former MA resident and current CA resident, I must disagree with your conclusion that people post this ribbon as a support to the president. Most people I know from MA were democrats and outspoken opponents of the president, and a lot of them posted this ribbon on their bumpers. I will stop here, as I am not trying to defend this wildfire of support of people with guns.
July 14th, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Okay then, what do they mean? Donating money to the armed forces? (All U.S. taxpayers do.) Moral support? Respect for the individuals as distinct from respect for their organization? Is there any perceived consensus on what these three words mean exactly? And what is the alternative — support our troops, as opposed to what? How would one not support those troops?
July 16th, 2005 at 5:53 am
It’s basically a patriotic statement: I’m American, and I might disagree with the war, but I support the Americans out there fighting (although they might be fighting for the wrong reason). Not supporting the troops is a big taboo, so you won’t see a “I do not support the troops” banners, not even on the spoof sites. So yeah, it’s basically moral support, especially since a lot of the marines are often coming home for a few months and are then sent right back.
October 6th, 2006 at 2:05 am
The funny thing is the hip way to show your support is with a magnetic yellow ribbon shaped “sticker” attached to your bumper. Well, I am not sure what people are trying to say with something as disposable as a magnetic sticker? Are they trying to say they support the troops so long as they are not dying and kicking serious Iraqi a**? A sort of threat, like if you don’t do well enough out there I will remove this yellow ribbon magnet and withdraw my support? Or maybe they want to gloat that they have a job, and their taxes are supporting the troops?
Interestingly enough, yellow ribbons signify support of ex-convicts being given a second chance in Singapore. Perhaps, I am confused and they are supporting Singaporean ex-convicts trying to go the straight and narrow?