1 I think that Christopher Cross is right on this, and we should sort of let this story die as it rightfully should -- ie, let's stop talking about a non-story.

2 Excellent post, Rusty.

3 An email from a Marine that is "there". Exactly what you have been saying. However, I haven't heard any explanation re the NBC tape getting into Arab hands? M. Lachow CWO USMC Rtd Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 8:34 AM Subject: Incident in Iraq FYI, helps to understand the environment. John I got this from a friend on base, it's worth reading. Good Morning Everybody. The following is an email from my son regarding the NBC report (with embedded reporter Kevin Sites), concerning the Marine who is being investigated for "murdering" the insurgent in Fallaja. I will be sending his mail to every news program's email I can find. I find it sickening that this Kevin Sites is even allowed to be embedded with our Marines, as this isn't the first report I've heard from him that took on a decidely unfriendly tone. My son also gave me permission to release it to anyone that wants to pass it on, as long as it remains unedited. -- Darlene PMM LCPL Gus TS DET ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 07:27:55 -0800 (PST) From: old tymer Subject: The stories you don't hear... This is one story of many that people normally don't hear, and one that everyone does. This is just one most don't hear: A young Marine and his cover man cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with Ak-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor(doctor)!" He is badly wounded, lying in a pool of his own blood. The Marine and his cover man slowly walk toward the injured man, scanning to make sure no enemies come from behind. In a split second, the pressure in the room greatly exceeds that of the outside, and the concussion seems to be felt before the blast is heard. Marines outside rush to the room, and look in horror as the dust gradually settles. The result is a room filled with the barely recognizable remains of the deceased, caused by an insurgent setting off several pounds of explosives. The Marines' remains are gathered by teary eyed comrades, brothers in arms, and shipped home in a box. The families can only mourn over a casket and a picture of their loved one, a life cut short by someone who hid behind a white flag. But no one hears these stories, except those who have lived to carry remains of a friend, and the families who loved the dead. No one hears this, so no one cares. This is the story everyone hears: A young Marine and his fire team cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with AK-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insugent can be heard saying, "Mister,mister! Diktoor, diktoor(doctor)!" He is badly wounded.Suddenly, he pulls from under his bloody clothes a grenade, without the pin. The explosion rocks the room, killing one Marine, wounding the others. The young Marine catches shrapnel in the face. The next day, same Marine, same type of situation, a different story. The young Marine and his cover man enter a room with two wounded insurgents. One lies on the floor in puddle of blood, another against the wall. A reporter and his camera survey the wreckage inside, and in the background can be heard the voice of a Marine, "He's moving, he's moving!" The pop of a rifle is heard, and the insurgent against the wall is now dead. Minutes, hours later, the scene is aired on national television, and the Marine is being held for commiting a war crime. Unlawful killing. And now, another Marine has the possibility of being burned at the stake for protecting the life of his brethren. His family now wrings their hands in grief, tears streaming down their face. Brother, should I have been in your boots, i too would have done the same. For those of you who don't know, we Marines, Band of Brothers, Jarheads, Leathernecks, etc., do not fight because we think it is right, or think it is wrong. We are here for the man to our left, and the man to our right. We choose to give our lives so that the man or woman next to us can go home and see their husbands, wives, children, friends and families. For those of you who sit on your couches in front of your television, and choose to condemn this man's actions, I have but one thing to say to you. Get out of you recliner, lace up my boots, pick up a rifle, leave your family behind and join me. See what I've seen, walk where I have walked. To those of you who support us, my sincerest gratitude. You keep us alive. I am a Marine currently doing his second tour in Iraq. These are my opinions and mine alone. They do not represent those of the Marine Corps or of the US military, or any other. Sincerely, LCPL Schmidt USMC

4 During World War II, George Orwell said of England's pacifists: "Since pacifists have more freedom of action in countries where traces of democracy survive, pacifism can act more effectively against democracy than for it. Objectively, the pacifist is pro-Nazi." Objectively the American left is pro-Islamofacist. Stephen

5 RUSTY: Great article. Wish I had your abilities to put feeling/facts in writing. Not having that ability I will continue slugging away in the trenches. It's a Marine thing. However: I believe you left out one important major issue. It's called fanatical Islam. That is the biggest problem facing not only the US but the world. As I listen to the no war at all costs, the US is to blame for everything dundeerheads, I cannot understand why they cannot see the simplicity of the writing on the wall. As EURARABIA takes shape they continue to hold their heads in the sand. They appear to be blind to Muslim Cleric's screaming death to non muslims. They don't see riots in their streets. Only protests against Blair & Bush. They don't see the disruption of their economies muslim immigration has caused. Leftists are blind little dogs to dumb to see their our destruction. Soon EURABABIA will be fact unless Old Europe wakes up.

6 CWO LACKOW ret: The tape could have been easily copied from one of our own broadcasts. The biggest story at all costs. If that tape was on the other foot a fatwa would have been issued. Let us remember the name Kevin Sites. SEMPER FI

7 DARLENE: Bless you and your son. Mine is over there to. One thing that bothers me. As soon as some criticism against embedding these reporters started a Marine Corps general immediately came out with speeches pro embedded reporter. Guess he forgot about Mr. Rivera and others putting their so called news broadcasts before the safety of our Marines.

8 LCPL SCHMIDT: Other way around. You keep use alive. Forget the do nothings, fight the good fight. SEMPER FI

9 Dr. Shackleford, Interesting piece but some of your thoughts don't really hold up upon examination. First, this idea that the "left" opposes all wars unless direct self-defense is a vast generalization that quickly becomes simply a false statement. There are pacifists who probably consider themselves on the left who might fit this statement. There are many liberals who many would consider on the left who support military intervention in situations like Kosova, Rwanda, etc. There are just as many on the "right" who would normally support the view that the U.S. should not intervene overseas unless its own security or interests are directly threatened. See Pat Buchanan and GW Bush before 9/11. Finally, the idea that most normal Americans support intervention to end the abuses of a foreign regime is bogus. Most Americans support in retrospect whatever its government or its army does. They feel that this is patriotism. I disagree. So, since Bush invaded Iraq, most Americans support it. Since Bush did not invade North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, etc. etc. etc. most Americans believe it is right not to invade the tens of countries on Earth where there are abuses by a foreign regime and if you asked them would they support an invasion of such country they would say no. It is just the effects media propaganda and the 'patriotic' desire to believe that whatever your government does must be right and to justify it after the fact. It has nothing to do with some well thought out philosophy of Just War or some desire to see liberation. You will probably see this as a virulent attack on the American people. It really isn't meant as such. It is human nature to want to believe that your government is good and to want to see yourself and your loved ones as liberators. It is human nature to want to justify the fact that billions more suffer throughout the world and you do nothing to liberate them. It makes it easier to get through the day. It is even human nature to get on a blog and try to make this all seem noble. But it doesn't hold up to reality, as far as I can tell. By the way, I have a family member there in Iraq now (a US Marine) and I am NOT a pacifist and I believe wars can be liberating but I believe strongly he and all the soldiers should be brought home now.

10 An interesting, thoughtful posting. When I was younger, I used to think a lot along the lines of a pacifist (thats hard to admit!). I even thought for a while that I was one, but then the world and it's reality caught up to me. Today, while I still think that it is too bad that man isn't kind and nice to one another, I know better. As long as we have animals on this planet who prefer murder over debate and coexistance, we will never as a planet live to see any sort of eutopia where violence against others doesn't exist. Terrorists don't care who you voted for, or what you believe in, or that they are innocent children. They don't care, and there is no reasoning with them. It is amazing that there are still people who think that they could engage these animals in conversation, and make them feel bad for the carnage they are responsible for. 30 years ago the statement "kill them all" would have appalled me, today when directed at these vermin it doesn't bother me in the least. Taking prisoners shouldn't be an option, hats off to the Marine who was caught on video the other day.

11 You've convinced a lot of your public but your article misunderstands what the 'left' as you call it think. Look at the the International Brigades fighting Hitler's practice ground in Spain, that's taking up arms against fascism abroad! I support just wars for liberation generally more than rightwingers who support a regime's ability to protect the wholesale economic r*pe of nations, Iraq is just not a just war. Lies were the basis for invasion, not Sadam's cruel regime, that's never a cause for US intervention, you just didn't want any power to be in your oil park who isn't subservient to you. I respect the way you support your Marines just as I wholeheartedly back our Black Watch and other squaddies, my brother was there, but it doesn't stop it being wrong. I know how I want our injured treated and we in the UK don't need to dehumanise an enemy to fight them, they're not Satan or even terrorists, if my country was treated as the US treats Iraq after deposing a despot I would be killing Marines too. PS You censor the word "r*pe" with an A. What the f*ck is that about!