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A little history...
DefendOurMarines.com was born here on Free Republic. When it was first established, back on November 24, 2006, I said on a thread: "I hope we can turn "Defend Our Marines" into something. The persecution of our Marines is based on political pressure. To me, that means we better press back!" And that's been our mission.
The Founding Fathers of the site were smoothsailing, Just A Nobody, jazusamo, and me. It was something constructive to do after the defeat of Diana Irey in '06. It was initially just a webpage with links to major bloggers such as Steve Gilbert at Sweetness and Light and Robin Boyd at Chickenhawk Warmonger. The site has grown into a news source and has been credited by the Washington Post and others with breaking stories.
There's a long road ahead of us in 2008, so this isn't a victory lap. I just wanted to acknowledge the power of grassroots activism that I learned on Free Republic. And I also wanted to acknowledge the most important lesson I learned here on FR. smoothsailing taught me that activism should be fun. Anger is easy but burns itself out. Staying constructive isn't easy but it's the only way to make progress.
Many thanks to the members of the Haditha Marine Ping List, to Jim Robinson, and everyone on Free Republic.
David Allender
RedRover
Here are some links to a Chicago story regarding an ambulance chasing lawyer that hates the military.
A Marine needs help
http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/2007/12/a_marine_needs.html
Just Google this slimes’ name: JAY ROBERT GRODNER
The Law Offices Of JAY R GRODNER PC.
Principal Office
1149 Briargate Drive
Highland Park, IL 60035-2900
(847)444-1500 Fax: (847)444-0663
Downtown Office
30 N. LaSalle Street,
Suite 1210
Chicago, IL 60601
Ph: (312)236-1142
Fax (312)236-6036
An anti-military Chicago lawyer, Jay R. Grodner, vandalized the car of Marine Sgt. Mike McNulty to the tune of $2400 in damages simply because he hates the military.
http://urbangrounds.com/2007/12/30/jay-r-grodner/
Anti-Military Lawyer Damages Marine’s Car on Eve of Deployment
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2007/12/anti-military-l.html
Illinois Attorneys Registration and Disciplinary Commission
http://www.iardc.org/ldetail.asp?id=317036748
Defend our Marines BUMP
Impressive! You have made a huge difference making people aware and for the accused.
History ping.
I have sent the following letter to Congressman Michael Turner (Republican), who is Lt Grayson's congressman. Rep. Turner is on the HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.
I recommend we flood his office with similar requests, given this very supportive report in the Dayton Daily News. Rep Turner's info is: Dayton Office 120 West Third Street, Suite. 305 Dayton, Ohio 45402 Phone: (937) 225-2843 Fax: (937) 225-2752
email contact point is: http://www.house.gov/miketurner/IMA/contact.shtml
Dear Congressman Turner:It has come to my attention that the Dayton Daily News published a story yesterday about one of 3rd District's military heroes who is apparently being persecuted by the US Marine Corps for politically correct reasons.
The story follows. I request that you initiate a Congressional Investigation of this demoralizing situation and protect Lieutenant Andrew Grayson, your constituent, from those who would injure him for no honorable reason. I especially request that you look into charges of apparent unlawful command influence on this entire situation.
STORY from Dayton Daily News: (found at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/31/ddn010108grayson.html)
Springboro High School graduate and Marine 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson will face a court-martial on charges related to the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005, the Marine Corps announced Monday.
Grayson, 26, will stand trial on charges of making false official statements, obstruction of justice and attempting to fraudulently obtain his discharge last summer.
Grayson was not present during the Nov. 19, 2005 incident in which four Marines allegedly killed 24 Iraqi citizens with grenades and gunfire after a roadside bomb hit a Marine convoy, killing the driver and wounding two other Marines.
Grayson, an intelligence officer, is accused of botching the investigation and ordering the destruction of photographs connected to the case.
The 1999 Springboro graduate and Panthers running back could not be reached for comment, nor could his attorney, San Diego-based Joseph Casas.
In a December 2006 interview, Grayson told the Dayton Daily News he was "sad, taken aback and definitely surprised by the allegations."
David Allender, founder of the Web site DefendOurMarines.com, called the case against Grayson and others "an absolute sham."
"(Grayson) was an officer who had no contact with the accused enlisted men, who was never at the scene, whose work led to the capture of those responsible for the (roadside bomb), and who had nothing to 'cover up,' " Allender said.
Grayson previously had been recommended for the Bronze Star medal because of his actions on the day of the killings, his attorney said last year.
Casas said the nomination praised Grayson for learning of two other roadside bombs from Iraqis he questioned after the attacks. He was also cited for obtaining information that led to the capture of two men who detonated the bomb that sparked the violence.
Four enlisted Marines were initially charged with murder in the case and four officers were charged with failing to investigate the deaths. Charges against several of the men have been dropped and none will face murder charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Call my crazy, but shouldn’t the media be brought up on charges of involuntary manslaughter for printing articles that say things like, ‘US OCCUPATION of Iraq’? Instead of saying things like, ‘US LIBERATION of Iraq’? Seems to me that saying occupation motivates our enemy to kill our Troops. We need to turn the table here.
It was something constructive to do after the defeat of Diana Irey in '06.
Those were sad days. Hard to believe more than a year has passed. Without your hard work and dedication to the cause, I shudder to think what may have happened to our valient heroes.
A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to the "Defend Our Marines" FReepers!
There is absolutely no way I could thank all of you for keeping this persecution of the Haditha Marines in the news. You have made it easier for us to get through each day. You have given your support and love unconditionally. You have helped raise much-needed money for their defense. You have delved far into the facts in this case and made sure everyone knew what they were. Quite frankly, I don’t know what I would have done without all of you.
BTTT!! These Marines need to be properly reimbursed for all their pain and suffering at the hands of Murtha/Pelosi/Reid.
My son played football against this Marine in high school. The guy was on a good team.
Too bad his current Team is infested with gutless JAGS, or Commissars as some in the Marines call them.