Posted on 11/16/2004 4:34:34 AM PST by Atlanta
I'm going to start with a communication of support of this young Marine, to the Commandant of the Marine Corps himself. Then, President Bush and my Senator/Congressman.They are going to hear from me and I have all friggin day to do it. I am so livid about this that words cannot describe. As a former Marine myself, this young "Leather" was doing what he was trained to do, adapting to unreasonable circumstances (enemy tricks) and he did exactly what I would have done and what has always been done with a fanatical enemy. If authorities hang this Marine out to dry, I will never stop raising hell and will become a point man for pulling these guys out of theater entirely...MSM is SICK. Other suggestions?
I think there have been some good embeds that have done some good things. Unfortunately, the bad ones have done real damage, and if they continue to act irresponsibly, maybe the program should be reconsidered and discontinued, especially considering the nature of the fighting going on now. The safety of the troops has to come first.
NBC made a BIG mistake.
'the MSM fully backed Kerry - and he shot an unarmed teenage boy in the back in Vietnam.'
This is short and succinct and I will email that thought to Sikes, if you don't mind. Maybe with a reminder that he might want to write about the UN oil for money scam instead
"In the meantime -- as my original post indicated, this clip is being played around the world -- further undermining our troops, our reputation, and our moral standing. None of that is good."
Agreed, but who's fault is that? This goes to the heart of why I'm ticked by this incident. The media released this video, and is villifying the Marine PRIOR to an investigation. That's the problem.
The tape should have been given to the military, an investigation should have taken place, and only once ALL the facts are know (including whether or not the Marine knew the man was wounded, or belived he was faking death to lure them into a trap) should it be released along with the results of the investigation. Right now, the video is being shown with little regard to how the Marine percieved the situation.
The network news isn't showing the shot he made. They say it's too graphic. Well guess what MSM, WAR is GRAPHIC. If you can't cover it with out going into hysterics over something you don't fully understand then get out. Just don't drag our men down because you can't handle the GRAPHICS.
Seems the best route our embeds could take, and considerably more loyal to our country and our military would have been if the reporter had only reported the incident to those INSIDE the military first. HE held responsibility bound by loyalty to his country and the men at his side who had saved his life untold number of times to do that and IMO, only that, until the investigation was complete or he was given MILITARY clearance (some freedom of movement and that means the movement of information must inherently be restricted during times of war).
The reporter handled it atrociously and opportunistically. He did harm, to our country and military and created needless work for those fighting on the morale front who are trying to make sure that those men and women know that they are honored, respected and trusted.
Perhaps a new protocol will result from all of this.I maintain my position that it should have been subject to military channels of investigation first. .
Kudos to Imus, if only these vignettes of decency could be more frequent
Starting my ’campaign’ now. Thanks to all for the links.
Thanks for the call to action. Here's the text of my email to Kevvie:
I'm trying to remain civil in responding to your glee at revising history regarding the role of the Marine Corp in our nation's history.
My father was a brave, dedicated and outstanding WWII veteran who landed in the first wave of the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal. They rotted for two months, engaging in the fierce battle at Bloody Ridge, a grueling and crucial battle that I doubt you - the resplendent chronicler of war - know anything about. He came home with recurrent malaria relapses, hearing loss, and other less visible imprints of battle, quietly enduring the remembered loss of his fellow Marines. He went on to other engagements.
This man who, like his comrades, neither would nor could talk about war, shared some related events about how the young Marines would always carry chocolate bars for the children. They would give their pittance of a military salary to those same children, unwilling to regard them as anything but God's creations.
Your assassination of the character and motives of the young Marine at Fallujah twists my insides. I doubt, kind sir, that you would be accepted into the Marine Corps - even without such the dishonest and malicious prostitution of your craft.
To use the gutsy vernacular of the Marine household I grew up in - my father risked his life and his future to save the sorry *sses of ungrateful, traitorous and ignorant brats of your ilk. I am so glad he died before he could witness what your kind has done with his courage and honor.
Semper Fi.
Rush is talking about the Marine shooting to start off the show. Says it's another sign of the crack up of the left.
Excellent! Rush is leading off his show about this wrongful sliming of the Marine in the media. (Also talking about the Marlboro Man Marine)
I also agree that the reporter turned it into a story about himself...
NBC is hyping his find, and he personally appeared in the video to report this. It's one thing to report that the military is investigating this, but they framed it as a shocking NBC find.
Unfortunately, "freedom of the press" is hurting us, or more importantly the "content" of WHAT they choose to report on.
He's a good man, give him a cold beer, some pizza and a few days off.
A fund should be set up for him and his family if he goes south on the charge. That way he will be buffered a bit.
You're complaining that the terrorists might use this to recruit more adherents. They will use any and everything to try to recruit more idiots. So to conduct ourselves in a manner in which the enemy 'might' approve of is downright silly.
The terrorist was in a mosque, and had been fighting from that position. He had been wounded and disarmed the day before. The very next day another unit had come under fire in that area, and they thought that fire had come from that mosque. An assault against that position revealed the terrorists still in that position. One who may or may not have been incapacitated was shot by a Marine who was told by another of his team that the terrorist was 'faking' death. What else is there to understand?
You're sole concern seems to be about how the enemies of this nation 'perceive' this incident. That is my basis for the 'placate' statement. I stand by it, for you have not done anything to dispel that notion. You are willing to throw a Marine to the wolves to mollify the terrorists. No investigation is necessary, for the Marine did his job.
Lets hope this doesn't get that far.
If he's got any desire to keep on with his useless existence, he might want to depart.
AP headline on Fox news online is now calling the guy who got shot a "prisoner". Sounds like they're trying to make it as hard as possible on the Marine.
I have attempted to consolidate information on how to voice your support for him below, with the help of a few FReepers' postings on this threads:
You can call the Office of Commandant of the Marine Corps 703 614 2500 (Washington DC). Voice your support to his public relations officer for the Marine in question. Do the same for the White House and your state representatives. Support this Marine!
Atlanta - post 223
I think NBC was ready to be given the Pulitzer Prize for this story and they are in shock how it is being received.
CALL NBC in DC NOW AND COMPLAIN 202-885-4200
Republican Red - post 299
Just talked to a very nice young man in Marines PR. They are getting lots of phone calls this morning!! I asked he what we could do to help get the embedded reporters out of Iraq. He said actually they have proved to be beneficial most of the time. He suggested we notify MSM and Congress to voice our displeasure at how this news story was handled......I assured him we would. He was most appreciative of our support -- told him the internet was buzzing this morning in support of this young Marine as well as all our troops. I suggested that a new procedure of having the reporters be the ones to check "injured" terrorists to see if they're bomb-free might be in order. He appreciated that! EVERYONE CALL NOW - LET THE MARINES KNOW WE SUPPORT THEIR ACTIONS.
Elkiejg - post 302
Also, it's worth dropping an e-mail to Joe Scarborough of MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" (10pm ET). Undoubtedly, he will take up this Marine's cause, starting tonight. E-mail Joe at joe@msnbc.com
Not going to flame you, but are you aware that one tactic of the enemy is faking death until the soldiers draw near, and then detonating a suicide vest? Taking that into consideration, the soldier deserves a medal for quick thinking.
If this kid would have shot him and he blew up he would have been vindicated.
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