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Marines since 1775 have at one time or another been known for bravado and grumbling, but it seems to be a true trait that Marines stop the grumbling at the first sounds of the guns and perform as Marines are expected to perform. Or more to the point, to break things, take the ground and advance to kill the enemy.

But only rarely will a Marine be known to brag about medals; rather, they brag about their fellow Marines without mentioning their own accomplishments. I can recall on more than one occasion, while interviewing Marines that had participated in the victory at Kae Sahn, they were reluctant to speak of their medals. One in particular when asked what he had done to become a recipient of medals, looked me straight in the eyes, paused and said with a slight unintended grin: "Oh, it was for doing all the paper work.

In the case of John Murtha, what he said about the current situation in Iraq or how he displays his medals might not be as important as what his fellow Marines have not said in his defense. Their silence has been deafening, which only illuminates his position in line with the likes of Code Pink and Mr. Moran in Virginia.

When Marines fail to rally in support of another Marine it is usually an easy task to discern whether the lone Marine had been worthy of support. To the best of my knowledge, no honorable Marines have attempted to validate Murtha's remarks, nor his demand to withdraw to seek defeat from the jaws of victory, nor to discourage other potential candidates from joining the Marines or any other branch of the U.S. Military services.

Nonetheless, when Marines are expected to be grumbling or displaying their natural propensity for bravado prior to the sound of the guns and you hear nothing but dead silence, it might be safe to assume that on November 10th, 2006, John Murtha will most probably not be a guest speaker at the Marine Corps Ball to celebrate their Birthday.

Benedict Arnold was a real war hero.

"At the critical moment of the decisive battle of 7 Oct., Arnold rushed upon the field without orders, and in a series of magnificent charges broke through the British lines and put them to flight. The credit of this great victory, which secured for us the alliance with France, is due chiefly to Arnold, and in a less degree to Morgan. Gates was not on the field, and deserves no credit whatever. Just at the close of the battle Arnold was severely wounded in the leg that had been hurt at Quebec. He was carried on a litter to Albany, and remained there disabled until spring. On 20 Jan., 1778, he received from congress an antedated commission restoring him to his original seniority in the army."

However, being a hero didn't keep Arnold from selling out his country.

Murtha is nothing more than a traitor to his country.

I think the young Sargent took him and Congressman Jim Moron Moran to task yesterday.