Marine accused of wrongful shooting needs our help...

16 nov 04 | Atlanta

[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?

[Sunshine Sister]

I agree 100% with the sentiments of this post. The Marine did what any of us would have done in a similar circumstance. Someone is gonna pay this time if the man is treated unfairly. There is not a person on this planet that has experienced war that would have done anything differently.

[momf]

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but want to pass on a suggestion my husband made. If they stoop so low or feel they have to cover a portion of their own bodies instead of supporting this young man who has spent the last months protection freedom; if they actually investigate or prosecute him it should be a investigation; trial of him AND Kerry who has several times admitted?,bragged? to shooting a young, wounded Viet Cong teenager clad in a loin cloth in the BACK.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for posting that number again.

Public relations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, in DC.

703 614 2500

I called just now, and talked to a terrific young man, said that the embedded reporters should either be removed or given rifles and told to be point men. I said that Reuters should NOT have been given that film, that Marines are highly trained and honorable men who deserve our thanks and prayers for the horrendous job they are doing for all of us.

I won't tell you what the young man said, except "Thank you, Ma'am" or tell you his name, which he gave, because I don't want to cause him any difficulty. But I told him that friends were going to pressure NBC and its sponsors, that we were praying for them ALL, that we are PROUD of our Marines, and furious with the reporter.

I urge everyone to make this call for themselves. He did say he would pass my comments along.

[MissAmericanPie]

What can we do?

[Therapsid]

Last time

What if we send him $20 each?

What if he became a millionare?

[gunnedah]

AGREED!

[silent_jonny]

Ditto to everything you said!

[Silver Bird Worker]

Classic movie sceen:
Stalag 17.
The boys find out who the snitch is, duct tape his mouth, tie his hands, put ropes with coffee cans around is feet. Then throw him to the wolves....
One less TRAITOR to deal with. =-)

[silent_jonny]

And Kerry got a Silver Star for it, IIRC.

[afnamvet]

Count me in on this Atlanta.

[Republican Red]

I am posting the number for NBC Washington again:

202-885-4200

Call and complain. Shock and awe with complaints.

[Iron Eagle]

Congratulations -- after reading two threads on this, i have finally found a lucid individual.

Nobody loves Marines more than me -- but the facts as we know them cannot be defended by a moral and civil society. The reason we don';t shoot people like this, is because we are superior morally and ethically.

Now -- we don't know all the facts -- and that is why the Marine Corp will conduct a fair and thorough investigation, where this Marine will get proper representation -- and he will be judged not by arm-chair bloggers, but by fellow Marines who know and understand the obligations of the Military.

For those on these threads who blindly and foolishly spout out that the terrorist got what he deserved, they understand little about the who we are, and how we conduct ourselves as a nation. No doubt that terrorist is scum -- and I sure didn't lose any sleep over his death -- but IF the facts show he was merely a wounded, unarmed individual -- no right thinking Marine can sanction this action.

While others blather on about the reporter and the media -- the truth is that an action like this hurts America and our cause because every action our soldiers take will be used against them by the media. Our soldiers are hurt, our world standing is hurt, our mission in Fullajah is hurt.

How many Al Queda training and recruiting tapes will show this footage to young recruits? How many terrorist will be made? How do we win the public relations battle with Iraqi's on the ground when they see this type of video?

I hope the facts come out in this young Marine's favor. I really do. He was a brave Marine who came back from being wounded int he face the day before -- and undoubtedly he was on a hair trigger to defend himself and his unit -- but if he shot that unarmed man for merely breathing and being a terrorist -- he will face charges -- and that will be appropriate.

[rwa265]

Tony Snow is talking about this right now.

[cyncooper]

I have to say the media does not seem to being "going after" him as hard as I thought they would. For instance, they are reporting that a Marine was killed by a booby trap on a dead body the day before.

I agree. I do think the initial stories (that includes on Fox) had a slant againt the Marine but they have all moderated their tone and are giving context.

[InfantryMarine]

BTT

[cyncooper]

Should have added, why Sites wanted this footage and story out there is obvious, and now the moderation is to a story that was aired initially for only one reason: To tarnish the U.S. effort.

[silent_jonny]

but if he shot that unarmed man for merely breathing and being a terrorist

That alone is more than enough reason to kill him. Good riddance.

[hiramknight]

We need another movement like the Bush document mobilization. This guy's a hero, and they're treating him like a criminal. We need to get some politicians involved in this. Let's make some noise.

How a bout some email addresses to powerful senators and congressmen so the "freeping can begin"??

[Santana]

I vote for door#4.

4. Kill the coiled snake before it kills you

[Laurita]

I'm sure you are already here, somewhere, but I have to go to sleep and I don't have time to read through this thread to make sure. Sorry if you've already been pinged here. I knew you'd want to be, either way.