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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.

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 can assure you that the majority of Iraqis, looking forward to elections and a free country, will be overjoyed at this video. And those who are going to see it in a recruitment tape will think twice.

Once again, the words on the tape vindicate the young Marine as it is stated on the video that the terrorist/insurgent was "faking death." He did NOT shoot him out of malice as nothing like that was recorded on the video. He PERCEIVED the wounded/dead terrorist to be a threat. That was a reasonable assumption considering that the terrorists had feigned death before only to raise up and shoot at Marines. Also the terrorists had boobytrapped bodies before, costing American lives.

The young Marine made a reasonable assumption with the knowlege he had. He perceived the guy as a threat - whether he was or not is irrelevant - as the young made made a reasonable assumption, came to a reasonable conclusion, and made the right decision in eradicating a PERCEIVED threat. It was a judgement call, and a reasonable call, given the circumstances.

Case closed.

"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 think your point goes to what many of us are angry about. This reporter made a choice in sending the video to Reuters. He did this BEFORE the Marine Corps had an opportunity to investigate the incident.

That we have and need freedom of the press is not the question here. With freedom comes responsibility. Kevin Sites has indeed produced an excellent recruiting film for our enemies, with the help of Reuters and NBC news. Choices have inevitable consequences.

Your arguments are intellectual in nature, and thus are unable to take into account the reality of combat.

no right thinking Marine can sanction this action.

Not a Marine, but if I recall the battle of Iwo Jima, those Marines showed no quarter. How many prisioners out of 22,000 Japanese were taken? I think it was like 3.

Where was the outrage then?

We took over 1000 this time and only killed about 1600.

How can you judge a young man wrong for killing the enemy and protecting himself and his buddies.

The security of our troops is paramount. I would not trade a hundred thousand wounded terrorists for a single Marine, soldier, sailor, or airman. There is a time and a place for fine, high-minded sentiments. Combat isn't one of them. Life and death decisions are made in the blink of an eye. Choose wrong, and not just you die, but your squadmates die with you. That is the greatest fear of any troop, choosing wrong and getting your buddies blown up.

Your assesment of this situation is dead wrong. We can do everything right, perfect in every respect, and still be condemned for it. You advocate placating the very people who hate us, regardless of what we do, thereby putting the people on the sharp end in ever greater danger. Think about that before you spout off about conduct.

Terrorists were targeting children in Beslan. Al-Quaida could care less if we fight a "nice" war. They hate us no matter how we fight it. While we do try, do you really think fighting a civilized war it will matter to them?

When Abu Ghraib happened I remember reading what an Iraqi said after President Bush apologized. He said at least we were sorry for it, Saddam Hussein would have rewarded it. These people have been terrorized by the insurgents. Many of them know what's going on and aren't stupid.

Al-Jazzera makes up 99% of the stuff they report anyway. I know, because I have a friend in Baghdad stationed at Camp Victory. We (US) are constantly trying to get Al-J and Al-Arabyia to print retractions or corrections after we check their stories and find they are "misreporting" as she calls it. I call it lying. And they refuse to do it. They don't care about the truth.