Letter from a USMC pilot

Email from a Marine ^ | 2 Oct 01 | A USMC Pilot

[Rokke]

This is a letter written to all Americans from a Marine Corps pilot. It is in response to that Canadian newspaper article that is flying around everyone's e-mail praising the U.S. This is his opinion but many in the military community can't help but agree with it. Read and pass on to anyone that you think didn't believe in the military before 11 September. Remember John Glenn's famous quote when he was asked what it felt like sitting atop the rocket, ready to launch? "I felt about as good as anybody would, sitting in a capsule on top of a rocket that were both built by the lowest bidder." (Senator John Glenn, Major USMC, Retired)

Dear Americans:

When I opened my e-mail this morning, I had about 20 forwards of the article written by Gordon Sinclair, the Canadian who so eloquently praised the United States. What most of you do not realize is that this commentary was written many years ago. Those of us in the military service have known about it for a long time. Now Americans are flooding the net with it as if it were new. It is not. When it was written, most Americans didn't read it because most Americans did not care.

The tragedy that befell all of us on September 11th shocked America. America no longer feels safe. Many of you have said, "The government should have known! Thirty billion dollars is spent on intelligence! What about the military?!?"

Just a reminder America: you voted our government into office. For years, you allowed some dishonest politicians and twisted television media personalities to shape your ideas about the defense of our nation. Why? Because most Americans were too lazy to look beyond the three-minute Sound bites on the evening news. Here's a news flash not being broadcast much: "On September 11th, America had the exact level of protection, both militarily and intelligence, that it was willing to pay for." Only yesterday, the Congress and the Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a "down payment" to fight this war. A short time ago, our politicians said a 100 million dollar increase for the Navy budget was substantial. In that same bill, they ordered the Navy to conduct an 85 million dollar study on ... missile defense? (No) desperately needed parts for our fighter aircraft? (wrong again) training for Navy SEALs? (Nah)

They wanted breast cancer research. Yes, America, your elected officials decided that the U.S. Navy needed more mammograms and less missiles. Was this an under-the-table sneaky move? No, it was right out in the open. The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy both opposed it. A New York Senatorial candidate (yes, she's the one) was enraged that the military would be so sexist and irresponsible to the needs of civilians and wanted the Navy to give the money back immediately! But the media paid it little mind. So America paid little attention.

Did anyone ever watch CSPAN? Particularly when the heads of our armed services essentially begged OUR representatives to give the military more money to fight terrorism and maintain a strong defense? Did you see the debates by the heads of the intelligence services that terrorism was the new threat? They told the committees of Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the military did not have the money to build the necessary intelligence networks in the areas where terrorists were being harbored. They warned again and again that there was clear and present danger within America's borders.

America must have been watching one of the other 114 satellite channels.

The military said: "We need more money to maintain military readiness and combat training." America answered: "What the military needs is sensitivity training! You're all sexist homophobes! I saw it on 60 Minutes!"

The military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, and tanks and to improve our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep." America answered: "You're all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet threat! My Senator told me so! He/she says we do not need such a big military! You're dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need social programs!"

The military said: "We need to recruit more Americans into the military. We need to increase our force." America answered: "You're not taking my kids! We're going to shut down the ROTC programs at our high schools and universities because you discriminate against alternative lifestyles! ROTC teaches children (under 21) how to shoot guns! You just want another Columbine! Rosie and Oprah say so!"

The military said: "We can't keep interfering in the civil wars of small, insignificant countries. It wastes our time, expends our resources, decreases training, and demoralizes our troops. The men and women of the United States are warriors trying to defend OUR nation; we are not the Third World's police force." America answered: "You heartless bastards! Can't you see the tear in the eye of that starving child?! There are flies on her face, for Christ's sake! Get moving! Jesse Jackson on CNN said that is what we pay you for!"

The military asked: "Why isn't America enraged over the terrorist attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 AMERICAN sailors? How about the Air Force barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? the embassy staffs in Africa? the soldiers mutilated and dragged through the streets in Somalia?" America answered: "We don't have time right now! We're busy defending animal rights! Our schools are handing out automatic weapons! The federal government is discriminating against cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites! The police are all members of the Ku Klux Klan! The lack of ozone is ruining my tan! If they cut deeper into food stamps, those poor women will have to move down to Size 18/20 Chanel dresses! AND THE WORST! Corporations are raising the prices of their products sooo high that I might not be able to afford the multi-disc DVD player for my 36" digital-ready TV! Besides, YOU GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!"

So - while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they go after the military?" - remember this, America: They already had gone after the military - but America didn't care. These terrorists realized that they needed to kill American civilians - and lots of them - before they could have their desired reaction from the people of this country. Well, now they have it.

Semper Fidelis (written by a U.S. Marine Corps pilot)

[Rokke]

I'm guessing this will generate some comments.

[Betteboop]

Bump

[EaglesUpForever]

Great post. The destruction of our military is largely the fault of the dumbed-down television zombies that failed to see through our media: the worst, most decisive defeat of this country was the re-election of Bill Clinton. Everyone who supported that is to blame.

It would be nice to blame just Democrats, but it was a bi-partisan effort that supported our incredibly wasteful war in Yugoslavia and much of Clinton's inept policy. Hopefully one bright part of this is that we will learn something before it's too late. But I would suggest that as long as the Clintons parade around with no accountability, we are still in deep trouble.

Is there an impeach Hillary campaign of any sort? What is the equivalent of impeachment for a "senator"?

[Gadsden1st]

There is no adequate response.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Excellent points. America didn't get what it deserved in the plane tragedy-It got what it ignored.

[real saxophonist]

USS Cole's Namesake Was 'Fighting Field Musician'

[section9]

You dadgum right there is no adequate response.

My only fault with this piece is that it strikes me as being too partisan. The fact is, there was enough criminal negligence to go around on both sides of the aisle during the Clinton years for us to get away with blaming the Clintoon and his outriders for this. We loved the gogo years and the paper wealth that it created. Meanwhile, this Marine and his comrades were being told by their Toon buttkissers on the JCS to "do more with less" and "work smarter, not harder". Indeed, I suspect that if Sept. 11th had not occured, we'd be still in a fix. If you'll recall, there was a spectacle going on between Bush and Daschle about that ridiculous, nonexistent, Social Security "lockbox". The military was once again at the short end of the stick.

Now massive numbers of casualties have been inflicted on the American people in the American homeland. Now we know the price for "doing more with less". Now price is no object for the defense of our nation and its children.

But there was a terrible price that was paid for the obvious, wasn't there?

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Sparky760]

Ditto!

[WOSG]

This is the kind of column that is sorely lacking from the New York Time editorial pages!!!!

[Florida native]

God Bless that Marine! Bump.

[GOPJ]

Well said:

The military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, and tanks and to improve our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep." America answered: "You're all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet threat! My Senator told me so! He/she says we do not need such a big military! You're dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need social programs!"

[VOA]

bump

[Cap'n Crunch]

I am outraged!

How dare this Marine point fingers at the American people at a time like this? He should be flogged!

What a Sanctimonious hypocrite! Boycott all such posts my fellow FReepers!

(exchange the military jargon for religious jargon and that would have been the response du jour)

[vaudine]

"What is the equivalent of impeachment for a senator?

Impeachment.

Vaudine

[Cap'n Crunch]

Oh, that reminds me, today while I was at work I saw a bumper sticker that said:

"Dont blame me, I voted Democrat"

[Rodney King]

It's a fine letter, but it has made the rounds now a few times - from a soldier, and air force pilot, now a USMC pilot. Sometime with the Semper Fidelis, sometimes not. Makes one wonder if it is from a soldier at all.

[eternity]

Huh?

[longleaf]

People are still not noticing. Just one big event was not enough. We are being lulled back to sleep by our leaders, who care more about money and the economy than the "enduring freedom" they talk about in slogans.

Many in the younger generation will not truly "take notice" unless and until they learn of the draft being reinstituted. I remember Vietnam and the real reason the protests broke out. It wasn't about idealism so much as fear of having one's butt drafted and blown away in a faraway jungle. There is no new "greatest generation" on the horizon eager to sign up.

That's another reason few of this Marine's civilian contemporaries cared about the losses he detailed. He "volunteered" for it, they'd say.

Al-Qaeda is trying to "give a war," but so far "nobody has come." If I had to guess, I'd say Al-Qaeda will keep trying, though.

As the saying goes, "You may not be interested in war; but war is interested in you."

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

So - while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they go after the military?" - remember this, America: They already had gone after the military - but America didn't care. These terrorists realized that they needed to kill American civilians - and lots of them - before they could have their desired reaction from the people of this country. Well, now they have it.

I read this paragraph twenty times......and each time I read it - it hurt a little more. We must never again allow our leaders to ignore the military when it pleads for help on our behalf.