Free U.S. Marine!

from JoeUser Forums
It's war ... for Christ sake. Kill or be killed. Show video of the murdered 38 U.S. marines and soliders. Inundate Congress with your support for the boy.

Why?

Associated Press excerpt:

"BAGHDAD (Nov. 16) -- Kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan was believed to be dead Tuesday after a video received by Al-Jazeera television showed a hooded figure shooting a blindfolded woman in the head."
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
So were supposed to sanction killing wounded enemies? Then we are no better than the terrorists. Let the system do its work.
If the Marine in question was justified, let him out and give him a medal. If not, lock his a** up!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
After hearing the audio, I think he will be let go. It appears the Insurgent was not under US control, and was faking death. And they were still being fired upon. I dont see how he can be convicted of anything but fear for his life and that of his comrades.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
A couple of observations, despite what the embedded reporter claims:
1.. There did not appear to be any guards or MPs posted.
2. No medical aid seems to have been rendered.
3. The Marines were doing a mop up.
4. Marines were fired on from the vacinity.

I would have to conclude it was still a free fire zone and was not secure. If that is the case, what the hell was an embedded reporter doing there in the first place? Secondly, it has been widely reported that feigning death and then attacking our rear is a favorite tactic of the insurgents. It appears that a plausible threat to the Marines existed.

On the flip side, if there was no imminent threat and the wounded insurgents had been disarmed while awaiting triage and evacuation to a PW facility, then there was a major violation of the Rule of War and the Geneva Convention. However I do not think that is the case here.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nadeon - Solid analysis here... Hard to say what the situation was and the Marine's innocence or guilt could go either way depending on the circumstances you sited. Insightful!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can certainly understand him doing it, especially after the extreme stress that the marines have been under. And while overall I support the Geneva conventions, if it comes between taking a chace with my life or the lives of others to obey them?

I'd break them in a New York minute, whether it's concerning a soldier possibly feigning death to strike back, or the refusal to shoot parachuters or firing at individuals with a heavy weapon. In this case, I'd rather be alive to face the court martial than dead right.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's down to the US military to investigate and release the facts. No point in calling for the soldier's release or incarceration before that has occurred. Once the facts have been investigated and ascertained a decision on a trial can be made,

Paul.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Excerpt: By Michael Georgy, Reuters

"FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 16) - U.S. Marines rallied round a comrade under investigation for killing a wounded Iraqi during the offensive in Fallujah, saying he was probably under combat stress in unpredictable, hair-trigger circumstances.

Marines interviewed on Tuesday said they didn't see the shooting as a scandal, rather the act of a comrade who faced intense pressure during the effort to quell the insurgency in the city.

"I can see why he would do it. He was probably running around being shot at for days on end in Fallujah. There should be an investigation but they should look into the circumstances," said Lance Cpl. Christopher Hanson.

"I would have shot the insurgent too. Two shots to the head," said Sgt. Nicholas Graham, 24, of Pittsburgh. "You can't trust these people. He should not be investigated. He did nothing wrong."

Hitparade: The foregoing are the facts & circumstances surrounding this issue. There should be no investigation, in as much as it is patently clear that nothing illegal, here, has happened. The boy should be released.

The contrary is true: He's a brave boy, a hero. He is most certainty not a coward, criminal, who beheads trussed civilians.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
brave boy


I'm sorry if I'm being picky here, but it is very derogatory to refer to our service members as "boys" and "girls" or "kids." He's a grown man . . . a Marine by choice.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Of course there should be an investigation. Shooting an unarmed enemy would be unacceptable in any circumstances (whether by a terrorist or a US marine). The suggestion that the enemy was known to be unarmed merits an investigation.

There should always be an investigation in cases where the law may have been broken or someone dies in suspicious circumstances. Such an investigation should obviously also look at the circumstances (and will) before making a recommendation as to whether a crime has occurred and whether a formal trial is required. Even if they determine that a crime has been committed the circumstances will be used in determining the severity of the crime and any punishment required.

Paul.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Tex:

I'm a grown man, who is still referred to as "boy."

It's a matter of connotation. Those who use the expression to disparage are generally transparent and reacted to accordingly.

Free the Marine! He's a brave young man, whose family needs our Nation's support.

Peace out!



Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm a grown man, who is still referred to as "boy."


That may be so, but I wouldn't suggest that you refer to my husband (or any of the other military bloggers on here) as "boys" . . .

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
But JFK2 admitted shooting an unarmed guy in the back too, Or is that Right Wing agit-prop?
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
SSG:

Where is the investigation?
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Tex:

Indeed, you were right in the first instance, you're picking .... As to your suggestion, this "boy" will take his chances in as much as you presume far too much. Accordingly, I "suggest" that you take some stock of your passive/aggressive attack and speak only for yourself.

Would a liberal such as yourself be offended were my post to have invoked "Bringing the 'Boys' Back Home"? The topic is the marine, so again I say: Save the "boy." He's not even old enough to legally drink.

Now put away your petty P.C. handcuffs and use your keyboard to write a blog supporting the military. You owe this Country that much.

Peace Out.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
hitparade: Actually, I don't assume too much. Read this article by SPC Nobody Special.

I can tell you now that my husband, currently defending our country overseas, would not appreciate your calling him a "boy." Have you ever served? I'd be QUITE surprised to hear that you have. You don't seem like the type.

Would a liberal such as yourself be offended were my post to have invoked "Bringing the 'Boys' Back Home"? The topic is the marine, so again I say: Save the "boy."


First of all, I am speaking as a proud Army wife, not as a political label. I would not approve of such a title, don't assume that you know me.

He's not even old enough to legally drink.


He's old enough to die for our country. He is not a "boy."

Now put away your petty P.C. handcuffs and use your keyboard to write a blog supporting the military. You owe this Country that much.


I have written MANY articles supporting our military. Have you? Don't tell me what I owe. I go to bed alone at night and raise my children alone for the benefit of your sorry ass. People like you make me sick. Big talk, no action.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
You make me sick!

You're husband is overseas fighting and you constantly employ inflammatory name-calling against our Nation that strengthens the enemy’s resolve, such as calling General Bush a Warmonger, which , in turn, endangers American lives. Shameful. Disgraceful.

As for my credentials, lil' lady ... don't ask ...

Let's just say, like the Hawk who seeks opportunity & then strikes his target, Hitparade ... here and abroad.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
You make me sick!


That is one of the most hateful things I've read here on JU.

You're husband is overseas fighting and you constantly employ inflammatory name-calling against our Nation that strengthens the enemy’s resolve, such as calling General Bush a Warmonger, which , in turn, endangers American lives. Shameful. Disgraceful.


Have you read my blogs? Shameful? Disgraceful? You really don't know me. I am a patriot. If you knew even the slightest bit about me, you would know this.

As for my credentials, lil' lady ... don't ask ...


I asked, and you didn't have anything to share, so I assume that means that the height of your service is busing elderly people to the voting booths. Yay for you for benefiting from the sacrifices of others while you sit safely at home. What a great man you are!

BTW -- "lil lady" . . . are you this condescending to all women you come across?

Let's just say, like the Hawk who seeks opportunity & then strikes his target, Hitparade ... here and abroad.


Yeah . . . you're bluffing, which is sad and is an insult to our heroes in the military.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Is it so impossible to sit back, read what someone writes, and say, "you know, I didn't see it that way. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll keep it in mind in the future."? Really? Going on the defensive just makes you look smaller.

I'm a grown man, who is still referred to as "boy."


And do you enjoy that? Does it make you feel all warm inside to have people look down on you? When they equate you with a child? When they don't recognize you as an adult? If so, carry on. Continue to allow others to look down on you. It's not a matter of connotation. It doesn't matter if the person saying it is 18 or 81. I hated it when I first joined over 12 years ago. American service members are not children. They are adults who have volunteered to serve their country.

The boy should be released.

Released from the corner where he's thinking about spilling milk? That's what your line makes me think of.
He's a brave boy

For what? Calling 911 when mommy wouldn't wake up? Petting the big, scary dog? Those are the acts of a brave boy.
Inundate Congress with your support for the boy


Would it kill you to say Marine (notice the capitalization - when used in reference to a member of the US Marine Corps, it gets a capital M)?

He's a brave young man, whose family needs our Nation's support.


There you have it.

Would a liberal such as yourself be offended were my post to have invoked "Bringing the 'Boys' Back Home"? The topic is the marine, so again I say: Save the "boy." He's not even old enough to legally drink.


I'm a conservative (and supporter for the President) and I take offense. Bringing the boys back home sounds like something straight out of WWII. Those days are gone. US service members today are adults that choose to serve. Not draftees (as was the case with most of the WWII force) that were pressed into service to fight a necessary evil. And, they are old enough to vote. They are old enough to serve. They are old enough to die for our country. Using those arguments in an attempt to lower the drinking age works. Using the drinking argument to call them children doesn't.

Now put away your petty P.C. handcuffs and use your keyboard to write a blog supporting the military. You owe this Country that much


I'd suggest you know your target before you lash out like that... I've read through your blog articles and I can tell you, I'm less than impressed. A number of cut and paste jobs, poor analysis, and just plain silliness that makes you appear to be the mirror side to many DU members. When I saw this post originally, I didn't comment because other bloggers had already covered it with far better analysis and thought.

As for my credentials, lil' lady ... don't ask ...

Let's just say, like the Hawk who seeks opportunity & then strikes his target, Hitparade ... here and abroad.


Spoken like a person that has nothing to show. I hear it all the time. "Yeah, I went through SF training. I don't wear the patch cause I can't let people know what I'm involved with." Whatever. Also, the "lil' lady" just smacks of more disrespect. More defensive name calling to show that someone is not your equal.

OK, lastly, I like to nitpick. So here goes -

Free US Marine!


What exactly does that mean? Your English could use some help. Maybe an article like 'the'? Free the US Marine! Three little letters separate you from a person that is taken a little more seriously in just one glance.

for Christ sake


Isn't it for Christ's sake? For his sake. For her sake. For your sake. Sounds like possesives to me. For Jack sake? For Jack's sake? There you go.

Show video of the murdered 38 U.S. marines and soliders.


OK, we already covered the Marine point. How about spelling Soldier correctly. To me, combining both of these points with the frequent use of 'boy', I get the feeling that you really don't respect the US Armed Forces. I mean, you can't get you spelling or capitalization correct and you strip them of their adulthood. Not a lot of respect if you can't get at least that little bit right. I realize typos happen (this comment probably has a few), but you could at least proof read your own writing and get the important words right.

"BAGHDAD (Nov. 16) -- Kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan was believed to be dead Tuesday after a video received by Al-Jazeera television showed a hooded figure shooting a blindfolded woman in the head."


Here is a severe disconnect in your logic. The enemy commits an atrocity. They do terrible things to civilians. This does not give us the right to lay down the Laws of Land Warfare or the Rules of Engagement. Now, you post a quote from a news source that states the enemy is using white flag tricks to gain an advantage to attack troops, and you've got something going your way. Kind of like what you followed up with in your comment.

OK, now to finish. I think that your heart is in the right place. There should be an investigation but in light of the facts being released, it looks to be an open book test. My support and prayers are with the Marine and all my brothers and sisters in the service around the world.

I am currently serving by teaching the youngest members of our military. Many of my students are 15 years younger than me. And every day, I treat them as adults. I respect them for their choices. They are not boys and girls. They are Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines (I teach in a joint school, so I train them all). Thinking of them in any other way belittles them and their choices.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
BTW Hitparade, I wrote the article you requested yesterday. Although you prompted me to write it, it is not for you, but rather for the brave men and women who have selflessly chosen to dedicate a portion of their lives to the defense and betterment of our country. Feel free to read it and add your words of support for our military in the comments section.

You can read the article, "Gratitude for our Military" by clicking here.

If you are interested, you can also find about 10 or so other pro-military articles written by me archived here.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm a grown man, who is still referred to as "boy."


Peace out!


You make me sick!


lil' lady ... don't ask ...


I can see why you are still referred to as a "boy." I seriously doubt you are a "man."
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
General Bush


Just noticed that one. Interesting.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
Big TEX (nothing to do with your weight):

You've been stalking me from day one with your nonsense. Nonetheless, you've exposed my "bluff". Agree to close your account when I produce my credentials and I'll gladly show the hand that I'm holding. Otherwise, save it for the bank, hypocrite. There's no interest here. Now you pretend to be Mrs. Patriot: Too late to change those stripes, Sister. Fact is American Liberals Equal Solider Fratricide. Howard Dean & the damage, liberal-TEX, that your ilk have done can't be undone. You're a disgrace.

IamHeather:

You seem sexually frustrated.

My wife is sitting next to me and insists that I suggest you stop blogging and do something about that pent up frustration. You'll feel better; the anger will go...

My hitparade is more man than you could ever handle, lady.

Lady dove.

Those engaged in stalking and name-calling will, in turn, be subject to same. Naturally, I welcome - encourage- evaluative and interpretative disagreement.

The topic of my post, not the use of noun distraction raucously injected, is Free The U.S. Marine. His family, mother & father, siblings, grandparents, need our Nation's support. Inundate Congress Now!
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's a shame this has gotten side-tracked over the use of a single word, when HP & TW are on the same page here - both support that Marine & his actions.

Cheers,
Daiwa
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

You've been stalking me from day one with your nonsense.


Really?  That's new to me....and from what I can see, I've been here longer than the both of you.


Now you pretend to be Mrs. Patriot: Too late to change those stripes, Sister.


Actually, Tex has always been Mrs Patriot.  That's why she's doing her part for this great nation.  See, her husband's a soldier, and he's off in Afghanistan doing what soldiers do.   She's a military spouse, one of the thousands (myself included) who fight the fight for this country bu who are all too often left unmentioned.


 

You seem sexually frustrated.


Wow!  You managed to get that from that little response?  My, you must by psychic! 


My hitparade is more man than you could ever handle, lady


That's a matter of opinion...and very telling of your personality, I think.


I agree with daiwa, it is a shame that this has become so bitter and nasty over the use of a single word. 


For the record, I think that the marine in question did what he needed to do.  I think that any normal person in that situation, under that kind of stress, would have done the same. 

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
hitparade: As exciting as all this drama must be for you, I really don't need it.

I think it's incredibly cruel and unpatriotic for you to loose your venom on me when I am living without my husband and crying everyday because my children are growing up without him because he is off fighting the war on terror. I don't know if you are a religious man, but if you are, this is probably something you want to talk to God about. You have pushed hate on me when I am one of the ones who needs your support. When you berate and belittle me, you berate and belittle my husband as well, and it is most unbecoming, unChristian, and unAmerican.

Agree to close your account when I produce my credentials and I'll gladly show the hand that I'm holding.


I will not close my account because I enjoy writing, I enjoy my friends here, I am both the number 4 blogger and have the number 4 blogsite (that means that a few people actually read my blog), and because this is an activity that helps me get through the long days while my husband is in the Middle East.

If you had credentials, you would have already shared them. Chip has called your bluff, as have I. That also makes everything you write suspect in my mind because you have proven yourself to be dishonest.

IamHeather:

You seem sexually frustrated.

My wife is sitting next to me and insists that I suggest you stop blogging and do something about that pent up frustration. You'll feel better; the anger will go...

My hitparade is more man than you could ever handle, lady.

Lady dove.


First of all, that's disgusting, and sounds like something a sex-obessed teenager would write. Second of all, you need to leave iamheather out of your petty fit. You better hope her husband doesn't read that crap.

Those engaged in stalking and name-calling will, in turn, be subject to same.


Yes, it is good of you to show your superiority by returning evil for evil. I hardly think that a handful of replies on a thread or two of yours constitutes stalking. Curious why you haven't blacklisted me if I am causing you so much distress? As far as name-calling goes, I have yet to call you a name. I wonder why you mention that? Are you dying to let loose a torrent of profanity on me? I'd love for you to violate the TOS. That'd be beautiful.

Daiwa:
It's a shame this has gotten side-tracked over the use of a single word, when HP & TW are on the same page here - both support that Marine & his actions.


While hitparade and I are in agreement in offering our support for the Marine in question, I think his condescending and ungrateful attitude toward our military is a shame.

Thank you for your support, dharma. It means a lot to me.

Final note: It takes a big man to apologize and admit when he's wrong. Are you a big enough man? This is my last comment on this thread save one to accept your apology should you search your heart and feel the need to offer one to me.