Words From Another Great America... a Continuing Series

[RACastanet]

Since this topic seems to draw out heartfelt emotions, here is another one:


This letter is for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, ''Islamic Response,'' and the rest of the so-called "insurgents" in Iraq. I obviously do not have an e-mail address for these vermin, so I am forwarding this letter to my entire address book in the hope you good people will forward it to as many people as possible, and that eventually through the miracle of the internet it somehow ends up in the hands of the intended recipients. Thank you all for your assistance.


To the terrorists currently operating in Iraq,

I see that you have captured a U. S. Marine, and that you plan to cut off his head if your demands are not met. Big mistake. Before you carry out your threat I suggest you read up on Marine Corps history. The Japanese tried the same thing on Makin Island and in a few other places during World War Two, and came to regret it. Go ahead and read about what then happened to the mighty Imperial Army on Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They paid full price for what they did, and you will too.

You look at America and you see a soft target, and to a large extent you are right. Our country is filled with a lot of spoiled people who drive BMWs, sip decaf lattes and watch ridiculous reality TV shows. They are for the most part decent, hard working citizens, but they are soft. When you cut off Nick Berg's head those people gasped, and you got the media coverage you sought, and then those people went back to their lives. This time it is different. We also have a warrior culture in this country, and they are called Marines. It is a brotherhood forged in the fire of many wars, and the bond between us is stronger than blood. While it is true that this country has produced nitwits like Michael Moore, Howard Dean and Jane Fonda who can be easily manipulated by your gruesome tactics, we have also produced men like Jason Dunham, Brian Chontosh and Joseph Perez. If you don't recognize those names you should. They are all Marines who distinguished themselves fightin! g to liberate Iraq, and there will be many more just like them coming for you.

Before the current politically correct climate enveloped our culture one of the recruiting slogans of our band of brothers was "The Marine Corps Builds Men." You will soon find out just how true that is. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a bunch of women. If you were men you would show your faces, and take us on in a fair fight. Instead, you are cowards who hide behind masks and decapitate helpless victims. If you truly represented the interest of the Iraqi people you would not be ambushing those who come to your country to repair your power plants, or sabotage the oil pipelines which fuel the Iraqi economy. Your agenda is hate, plain and simple.

When you raise that sword over your head I want you to remember one thing. Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is not alone as he kneels before you. Every Marine who has ever worn the uniform is there with him, and when you strike him you are striking all of us. If you think the Marines were tough on you when they were cleaning out Fallujah a few weeks ago you haven't seen anything yet. If you want to know what it feels like to have the Wrath of God called down upon you then go ahead and do it. We are not Turkish truck drivers, or Pakistani laborers, or independent contractors hoping to find work in your country. We are the United States Marines, and we will be coming for you.

Andy B.
MSgt USMC (Ret)

Thanks for reading this.

Rich

[Valkenar]

You, on the other hand, are nothing but a bunch of women. If you were men you would show your faces, and take us on in a fair fight. Instead, you are cowards who hide behind masks and decapitate helpless victims.

Yeah, decapitating people just like women always do!

As for the rest, eh, seems like a bunch of generic bravado. Has anyone ever really been scared off by some big strong threatening words from the opposing side in a war? Everybody likes to talk big and threaten to get even. It might do some good circulated among the Marines to pump them up for battle, but I doubt it'll impress our enemies anymore than their vitriol impresses us.

[RACastanet]

No Justin, no false bravado here.

The Marines have been very restrained for the last year. Should this Marine be murdered by these butchers there will be hell to pay. They are not sitting on their hands right now, they are are getting ready to act as necessary.

Justin also said: 'but I doubt it'll impress our enemies anymore than their vitriol impresses us.'

You do not know your history very well. The Marines have a very well deserved reputation on the field of battle. That is one hornets nest you truly do not want to poke.

Rich

[Bill Glasheen]

I don't know, Rich. I think I have to go with Justin on this one. These insurgents have been poking and poking and poking, looking for a response. Given their actions, they don't seem all that enlightened.

Remember, it was Saddam who talked about "the mother of all battles," and then executed the mother of all retreats.

The way I see it, these idiots are soon to become a recipient of The Darwin Award.

- Bill

[Valkenar]

No Justin, no false bravado here.

You do not know your history very well. The Marines have a very well deserved reputation on the field of battle. That is one hornets nest you truly do not want to poke.

I neither said nor meant false bravado. I recognize that the marines have a well-deserved reputation for combat prowess. The article was still bravado, or perhaps machismo if you prefer that word. Basically, expressions of the form "I Am Awesome And Will Kick Yor Ass!!! Roar!!!"

[cxt]

Valkanar

And there is something wrong with the personal expression of a former fighting man?

You seem to be either irked or disdain the personal expression of the ret Marine.

Perhaps it was "bravado" or as you characterized it "machismo."

But has it occured to you that the expression was designed more to show support and motivate OUR guys than it was to somehow "scare" the enemy??

That just perhaps is WAS (as you yourself suggest) supposed to "pump up" some of our troops??

If so then why the dissmissive tone???

[Valkenar]

And there is something wrong with the personal expression of a former fighting man?

Depends what you mean. I'm more than happy to have him expressing whatever he wants to express. It's still a free country, for the most part, and I'm a big fan of free speech.

As for the content of it, eh, I'm not bowled over.

You seem to be either irked or disdain the personal expression of the ret Marine.

I'm not irked, but disdainful, possibly. I find it a bit lame and silly overall. Some of the attitudes expressed are things I would not want myself associated with, and to the extent that the words of your country's soldiers represent you, it embarasses me that this is how we might present ourselves to the world.

That just perhaps is WAS (as you yourself suggest) supposed to "pump up" some of our troops??

If so then why the dissmissive tone???

Either it's aimed at the terrorists, or the marines, and I am neither of those things. If it's useful to them, and helps them get their job done, then that's fine. But my understand is that its position on these boards is for the purpose of discussion and debate, and that's why I offered my opinion on it.

I'm not the best qualified to critique its value as propaganda for our troops. I would guess, as I indicated that it might be useful for that. And that's fine.

[Bill Glasheen]

I'm not the best qualified to critique its value as propaganda for our troops. I would guess, as I indicated that it might be useful for that. And that's fine.

I think that's the point, Justin.

If I were that Marine in custody, and knew the knife was soon to hit my throat, I'd want the following.

1) My buddies to speak up for me, as they have.

2) To die by the method of MY choosing. They would get their body. They wouldn't get the film they wanted...

This is combat, and these are soldiers at war. (This is also a martial arts forum) View it in that context.

Marines don't make idle threats. When I run over a yellowjacket nest with my lawnmower as I have done several times before, I get ambushed. If I were to shoot a cop, I would expect a similar swarm, and it would take more than an EpiPen to save me.

Want to torture a Marine? Go ahead...but don't expect to be in the gene pool for long. That's not bravado; it's the way it is. This Espirit de Corp exists both in nature and in man.

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

I also find it interesting that Corporal Hassoun is: 1) a deserter, and 2) a Muslim. And yet his Marine brothers are willing to put their own lives in jeopardy for him?

It reminds me of when I was a child, and someone was beating on me. My older brother caught the guy and beat the snot out of him. And after he was done, he said "Only I get to kick my brother's butt."

Felt goooood!

- Bill

[cxt]

Valkenar

The purpose of the board is "discussion and debate" thats why I was curious to here more of why you find the ret marines statement to be "distasteful" (MY WORD NOT YOURS)

I see it as a statement made by a guy that is a ret marine--which I see as being pretty "gung ho" to start with.
A statement designed to show support for the troops and possibly motavate them a bit.

I don't see anything "silly" about it.

You do, thats cool.

Just wanted to get a better handle on why you think its "silly" and what attitude it expresses that you find a that "embaresses" you.

[Valkenar]

Just wanted to get a better handle on why you think its "silly" and what attitude it expresses that you find a that "embaresses" you.

Okay, well here goes.

As for silliness, I just find myself rolling my eyes when people describe how big and tough they are. Not because it means they aren't, just that it seems like a dopey kind of thing to do. Bleh, I'm not describing this well, maybe I'll try comparing it to other things.

I guess it seems about like an apes thumping its chest, or a peacock strutting around. Like a lawyer hitting on a woman in a bar by pointing out a $200,000 a year salary and a mercedes driving habit. I get the same reaction as a professional wrestler challenging another in typical pro-wrestler fashion. Why do I find these things funny? I don't know, maybe I just have more respect for reserved confidence than boistrous self-agrandizement. Maybe it's the disparity between what I think matters in life and what is implied by these sort of expressions.

Anyhow, the marines are for real and can back up their big words. but all the same, the big words themselves are just goofy.

As for what I don't want to be associated with. Well, the undercurrent of bigotry and sexism, the overall beligerant arrogance (something America already has a reputation for internationally), for a start. Maybe throw in the condescending dig against the general populace of America for stupid reasons (BMWs, Latte, etc).

[pshaw]

For me it just reminds me of the guy you knew in high school, that for him, high school was the BEST time of his entire life and he is constantly reliving "the big game."

Anyhow, from my understanding the words of bravado did not scare the decapitating women and the Marine in question is dead.

[RACastanet]

"and the Marine in question is dead"

You know this? You sound pretty cavalier about his demise. Shame on you. It is people like you, not Bush or the Marines, that shame Americans.

Rich

[RACastanet]

Bill said: 'I also find it interesting that Corporal Hassoun is: 1) a deserter'

Actually, I believe he is lised as 'UA'... unauthorized absence'.

'UA' is a much lesser offense the desertion. Marines joke about having their 'UA' bag handy should they need to get away in a hurry. Or, have a fresh set of underwaer and a shaving kit with them should they find some reason to 'stay over with someone'.

Or, they may need to leave quickly to take care of 'Jody', the namesake of the a-hole that has taken up with his girlfriend (possibly boyfriend as there are many female Marines) or spouse.

I take my 'UA' bag with me whenever I visit Quantico (more of a reverse UA bag) and decide to stay up there because I'm worn out or need to be on deck the following morning at 0500.

Rich

[cxt]

Valkenar

Ok, I get it.

Fair enough.

Where I differ is the assumptions your making about the underlining "meaning" of the post.

From my perspective your making a truckload of assumptions concerning what you see as "bigotry" and "arrogance." or "self angrandizment" (sp)

I think that is a questionable ( or at least arguable) interpratation of the post.

I think what you see as "implied" in the post has more to do with your own outlook, worldview and experince than anything actually said.

Course that would be accurate of MY view of what it implied as well.

I don't think its at all inaccurate in its casting of terrorist organiztions--the last thing want is a stand up, up front fight--they DO prefer to strike at unarmed, unaware civ--because guys with gun could kill you.

Several of the Al Quade guys were caught dressed as women.

Guy is also on target about the popularity of reality tv and Starbucks--so I can't really fault him there.

Also think he was right about most Americans being "decent, hard working people."

Overall the guy is not that far off.