thedrifter
02-27-07, 07:20 AM
Living in the now
By JOE BETTA
Monday, February 26, 2007 11:17 PM EST
Despite Geneva Convention rules prohibiting combat from protection of a sanctuary such as religious buildings, Marines responded to gunfire from what they learn are insurgents in civilian clothes. Two violations of the Convention by the enemy in one attack; yet, the political outrage is exclusively about Marines. Where is the outrage regarding the enemy?
Remember the political outrage regarding the Marine who put two rounds in a wounded insurgent's head while clearing a mosque in Fallujah? With emotions still fresh from the unnecessary casualties in a recent battle at Najah, the Marines weren't about to play that game again: they hosed the mosque down with small arms, rockets, and 40mm grenades!
A local politician could not wait for results of an investigation before publicly convicting these Marines of cold-blooded murder! Selection for Majority Leader and Speaker of the House were imminent at the time of this firefight and if national political exposure were needed to attain either one of these positions the timing could not have been more perfect.
Understanding the concern and efficiency required of these Marines in a built up area, I resented this political chicanery, particularly at the expense of young Marines in combat. Although I remained quiet a Marine serving in al Anbar Province saw the media report of this politician's condemnation and took the time to write his view of their dilemma: “It's a safety issue pure and simple. You clear the space; dump the chumps, and moveon.org.”
What if the shock provoked by this response was ignored as well as Americans who chose to ignore my disloyal congressman's murder conviction of them without a trial? What if we take a moment to summarize this Marines' long e-mail recounting his view of the battle?
As things quieted down on my way to the objective, I realized that my hearing was gone! I entered the first room only to find illegal combatants in civilian clothes; no uniforms! I remind myself that some of these guys are dead, some may be only pretending to be dead, waiting for me to bend over to check them out: I know that I, am their ticket to heaven. Martyrdom is revered by these guys, especially if they can take a few Marines with them.
So what if I take the time to “bend over” to check each one of them out? So what if the bad guys in the next room recover from our assault blasts as we do this? So what if I do pass them by and “get got” by a grenade or hidden explosive activated from their vests?
“There is no yesterday in Fallujah, there is no tomorrow, only now, right NOW. Have you ever lived in NOW for a week? It is really, really not easy! If you have never lived in NOW for longer than it takes to finish the big roller coaster at Six Flags, then shut your hole about putting Marines in jail for war crimes. Without even addressing the issues at hand, your first thought ought to be, “I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.”
Me too buddy, me too, but so what? So, I remind those for whom these Marines fight, to include over zealous politicians; of a note found on a C-ration case at Khe Sanh, 1968: “To those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never know.”
More importantly, when this Marine comes home, he really needs to hear what I read on the side of a paper coffee cup at Starbucks today: “There was never a decision; it was the right thing to do.”
( Marine Veteran Joe Betta of Somerset can be contacted at whatifsowhat@comcast.net)
Ellie
By JOE BETTA
Monday, February 26, 2007 11:17 PM EST
Despite Geneva Convention rules prohibiting combat from protection of a sanctuary such as religious buildings, Marines responded to gunfire from what they learn are insurgents in civilian clothes. Two violations of the Convention by the enemy in one attack; yet, the political outrage is exclusively about Marines. Where is the outrage regarding the enemy?
Remember the political outrage regarding the Marine who put two rounds in a wounded insurgent's head while clearing a mosque in Fallujah? With emotions still fresh from the unnecessary casualties in a recent battle at Najah, the Marines weren't about to play that game again: they hosed the mosque down with small arms, rockets, and 40mm grenades!
A local politician could not wait for results of an investigation before publicly convicting these Marines of cold-blooded murder! Selection for Majority Leader and Speaker of the House were imminent at the time of this firefight and if national political exposure were needed to attain either one of these positions the timing could not have been more perfect.
Understanding the concern and efficiency required of these Marines in a built up area, I resented this political chicanery, particularly at the expense of young Marines in combat. Although I remained quiet a Marine serving in al Anbar Province saw the media report of this politician's condemnation and took the time to write his view of their dilemma: “It's a safety issue pure and simple. You clear the space; dump the chumps, and moveon.org.”
What if the shock provoked by this response was ignored as well as Americans who chose to ignore my disloyal congressman's murder conviction of them without a trial? What if we take a moment to summarize this Marines' long e-mail recounting his view of the battle?
As things quieted down on my way to the objective, I realized that my hearing was gone! I entered the first room only to find illegal combatants in civilian clothes; no uniforms! I remind myself that some of these guys are dead, some may be only pretending to be dead, waiting for me to bend over to check them out: I know that I, am their ticket to heaven. Martyrdom is revered by these guys, especially if they can take a few Marines with them.
So what if I take the time to “bend over” to check each one of them out? So what if the bad guys in the next room recover from our assault blasts as we do this? So what if I do pass them by and “get got” by a grenade or hidden explosive activated from their vests?
“There is no yesterday in Fallujah, there is no tomorrow, only now, right NOW. Have you ever lived in NOW for a week? It is really, really not easy! If you have never lived in NOW for longer than it takes to finish the big roller coaster at Six Flags, then shut your hole about putting Marines in jail for war crimes. Without even addressing the issues at hand, your first thought ought to be, “I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.”
Me too buddy, me too, but so what? So, I remind those for whom these Marines fight, to include over zealous politicians; of a note found on a C-ration case at Khe Sanh, 1968: “To those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never know.”
More importantly, when this Marine comes home, he really needs to hear what I read on the side of a paper coffee cup at Starbucks today: “There was never a decision; it was the right thing to do.”
( Marine Veteran Joe Betta of Somerset can be contacted at whatifsowhat@comcast.net)
Ellie