I’ve learned a tiny bit about Marines in the last year and a half. We’re all familiar with the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, always faithful. “Once a Marine, always a Marine” is another Marine Corps saying. A Marine who is no longer active duty is usually referred to as a former Marine, never an ex-Marine. Ex-Marines are rare. Ex-Marines are those who are shunned by other Marines. It takes a lot for Marines to turn their backs on one of their own. You aren’t going to hear many active duty Marines call Murtha an ex-Marine, at least not in public, but an awful lot of former Marines certainly are. Is it any wonder?
The way Murtha conducted himself in the Haditha matter is especially repulsive. His media blitz condemning the Haditha Marines, a/k/a the Pendleton 8, as “cold-blooded” murderers before the investigation was even complete was outrageous, over the top, politically motivated, and itself cold-blooded. It also appears Murtha out and out lied about having already been briefed on the case by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps when he made those outrageous statements.
Since the recent recommendation was made to dismiss charges against Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, who had been charged with unpremeditated murder, his parents have called for Murtha to be censured. Others are calling for Murtha to resign. Considering the lack of leadership in Congress, I’d be shocked if either happens. However, I would like to see an attempt made because the media circus surrounding any debates or hearings might finally make the public aware of the true facts in the case. For the sake of the accused Marines and their families, it is important everyone understands precisely why the recommendation was made to drop the charges. The outing of Murtha as a bald faced liar would be icing on the cake. In 2006, the media was more than happy to simply repeat Murtha’s uninformed statements and lies, as well as the conflicting claims of anti-American Iraqi insurgents. Yes, I said insurgents. If your knowledge has been limited to television and print media, then you simply don’t know what you think you know about this case, or anything else for that matter.
If you’re interested in reading background on the facts, two good places to start are Sweetness And Light (scroll to the bottom for all prior posts on Haditha), and Euphoric Reality.
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