http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-11-16-marine-media_x.htm

News outlets around the world are trying to make something out of the Marine who killed the wounded insurgent.

The Marine did his job -- he is a hero -- he's doing his job for America -- he volunteered -- he's been fighting 24/7 for several days -- to keep America safe -- nobody should question his actions -- this is war and war is hell. With that said...

I was in the Marine Infantry. At Infantry Squad Leaders School, they teach you to shoot all combatants. It's a lesson learned from Vietnam. You must shoot all combatants, unless it's daylight and the combatants are surrendering in plain view. There are several reasons. First, uninjured combatants may be boobytrapped. Second, injured or dead combatants may be boobytrapped. A common technique is to boobytrap a dead person with a grenade. The body is placed face down with a grenade underneath and the pin pulled. When the body is rolled over by a soldier, the clip is released and the grenade explodes. Soldiers/Marines are taught to roll prisoners over (if they must) by laying on the dead combatants back and rolling with them. If there is a grenade, the dead person's body absorbs the blast.

This isn't the first time that this Marine tactic (shooting injured/dead) has been questioned by the media. In the movie Heartbreak Ridge, starring Clint Eastwood, Eastwood's character appears to fire off a few bullets into a dead Cuban. I'm not sure if the scene was eventually deleted out of the movie, or reappeared in the video/DVD.

If this is the way it's going to be with the media, the Pentagon needs to pull all embedded reporters, since some of them do not have the patriotism to not exploit unfortunate war actions.

On Iwo Jima, I'd bet if there were embedded reporters, and they saw something that might be misconstrued by the public, they probably wouldn't have reported it. I'm not saying Kevin Sites (the reporter) is unpatriotic. But someone in his chain of command should have put a stop to this story, as this unfortunate war action will be propagandized by Liberal America and America haters around the world.

Kevin Sites has a blog concerning his war reporting at:

http://www.kevinsites.net/

Kevin's latest report, which was before the killing, is very interesting:

"The Marines are operating with liberal rules of engagement.

"Everything to the west is weapons free," radios Staff Sgt. Sam Mortimer of Seattle, Washington. Weapons Free means the marines can shoot whatever they see -- it's all considered hostile.

Our humvees pass by a body of a man in the center of the street. There is hole through his left eyes socket where a Marine sniper round passed cleanly through.

Down another side street is the body of a second man. This one dressed in clean white sneakers and athletic pants. He is on his back -- his arms behind his head, his face seems nearly peaceful, content. Not far from him--a Russian-made Dragonov sniper rifle. From the black ammo vest strapped to his chest loose 7.62 rounds have spilled to the ground."

I can't even believe they are treating him like that. I agree with you TOW. He did his job, and he is a HERO!! Why would you question his actions?? It just ticks me off!!

I wonder if the reporter would have been around if the wounded soldier were pulling the pin of a gernade. Hes not bitching about that.

quote:

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Originally posted by Joe:
I wonder if the reporter would have been around if the wounded soldier were pulling the pin of a gernade.

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NOPE, he sure wouldn't have. If they were though, they would have been like "Why didn't they shoot him to make sure..."

Please refer to SGreen84's petition thread on the USMC forum.

I signed it hours after my 14 yo daughter did.

I already have. . . and I would encourage anyone to forward it to any friends.

I signed at about 8000, now it's up to~ 18,815. I hope he knows he has that kind of support.

This was emailed to me. . . it is not my story.


This is one story of many that people normally don't hear, and one that

everyone does. This is just one most don't hear:

A young Marine and his cover man cautiously enter a room just recently
filled with insurgents armed with Ak-47's and RPG's. There are three dead,
another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor (doctor)!" He is badly wounded, lying in a pool of his own
blood. The Marine and his cover man slowly walk toward the injured man,
scanning to make sure no enemies come from behind. In a split second, the
pressure in the room greatly exceeds that of the outside, and the concussion seems to be felt before the blast is heard. Marines outside rush to the
room, and look in horror as the dust gradually settles. The result is a room filled with the barely recognizable remains of the deceased, caused by an
insurgent setting off several pounds of explosives.

The Marines' remains are gathered by teary eyed comrades, brothers in
arms, and shipped home in a box. The families can only mourn over a casket
and a picture of their loved one, a life cut short by someone who hid behind a white flag. But no one hears these stories, except those who have lived to carry remains of a friend, and the families who loved the dead. No one hears this, so no one cares.

This is the story everyone hears:

A young Marine and his fire team cautiously enter a room just recently
filled with insurgents armed with AK-47's and RPG's. There are three dead,
another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor (doctor)!" He is badly wounded. Suddenly, he pulls from
under his bloody clothes a grenade, without the pin. The explosion rocks the room, killing one Marine, wounding the others. The young Marine catches
shrapnel in the face. The next day, same Marine, same type of situation, a different story.
The young Marine and his cover man enter a room with two wounded insurgents. One lies on the floor in puddle of blood, another against the wall. A reporter and his camera survey the wreckage inside, and in the background
can be heard the voice of a Marine, "He's moving, he's moving!" The pop of a rifle is heard, and the insurgent against the wall is now
dead. Minutes, hours later, the scene is aired on national television, and the Marine is being held for committing a war crime. Unlawful killing. And now, another Marine has the possibility of being burned at the stake for protecting the life of his brethren. His family now wrings their hands
in grief, tears streaming down their face. Brother, should I have been in
your boots, i too would have done the same.

For those of you who don't know, we Marines, Band of Brothers, Jarheads, Leathernecks, etc., do not fight because we think it is right, or think it is wrong. We are here for the man to our left, and the man to our right. We
choose to give our lives so that the man or woman next to us can go home and see their husbands, wives, children, friends and families.
For those of you who sit on your couches in front of your television,
and choose to condemn this man's actions, I have but one thing to say to
you. Get out of you recliner, lace up my boots, pick up a rifle, leave your
family behind and join me. See what I've seen, walk where I have walked. To
those of you who support us, my sincerest gratitude. You keep us alive.

I am a Marine currently doing his second tour in Iraq. These are my
opinions and mine alone. They do not represent those of the Marine Corps or
of the US military, or any other.

Joe, Hoss, TOW, everyone else out there reading this, THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for the service you have given this country. I, as well as many others, are grateful for you. I respect, and look up to all of you. What a fine job you are doing/have done/continue to do. We shall never forget! You are all in my thoughts.

Joe, you and everyone else stay safe over there! Semper Fi.

Kevin Sites has issued his statement on the shooting: http://www.kevinsites.net/

I wish that you could go on national Television with these stories. There are way too many uneducated judgemental people out there that haven't got a clue. I am not a solder...I am an Army Brat of 18 years and Army spouse of 5 years. I spent nine month of pregnancy, labor, and delivery listening to fools on TV while my husband was there fighting for their rights to say such things. I am so greatful for all branches of the military whether serving in Iraq or not. These are the unselfish souls that signed contracts vowing to be a 24 hour soldiers and fight to the death for America. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Ma'am,

Thanks for all your support. Your support to your husband and his comrades is more than any soldier could ask for. In regards to the paper; what exactly is it about? If you need opinions shoot me your email address, and I'll see what I can come up with. Thanks. mjoeair@aol.com

Damn this incident with the reporter kinda reminds me of the same type of reporting in Nam, I guess this type of reporting will never change, it is Kevin Sites way to move up in the chain. I think the military must reveiw and clear all news reports from the embeded reporters.

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Originally posted by coachman:
I guess this type of reporting will never change

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Nope, and if it's possible, it will only get worse!

I think the stuff they show and report on TV should be cleared with the military before it's televised too, but we know that won't ever happen. They are just gonna keep on with what they are doing to make make sure their ratings are top notch...

Anyone who knows anything will agree that this Marine did exactly what his training told him to do. I would love to have seen what Mr. Kevin Sites would have done in the same situation. Probably gotten himself and probably a few of his fellow Marines killed by not taking action. The cry baby media wannabe should be booted out of Iraq and be banned from further imbedded operations. The Marine did the right thing and should be awarded, not punished.

I was giving the media presence some thought today, and thought of something I really hadn't ever thought of.

Why the hell are there correspondants for American news imbedded with the insurgants? NO matter WHAT their reasons it only promotes the insurgants cause by making them visible, and when they are visible they use that publicity as a show of force. Those reporters should be shot out there by accident.

Joe, I know I have said it before, but again, I agree with you COMPLETELY!!

cupla things here,,
most of the reporters "imbedded" with insurgents are not american citizens .. taking into account hostage taking .. beheading .. and what has ahappened to other journalists taken by insurgent types .. it could be deadly ..
as for censorship .. ya gotta be kiddin' .. the first reaction by the american public to censorship would be:
"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE??"
as for the marine .. and I'll be flamed for this .. screwed up when he shot the wounded prisner.. you don't just go and shoot wounded prisoners because you "think" he might be a threat .. I saw the tape .. i didn't see any "threatening" move .. and if shooting wounded is OK for us .. then what can we bytch about when our wounded are killed by insurgents ...

and Joe .. you ever think that by archiving the tape taken by the "embedded" journalists .. the bad guys can be ID-ed for later incarceration ??