Surge Report Upon Deaf Ears
Troops Political Pawn In Iraq War
By Marco Martinez
You can tell a lot about a nation by whom it trusts.
I am a former gang member-turned-Marine, not a statistician. But when I read that a Pew Research Center survey recently found that 76% of Republicans “have confidence” in the U.S. military to give an accurate picture of the war vs. only 36% of Democrats, the long-range consequences of a divided country became clear: We’ve become a nation that sees its soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines as political pawns, not patriots. Like thousands of combat veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I am now home, working and attending college. Yet it is the pre-presidential election climate I see stateside that concerns me most for my brothers and sisters in arms.
Gen. David Petraeus, who has faced Herculean challenges of mortal consequence, will issue his report on progress in Iraq next week. Regardless of what he reports, it’s worth reminding the American people — and all politicians in Washington — that the troops must not become the rope in a political tug of war on Capitol Hill.
When I hear members of Congress, such as House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., say that progress with the surge might create a “real big problem for us” in moving toward withdrawal, I think back to the hellish fighting my fellow Marines and I endured — and I feel ashamed that any American would make such a seemingly reckless political calculation. Knowing that a politician might view success in Iraq as an electoral problem is political zealotry in the extreme. Does Clyburn’s remark, though his alone, reflect a growing anxiety among Democrats that success in Iraq might complicate plans for ending the war?
Political dissent is healthy, especially when the issue is as critical as the Iraq war. But so is human decency. When an anti-war protester at the college I attend found out I was an Iraq veteran, she called me “a disgusting human being.” I felt sorry for her, so blinded by politics that she had abandoned basic civility. Thankfully, she doesn’t represent most Americans who oppose the war. But I worry about those still on the battlefield, and the individuals they will face when they return to a nation embroiled in election politics.
Many combat veterans, like me, have the luxury of watching the political debates from the safety of America. Not true for the 190,000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Undermining the efforts of those whom one claims to support is the height of hubris.
Is it too much to ask that politicians view U.S. progress in Iraq as positive and not negative? I pray not.
Marco Martinez, a recipient of the Navy Cross, is author of the forthcoming book Hard Corps: From Gangster to Marine Hero.
Navy Cross Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as 1st Fire Team Leader, 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 12 April 2003. Responding to a call to reinforce his Platoon that was ambushed, Corporal Martinez effectively deployed his team under fire in supporting positions for a squad assault. After his squad leader was wounded, he took control and led the assault through a tree line where the ambush originated. As his squad advanced to secure successive enemy positions, it received sustained small arms fire from a nearby building. Enduring intense enemy fire and without regard for his own personal safety, Corporal Martinez launched a captured enemy rocket propelled grenade into the building temporarily silencing the enemy and allowing a wounded Marine to be evacuated and receive medical treatment. After receiving additional fire, he single-handedly assaulted the building and killed four enemy soldiers with a grenade and his rifle. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Corporal Martinez reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Thanks Corporal Martinez, you are an asset to America, to come from a gang background to a Navy Cross wow! it’s “pure Individual stamina” that got you there, but the real psychological fight will be your years in college. I hated dealing with brain dead socialist all day long boy… good luck. I wish a guy like you could go with medals on chest to help Gen. Petraeus and verbally flame those rabid rats he has to show respect for.
September 9th, 2007 at 6:06 pmThanks Ig
September 9th, 2007 at 6:07 pmIn case you didn’t know, the audio overlaps occasionally.
Also, I just watched your Islamic State of Kosovo video for the second time, thinking that it might relate to the idea of a “soft-partition” of Sunni and Shi’a in Iraq. Have you heard about this? I was wondering what your opinion on the idea is. It’s the issue that we’re covering in my debate class this month, and I’d like to see if you had any original thoughts on it. Personally, I think the idea is retarded in the utmost, for multiple reasons (maybe because the only article on the issue my teacher has given us so far is Liberally biased), but I’ll spare you a rant.
September 9th, 2007 at 6:10 pmWell said Gents. I couldn’t agree more. I got just two words for the Dhimicratz and they rhyme with Duck Stew.
Semper Fi
September 9th, 2007 at 6:19 pmPatriot:
You might find this article helpful:
September 9th, 2007 at 6:22 pmhttp://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=ACE7CC81-F4EC-45B8-8947-DDB94BEF1D52
“Most people at the end of life wonder if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem.” Ronald Reagan
Semper Fi, All the best from an old Cav. Trooper
September 9th, 2007 at 6:30 pmDon’t think that the democrats care for one moment, they don’t.
September 9th, 2007 at 7:16 pmSoft Partition, tough one. It “sounds” like a good idea, but I think it may be more of a near term fix, with long term repercussions that make the short term goals not worth while. Here are a few things to consider:
1. The Bosnia model is not that comparable. Different actors, different circumstances. Also, look at the current situation; the federation in Bosnia is held together not by a weak, or strong for that matter, central government. Rather it is held together by the UN/NATO. If that outside actor was not present, the successes in Bosnia would probably not exist. The UN/NATO presence is not contested there either. If we translated this to Iraq, there would have to be a serious outside presence to hold everything together, and that outside agency has to be accepted – or at least not bombed and sniped at daily. We would probably be the outside agency and the insurgency must stop for this to be possible.
2. If you have read lately, Kosovo is planning on declaring independence this December. Serbia is threatening military force, and Russia is publicly supporting Serbia. Not everything is so glorious in Bosnia.
3. As for Iraq, here are some issues:
A. Who will draw the borders? And what will happen to the border towns? One can assume that they will be contested.
B. Who will represent the nation in Baghdad? Will they rotate the job between regions? Will the regions have issues when their leader is not in power? Will they have representatives from each region controlling every office? How effective would that be?
C. A good portion of Iraq is mixed, especially in the cities. It would be hard to make people choose between Sunni/Shia/Kurd, if their families are from all three.
4. Each region will undoubtedly have their own military, ultimately controlled by the region vice the weaker central government. The Shia have most of the oil, then the Kurds, and the Sunni have nothing. Though they must share their revenue with everyone. Hate and greed are key Arab characteristics, you would imagine that the power of controlling the oil would translate into internal power struggles.
Soft Partition does not take into account the interests of regional actors. Iran will be anti Kurd, and pro Shia. They will be happy to influence Shia domination. The Sunni will have Syria and Sadi Arabia to counter balance that.
Like Kosovo, the Shia and the Kurds would have good reason to build themselves up and declare independence. This would cripple the Sunni, who have no oil resources. The Sunni, like Serbia, would have to resort with force. Then we may very well have internal civil war coupled with a regional proxy war. I would imagine that these regions would eventually become independent from Iraq, or one will dominate the region.
5. We have to remember that these people are Arabs with no significant history of cooperation. Their governing axiom is “might makes right”. Based on Arab culture alone, this idea of soft partition will not work. The Kurds will succeed, but they are not Arabs. And they will only be even more isolated in a region of intolerance.
Hope this helps. I tried to be brief. If you need me to dive deeper into anything, lemme know.
Semper,
September 9th, 2007 at 8:36 pmIggy
Great vid Iggy.
“Troops Political Pawn In Iraq War”
That is what has always bothered me since day one and you nailed it here especially about the surge report.
The left does not have a consistent plan to deal with the
enemy except for wrist slaps and that just will not do it.
Sgt. Marco Martinez is a hero and a great role model.
September 9th, 2007 at 8:50 pmI will have to check out his book, Hard Core from Gangster to War Hero. I am sure it will be compelling.
Very eloquently put.
Thank you for your service and your words.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:47 pmI wonder what percentage of those polled about the military would say about their trust for politicians? These are the same people who told us that Bush cant possibly lead a war since he never participated in one, well then tell me can politicans give us an accurate view of this war if they are not participating in it?
September 9th, 2007 at 10:10 pmAbsolutely wonderful man. I know what he means about the people becoming so blind when it comes to politics and the Military. I don’t care, though. They will NOT do to our men and our women as they did in the past. We will not allow that. Maybe this is what is frustrating them? I do not care. They are heroes, and they deserve a heroes welcome home. And by golly that is what they’re going to get! Thank you for the article but more importantly, thank each and every one of them for their service so that I may sit around and scribble away whatever thoughts I may have. My God, what I do is nothing in the scheme of life, not compared to what they do. God bless them all.
September 9th, 2007 at 11:53 pmHey Iggy-
Thanks so much for the intellect and history - must piss John Kerry off that you are not only the best in what you do, but you also have a brain and a college degree - but also, as we say around New England, “you ah so wicket smaht”…..
I cannot tell you sometimes how embarrassed I am coming from Massachusetts where everyone in Boston and Cape Cod seem to hate the military, except for the extremely brave patriotic families in small towns who have given so much….
I often love every day I am alive, except Saturday mornings when I have to go to the main post office in Falmouth, MA and all the hippy wacko moonbats are in the way calling the military bad names and saying George Bush should be impeached…I don’t get it… listening to him and the military and how they protect me makes me sleep well every night thank God…
I love your posts - My Dad was a Marine - I am sorry, Always a Marine, in Korea and you make him so proud. HOO-rah…
Here are a couple of questions I have for you:
1.) Does it not make you nervous with the recent military sale of 30 TOR M-1 air-defense missile systems to Tehran. In addition to Syria and Iran, Moscow has negotiated sales agreements with Sudan. Also, Moscow continues to sell small arms and helicopters to the Hamas administration in the Palestinian Authority, which is boycotted both by Washington and Jerusalem. All in all, Russia will sell weapons worth $4 billion to Iran, worth $2 billion to Syria, and worth $400 million to Sudan, AND in 2005, Moscow and Caracas signed an agreement that allowed for the sale to Venezuela of 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles and 15 Mi-17 and Mi-35 combat helicopters. AND, what would you say to W about his “friend”, Putin?
2.) What are your thoughts on Turkey, with the recent Abdullah Gül becoming the first person with a political Islamist past to become President of Turkey yesterday after a four-month battle by his party and supporters in the face of strong opposition from the military and secularist elite. He says he won’t, but we know better…
3.) What is the ONE thing you would like me to tell all the politicians I meet with?
Also, if there are any serviceman in need of setting up blogs or websites and need help and free hosting, please have them contact me - WE NEEED MORE military voices online! My company would be proud to help you or anyone else to the best of our ability..
I don’t want to sound goofy or redundant, because I know there are many agencies and orgs for sending soldiers packages, but can you email me personally with some of your buddies and what they need shipped to them - I really want to help - and I would really like to help and have some real attachment and conversation about what is going on so I can make all these morons bak here understand what you all are going through… like helping them with blogs or websites or just feel like I am contributing and really truly helping our troops overseas…..and sending packages…what do you guys need???
.P.S…I send good packages…DVDs and old iPods…hahaha
September 10th, 2007 at 1:03 amThe dumasses in Cogress are already showing their cards.
Dumbass #1 Arlen Spector - “As I’ve said in the past, unless we see some light at the end of the tunnel here, very closely examining what General Petraeus and others have to say, I think there’s a general sense that there needs to be a new policy.”
me: Funny, I thought FM 3-24 WAS the new policy? Did I miss something?
Dumbass #2 - Joe Biden” “The reality is that, although there has been some mild progress on the security front, there is, in fact, no real security in Baghdad or Anbar province, where I was dealing with the most serious problem, sectarian violence,” said Biden, a 2008 presidential candidate who recently returned from Iraq.”
me: Spend alot of time in the Green Zone in the rear with gear perhaps? Spoken like the clueless oxygen thief that he is.
“This president has no plan — how to win and/or how to leave,” Biden said.
me: How about victory dumb ass Biden?
“Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., agreed. “The problem is, if you don’t have a deadline and you don’t require something of the Iraqis, they’re simply going to use our presence as cover for their willingness to delay, which is what they have done month after month after month,” he said.”
me: Now why would I want to listen to a traitor like Kerry? Does the former leader of the “VV against the war” think it’s 1969 all over again? Must be the pot huh?
Nevertheless, they’re losing the argument. Code Pink and the rest of the tinfoilers have that much figured out.
But these fucktards insist on staying on message…in order to use the GWOT as a stick to hit the CIC with.
What a bunch of low-lifes they are.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:35 amIggy,
Great vid and post. Since I pretty much agree with everything you say I don’t have anything really to add but one question:
You mention NATO quickly in your post. I was wondering if you have any experience working with any NATO allies besides the UK or Canada? I am really interested in the military capabilities of our NATO friends. My best friend was 82nd and 10th Mountain and worked with the Poles and Brits. He said that the soldiers themselves are pretty good, but their military capabilities on a whole are lacking. I see this as a huge problem.
If you have the time I would like to know what you think.
John
September 10th, 2007 at 4:24 amI didnt get called a disgusting human being yet but I have been asked “Well how was it like killing some Iraqi kids?” and also my personal favorite “What is it like being brainwashed?”
September 10th, 2007 at 5:41 amWell Said~
“Most people at the end of life wonder if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem.” Ronald Reagan
Semper Fi, All the best from an old Cav. Trooper
Semper Fidelis CPL. Martinez
September 10th, 2007 at 7:49 amScouts out! from an old cav Trooper Myself
Thanks Iggy and Dan,
There’s nothing better than shooting down someone’s points, especially when the point that they make is the most widely used by their side. Luckily, my partner and I were assigned to take the neg. side of the issue.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:15 pmJJ26,
As far as NATO specific, the Brits are good to go and so are the Dutch Marines. Although the Brits bring more “ass” to the fight, they just have a broader capability. I worked with several militaries through Asia, and we classify them as having “First World militaries on a Third World budget”. All the gear, but no training or proficiency. We are truly the world leader in conventional military power; and our massive defense budget proves that, and our wonderful and free country justifies it.
Leslie - I will get to you soon, great questions, and Semper Fi.
September 10th, 2007 at 7:26 pmI announced my intent to become a Marine, and immediately was told by some douche from Massachusetts that I was going to die in a “pointless” war.
Typical fuckin’ hippy. I’m glad I don’t live in New England.
September 11th, 2007 at 12:55 am“Selon le Wall Street Journal, les Etats-Unis ont l’intention de construire un dispositif à rayons X et des détecteurs de matières explosives afin d’intercepter les livraisons d’armes et d’explosifs du régime des mollahs à ses protégés irakiens. Seulement voilà, ce beau dispositif High Tech ne sera pas opérationnel avant deux ans.
En attendant cette barrière de laser digne de la « Planète Interdite », une première base militaire sera construite à une dizaine de kilomètres de la frontière irano-irakienne dont la longueur excède les 1100 kilomètres ! Son efficacité n’est pas à démontrer.
La porosité de la frontière irano-irakienne n’est pas à sens unique : Si les mollahs inondent l’Irak d’armes, d’explosifs et de dollars contrefaits pour payer des mercenaires à leurs soldes, les Américains soutiennent les guérilleros du PKK et ces derniers multiplient des opérations d’infiltrations en Iran pour tendre des pièges à des patrouilles de Pasdaran ou pour abattre leur hélicoptères à coup de missiles de type Stinger.
En réponse à ces agressions, les mollahs ont également décidé de sécuriser la portion de cette longue frontière qui permet ces infiltrations. Ils ont simplement décidé d’ériger un mur de 4 mètres de haut entre Ghandil et Hadj Omran. Il sera opérationnel immédiatement.
La guerre post 11 septembre est asymétrique et artisanale du côté des mollahs, conventiennelle, High Tech et robotique du côté Yankee. C’est la guerre des cafards qui ont lu Sun-tzu contre les X-men qui n’ont rien appris du 11 septembre.
© WWW.IRAN-RESIST.ORG”
and would Turkey let a free Kurdistan exist ? I have a doubt
September 11th, 2007 at 6:18 amfrenchy….
You’re wanting us to be pressing 1 for English???
Yeah that’s happening….
September 11th, 2007 at 10:51 amI don’t mind if you still are for freedom of expression ;
one can adapt, foreign vocabulary might add some precision (or color, sorry my aesthetism again
)
September 11th, 2007 at 12:04 pmIggy,
Thanks for your response. I appreciate your insight.
Keep up the good work!
John
September 11th, 2007 at 12:13 pmGood vid, Iggy. I was a kid in the 60’s when this country was somewhat polarized, but I have never seen it as polarized as it is today.
And the liberal left is just plain wrong.
They’re wrong.
The ads that Moveon.org have run regarding Gen. Petraeus are despicable. These whiney pukes really live in some lala fantasy land.
Awe-Inspiring is right about Martinez. Unbelievable, I’ll be buying the book.
YOU keep fighting the Good Fight, as well, as I know you will.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:29 ampatriot:
Outstanding. You will do well.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:06 pmFrenchy:
The word is Aestheticism.
What does “art for art’s sake” have to do with Iggy’s vid or your comments. Are you trying to say you’re just bullshitting around?
September 12th, 2007 at 3:09 pmDanny, you are such a clever guy, I was responding to Sully though
September 13th, 2007 at 4:23 amIggy is that book Hardcore out yet?
September 14th, 2007 at 10:17 pmThe Book, Hard Corps:… should be out 25 September. You can pre-order it from amazon for $16.47, hardcover. I just saw him on Fox News. He is an inspiring guy.
September 15th, 2007 at 10:17 am