4,000 Rubes? Marine Veteran Answers “Fuck the Troops” Article
You guys may remember back on our old website we used to have a section called “Reader Posts”…Howie was a regular there. He sent this in to us in response to the asswipe article “4,000 Rubes…”
“So, 4000 rubes are dead. Cry me the Tigris. Another 30,000 have been seriously wounded. Boo fucking hoo. They got what they asked for—and cool robotic limbs too.”
This the beginning of Ian Murphy’s article entitled “Fuck the Troops”, and I had to ask myself a questions after that first paragraph; Am I the only American that does not get this mindset? I think not.
I think the majority of America would agree that military service is very noble and honorable. I would also venture that the majority of America, excluding those on the very far left fringes of political thinking, would agree that Americans should respect and honor those who choose to serve their country by donning the uniform of their selected branch of the service.
To answer the question that Mr. Murphy poses in his third paragraph, “What service are they doing?” They are doing several services; some are new hats that the military is still growing into. First and foremost they protect America, our Constitution, Americans, our way of life and our interests both here and abroad. Mr. Murphy may not understand this, but that is most likely because he has never put on a uniform or agreed with anyone putting one on.
When you take the Oath when you sign on that dotted line you swear to defend this Great Nation from all enemies both foreign and domestic. And our military has fought all over the globe to do just that. You can trace the honor and dignity of our armed forces all the way back to our humble beginnings, the Revolutionary War. The United States military has always had a policy of minimizing civilian casualties, collateral damage, to the best of its ability. I don’t know of anyone who thrives on the unnecessary loss of life, but I firmly believe General Macarthur said it best “War is Hell”. Unfortunately war is full of shooting and things blowing up, and you can only control where bullets go to a point. And putting a missile in the upper left window of a building is a whole lot better than carpet bombing. Our Service Members are very mindful of where and at what they shoot at; and they value human life more than most. Like anything else that you may do in life, or any other vocation, there are going to be some people that are just bad actors. What most Americans do not know, only because it is not reported because it does not fit the agenda of a lot of news agencies, is that the men and women that are serving over seas are better behaved than the majority of their age group here at home. You are more at risk of becoming the victim of a violent crime here in the United States than you are as a member of the military serving in a foreign theater.
Our military has also been tasked with rebuilding neighborhoods and communities, physically as well as emotionally and spiritually. This is a rather new hat that our Soldiers and Marines are still growing into. Most Americans do not seem to realize that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines also act as unofficial ambassadors. The average person in a foreign land will encounter a young Lance Corporal or Private First Class long before they encounter the groups that are tasked with assisting with the rebuilding of the specific community. Their conduct is seen, and judged, by the local residents every day. The fact that the majority of Iraqis and Afghanis support our troops being in their country, appreciate our helping hand, and welcomes our men and women in uniform speaks volumes. And you really have to give these young 18 and 19 year olds a lot of credit because as a group they have risen to the challenge admirably. How many of you as armchair quarterbacks actually believe that you could do what these kids are; and they are doing while they are being shot at, at times. I don’t even think that I could do what they are doing as well as they are, and I am a Former Marine. I don’t think that Mr. Murphy could hold a candle to these young men and women in his wildest dreams!
These men and women that hear the calling to put on that uniform day in and day out are not stuck in a bad situation. They have not made a bad decision, they have just chosen to journey down a path that Mr. Murphy does not comprehend. Some of the smartest people I have ever met in my life either are or were in the United States military. Today’s fighting men and women are more educated than at any other time in our nation’s history. Mr. Murphy and Senator Kerry just don’t seem to get the concept that military service is just that, service. It is a calling just like becoming a doctor, police officer, or a paramedic. The best example that I can give you is my brothers’ room-mate while he was in the Marine Corps. The young PFC was only 18 years old when he enlisted, and he did not join because he needed the college money or he was uneducated. The fact of the matter is the only thing keeping him from possessing a Masters degree was his professor not agreeing with his Masters thesis. I don’t think he falls into Senator Kerry’s “..if you don’t do your homework and get good grades you’ll end up stuck in Iraq…” I think he exemplifies the type of individual that signs that dotted line and takes that oath to heart.
People that tend to think like Mr. Murphy enjoy the luxury of exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech because of people like Corporal Jason Dunham, Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, or Sergeant First Class Paul Smith. All three have been posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. All three gave there lives to not only save the lives of those that they served with; they gave their lives to ensure that Mr. Murphy could continue to speak freely in English instead of German, Russian, or Chinese. I would bet my bottom dollar that even after reading Mr. Murphy’s thoughts they would make the same decisions, and follow the same calling that they had. God bless them and keep them!
People that think like Mr. Murphy come up with catchy phrases like “No blood for oil”, “Bush lied and people died” or “We support the troops when they decide to frag their officers”. I would very much like to see them try to descent in any other country the way that we tolerate your disrespect. I would be willing to guess that they would not get a very warm reception from the local authorities. The fact that Mr. Murphy is able to spew his unappreciative and disrespectful rhetoric towards our brave men and women in uniform is proof enough of the service that they do.
Mr. Murphy says that “Liberals need to start calling a moron a moron—and openly mocking that moron if his positions or actions are indefensible.” What happened to liberals being the only group that took up fighting intolerance? It sounds to me that, or at least in Mr. Murphy’s description of liberals, that they are the group of intolerance. Where would liberals be if it was not for those of us who heard the calling and put on that uniform, and vowed to stand in-between them and those that would strip those rights from them? I do however agree that it is time to start calling a moron a moron; I just disagree with him as to who the moron is. I wonder if Mr. Murphy holds the same contempt for his local police. A good majority of police officers are veterans; some are still serving as reservists. Is Mr. Murphy the type of guy that has nothing but contempt for police until he is in dire need of their services? My guess is he is the first guy to complain about police harassment when they come and knock on his door, but the first to cry foul if they do not respond to his 911 call fast enough.
What if I am able to argue the facts, not the feelings, of our nation’s positions and actions? If my memory serves me correctly WMD’s were only one in a list of reasons to go to Iraq; and Saddam Hussein had fourteen months to change the course that his regime and America were on, and he chose not to. In fact, the majority of the intelligence agencies around the world all had the same information and opinion as America’s intelligence agencies. One of Saddams’ captured Generals told us that he was surprised that Saddam did not use the chemical weapons that the General was informed would be used on our military personnel.
Don’t forget about the 17 United Nations Security Council resolutions that Saddam did not comply with. Or the fact that the Gulf War never really ended, we were only in a cease fire; and Saddam was required to comply with all UN inspectors. Each of these 17 acts of defiance in and of itself would justify our actions. I firmly believe that Saddam had the WMD’s, he just hid them in the fourteen month run-up to the war, and they are probably in Syria. But hopefully we will never know for sure if I am correct because they are never used.
Mr. Murphy in short I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your protected right to bad mouth our brave men and women in uniform and burn American flags. Just make sure that you thank those that have protected and still are protecting these rights for you, “The Troops” and “The Vets” of the United States of America.
You are welcome.
John “Howie” Howell
L/Cpl USMC
1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn.
1st Marine Division
1991-95
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Good to hear from you, Howie! Way to tear ‘em a new asshole!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pmYou go Howie.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pmGreat job, Howie.
You are a gentleman and a scholar
April 29th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I am more proud of the Troops as each day passes!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pmThat jackass who wrote the original article calls himself a “shock satirist” or something like that. That’s bullshit. He’s trying to slander men and women far better than he and then hide behind an “I’m just kidding” apron. Many kudos to you, Howie, for being the better man here.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pmGreat Readers Post. You go tell them……
B.T.W., I hope Readers Post will come back on YA.
(At least, it gave me some space and the possibilaty to vent “more in-dept” than just ad a few lines here and there.)
April 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pmAs an ex marine I feel that I can have a say on this forum and that is “how are American troops saving America by fighting in Iraq?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pmIt makes no sense to me no matter which way that I look at it, Americans are just dying needlessly. Iraq isn’t going to invade the states, you can give me 10 different reasons for why the coalition forces are in Iraq but still I could ask in all honesty “why are the troops in Iraq?
OK go for it I expect incoming.
Give ‘em Hell, Howie.
Although I think it was Sherman who was misquoted as saying war is Hell. He actually said, if I remember right, “War is cruelty, and you can not refine it. The crueler it is, the shorter it will be.” His march to the ended the war far quicker than would’ve been otherwise, and ensured it wouldn’t have to be fought a generation later.
@dave addison:
If true, you really are an EX-Marine, and either way you’re just a troll. Go back to DU. You’re not worth our time.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
dave addision: you are obviously full of shit. Only a poser asshole such as yourself would be ignorant enough of the Marine Corps to describe yourself as an “ex-Marine”. Nice try, scumbag.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:49 pmwhat a good response to that article. i hope murphy gets what he desrves.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:02 pmHowie,GREAT POST, and if you can read this, thank your teacher, if you’re reading it in English, thank a veteran…
April 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pmOnly “ex” Marine I ever heard of is Jack Murtha …
It’s kind of like one of them rare albino jackass anomalies …
April 29th, 2008 at 3:11 pmGee, Dave, you’re being ignored!
Well, maybe this is KISS enough for you:
they’re in Iraq because there’s something and many someones there worth fighting for, and doing so will redound powerfully to the benefit of the United States and the world.
Grab your dictionary if any of the words are too hard for you.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
drillanwar
April 29th, 2008 at 6:23 pmdon’t forget “Rev. J. Wrong”. he has curtiously reminded us that he was in the Marine Corps for, 4 years;then enlisted in the Navy. IMHO, corps-life was just too hard for him, so the candyass had to quit and make his life easier. So, no not everyone who serves in the military is patriotic (he could have been drafted,and decided to serve rather than go to jail)(wait,hasn’t the Marine Corps always been only a volunteer force,even during the Vietnam era?) ANYWAY; I consider him to be an “ex-Marine” also.
Dave,
There is no such thing as an “ex marine.” If you had really served, you would have written former Marine, with a capital “M.” Since you are an “ex marine” you must have served somewhere and had an MOS(if you know what MOS is). Who did you belong to? Maybe you were an “ex marine” in another world where I was a pig that couldn’t fly straight.
I can give you a couple hundred thousand reasons why we should stay there. I saw with my own eyes the Iraqis who want us there until their country is more stable. Syria and Iran have meddled in Iraq from the beginning and leaving right now will allow Syria and Iran to make Iraq into their puppet state. There is also AQI. The Sunnis are tired of them murdering Iraqis and have helped us destroy most of AQI. However, if we leave now before making sure AQI is stamped out for good, more innocent Iraqis will die and our troops will have shed their blood in vain. I, for one, am willing to go fight again if need be.
So, “ex marine” do you have anything to say to refute what I saw in the flesh? If not, then shut your mouth and stop lying about your service. The eagle, globe, and anchor is an honor you have to earn the right to wear. You pretending to be an “ex marine” is a disgrace and disservice to my brethren who have shed their blood for your right to lie without getting shot or put in a Chinese or Russian jail.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pmJust to throw one more barb at Dave my MOS was 0313, or as me and my bros called it 0312.
We were half 13 and half 11 which rounds out to 13.
Semper Fi to all but Dave.
God Bless you and I could not have said it better!!
John “Howie” Howell
L/Cpl USMC
1st LAR, 1st MarDiv
1991-95
PS Dave if you want to prove that you are a fraud call me (708)415-1440 this is my cell.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:51 pmWonderful commentary Howie . . . so thorough, well thought out - just great.
. . . Thank you.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pmIf you don’t know who Beverly is go to thebandofmothers.com and you will find out and fall in love with her like we have at Chandler’s Watch!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:17 pmNot to fit a mold
Not to join a trend
Not to follow a crowd
But because it’s right for me
Do not judge me based on your ignorance
Howie,
April 30th, 2008 at 1:01 amFantastic article.
Not to fit a mold
Not to join a trend
Not to follow a crowd
But because it is right for me
Do not judge me based on your ignorance
To Howie,
April 30th, 2008 at 3:04 amOut-fucking-standing, put it in his face. I’m gonna go read it again… Fantastic read.
When I read Ian Murphy’s article, I finished then forgot it. I gave it no heed. To do so I think would have given him satisfaction. And I think we should give him none. Though I may not agree with what he says, I will defend, with my life, his right to say it. Because for every one Ian Murphy out there, there are thousands more who would simply say, “Thank you.” And to hear it said, “Thank you” always makes my day. Sometimes it makes a few of my days. And it reminds me why we do what we do.
Semper Fi, Howie
Great Job Howie.
Murphy like almost all liberals attack not Al-Qeada or radical Islam, but America’s finest. Murphy’s propaganda will attack your children, spouse, mother and father. Murphy’s just another two bit hack.
Dave, When the world’s greatest military was set down in the middle of the middle east, Radical Islams birthplace. Radical Islam’s nature is to kill infidels and their great call is to attack the greatest military on earth. A dead terrorist kill no Americans, Europeans,Canadians, etc,etc.
The direct result has been radical Islam’s loss and identification as a butcher of the men,woman, and children of Islam. The free Iraqi people will be a ally.
After Iran’s/Syria’s military are destroyed Iraq (American Ally)will be the ME strongest and freest countries.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:29 amGood post Howie.
Hopefully the rebuttal may enlighten some, but stains like murphy are a lost cause, to write at the level of ignorance he did exposes what little critical thought he uses.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:47 amThat is an awsome rebuttal to those who do not understand and only wish to tear down the resolve of our country and undermine our troops.
It is always great to read your posts.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:51 amThank you Mr. Howell.
Well said.
I’ve always had a problem with the argument they only join for the college money. What the heck difference does that make. They still join knowing full well the job they are volunteering for. A lot of people get jobs to pay for college rather than go into debt. These young men and women just choose to do a job that is something they can be proud of, they can get trained and educated doing and that takes a special honorable kind of person.
I wish just one of these military basher would spend a few days with the troops and really see who they are bashing. They are some of the brightest and most caring people I have ever had the honor to meet.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:00 amThose that have come to take the rights that they abuse for granted will never take the time to thank those that preserve those rights for them, they believe that they are the force that preserves their rights through the abuse of those very rights.
A great big Thank You to all of you who put on the uniform of any of our great nations military to ensure my rights.
And Bash, I even include the Coast Guard in this.
Semper Fi!!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:22 amYou too kind to that rat f**ker. I will remain silent.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:27 amHowie.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:56 amI know you are right. I actually had someone tell me to stop talking about my son who was KIA because they did not want to be reminded of the war. Sadly not the worst thing I have heard since his death. And when people tell me he was just not “smart enough” to go to college I challenge them to come the recruiting station and score as high as he did on the practice ASVAB. Not one has had the courage to even walk through that door. I love the men and women who have the honor and courage to wear a uniform.. to me they are family. It are those men and women in uniform who continue to stand by me in this time when all others have disappeared from my life. And I, in return stand by them.
To ang-sorry people seem to be insulting your son
-i am glad for people like him.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:25 am
dave addison - where the fuck are you?. Hit and run.can’t stick around and debate it?..jsc0311 nailed it. you poser.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:38 amHowie: you didn’t even need to dignify “Ian’s” rant with a response. He will never understand. In San Francisco, there is at least one politician on the Bd. of Supervisors that thinks we don’t need a military, so he opposes having any bases there, and letting ships dock in the harbor. This is the mindset of these freaks. Hey, it’s a free country (they can think what they want). Why? Oh, duh, because the people in our military keep it that way. Semper fi. P.S.: before the internet, I never knew the innermost thoughts of these fringe liberals. Now I realise what extreme haters they are. They are the same as the very extreme right wing (Aryan Nation types), except there are more of them.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:57 amAng,
And when people tell me he was just not “smart enough” to go to college I challenge them to come the recruiting station and score as high as he did on the practice ASVAB.
As someone who has now completed his 260th hour of college and will be attending medical school in the fall as a second career, would you pass this information on to your detractors who believe your brave son was not smart enough to attend college:
It has been my experience, and I continue to be of the opinion, that from the lowest grunt to the highest levels of the military, whether degreed or not, the fighting men and women of the United States are the most disciplined, bravest and most intelligent collective group of people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Though too old now, and if I had been as smart as your son, you bet I would have volunteered and would have been much the better for it.
College graduates, on the other hand, thinking themselves wise with degree in hand, are too often some of the dumbest people I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. And don’t even get me started on PHDs. I’d have to get ugly.
Trust me on this one Ang from an admirer of not only military but the families who make the same sacrifices: not only would your son have been smart enough to have made it thru college, but because of the experiences gained that no college can provide, would have excelled.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:19 amMr. Murphy is suffering from a severe inferiority complex. He sees young men and women with the honor, courage, and commitment to something larger, more important, than themselves and he realizes that he does not have the moral or physical fortitude to carry their dirty laundry.
He IS the one John Stuart Mill was talking about when he stated:
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Our young men and women in the military ARE the “better men than himself”.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:43 amDave,
It makes no sense to me no matter which way that I look at it, Americans are just dying needlessly. Iraq isn’t going to invade the states, you can give me 10 different reasons for why the coalition forces are in Iraq but still I could ask in all honesty “why are the troops in Iraq?
I do know this for a fact Dave. As someone who has never been in the military, I still reserve the right to pass judgment about Iraq. Here’s what I know for sure:
(1) For all of our this administration’s supposed collective foibles after 9/11, I do note that not one time have we been attacked again on our soil, though threatened on a daily basis. Now are we incredibly lucky or possibly incredibly effective in fighting the war on terror?
(2) The fact that the government of Iraq would even host one terrorist that killed American citizens like Abu Nidal is all I need to know for Saddam to have his ass kicked into hell. We accommodated…
(3) The fact that Saddam continually thumbed his nose at eighteen different U.N. resolutions for a period of several years is all I need to know for Saddam to have his ass kicked into hell. We accommodated…
(4) The fact that Saddam and cronies continually shot at American aircraft, again breaking promises made after Desert Storm is all I need to know for Saddam to have his ass kicked into hell. We accommodated…
(5) The fact that Saddam was paying Palestinian terrorists 25K per Israeli citizen assassination is but another reason for Saddam and cronies to be dropped kicked to hell.
(6) The fact that Saddam and his cronies had threatened to assassinate George Bush Sr. on our soil is all I need to know for Saddam to have his ass kicked into hell. We accommodated…
(7) The fact we are in Iraq but Al Qaeda wasn’t is now irrelevant. I don’t buy that fact but assuming our detractors are right for one minute, the fact that Al Qaeda is getting their heads blown off by the bushel and our military doesn’t even have to go far looking for them is a big bonus. In fact, its a great reason to stay until everyone of the radicals makes his final crawl to hell.
(8) The fact that when we abandoned Vietnam before the war was won, 2.5MM innocents lost their life shortly thereafter and it took Desert Storm to restore both our honor, dignity and reputation.
I could go on but there’s eight legitimate reasons we are still in Iraq and should stay in Iraq until business is finished.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:54 amNatalie
I agree with all of what you have said except your last point.
Our honor and dignity began to be restored under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan.
Howie
April 30th, 2008 at 12:14 pmExcellent Marine. It is a pleasure to know you.
Very well thought out and written.
Marc
April 30th, 2008 at 6:55 pm