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This is a letter written to all Americans from a Marine Corps pilot. It is
in response to that Canadian newspaper article that is flying around
everyone's e-mail praising the U.S. This is his opinion but many in the
military community can't help but agree with it. Read and pass on to anyone
that you think didn't believe in the military before 11 September. Remember
John Glenn's famous quote when he was asked what it felt like sitting atop
the rocket, ready to launch? "I felt about as good as anybody would, sitting in
a capsule on top of a rocket that were both builtby the lowest bidder."
(Senator John Glenn, Major USMC, Retired)
 Dear Americans:
When I opened my e-mail this morning, I had about 20 forwards of the article
written by Gordon Sinclair, the Canadian who so eloquently praised the
United States. What most of you do not realize is that this commentary was
written many years ago. Those of us in the military service have known about
it for a long time. Now Americans are flooding the net with it as if it were
new. It is not. When it was written, most Americans didn't read it because
most Americans did not care.
The tragedy that befell all of us on September 11th shocked America. America
no longer feels safe. Many of you have said, "The government should have
known! Thirty billion dollars is spent on intelligence! What about the
military?!?"
Just a reminder America: you voted our government into office. For years,
you allowed some dishonest politicians and twisted television media
personalities to shape your ideas about the defense of our nation. Why?
Because most Americans were too lazy to look beyond the three-minute
Sound bites on the evening news. Here's a news flash not being broadcast
much: "On September 11th, America had the exact level of protection, both
militarily and intelligence, that it was willing to pay for."
Only yesterday, the Congress and the Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a
"down payment" to fight this war. A short time ago, our politicians said a
100 million dollar increase for the Navy budget was substantial. In that
same bill, they ordered the Navy to conduct an 85 million dollar study on
... missile defense? (No) desperately needed parts for our fighter aircraft?
(wrong again) training for Navy SEALs? (Nah)
They wanted breast cancer research. Yes, America, your elected officials
decided that the U.S. Navy needed more mammograms and less missiles. Was
this an under-the-table sneaky move? No, it was right out in the open. The
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy both opposed it. A New
York Senatorial candidate (yes, she's the one) was enraged that the military
would be so sexist and irresponsible to the needs of civilians and wanted
the Navy to give the money back immediately! But the media paid it little
mind. So America paid little attention.
Did anyone ever watch CSPAN? Particularly when the heads of our armed
services essentially begged OUR representatives to give the military more
money to fight terrorism and maintain a strong defense? Did you see the
debates by the heads of the intelligence services that terrorism was the new
threat? They told the committees of Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the
military did not have the money to build the necessary intelligence networks
in the areas where terrorists were being harbored. They warned again and
again that there was clear and present danger within America's borders.
America must have been watching one of the other 114 satellite channels.
The military said: "We need more money to maintain military readiness and
combat training." America answered: "What the military needs is sensitivity
training! You're all sexist homophobes! I saw it on 60 Minutes!"
The military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, and tanks and to
improve our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the
world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep." America answered: "You're
all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet threat! My
Senator told me so! He/she says we do not need such a big military! You're
dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need social programs!"
The military said: "We need to recruit more Americans into the military. We
need to increase our force." America answered: "You're not taking my kids!
We're going to shut down the ROTC programs at our high schools and
universities because you discriminate against alternative lifestyles! ROTC
teaches children (under 21) how to shoot guns! You just want another
Columbine! Rosie and Oprah say so!"
The military said: "We can't keep interfering in the civil wars of small,
insignificant countries. It wastes our time, expends our resources,
decreases training, and demoralizes our troops. The men and women of the
United States are warriors trying to defend OUR nation; we are not the Third
World's police force." America answered: "You heartless bastards! Can't you
see the tear in the eye of that starving child?! There are flies on her
face, for Christ's sake! Get moving! Jesse Jackson on CNN said that is what
we pay you for!"
The military asked: "Why isn't America enraged over the terrorist attack on
the USS Cole that killed 17 AMERICAN sailors? How about the Air Force
barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? the embassy staffs in Africa? the soldiers
mutilated and dragged through the streets in Somalia?"
America answered: "We don't have time right now! We're busy defending animal
rights! Our schools are handing out automatic weapons! The federal
government is discriminating against cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites!
The police are all members of the Ku Klux Klan! The lack of ozone is ruining
my tan! If they cut deeper into food stamps, those poor women will have to
move down to Size 18/20 Chanel dresses! AND THE WORST! Corporations are
raising the prices of their products sooo high that I might not be able to
afford the multi-disc DVD player for my 36" digital-ready TV! Besides, YOU
GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!"
So - while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots and ask,
"Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they go after
the military?" - remember this, America: They already had gone after the
military - but America didn't care. These terrorists realized that they
needed to kill American civilians - and lots of them - before they could
have their desired reaction from the people of this country. Well, now they
have it.
Semper Fidelis
(written by a U.S. Marine Corps pilot)
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