The investigation into the incident at Haditha, in which it is alleged that as many as two dozen Iraqi civilians were killed by Marines, is not even complete.
No one has been charged and no defense has been given to the allegations but despicable Democrat politicians like Congressman John "Judas" Murtha and the liberal media already want to publicly hang some young Marines ("Murtha: Expect fallout worse than Abu Ghraib," May 29 and TribLIVE.com).
Before you pass judgment on these young men, you must step out of the fantasy land that most Americans live in. There is no way to understand the Al Anbar Province of Iraq until you have lived here in this combat zone.
There are many good people in Iraq. I have had the opportunity to work with some very brave Iraqis who risk not only their lives but also those of their families for just a chance at freedom.
But be aware there is also an evil here that people in America cannot even imagine, let alone fully understand.
Terrorist insurgents constantly use civilians, their own people, as human shields, especially women and children. They know that American soldiers and Marines will hesitate to return fire in these instances, giving the terrorists time to retreat back into the population.
They will shoot from their own homes, plant bombs (IEDs) in their own markets and are more than willing to perform suicidal attacks for even a chance to kill an American or Iraqi soldier. Those are the facts. I have seen these things in Al Anbar.
If these Marines are guilty, they will have to pay the consequences for their actions, but for God's sake at least allow them a defense and a fair trial before you pass judgment.
Sgt. Mark Russak
Al Anbar Province, Iraq
The writer lives in North Irwin.
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