Semper Fi, Joe

No event in the history of the Marine Corps characterizes he dedication and courage of Marines than the flag rasing on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. The flag-raising that Joe Rosenthal captured on film was actually the second of that terrible and glorious day. It captured more than courage, though, but also everything that goes along with it: strength of character, loyalty, and hope. In Rosenthal's own words, it symbolized a "devotion to their country that those young men had, and the sacrifices they made."

While these things have lasting significance for the United States in general, it had particular significance to the Marine Corps. The Secretary of the Navy during World War II, James Forrestal, said, "The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years." However, that statement isn't entirely accurate.

As Rosenthal stated, it wasn't the photograph that defined the Marines. It was the Marines who defined the photograph. And they didn't decide to be courageous just at that moment. They were courageous because of the lives they cultivated over the years in a country of freedom and hope as well as the the training they endured to earn the title "Marine." However, without that photograph, there would be no record of it to pass on to the world and to future generations of Marines who could be inspired by the previous generation's example.

Rosenthal was more than just a photographer "at the right place and the right time." The place of carnage and death at Iwo Jima, I would offer, was anything but the "right" place or time for anyone. He took his life into his own hands when he decided to take that assignment in order to create a record of the valor that defined Marines. He was courageous in his own right, and he was loyal to America to the very end.

Sadly, that end came for him yesterday at the age of 94. His legacy lives on, though, in many forms, including the Marine Corps Memorial, and now the National Museum of the Marine Corps. His contribution and courage will never be forgotten as long as there is a Marine Corps.

Semper Fi, Joe. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Middle East Madness

The desire of people to take an illogical position on anything simply in order to feel better about themselves never ceases to amaze me. Never has the disconnect between what people say and plain reason ever been so apparent as when they pontificate over the predicament in the Middle East.

There are so many options a country has when it is attacked. And most of them lead to more attacks. The only certain way to prevent attacks in the future is to incapacitate those who would attack. And incapacitating a violent enemy through force is completely moral. Talking does not incapacitate the enemy. Nor does showing "restraint." Yet this is what the global community constantly calls on Israel to do.

I can't count the number of times I've heard people say that killing terrorists only creates more terrorists. I dispute the premise, because those who are inclined to become terrorists are probably already aiding the suicide bombers and other militants--which negates their status as civilians in the first place. Thus, it would be perfectly acceptable to kill them, too. But even if it were true, if Israel were to really unload the firepower it's capable of unloading, the terrorists would soon discover that terrorism is not a tactic that will solve their "problems."

Their problems aren't that great anyway. What it amounts to is some cognitive dissonance they are experiencing because they think Israel should be wiped off the map... yet despite their best efforts, it has not been. Because Israel will not commit suicide by returning the property it siezed from its attackers over several defensive wars, the fanatics who still call for the elimination of Israel feel their "human rights" are being violated because Israel continues to look after the security of its people.

Not surprisingly, the same people who are upset at Israel for fighting back are the same people who think we should not have invaded a country that we knew sponsored terrorism--both before and after 9/11. We knew it because he admitted it. He publicized it. They are also mostly the same people who think we should grant citizenship to the 10% of Mexico's population who are living here in the U.S. (1 in 12 is a felon, I learned today).

Is there any doubt to why a growing number of people call them the "Treason Party?"

Cameras and Cursing

As I watch the fallout from Mel Gibson's drunken tirade from last week, I really thank God there were no video cameras present those few times in my life when I was stupidly inebriated. No, really. That could have been embarrassing. It's hard enough to know that my friends saw me like that. I can't imagine what it would be like if the world knew I just how stupid I was.

I can't pretend to know what it's like to be an alcoholic. My understanding from those alcoholics I know and love is that the addiction typically makes people behave out of character from their sober selves. This is a big reason why one of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and other addiction programs is to make amends with those the abuser has harmed. Alcoholism makes people do stupid things and even attempt harm themselves and those around them.

So Gibson makes an apology, through a publicist, the day the story broke. Unlike most apologies, Gibson took full responsibility for his behavior, and went on to say--and I thought this was true (and remarkable because it was admitted)--that he not only shamed himself, but his family with his behavior. He went on to say that he said some horrible things to the police who arrested him, that they did their jobs very well and probably saved him from hurting himself or others. If he was that drunk, I don't even think he would remember what he said and had to rely on second-hand accounts through the media. Or maybe the police, with whom he otherwise had a good relationship, told him.

When I read the apology, I was amazed at how contrite it sounded. Most people busted for drunken driving or other addiction related problems don't sound this way. Usually, they try to turn it around to make themselves out to be the victims. However sorry he was, though, to the ADL, Gibson had not quite groveled enough. He issued another apology, this time specifically addressing what he said, explaining that he doesn't now and never has believed those things, and offered to meet with Jewish leaders to start the healing process.

His friends--Jewish, Christian, and other--came to his defense. Not about what he said, which is, of course, not defendable, but they spoke to his character, and how he doesn't believe what he said that night.

I don't know what is really in Gibson's heart. But if Nick Nolte and Roman Polanski deserve second chances, then so does Gibson.