I am a combat veteran and they should have controlled themselves. I have felt like doing things even worse but had to control myself. Especially in these times when every SOB has a camera and is trying to make us look bad in the eyes of the world. They want our protection but they also want to smear us every chance they get. Who took the picture and why did they let anyone see them do it? I know that we feel like doing these things but I also would like to think that we are above the idiots we are in war with. This may not be a popular explanation but we are better than this.

donohue,
seems to me like you need to get a grip on your thoughts and clear your head.

Yep, as I suspected, a wannabee little boy. Check his photo. Big talk from someone who won't or can't serve. Perhaps you have a criminal record?

Like I need a world history lecture from the likes of you. Sonny, I have a PhD in history. And another in life experiences. You have a lot to learn from those who have something to teach you. Unfortunately, I don't think learning anything is at the top of your list.

By the way, if you knew anything at all about the Crusaders, you'd know that their track record was anything but edifying. The supposed objective of the Crusades was to "liberate" Jerusalem. From what? Under Islamic rule, Jerusalem was a more "liberal," tolerant, enlightened, and safe place to live than any time since the Romans fell. Business was good, religion was tolerant, everyone was happy, except the Christian monks who couldn't continue ripping off the holy site pilgrims. First thing the crusaders did after taking Jerusalem was gather up the entire Jewish population (tens of thousands) and burn them alive in the center of the city. What the heck was that supposed to accomplish? Islamic men, women, and children were also massacred indescriminately. And, of course, everyone's property was confiscated to build new fortresses for the crusaders. Oh, and did I forget to mention how sweetly the crusaders treated their fellow Christians in the Eastern Empire while on their way to the Holy Land? No better than the Muslims! Raped, pillaged, and murdered. Yep, those guys were real knights in shining armor all right! If you want to talk about Islam in the Middle Ages, don't forget to put the discussion in its historical context. They weren't the only ones trying to take over the world! Throughout history soldiers have gone bad. In fact, soldiers have gone bad probably more than any other class of people. If we turn a blind eye to it or make excuses, it only begets more "badness". THAT is the lesson of history.

I agree with OH. While this is not nearly as serious as massacring a bunch of civilians, this is exactly the kind of thing that makes the rest of the world hate the U.S.A. I'm all for supporting the troops, but this sort of thing is exactly what fanatics use to drum up more support and recruit more suicide bombers. How many people are going to get hurt because of this joke?

I believe that blowing up a few people is an appropriate response to desecration of a corpse, but that's what's going to happen.

Methinks the joker has never actually seen someone die, let alone get killed. Armchair hero, too bad your dad or brother isn't over there itching to get home and out of that insanity. It might change your perspective. I doubt the troops in Iraq/Afganistan will have much support for that crap. They undoubtedly want to see things de-escalate so they can get the hell out of there.

The idiot who took the photo was probably one of the merry band of morons committing the deed. Probably posted it on You-Tube. I doubt they posed for a journalist.

I'm also a Vet and this type of behavior is not tolerable. I don't care if you think the corpses deserved to be urinated on or not, but the bottom line is, you are responsible for your actions. I don't think anyone needs to be urinated on for any reason, even radical terrorists before or after death.

Lets turn the table and say a video was posted and showed radicals urinating on the bodies of our soldiers. How then would you feel?

This type of behavior has no place in our military, nor will it ever. Period.

To Mr. Donohue:
It would be a wise decision on your part if you would stop preaching such horrible things about what the brave men and women that helped and are currently helping make this country what it is today; something far better than Iraq or Afghanistan in my opinion. Terrorists are not the best of people, and need to be dealt with in such a manner that may involve the death of said terrorist, but they don't deserve to be showered in human excrement in death. Have a nice day Sir.

I was a Marine (1st MarDiv, Viet Nam) and I was young for a while. It saddens me to see the Corps exposed to censure, criticism and "bad press" by poor judgment. I understand how frustrating it is to finally drop an enemy who doesn't wear a uniform and pops out of the woodwork, and much of this can be attributed to combat experience without the maturity to put it into perspective, but the penultimate error was to permit it to be videoed! You don't provide your enemy with a tool for propaganda and psychological warfare. Had they simply posed with their kills, I'd say that's been done since Matthew Brady took photos in the Civil War, but this was poor judgment. Was it criminal? Well, it was immature, reprehensible, and obviously not thought out. If there was any NCO or SNCO leadership there, I'm sure they would have intervened. I'd hope these warriors aren't drummed out, but they have not reflected well on the Corps or conducted themselves with the restraint expected of a U.S. Marine and there's a price to be paid for that. The video is as much an enemy as the Taliban in this instance, and it boggles my mind that they chose this was to vent, to show off, and allow a camera or camcorder near them! Do I understand? Yes. Do I approve? No. And spare me your empty criticism that I can't grasp what these Marines were exposed to and can't relate to their behavior. Been there, done that (or worse) but I learned quickly that photographs (or video) don't tell the whole story, and whatever they record or depict had better be humane enough to print on the front page or it would bounce back to bite us.
This situation now has worldwide attention. It's out of the hands of their commanding officer, and into the hands of the politicians who are under pressure to make an example of them. I'd say the situation looks grim for these young Marines, because it wasn't good career decision. I take it they learned nothing from the photos that leaked out of Abu Graib.
If an enemy fires on U.S. military personnel, by all means, decisively eliminate that problem. Once certifiably dead, press on to other enemies. In this case, the gavel will come down hard and I doubt the punishment will fit the poor decision; it'll be worse. Whatever we, as veterans, can understand, the powers that address these issues will not be disposed to leniency. For that, I feel badly for these young Marines. That video will pour gasoline on a number of fires, and they obviously didn't take that into consideration. I wish they'd chosen another way to celebrate victory over the enemy, and I hope the court takes the nature of combat, youthful hubris and adrenalin into consideration, but this is going to get ugly. I will continue to follow this issue.
Speaking of poor judgment, Mr. Donohue, you do well to consider that many of those who post on this forum have seen combat before you were conceived, but we've had the time to think about it and sort it out. I remain in contact with those I served with decades ago, and we express unanimous regret that anything would stain the honor of the Corps. These Marines (and 236 years of Marines before them) are unquestionably there to kill the enemy, but they have plenty of acreage in which to relieve themselves. In candor, no one ever videoed any of us making a head call, much less urinating on enemy dead. Killing the Taliban demonstrates tactical efficiency, which I applaud; getting videoed while peeing on them demonstrates very poor judgment. I remind you, this war is not over. Acts like this will engender retaliation. Treat your enemy's dead as you would be treated in death.

The original quote was made in Viet Nam by 5th Special Forces Group, "Kill 'em all, Let God Sort them Out"

know this will sound strange, but Urine from a healther person is a sterile saline solution, medics in Viet Nam in the boonies it that did not have Ringers Solution would collect urine in a container and use it to clean wounds, I was never wounded my self but I saw it happen many times.

Hey honky. You have a phd in history; really? why dont you be good enough to lecture us all here about the crusades. Lets start with WHY did the crusades occur? What was it that brought them about? Please share your vast knowledge with us. Dont be shy now;)

Thx Carl. That's all very simple; of you. Now toddle off to the kiddie pool while the adults swim In the deep end.

Soooooooo. Im confused, what is it that PO'd folks about my original post? Was it the go to hell honky part, or the part about our pols falling all over themselves to apologize about the battlefield conduct of the USMC? I stand by my second post with no reservations or apologies. Too many since 9/11 have failed to comprehend what islam is about,or what its goals are; all of which are anethema to the American way or life. Im sorry, but its my country right or wrong, and i stand with our fighting men and women first and foremost. I do not try to make excuses for what happens in situations where i am not present or have direct knowledge or experience. Let he who is innocent cast the first stone.

OK. So we are engaged in battle with a bunch of thugs who fight for no flag or country are not members of any legitamate military force or structure and yet, you believe they deserve some special respect and accomadation in death and life! Your right, i am confused.
Carl you have at least outed yourself as a koolaid swiling liberal who thinks hes a pseudocon by your incessant insistence to engage in cultural and religous relivatism.

Typical liberal attack strategy. When they are incapable of engaging in a rational coherent arguement they resort to the hand book of Saul Alinski
which instructs them to ridicule and isolate the opponent. Fail hubie boy, fail.

All you apologist milquetoast handwringers make me want to puke. We are in a world wide war of the islamos against western civilization and freedom. This war has been going on since the 7th century and the goal is total world domination. You best wake up.
Either we kill them or they are going to kill you and your loved ones. Thats the goal. I say Hell NO.