Just as the few disgraced the many at Abu Ghraib, the very few who may have committed murder in Haditha will place a burden on the shoulders of every soldier, sailor, airman, marine and coast guardsman fighting terrorism. Each of us has a duty to not add to that burden, and to help relieve it as well. If those few Marines killed innocents in Haditha, their conduct is an aberration, not the norm. It is up to each one of us to ensure that the events of Haditha do not tarnish the brave and selfless service of the many who came before, or any who come after. Except for the aberrant few, the Marines are always faithful to America. In times such as this, we cannot fail to be faithful to them.
And I might add that I don't know why the Left is making such a big deal about this crime. I know it is considered big because NPR has gone from all-Abu Ghraib to all-Haditha mode. But the Left has believed all along that such crimes are common and believe any half-addled nitwit who knows where an Army surplus store is with a claim he slaughtered Iraqi civilians.
Punish the few. Stand by the rest. Win the war.
