Top Marine Expresses 'Concern'

Gen. Michael Hagee expressed concern over allegations that some of his Marines shot and killed more than 20 people in Haditha last November. My first thought as I read some of the news reports about Gen. Hagee's press conference today was 'why is this the first time we are hearing from this guy?' Today is June 7, 2006. The alleged slayings took place eight months ago. At a time when skepticism towards our government is at an all-time high, this doesn't sit well with me. I'm pretty fed up with our leaders taking time to get stories straight and making sure they have been briefed and rebriefed and triple-briefed by high-profile mouthpieces so that nothing incriminating or politically damaging reaches the media, and subsequently, the American people.

Even more frustrating is the fact that this doesn't seem to scare anyone but me. Are we to assume that after eight months, no steps have been taken to cover up all wrong-doing? Are we to assume that the NCIS folks won't review their findings with the 'appropriate' people in the White House before making them public? Are we naive enough to think that any negative items will be labeled 'classified' and never come to light? A lot of conservatives are asking the American people to be patient and to let the investigation run it's course before jumping to conclusions. What else are we to do after eight months?

Here's what we have been told: Last November, a bomb goes off and kills a Marine. Several other Marines begin entering houses and allegedly shoot unarmed Iraqi citizens at close range. The initial statement from the govt. is that the bomb killed 15 people. We now know that this is not true. But, until today, we haven't heard from any of the higher-ups in the Marines about the incident. Again, we're eight months removed from the incident.

The Hannitys and Savages feel that the accused soldiers, or 'heroes' as they refer to them, should be given the benefit of the doubt. I disagree. Perhaps if they hadn't lied at the very beginning, I'd be willing to entertain the thought. But for now, all I have to go on are gruesome photographs, a HUGE lie, and a tardy press conference about grave concerns.

Tags:

• haditha
• iraq
• marines
• hagee