A U.S. Marine speaks out, says what others are afraid to say

Philip Martin has been a Marine for 2 years. He is 21-years old and spent 7 months in the al-Anbar province of Iraq. He was part of over 180 combat patrols in and outside of the city of Fallujah, where he saw heavy combat and the reality of war.

He is currently stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA, and due to return to Iraq for a second deployment in April 2007.

Martin says, "I'm sick and tired of this patriotic, nationalistic and fascist crap. I stood through a memorial service today for a young Marine that was killed in Iraq back in April. During this memorial a number of people spoke about the guy and about his sacrifice for the country. How do you justify 'sacrificing' your life for a war which is not only illegal, but is being prosecuted to the extent where the only thing keeping us there is one man's power, and his ego. A recent Marine Corps intelligence report that was leaked said that the war in the al-Anbar province is unwinnable. It said that there was nothing we could do to win the hearts and minds, or the military operations in that area. So I wonder, why are we still there? Democracy is not forced upon people at gunpoint. It's the result of forward thinking individuals who take the initiative and risks to give their fellow countrymen a better way of life."

I commend Philip for speaking out, I couldn't agree with him more. We all need to support people like him. Please take the time to read the rest of Philip's thoughts at Information Liberation.