A change of pace and a change of plan today. Ol’ Fuzzy has been hearing a lot about the scandal raised by the men of the Marines United group on Facebook. It reminds me of the scandal in the 1970s when recruiters from various racial hate groups tried to recruit members from Marine Corps bases in California. I was there when they tried to recruit on Camp Pendleton. I am proud to tell you that the men and women I knew in the Corps refused to even talk to those people.
Today the issue is sexism, not racism. And I am sad to say that so many men lined up with the sexist agenda. Our society may have evolved into a bunch of anonymous cowards who flame and deride each other online, hiding behind the shield of anonymity afforded by the nature of the internet. They say things on line that would never cross their mind to say face-to-face. And it’s all negative.
The Marine Corps holds ourselves to a higher standard. These men have not met the standard and thus have given away their right to the title of “United States Marine.” In combat, one must rely on his or her fellows to unhesitatingly react in support of him or her when bullets are flying at them. I have no question, absolutely none, of the loyalty of the women and LGBT members in the Corps. I knew closet gays and women in the Corps, and trusted them then and still trust them now. It was the “strait” men who caused all of my trouble in the Corps.
I never endorsed the attitudes of entitlement and superiority of the other strait men. I am a man, heterosexual in my preference, and I appear to be and pass for white. But when the ignorant and destructive ideas of male supremacy, white supremacy or any other foolish notion of one part of humanity over another, rose up to seek my approval, I always responded with a frigid shoulder. These women meet the standards set by the Marine Corps, and have paid their dues in sweat and grief, to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. They’re just as much Marines as the fools would have been had they held up their end of the standard.
A combat force, especially one as small as the Marine Corps, cannot give room to anything that divides its members. This must stop. That is why Bob Neller has come down so strongly against these comments and ordered the full weight of the Marine Corps and NCIS to come down on it. But punishing the perpetrators won’t make it go away. We have to reach into the hearts of those men who think in such terms, and change their attitudes.
The problem is spiritual in nature, a result of the spiritual war waged in the hearts of all humanity. I urge all of my readers, no matter what your particular form of religion, to participate in the spiritual battle on the side of the Corps and its values. Add them to your prayers, build rituals to stave off the spirits of hate and lust that drive these weak men to act in such a way. America may not need a Marine Corps, as the other services are happy to point out, but the people want a Marine Corps that represents the values and projects the virtues that the nation wishes to show the world. Only strong “supporting fires” from our spiritual friends can give us the ability to hold the line in this battle.
The Marine Corps does not condone these actions. Here’s a clip of Gen. Neller condemning the posts that offended the women under his command: [http://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2017/3/8/14851434/us-marine-corps-statement-naked-photo-facebook link here]. Go to that site and listen to the top Marine. Then roll up your sleeves and pick up the weapons of your spiritual warfare. Thanks.
Ol’ Fuzzy is planning to open two other blogs, one on politics from a neutral point of view, and the other a catch-all for random musings. If you have any suggestions or requests, please leave a comment below so Ol’ Fuzzy knows what’s on your mind. But be patient. Ol’ Fuzzy doesn’t have internet in the cave. I have to rely on free WiFi at internet cafes. If there is a way to get an internet connection installed, let me know. The problem is one of lack of funds.
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