Conduct Unbecoming

A discussion list I belong to for Marines and Marine families recently contained the following posting by the usual clueless follow the dictates of the Administration at all costs poster:

With all of this talk of impending war, many of us will encounter "Peace Activists" who will try and convince us that we must refrain from engaging in war with Iraq. These activists may be alone or in a gathering…most of us don't know how to react to them. When you come upon one of these people, or one of their rallies, here are the proper rules of etiquette:

1. Listen politely while this person explains their views. Strike up a conversation if necessary and look very interested in their ideas. They will tell you how revenge is immoral, and that by attacking the people Who did this to us, we will only bring on more violence. They will probably use many arguments, ranging from political to religious to humanitarian.
2. In the middle of their remarks, without any warning, punch them in the nose.
3. When the person gets up off of the ground, they will be very angry and they may try to hit you, so be careful.
4. Very quickly and calmly remind the person that violence only brings about more violence and remind them of their stand on this matter. Tell them if they are really committed to a non-violent approach to undeserved attacks, they will turn the other cheek and negotiate a solution. Tell them they must lead by example if they really believe what they are saying.
5. Most of them will think for a moment and then agree that you are correct.
6. As soon as they do that, hit them again. Only this time hit them much harder. Square in the nose.
7. Repeat steps 2-5 until the desired results are obtained and the idiot realizes how silly of an argument he/she is making.
8. There is no difference in an individual attacking an unsuspecting victim or a group of terrorists attacking a nation of people. It is unacceptable and must be dealt with. Perhaps at a high cost. We owe our military a huge debt for what they are about to do for us and our children. We must support them and our leaders at times like these. We have no choice. We either strike back, VERY HARD, or we will keep getting hit in the nose.

I'll never be able to fathom the depths of ignorance at which some will willingly dwell. The willingness with which many of my former brothers and sisters in arms will embrace collectivist concepts (all the while berating Marxists) like blind obedience to authority, without thought to Constitutional restraints and legalities has always amazed me. I remember taking the oath of office 8 or so times during my active and reserve service and pledging to "support and defend the Constitution" on each occasion. The ignorant idiot spreading this message of violence and suppression of First Amendment rights clearly has no clue what it means to "support and defend the Constitution." Violent suppression of speech you disagree with is hardly admirable, nor is it conduct becoming a Marine or a decent human being.