"Heroes"

Last June, in the context of neocon apologist Fouad Ajami's characterization of convicted perjurer Scooter Libby as a "fallen soldier" in the Iraq War, I talked about the American right's strange choice in martyrs—specifically, Lieutenant William "Rusty" Calley, convicted by a jury his military peers of the murder of twenty-two women, children, and old men in the village of My Lai. One conservative minister proclaimed: "There was a crucifixion 2,000 years ago of a man named Jesus Christ. I don't think we need another crucifixion of a man named Rusty Calley."

And, as I have written: "Computers have cut-and-paste functions. So does right-wing historical memory."

Now that that Marines are finally being charged with voluntary manslaughter for the Haditha massacre in which up to 22 Iraqi civilians died (murder charges were dropped in January), I got an email from Newsmax. No, they're not calling these guys Jesus—not yet. They're just "heroes." As in: Help the Marine Heroes of Haditha." (And get "a free 4-month subscription to Newsmax magazine, a $20 value" as a special bonus!).

Two Marines face maximum charges of fifteen years. Newsmax's email gives us their profiles:

Lance Cpl. Tatum hails from Oklahoma City, Okla. He graduated from the Putnam City public schools, playing sports in grade school followed by football in high school.

His parents say Stephen has always had a positive attitude, and was well liked by his teachers and friends.
Stephen, they told Newsmax, is a religious young man who enjoys going to church with family and friends. He always wanted to be a Marine and has served his country with great pride, honor, and dedication.
Staff Sgt. Wuterich was an honor student in Meriden, Conn., an active sportsman who played the trumpet in the school band, and performed with the drama club.

While still in his senior year of high school, Frank enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
For the past eight years, he has been an outstanding leader with many decorations and commendations.
Ironically, before being charged with murder, he had been recommended for the Bronze Star for the very actions at Haditha that resulted in the charges.

Then, the "ask":

Newsmax will send all donations — every penny — to the aid of the Marines. Newsmax will even pay all the credit card processing costs that will incur.

Help us show America's appreciation for these fine young Marines and their selfless service to our country

(Strangely, Newsmax is not raising money for a third Marine in the case, battalion commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, facing charges that he was derelict in his duty for failing to ask for an investigation. Maybe because he was neither an honor student nor a "religious young man"? I have no idea.)

Yesterday, I got another email reporting they've received $50,000 in donations in 24 hours. Dig it: déjà vu all over again. When Calley was up against it, a supporter penned a ballad to the tune of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that recast this slaughterer of innocents—after his conviction by his miltiary peers!— fighter up against an implacable and ruthless foe, just doing what needs to be done:

We took the jungle village exactly like they said
We responded to their rifle fire with everything we had
And when the smoke had cleared away a hundred souls lay dead.

Sir, the soldier that's alive is the only one can fight
There's no other way to wage a war when the only one in sight
That you're sure is not a VC is your buddy on the right....

Same, says Newsmax, with the Haditha boys:

On Nov. 19, 2005, an IED exploded under a Humvee, killing driver Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas and wounding two other members of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, Lance Cpls. James Crossan and Salvador Guzman.

The surviving Marines then came under fire from two houses near the site of the explosion.

Almost immediately, a white sedan came on the scene and Sgt. Frank Wuterich, mindful of an intelligence briefing that had warned of an impending ambush involving a white car, killed the occupants as they came out of the vehicle and refused to stop when ordered to do so.

A rapid response team arrived on the scene 15 minutes after the IED explosion and the officer in command ordered Wuterich and his men to clear the two houses.

In the course of what became a fierce door-to-door, full-day battle, 24 Iraqis were killed.... Despite the loss of civilian life, the military was satisfied that the Marines had acted properly because of Dinsmore's meticulous work in chronicling the engagement with video and radio reports.

Martyrs—American martyrs—are all the right can see, then as now. I recount what happened in upon the release of "The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley" in Nixonland

Radio stations played it in nonstop rotation, interrupted only by calls for donations to Calley's defense fund. And a man convicted by fellow Army officers of slaughtering 22 civilians was released on his own recognizance to the splendiferous bachelor pad he had rented with the proceeds of his defense fund, as featured in the November 1970 Esquire, complete with padded bar, groovy paintings, and comely girlfriend, who along with a personal secretary and a mechanical letter opener helped him answer some 2,000 fan letters a day.

Of course, these guys have only been indicted, not convicted. We'll see in time whether they're guilty—that's what the trial is for. The prosecutor in the trial at Camp Pendleton—those dirty, stinking military officers!—told the judge that these innocents are both uncooperative and likely to give contradictory testimony. And the Pentagon's own report found evidence that "supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot civilians, including unarmed women and children."

Thus Newsmax's "fierce door-to-door battle." Donate now. Operators are standing by.

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