So it’s pretty much common knowledge now that there’s a video circulating of a Marine shooting an Iraqi in Fallujah. I saw the clip on TV last night, and I have no problem with the Marine making the decision himself. Not all of the details are known, of course, but for the most part I’m fine with his following his gut reaction. Those of us sitting over here on our asses have no fucking idea what was going through that Marine’s head. We cannot put ourselves in his shoes; we simply do not know his situation. So what right do we have to judge him?

I’ve heard rumors about what happened: supposedly the Marine was shot in the face the day before, or maybe he’d watched a buddy die a few hours prior to the incident; and I’ve heard rumors about why: the Iraqi was reaching for a detonator on his belt, or maybe he’d pulled a gun. But we don’t know. I regret the potentially unnecessary loss of life, I regret the investigation that the Marine is going to be forced through, I agree that it was a tragedy…but we should not judge this Marine.

Disclaimer: I am well aware that this post could be controversial; that’s part of why I published it: to get people thinking and spark discussion. It’s just a thought that came to me and I wrote about it quickly. I have not thought out the whole argument, and my mind can be changed.