Last night I stumbled upon a video on “YouTube” showing a US Marine in Iraq holding aloft a small puppy, its legs bound with a zip tie. With sociopath-like laughter and a complete lack of humanity the marine proceeds to throw the tiny creature off a cliff, its whimpers and cries audible as it plummeted to its death.
A tiny, innocent puppy dog, senselessly killed by a young man sent to liberate a nation from terrorists.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Viewer postings and some press reports about the video indicate that perhaps it was bogus with creative editing designed to give the appearance that the little puppy dog was hurled to its death.
Frankly I don’t care if the video is authentic or not. It’s incredibly disturbing and it’s a clear signal of the very real decline in the morals and character of many young Americans. It’s also been seen around the world and is another “black eye” for America. The “kid” who tossed that dog off the cliff could be the poster child for all that is wrong with America today. Don’t misunderstand me, he and those of his ilk are a minority but the question that has me scratching my head is what happened to him? What would turn the average young American into a ruthless, insensitive sociopath capable of killing a puppy dog with such cavalier indifference?
As a 20 year veteran of the US armed forces I know for a fact this Marine’s disregard for life wasn’t ingrained into him by the teaching and tenets of America’s military. America’s armed forces go to great lengths to identify and discharge soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines when a lust for violence, killing and wanton destruction is revealed. My American military does not want brain-dead robots who are devoid of compassion or the value of life.
So where is the problem? What prompts a 20 year old kid to toss a beautiful, innocent puppy off a cliff?
It’s all about respect or rather a lack of it and I believe the decline of America’s moral fabric can be traced directly to main street USA. I believe far too many moms and dads don’t raise their children based on basic foundations of morality or respect. Contemplate this if you will; when was the last time you heard a teenager say “sir or ma’am?” When did you last hear a member of today’s youth say please or thank you? Come to think of it, the 20-somethings and even 30-somethings have gravitated away from basic politeness and respect for others. Our once elemental respect for elders and the use of “the magic words”, please and thank you seem to have been cast aside. While we once admired those who possess kindness and generosity, today’s youth instead “respect” those who intimidate, menace, and show little regard for life or property. Family interaction has been replaced by dangerous multi-media “babysitters”
Through television, movies, the Internet and perhaps more alarmingly, violent video games, we’re watching our youth become desensitized to suffering and are creating a generation devoid of humanity. Today’
A “normal” person doesn’t laugh and then toss a puppy off a cliff unless their name is Dahmer, Bundy or Manson. A person who would do that is damaged goods and prone to continued violence that will surely lead to gross misconduct against people. A reasonable person knows this Marine’s actions are not indicative of the vast majority of America’s military personnel or America’s youth. However the prudent person, especially one concerned with the future or our nation and it’s survival in this time of terrorism and tumult, should recognize the dangerous path we’re on. It’s time that we as a nation, as a people, and as a civilized society recognize that perpetuating and condoning violence disguised as entertainment is a slippery slope that clearly damages our collective reputations and perhaps more importantly, calls into question our own humanity.
