Let's settle down.

1. A marine -- lower case m -- is any member of a land force carried on ships.

A Marine -- upper case -- is a member - whether active or not -- of the United States Marine Corps, an association of military fighters who have a reputation unrivalled on the planet for resourcefulness, effectiveness, a disdain for bureaucracy, courage and perseverance and, yes, deadliness in battle.

2. Steve -- the email from your son is heartwarming, but I am moved to ask when it was sent. It doesn't make any difference, exactly -- from a military point of view, the forces deployed in Iraq are pulling off a pretty amazing job. Now me, I hate being at war; but I can still say that I am awe struck by the courage and effectiveness of those who do the dirty work once it starts. I won't pretend ther eis no war, nor that there is no cause for one.

I only hope that in the overall net effect, their ideals will be realized; because they are paying a huge price to make the world better, according to their lights, and I would weep to see them get gypped by post-war tapdancing at home or internationally. I found it hopeful that the Senate rejected the VA cuts but I think we need to go a bit further than that.

A