This is a letter written to all Americans from a Marine Corps pilot. It is in response to that Canadian newspaper  article that is flying around everyone's e-mail praising the U.S. This is his opinion but many in the military community can't help but agree  with it. Read and pass on to anyone that you think didn't believe in the  military before 11 September.

Remember John Glenn's famous quote when he was  asked what it felt like sitting atop the rocket, ready to launch? "I felt about  as good as anybody would, sitting in a capsule on top  of a rocket that were both built by the lowest bidder." (Senator John  Glenn, Major USMC, Retired)

Dear Americans:

When I opened my e-mail this morning, I  had about 20 forwards of the article written by Gordon Sinclair, the Canadian  who so eloquently praised the United States. What most of you do not  realize is that this commentary was written many years ago. Those of us in the  military service have known about it for a long time. Now Americans are  flooding the net with it as if it were new. It is not. When it was written, most  Americans didn't read it because most Americans did not care.

The tragedy that befell all of us on  September 11th shocked America. America no longer feels safe. Many of you have  said, "The government should have known! Thirty billion dollars is spent on  intelligence! What about the military?!?"

Just a reminder America: you voted our  government into office. For years, you allowed some dishonest politicians and  twisted television media personalities to shape your ideas about  the defense of our nation. Why? Because most Americans were too lazy to  look beyond the three-minute Sound bites on the evening news. Here's a  news flash not being broadcast much: "On September 11th, America had the  exact level of protection, both militarily and intelligence, that it was  willing to pay for."

Only yesterday, the Congress and the  Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a "down payment" to fight this war. A short  time ago, our politicians said a 100 million dollar increase for the Navy  budget was substantial. In that same bill, they ordered the Navy to  conduct an 85 million dollar study on... missile defense? (No) desperately  needed parts for our fighter aircraft? (wrong again) training for Navy SEALs?  (Nah)

They wanted breast cancer research. Yes,  America, your elected officials decided that the U.S. Navy needed more  mammograms and less missiles. Was this an under-the-table sneaky move? No,  it was right out in the open. The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of  the Navy both opposed it. A New York Senatorial candidate (yes, she's the  one) was enraged that the military would be so sexist and irresponsible to  the needs of civilians and wanted the Navy to give the money back  immediately! But the media paid it little mind. So America paid little attention.

Did anyone ever watch CSPAN? Particularly  when the heads of our armed services essentially begged OUR  representatives to give the military more money to fight terrorism and maintain a  strong defense? Did you see the debates by the heads of the intelligence  services that terrorism was the new threat? They told the committees of  Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the military did not have the money to build  the necessary intelligence networks in the areas where terrorists were being  harbored.

They warned again and again that there was clear and present  danger within America's borders.

America must have been watching one of the  other 114 satellite channels.

The military said: "We need more money to  maintain military readiness and combat training."

America answered: "What  the military needs is sensitivity training! You're all sexist homophobes! I  saw it on 60 Minutes!"

The military said: "We need money to build  ships, planes, and tanks and to improve our technology. America still has  credible threats throughout the world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep."

America answered: "You're all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy.  There is no more Soviet threat! My Senator told me so! He/she says we do not  need such a big military! You're dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold  War! We need social programs!"

The military said: "We need to recruit  more Americans into the military. We need to increase our force."

America  answered: "You're not taking my kids! We're going to shut down the ROTC programs  at our high schools and universities because you discriminate  against alternative lifestyles! ROTC teaches children (under 21) how to shoot  guns! You just want another Columbine! Rosie and Oprah say so!"

The military said: "We can't keep  interfering in the civil wars of small, insignificant countries. It wastes our  time, expends our resources, decreases training, and demoralizes our  troops. The men and women of the United States are warriors trying to  defend OUR nation; we are not the Third World's police force."

America answered:  "You heartless bastards! Can't you see the tear in the eye of that starving  child?! There are flies on her face, for Christ's sake! Get moving! Jesse  Jackson on CNN said that is what we pay you for!"

The military asked: "Why isn't America  enraged over the terrorist attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 AMERICAN  sailors? How about the Air Force barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? the  embassy staffs in Africa? the soldiers mutilated and dragged through the streets  in Somalia?"

America answered: "We don't have time  right now! We're busy defending animal rights! Our schools are handing out  automatic weapons! The federal government is discriminating against  cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites! The police are all members of the Ku Klux  Klan! The lack of ozone is ruining my tan! If they cut deeper into food  stamps, those poor women will have to move down to Size 18/20 Chanel dresses!  AND THE WORST! Corporations are raising the prices of their products sooo  high that I might not be able to afford the multi-disc DVD player for my  36" digital-ready TV! Besides, YOU GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!"

So - while you sit on your couch or around  your office coffee pots and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent  civilians? Why didn't they go after the military?" - remember this, America:  They already had gone after the military - but America didn't care. These  terrorists realized that they needed to kill American civilians - and  lots of them - before they could have their desired reaction from the  people of this country. Well, now they have it.

Semper Fidelis

(written by a U.S. Marine Corps pilot)